UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Introductory Note
The Business Combination
As previously announced, on February 27, 2023, Colombier Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Colombier”), PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PSQ”), Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Colombier (“Merger Sub”), and Colombier Sponsor, LLC (the “Sponsor”), a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative (the “Purchaser Representative”), for the purposes set forth in the Merger Agreement (as defined below), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), included as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 2.1.
As previously reported on the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Colombier with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on July 19, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), Colombier held a special meeting of its stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), at which holders of 16,129,616 shares of Colombier’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock (together, the “Colombier Common Stock”) were present in person or by proxy, constituting a quorum for the transaction of business. Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 12, 2023, the record date (the “Record Date”) for the Special Meeting, were entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, 21,562,500 shares of Colombier Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
At the Special Meeting, Colombier’s stockholders voted to approve the proposals outlined in the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement filed by Colombier with the SEC on June 30, 2023 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), including, among other things, the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the merger of Merger Sub with and into PSQ, with PSQ continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Colombier, and the issuance of Colombier securities as consideration thereunder, as described in the section titled “The Business Combination Proposal (Proposal 2)” beginning on page 144 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (the “Merger” and, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination”). Also on the Closing Date, following the conclusion of the Special Meeting, the Business Combination, including the Merger, was completed (the “Closing”).
In connection with the Closing, the registrant changed its name from Colombier Acquisition Corp. to PSQ Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”). References herein to “Colombier” are to Colombier Acquisition Corp. prior to consummation of the Business Combination and references to the “Company” are to PSQ Holdings, Inc. (f/k/a Colombier Acquisition Corp.) and, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, its wholly-owned subsidiary, EveryLife Inc., following the consummation of the Business Combination. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Current Report on Form 8-K have the same respective meanings as set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed with the SEC on June 30, 2023 by Colombier.
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The Merger Consideration
At Closing, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and after giving effect to the redemptions of Colombier Class A Common Stock (as defined below) by public stockholders of Colombier:
| ● | all options, convertible notes, warrants and other rights to subscribe for or purchase any capital stock of PSQ or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or that otherwise conferred on the holder any right to acquire, any capital stock of PSQ which remained outstanding and had not been exercised or did not convert automatically into shares of PSQ Common Stock (as defined below) prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) were cancelled without consideration; |
| ● | each share of PSQ common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“PSQ Common Stock”), including shares of PSQ Common Stock issued upon conversion of outstanding convertible notes of PSQ that automatically converted into shares of PSQ Common Stock immediately prior to the completion of the Merger, in each case other than shares of PSQ Common Stock held by Michael Seifert, was automatically converted into the right to receive 19.476836 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Class A Common Stock”); and |
| ● | each share of PSQ Common Stock held by Mr. Seifert was automatically converted into the right to receive 19.476836 shares of Class C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Class C Common Stock” and, together with Class A Common Stock, “Company Common Stock”). |
In addition to the right of holders’ of PSQ Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “PSQ Stockholders”) to receive Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock, as applicable, in the Merger, PSQ Stockholders and certain executive officers, employees and service providers of PSQ (the “Deemed Equity Holders” and, together with the PSQ Stockholders, the “Participating Equityholders”) will be entitled to receive up to 3,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”) in the event certain trading price-based metrics are satisfied during the five (5)-year period commencing on the date of the Closing and ending on the fifth anniversary thereof (the “Earnout Period”), or, if earlier, upon the occurrence of a change of control transaction (as defined in the Merger Agreement) during the Earnout Period with an implied per share price that exceeds the relevant trading price-based metrics. Specifically, Earnout Shares will be earned if one or more of the three (3) triggering events described below occurs:
| ● | in the event that, and upon the date during the Earnout Period on which, the volume-weighted average trading price of Class A Common Stock quoted on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (or such other exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock are then listed) for any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) consecutive trading day period (the “Earnout Trading Price”) is greater than or equal to $12.50, the Participating Equityholders will be entitled to receive an aggregate of 1,000,000 Earnout Shares; |
| ● | in the event that, and upon the date during the Earnout Period on which, the Earnout Trading Price is greater than or equal to $15.00, the Participating Equityholders will be entitled to receive an aggregate of 1,000,000 additional Earnout Shares; and |
| ● | in the event that, and upon the date during the Earnout Period on which, the Earnout Trading Price is greater than or equal to $17.50, the Participating Equityholders will be entitled to receive an aggregate of 1,000,000 additional Earnout Shares. |
Each share of the Company’s Class C Common Stock entitles its holder, initially Michael Seifert, to a number of votes per share (rounded up to the nearest whole number) equal to (a) the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock entitled to vote on the applicable matter as of the applicable record date plus 100, divided by (b) the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock (the “Per Share Class C Voting Power”). As of the Closing Date, as a result of his ownership of 100% of the outstanding Class C Common Stock, Mr. Seifert has approximately 52.62% of the voting power of the Company, and the result of most matters to be voted upon by the Company’s stockholders will be controlled by Mr. Seifert, who can base his vote upon his best judgment and his fiduciary duties to PSQ stockholders. Each share of Class C Common Stock held by Mr. Seifert may be converted by Mr. Seifert at any time into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock.
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In the event that, after the Closing, Mr. Seifert transfers shares of Class C Common Stock to any person other than certain permitted transferees (as set forth in the New Charter (as defined below)) such transferred shares will convert automatically into shares of Class A Common Stock having only one vote per share. All outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock will convert into Class A Common Stock (i) in the event Mr. Seifert is no longer at least one of an officer or director of the Company, or dies or becomes incapacitated, or (ii) at such time as the total number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock falls below 50% of the total number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock as of immediately after Closing.
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
On July 19, 2023, in connection with the Closing, the Company, the Sponsor and certain PSQ stockholders (the “New Investors” and together with the Sponsor, the “Investors”) entered into an Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is obligated to file one or more registration statements to register the resales of Class A Common Stock held by the Investors after the Closing, including Class A Common Stock that was issued upon conversion of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Company (“Class B Common Stock”), or issuable upon conversion of Class C Common Stock, and Earnout Shares. One or more Investors holding 20% of the aggregate number of registrable securities owned by all Investors are entitled under the Registration Rights Agreement to make a written demand for registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their registrable securities (up to a maximum of four demand registrations). The Registration Rights Agreement also provides such Investors with “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions.
Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to indemnify the Investors and certain persons or entities related to such Investors such as their officers, directors, employees and agents and each person who controls such Investor (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission, of a material fact in any registration statement or prospectus pursuant to which the Investors sell their registrable securities, unless such liability arose from such Investor’s misstatement or alleged misstatement, or omission or alleged omission, and the Investors including registrable securities in any registration statement or prospectus agreed to indemnify the Company and certain persons or entities related to the Company such as its officers and directors and underwriters against all losses caused by their misstatements or omissions (or alleged misstatements or omissions) in those documents.
The foregoing summary of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Employment Agreements and Restrictive Covenant Agreements
On July 19, 2023, each of Michael Seifert, Sebastian Harris, Bradley Searle, Stephen Moran, Andrew Weisbecker, Brian Elkins and Michael Hebert, in his capacity as an executive officer of the Company, executed an employment agreement. Each of the aforementioned executive officers of the Company has also entered into customary restrictive covenant agreements, which include confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation of employees and consultants, non-solicitation of customers and suppliers, and non-disparagement covenants. The employment agreements and restrictive covenant agreements are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation of PSQ” beginning on page 279 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and that information is incorporated herein by reference. Copies of Mr. Seifert’s employment agreement and restrictive covenant agreement are attached as Exhibit 10.7 and Exhibit 10.10, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of Mr. Harris’ employment agreement and restrictive covenant agreement are attached as Exhibit 10.8 and Exhibit 10.11, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of Mr. Searle’s employment agreement and restrictive covenant agreement are attached as Exhibit 10.9 and Exhibit 10.12, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Concurrently with the Closing, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides that, subject to limited exceptions, the Company will indemnify the applicable indemnified person to the fullest extent permitted by law for claims arising in his or her capacity as our director or officer, as applicable.
The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the indemnification agreement, a form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.
On July 19, 2023, 18,309,147 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,213,678 shares of Class C Common Stock were issued to PSQ Stockholders. After giving effect to the issuances in connection with the Closing, 26,044,298 shares of Class A Common Stock and 3,213,678 shares of Class C Common Stock were outstanding. Stockholders holding 13,827,349 of the Colombier’s public shares exercised their right to redeem such shares,after giving effect to certain redemption elections that were reversed prior to Closing, for a pro rata portion of the funds in Colombier’s trust account (the “Trust Account”). As a result, $141,151,432 (approximately $10.21 per share) will be removed from the Trust Account to pay such holders.
On July 20, 2023, the Company’s Class A Common Stock and warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock of the Company began trading on the NYSE under the symbols “PSQH” and “PSQH WS”, respectively.
FORM 10 INFORMATION
Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company, as Colombier was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company, as the successor issuer to Colombier, is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if the Company were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the Company as the combined company after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and for purposes of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including as they relate to the Company. These statements constitute projections, forecasts, and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, forward-looking statements may be identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimate,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “strategy,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “predict,” “scales,” “representative of,” “valuation,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical facts. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
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The Company cautions readers of this Current Report on Form 8-K that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and market share, potential benefits and the commercial attractiveness to its customers of products and services sold through the Company’s platform, the potential success of the Company’s marketing and expansion strategies and potential benefits of the Business Combination (including with respect to stockholder value). These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this Current Report on Form 8-K, and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. The risk factors and cautionary language contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described in such forward-looking statements, including among other things:
| ● | changes in the competitive industries and markets in which the Company operates or plans to operate; |
| ● | changes in applicable laws or regulations affecting the Company’s business; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the Business Combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities; |
| ● | risks related to the Company’s limited operating history, the rollout and/or expansion of its business and the timing of expected business milestones; |
| ● | risks related to the Company’s potential inability to achieve or maintain profitability and generate significant revenue; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to enforce its current or future intellectual property, including patents and trademarks, along with potential claims of infringement by the Company of the intellectual property rights of others; |
| ● | current and future conditions in the global economy, including as a result of economic uncertainty, and its impact on the Company, its business and the markets in which it operates; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to retain existing advertisers and consumer and business members and attract new advertisers and consumer and business members; |
| ● | the risk of loss of key influencers, media outlets and promoters of the Company’s business or a loss of the Company’s reputation or reduced interest in the Company’s mission and values and the segment of the consumer marketplace it intends to serve; |
| ● | the Company’s potential inability to manage growth effectively; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel; |
| ● | estimates for the prospects and financial performance of the Company’s business may prove to be incorrect or materially different from actual results; |
| ● | costs related to the Business Combination and the failure to realize anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; |
| ● | risks related to future market adoption of the Company’s offerings; |
| ● | risks related to the Company’s marketing and growth strategies; |
| ● | the effects of competition on the Company’s business; |
| ● | expectations with respect to future operating and financial performance and growth, including when the Company will generate positive cash flow from operations; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to raise funding on reasonable terms as necessary to develop its products in the timeframe contemplated by its business plan; |
| ● | the risk of economic downturn, increased competition, a changing regulatory landscape and related impacts that could occur in the highly competitive consumer marketplace, both online and through “bricks and mortar” operations; |
| ● | the Company’s ability to execute its anticipated business plans and strategy; and |
| ● | other risks and uncertainties indicated in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including those under “Risk Factors” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other filings that have been made or will be made with the SEC by the Company. |
In addition, there may be events that the Company’s management is not able to predict accurately or over which the Company has no control.
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Business
The business of the Company is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Information About PSQ” and that information is incorporated herein by reference.
On July 13, 2023, the Company announced the commercial launch of direct-to-consumer product offerings through its wholly-owned subsidiary EveryLife, Inc.
Risk Factors
The risks associated with the Company are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Risk Factors – Risks Related to PSQ,” beginning on page 82 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Information
The selected statement of operations data and cash flows data of PSQ for the three (3)-months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, and fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and for the period from February 25, 2021 (Inception) through December 31, 2021, and the selected balance sheets data of PSQ as of March 31, 2023, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Selected Historical Financial Information of PSQ” and that information is incorporated herein by reference.
Information responsive to Item 2 of Form 10 is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of PSQ” and that information is incorporated herein by reference.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The description of the Company’s quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of PSQ - Quantitative and qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” beginning on page 245 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Facilities
The description of the Company’s facilities is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Information about PSQ - Facilities,” on page 232 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our different classes of voting securities (i.e., Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock), as of July 19, 2023, following the consummation of the Business Combination, by:
| ● | each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of a class of voting securities on July 19, 2023; |
| ● | each of the Company’s officers and directors; and |
| ● | all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.
The beneficial ownership of shares of Company Common Stock immediately following completion of the Business Combination is based on the following: (i) an aggregate of 18,309,147 shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the Business Combination, (ii) an aggregate of 3,213,678 shares of Class C Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the Business Combination and (iii) 11,450,000 outstanding warrants of the Company, each whole warrant to become exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock; provided, that, the information below excludes the shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for future awards under the Incentive Plan and the ESPP (each, as defined below) (including approximately 2,775,625 RSUs which are expected to be approved for grant by the Company’s board of directors (or an applicable committee thereof) shortly after the Closing to certain PSQ executive officers, employees and service providers designated by PSQ and an additional number of RSUs which are expected to be granted by the Combined Company to its non-employee directors in accordance with the Combined Company’s non-employee director compensation policy adopted as of the Closing) from this reserve).
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| Common Stock | ||||||||||||
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(7)(8) |
% of Common Stock |
Voting Percentage |
|||||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers(1) | ||||||||||||
| Michael Seifert | 3,213,678 | (9) | 10.98 | % | 52.62 | % | ||||||
| Omeed Malik(2)(3) | 2,470,111 | (10) | 8.10 | % | 4.40 | % | ||||||
| Davis Pilot III(4) | 2,181,312 | 7.46 | % | 3.97 | % | |||||||
| Sebastian Harris | 2,142,452 | 7.32 | % | 3.90 | % | |||||||
| Nick Ayers(5) | 1,215,999 | (11) | 4.16 | % | 2.21 | % | ||||||
| Bradley Searle | 194,769 | * | * | |||||||||
| Blake Masters | 31,086 | * | * | |||||||||
| Caroline Carralero | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Brian Elkins | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Mike Hebert | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Stephen Moran | — | — | — | |||||||||
| James Rinn | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Andrew Weisbecker | — | — | — | |||||||||
| All executive officers and directors as a group (13 individuals) | 11,449,407 | 37.59 | % | 66.16 | % | |||||||
| 5% or More Stockholders: | ||||||||||||
| SuRo Capital Corp.(6) | 4,676,032 | (12) | 14.63 | % | 8.10 | % | ||||||
| * | Less than 1%. |
| (1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is: 222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. |
| (2) | The business address for each of Mr. Malik, Malik Advisors LLC and Knights Court LLC is: 214 Brazilian Avenue, Suite 200-J, Palm Beach, FL. |
| (3) | Mr. Malik exercises voting and investment control over the Company shares that are held by Malik Advisors LLC and Knights Court LLC. |
| (4) | Fountain Ripple LLC, Fountain Ripple II, LLC and Fountain Ripple III, LLC are the record holders of the shares set forth next to Davis Pilot III. Fountain Ripple LLC, Fountain Ripple II, LLC and Fountain Ripple III, LLC are beneficially owned by Mr. Pilot and Mr. Pilot has voting and dispositive power over such shares and may be deemed to beneficially own such shares. The business address of each of Fountain Ripple LLC, Fountain Ripple II, LLC and Fountain Ripple III, LLC is 1055 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, AL 36695. |
| (5) | The business address for Mr. Ayers is: 3290 Northside Parkway, Suite 675, Atlanta, GA 30327. |
| (6) | The business address for SuRo Capital Corp. is: One Sansome Street, Suite 730, San Francisco, CA 94104. |
| (7) | Upon the Closing, the Company has two classes of equity securities outstanding, Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers of shares beneficially owned above refer to Class A Common Stock. |
| (8) | The table does not reflect Earnout Equity Awards and/or restricted stock units (the “RSUs”) that may be granted to each of PSQ’s executive officers and directors following the Business Combination and Earnout Equity Awards that holders of PSQ Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time are eligible to receive following the Business Combination. Michael Seifert is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 437,196 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate and 12,500 RSUs, Sebastian Harris is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 357,465 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate and 100,000 RSUs, Bradley Searle is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 330,315 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate and 800,000 RSUs. Steve Moran, is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 275,400 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate and 50,000 RSUs, Michael Herbert is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 54,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate and 12,500 RSUs, Brian Elkins, is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 162,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate and 75,000 RSUs, Andrew Weisbecker, is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 275,400 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate and 75,000 RSUs, Nick Ayers, is eligible to receive one or more Earnout Equity Awards of up to approximately 162,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in the aggregate. The actual amount, timing and form of the Earnout Equity Awards are not determinable at this time. The RSUs are expected to be approved by the Company Board (or applicable committee thereof) shortly after the Closing. |
| (9) | Represents 3,213,678 shares of Class C Common Stock, all of the Company's outstanding Class C Common Stock, which are convertible into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock. |
| (10) | Represents 1,270,111 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,200,000 warrants of the Company, each whole warrant to become exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock. |
| (11) | Represents 214,245 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Mr. Ayers, 651,423 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Mrs. Jamie Ayers and 350,330 shares of Class A Common Stock held by the J. Nicholas Ayers Irrevocable Trust dated October 2021. Mr. Ayers disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Class A Common Stock held by Mrs. Jamie Ayers and the J. Nicholas Ayers Irrevocable Trust dated October 2021. |
| (12) | Represents 1,976,032 shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,700,000 warrants of the Company, each whole warrant to become exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock. |
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Directors and Executive Officers
The Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management of the Combined Entity Following the Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Director and Executive Compensation
Information regarding the compensation of the named executive officers of PSQ before the Business Combination is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation of PSQ,” beginning on page 279 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding the compensation of the Company’s Board of Directors of PSQ (the “Company Board”) is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Director Compensation,” beginning on page 283 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
At the Special Meeting held on July 19, 2023, Colombier’s stockholders approved the 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). A description of the material terms of the Incentive Plan is set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Incentive Plan Proposal (Proposal 8)” beginning on page 183 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K under Item 5.02 is incorporated in this Item 2.01 by reference.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Certain relationships and related person transactions of Colombier and PSQ are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” beginning on page 284 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Reference is made to the disclosure regarding director independence in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Management After the Business Combination-Director Independence,” beginning on page 271 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The information set forth under “Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement-Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement,” and “Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers-Stock Incentive Plan” of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.
The Company adopted a formal written policy effective upon the Business Combination providing that the Company’s executive officers, directors, director nominees, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities and any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not permitted to enter into a related party transaction with the Company without reporting the transaction to the General Counsel and the approval of the Company’s audit committee, subject to the exceptions described below.
A related party transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which the Company was or is to be a participant in which the amount involves exceeds $120,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, and in which a related party had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Transactions involving compensation provided to the Company as an employee or director and certain other transactions were reviewed and approved by the compensation committee of the Company Board.
Under the policy, the audit committee of the Company Board will review all of the relevant material facts and circumstances of the proposed related party transaction, satisfy itself that it has been fully informed as to the material facts of the applicable related party’s relationship and interest, will determine if the proposed related party transaction is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and will either approve or disapprove of the entry into the proposed related party transaction. In addition, under the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, directors and executive officers have an affirmative responsibility to seek determinations and prior authorizations or approvals of potential conflicts of interest exclusively from the Company Board.
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Legal Proceedings
Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings in the sections of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Information About Colombier-Legal Proceedings” and “Information About PSQ-Legal Proceedings,” which are incorporated herein by reference.
Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Following the Closing of the Business Combination, the Class A Common Stock began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “PSQH” and the Company’s warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “PSQH WS” on July 20, 2023. The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock to date.
The Company Board, in its sole discretion, will make any determination from time to time with respect to the use of any excess cash accumulated, which may include, among other uses, the payment of dividends on the Class A Common Stock. It is not contemplated that the Company will pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
The description of the Company’s securities is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of PSQ – Recent Developments – Convertible Promissory Notes,” beginning on page 235 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered
The description of the Company’s securities is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Description of Securities of the Combined Company,” beginning on page 250 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The description of the indemnification arrangements with the Company’s directors and officers is contained in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the Company’s financial statements and supplementary information.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
The information set forth under Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the financial information of the Company.
Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
At the Special Meeting, the Colombier stockholders approved an amendment (the “NTA Amendment”) to Colombier’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”). The NTA Amendment removes from the Charter requirements limiting Colombier’s ability to redeem shares of Colombier Class A common stock and consummate an initial business combination if the amount of such redemptions would cause Colombier to have less than $5,000,001 in net tangible assets. The terms of the NTA Amendment are described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 142 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.
Colombier’s stockholders also approved a new restated certificate of incorporation (“New Charter”) to replace the Charter (as amended following the approval of the NTA Amendment) following the consummation of the Business Combination. The terms of the New Charter are described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 176 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The New Charter, which became effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on the Closing Date, includes the amendments proposed by the Charter Proposal.
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On the Closing Date, the Company Board approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), effective as of the Effective Time.
Copies of the New Charter and the Bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
The description of the New Charter and the general effect of the New Charter and the Bylaws upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Description of Securities of the Combined Company” beginning on page 250 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4.01. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
On July 19, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Company Board approved the appointment of UHY LLP (“UHY”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. UHY served as the independent registered public accounting firm of PSQ prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), the independent registered public accounting firm of Colombier, the name of the Company prior to the Business Combination, was informed on July 19, 2023 that it would be replaced by UHY as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm following the closing of the Business Combination and the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three (3) and six (6) months ended June 30, 2023.
The reports of Marcum on Colombier’s balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 and the statements of income, changes in stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2021, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles, except that such audit report contained explanatory paragraphs in which Marcum expressed substantial doubt as to Colombier’s ability to continue as a going concern if it did not complete a business combination by September 11, 2023.
During the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2022 and the subsequent period through July 19, 2023, there were no “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) between Colombier and Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Marcum, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on Colombier’s financial statements for such periods.
During the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2022 and the subsequent period through July 19, 2023, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act).
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During the period from February 12, 2021 (inception) through December 31, 2022 and the subsequent period through July 19, 2023, Colombier and the Company did not consult with UHY regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the financial statements of Colombier, and no written report or oral advice was provided that UHY concluded was an important factor considered by Colombier in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a "disagreement" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) or a "reportable event" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act).
The Company has provided Marcum with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and has requested that Marcum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company set forth above. A copy of Marcum’s letter, dated July 25, 2023, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant.
Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “The Business Combination Proposal (Proposal 2),” which is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the information contained in Item 2.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Directors and Executive Officers
The information set forth above in the sections titled “Directors and Executive Officers,” “Executive Compensation,” “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions, and Director Independence” and “Indemnification of Directors and Officers” is incorporated herein by reference.
Further, in connection with the Business Combination, effective as of the Closing, each executive officer of Colombier resigned from his position, and each of Joe Voboril, Ryan Kavanaugh, Eddie Kim, Jonathan Keidan, Keri Findley and Claire Councill resigned from their positions as directors of Colombier. Omeed Malik resigned from his position as Chairman of the Colombier board of directors, but will remain a director of the Company Board.
PSQ Holdings, Inc. 2023 Incentive Plan
At the Special Meeting on July 19, 2023, Colombier’s stockholders approved the Incentive Plan (as defined above). The Incentive Plan became effective immediately upon the Closing of the Business Combination.
A more complete summary of the terms of the Incentive Plan is forth in the section entitled “Incentive Plan Proposal (Proposal 8)” beginning on page 183 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. That summary and the foregoing description are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
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PSQ Holdings, Inc. 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
At the Special Meeting on July 19, 2023, Colombier’s stockholders approved the PSQ Holdings, Inc. 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The ESPP initially provides participating employees with the opportunity to purchase up to 600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. However, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP will automatically increase on the first day of each fiscal year, commencing on January 1, 2024 and continuing for each fiscal year until, and including, January 1, 2033, in an amount equal to the lowest of (1) 425,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, (2) 1% of the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding on such date, and (3) an amount determined by the Company Board. The ESPP became effective immediately upon the Closing of the Business Combination.
A more complete summary of the terms of the ESPP is forth in the section entitled “The ESPP Proposal (Proposal 9)” beginning on page 193 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. That summary and the foregoing description are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of the ESPP, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
The information set forth in Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
Item 5.05. Amendment to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.
In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, on July 19, 2023 and effective as of such date, the Company Board adopted a new code of business conduct and ethics (the “Code”) applicable to the Company’s employees, officers, and directors. We intend to post any amendments to or any waivers from a provision of the Code on our website. A copy of the Code can be found on the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.investors.publicsq.com.
The foregoing description of the Code does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Code, which is included as Exhibit 14.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.
As a result of the Business Combination, Colombier ceased being a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “The Business Combination Proposal (Proposal 2),” beginning on page 144 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and such disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.06.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
At the Special Meeting, the proposals listed below were presented, which are described in more detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. A summary of the final voting results at the Special Meeting is set forth below:
Proposal 1 – The NTA Proposal
Colombier’s stockholders approved Proposal 1. The votes cast were as follows:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,536,757 | 589,125 | 3,734 |
Proposal 2 – The Business Combination Proposal
Colombier’s stockholders approved Proposal 2. The votes cast were as follows:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,320,245 | 807,710 | 1,661 |
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Proposal 3 – The Charter Proposal
Colombier’s stockholders approved Proposal 3. The votes cast were as follows:
| Class of Common Stock | For | Against | Abstain | |||
| Class A Common Stock | 9,347,523 | 2,466,770 | 2,823 | |||
| Class B Common Stock | 4,312,500 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Common Stock, voting as a single class | 13,660,023 | 2,466,770 | 2,823 |
Proposals 4-7 – The Advisory Charter Proposals
Colombier’s stockholders approved Proposals 4 - 7. The votes cast were as follows:
Proposal 4:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,320,119 | 807,822 | 1,675 |
Proposal 5:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,228,488 | 898,875 | 2,253 |
Proposal 6:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,319,040 | 808,733 | 1,843 |
Proposal 7:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,226,792 | 899,499 | 3,325 |
Proposal 8 – The Incentive Plan Proposal
Colombier’s stockholders approved Proposal 8. The votes cast were as follows:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 13,656,966 | 2,469,779 | 2,871 |
Proposal 9 – The ESPP Proposal
Colombier’s stockholders approved Proposal 9. The votes cast were as follows:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,317,211 | 810,335 | 2,070 |
Proposal 10 – The NYSE Proposal
Colombier’s stockholders approved Proposal 10. The votes cast were as follows:
| For | Against | Abstain | ||
| 15,318,815 | 808,779 | 2,022 |
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The approval of the NTA Proposal required the affirmative vote of holders of sixty-five percent (65%) of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date, voting as a single class. The approval of the Business Combination Proposal required the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of the Colombier Common Stock voted at the Special Meeting, voting together as a single class. The approval of the Charter Proposal required the affirmative vote of holders of (i) at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Colombier Common Stock as of the Record Date, voting as a single class, (ii) at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Colombier Class A Common Stock as of the Record Date, voting as a separate class and (iii) at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Colombier Class B Common Stock as of the Record Date, voting as a separate class. With a quorum present, approval of the Advisory Charter Proposals, the Incentive Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal, the NYSE Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal each required a majority of the votes cast thereon by the holders of the shares of Colombier Common Stock represented in person online or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the Special Meeting, voting together as a single class.
As there were sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve each of the above proposals, the “Adjournment Proposal” described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus was not presented to stockholders.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On July 19, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the Business Combination, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired
Information responsive to Item 9.01(a) of Form 8-K is set forth in the financial statements included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus on pages F-49 through F-65, which are incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information
Information responsive to Item 9.01(a) of Form 8-K is set forth in the financial statements included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information”, which is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Exhibits
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| * | Filed herewith |
| + | Indicates a management or compensatory plan. |
| † | Schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Registration S-K. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted schedules to the SEC upon request. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| PSQ Holdings, Inc. | ||
| Date: July 25, 2023 | By: | /s/ Michael Seifert |
| Name: | Michael Seifert | |
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
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Exhibit 3.1
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
PSQ HOLDINGS, INC.
PSQ Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:
1. The original certificate of incorporation of the corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 12, 2021 under the name “Colombier Acquisition Corp.”.
2. The initial certificate of incorporation was amended and restated by the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of said corporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 9, 2021 (as amended, the “Existing Certificate”).
3. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), which changes the name of the corporation to PSQ Holdings, Inc. and amends and restates the Existing Certificate in its entirety, has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
4. The text of the Existing Certificate is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is PSQ Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Corporation”).
SECOND: The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 590,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 540,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), which shall be designated into two series consisting of (i) 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (the “Class A Common Stock”), and (ii) 40,000,000 shares of Class C common stock (the “Class C Common Stock” and together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), and (b) 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). For the avoidance of doubt, the naming of any series of Common Stock as a “Class” shall not in any manner alter the fact that such series is a series of capital stock and not a class of capital stock for purposes of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws. Effective immediately upon the filing of this Restated Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, each share of Class B Common Stock of the Corporation, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Prior Class B Common Stock”), that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the filing of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, shall automatically, without any further action of the holder thereof or the Corporation, be reclassified as, and converted into, one share of Class A Common Stock. All certificates previously representing shares of Prior Class B Common Stock shall hereafter represent the corresponding number of shares of Class A Common Stock.
The following is a statement of the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof in respect of each class of capital stock of the Corporation.
| A | COMMON STOCK. |
1. General. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the powers, preferences and rights of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the Board of Directors upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock of any series. Except as otherwise provided in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall have the same rights and powers, rank equally (including as to dividends and distributions, and upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation), share ratably and be identical in all respects and as to all matters.
2. Voting.
2.1 Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or as provided by law, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall (a) at all times vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation, (b) be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) and (c) be entitled to vote upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by applicable law; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock).
2.2 Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by applicable law, on any matter that is submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation:
(a) each holder of Class A Common Stock shall have the right to one (1) vote per share of Class A Common Stock held of record by such holder as of the applicable record date; and
(b) each holder of Class C Common Stock shall have the right to a number of votes (rounded up to the nearest whole number) per share of Class C Common Stock held of record by such holder as of the applicable record date equal to (i) (x) the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock entitled to vote on such matter as of the applicable record date, plus (y) one hundred (100); divided by (ii) the total number of shares of Class C Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the applicable record date.
2.4 Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and no vote of the holders of the Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.
3. Dividends; Subdivisions; Combinations; Reclassifications.
3.1 Dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock from funds lawfully available therefor if, as and when determined by the Board of Directors and subject to any preferential dividend or other rights or preferences of any then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
3.2 Shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividends or distributions as may be declared or paid from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the event that a dividend is paid in the form of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock (or securities (including options, warrants or other rights) convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for such shares), the holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive shares of Class A Common Stock (or securities (including options, warrants or other rights) convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for such shares, as the case may be) and holders of Class C Common Stock shall receive shares of Class C Common Stock (or securities (including options, warrants or other rights) convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for such shares, as the case may be), with holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock receiving, on a per share basis, an identical number of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock (or securities (including options, warrants or other rights) convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for such shares, as the case may be), as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may pay or make a disparate dividend or distribution per share of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock (whether in the amount of such dividend or distribution payable per share, the form in which such dividend or distribution is payable, the timing of the payment, or otherwise) (a) if such disparate dividend or distribution is approved in advance by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock, each voting separately as a class, or (b) if such disparate dividend or distribution (i) is declared in connection with a spin-off or similar transaction and is payable in kind and (ii) the only difference in the securities being distributed to the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock is that the voting power of such securities is proportionate to the voting power of the shares of such series in the Corporation.
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3.3. Shares of Class A Common Stock or Class C Common Stock may not be subdivided, combined or reclassified unless the shares of the other class are concurrently therewith proportionately subdivided, combined or reclassified in a manner that maintains the same proportionate equity ownership between the holders of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock on the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification.
4. Liquidation. Subject to any preferential liquidation or other rights or preferences of any then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, as such, will be entitled to receive ratably all assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders.
5. Mergers; Consolidations and Conversions. In the case of any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other entity or the conversion of the Corporation into another entity, except in connection with a rollover, reinvestment or similar transaction in connection therewith that has been approved by the Board of Directors, each share of Common Stock must be converted in such consolidation, merger or conversion into the right to receive the same securities, cash or other property (including the same rights to elect among different forms of consideration); provided, however, that (a) the foregoing shall not apply to any such consolidation, merger or conversion in which each share of Common Stock remains outstanding as a share of the same class of Common Stock and is not converted into other securities, cash or other property, and (b) shares of one series of Common Stock may be treated different or disproportionately if (i) the only difference in the securities being issued to the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class C Common Stock is that the voting power of such securities is proportionate to the voting power of the shares of such series in the Corporation or (ii) such consolidation, merger or conversion is approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.
6. Conversion of Class C Common Stock.
6.1 Optional Conversion. Each share of Class C Common Stock shall be convertible into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder thereof at any time upon written notice to the Corporation.
6.2 Automatic Conversion upon Transfer. Each share of Class C Common Stock shall automatically, without further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof, be converted into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon a Transfer (as defined below) of such share of Class C Common Stock, other than a Permitted Transfer (as defined below).
6.3 Automatic Conversion of All Shares of Series C Common Stock. Each share of Class C Common Stock shall automatically, without further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof, be converted into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon the earliest to occur of the following:
(a) 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the thirtieth (30th) day immediately following such date on which the Founder is no longer serving as at least one of a director or an officer of the Corporation;
(b) the death or Incapacity of the Founder; and
(c) such time as the number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock is less than 50% the total number of outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock as of immediately following the Effective Time (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 27, 2023, by and among the Corporation (f/k/a Colombier Acquisition Corp.), Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., Colombier Sponsor LLC and PublicSq. Inc. (f/k/a PSQ Holdings, Inc.)), as equitably adjusted for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, combinations, exchanges of shares or other like changes or transactions with respect to the Common Stock.
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6.4 Mechanics of Conversion. Before any holder of Class C Common Stock shall be entitled to convert the same into shares of Class A Common Stock and to receive a certificate or certificates therefor if such shares are to be certificated, such holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, if any, duly endorsed (or in the case of lost, stolen or destroyed certificate(s), shall notify the Corporation that such certificate(s) have been lost, stolen or destroyed), at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Class C Common Stock, and shall give written notice to the Corporation at such office that such holder elects to convert the same; provided, however, that in the event of an automatic conversion pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.3, the outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock shall be converted automatically without any further action by the Corporation or the holders of such shares and whether or not the certificate(s) representing such shares are surrendered to the Corporation or its transfer agent; and provided, further, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue certificate(s) evidencing the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such automatic conversion if such shares are to be certificated unless the certificate(s) evidencing such shares of Class C Common Stock, if any, are either delivered to the Corporation or its transfer agent as provided above, or the holder notifies the Corporation or its transfer agent that such certificate(s) have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation from any loss incurred by it in connection with such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate(s). The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after such delivery, or after execution of such agreement in the case of lost, stolen or destroyed certificate(s), issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Class C Common Stock, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to which the holder shall be entitled, if such shares are to be certificated. In the case of an optional conversion in accordance with Section 6.1, such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Class C Common Stock to be converted, or in the case of an automatic conversion in accordance with Section 6.2 and Section 6.3, on the date of the effectiveness thereof, and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock on such date.
6.5 Additional Information. If the Corporation has reason to believe that a Transfer giving rise to a conversion of shares of Class C Common Stock into Class A Common Stock has occurred but has not theretofore been reflected on the books of the Corporation, the Corporation may request that the holder of such shares furnish affidavits or other evidence to the Corporation as the Corporation deems necessary to determine whether a conversion of shares of Class C Common Stock to Class A Common Stock has occurred, and if such holder does not within thirty (30) days after the date of such request furnish sufficient evidence to the Corporation (in the manner provided in the request) to enable the Corporation to determine that no such conversion has occurred, any such shares of Class C Common Stock, to the extent not previously converted, shall be automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and the same shall thereupon be registered on the books and records of the Corporation.
6.6 Effect of Conversion on Payment of Dividends. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, if the date on which any share of Class C Common Stock is converted into Class A Common Stock occurs after the record date for the determination of the holders of Class C Common Stock entitled to receive any dividend or distribution to be paid on the shares of Class C Common Stock, the holder of such shares of Class C Common Stock as of such record date will be entitled to receive such dividend or distribution on such payment date; provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to the extent that any such dividend or distribution is payable in shares of Class C Common Stock or securities (including options, warrants or other rights) convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for Class C Common Stock, such dividend or distribution shall be deemed to have been declared, and shall be payable in, shares of Class A Common Stock or, if applicable, securities (including options, warrants or other rights), convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock and no shares of Class C Common Stock or securities (including options, warrants or other things), convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for Class C Common Stock shall be issued in payment thereof.
6.7 Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion; Reissuance. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class C Common Stock such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of Class C Common Stock, the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose. In the event any shares of Class C Common Stock are converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, the shares of Class C Common Stock so converted automatically shall be retired and shall not be reissued by the Corporation, and all such shares so converted shall upon such conversion cease to be a part of the authorized shares of the Corporation.
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6.8 Definitions.
“Effectiveness Date” shall mean the date of the filing and effectiveness of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
“Founder” shall mean Michael Seifert.
“Incapacity” means, with respect to an individual, that (i) such individual is incapable of managing his or her financial affairs under the criteria set forth in the applicable probate code and (ii) that such condition can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can reasonably be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as determined by a licensed medical practitioner. In the event of a dispute regarding whether an individual has suffered an Incapacity, no Incapacity of such individual will be deemed to have occurred unless and until an affirmative ruling regarding such Incapacity has been made in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Parent” of an entity shall mean any entity that directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting power of the voting securities of such entity.
“Permitted Entity” shall mean: (a) a corporation in which the Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns shares with sufficient Voting Control in the corporation, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that the Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class C Common Stock held by such corporation; (b) a partnership in which the Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns partnership interests with sufficient Voting Control in the partnership, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that the Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class C Common Stock held by such partnership; or (c) a limited liability company in which the Founder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Entities, owns membership or limited liability company interests with sufficient Voting Control in the limited liability company, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that the Founder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class C Common Stock held by such limited liability company, in each case so long as the Transfer to such entity does not involve any direct or indirect payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such entity) to the Founder.
“Permitted IRA” shall mean an Individual Retirement Account, as defined in Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), or a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus or other type of plan or trust of which the Founder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Code; provided, however, that in each case the Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class C Common Stock held in such account, plan or trust.
“Permitted Transfer” shall mean, and be restricted to, any Transfer of a share of Class C Common Stock to a Permitted Transferee.
“Permitted Transferee” shall mean (i) the Founder, (ii) any Permitted Trust, (iii) any Permitted Entity and (iv) any Permitted IRA.
“Permitted Trust” shall mean: (a) a trust for the benefit of the Founder and for the benefit of no other person so long as the Transfer to such trust does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to the Founder; (b) a trust for the benefit of the Founder and/or persons other than the Founder so long as the Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class C Common Stock held by such trust and the Transfer to such trust does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to the Founder; or (c) a trust under the terms of which the Founder has retained a “qualified interest” within the meaning of §2702(b)(1) of the Code or a reversionary interest so long as the Founder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class C Common Stock held by such trust.
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“Transfer” of a share of Class C Common Stock shall mean any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, including, without limitation, the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement or arrangement with respect to, Voting Control over a share of Class C Common Stock by proxy or otherwise; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer” within the meaning of this Article FOURTH:
(a) the granting of a revocable proxy to officers or directors of the Corporation at the request of the Board of Directors in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders;
(b) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with stockholders who are holders of Class C Common Stock that (i) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (ii) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by each holder of the shares subject thereto at any time and (iii) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to any holder of the shares subject thereto other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner;
(c) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) pursuant to a written agreement to which the Corporation is a party;
(d) the pledge of shares of Class C Common Stock by a stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction for so long as such stockholder continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such shares or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a Transfer unless such foreclosure or similar action qualifies as a Permitted Transfer;
(e) transferring a share of Class C Common Stock to a broker or other nominee, so long as the Founder or another Permitted Transferee continues to hold sole Voting Control over such share;
(f) the fact that, as of the Effectiveness Date or at any time after the Effectiveness Date, the spouse of any holder of Class C Common Stock possesses or obtains an interest in such holder’s shares of Class C Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction, so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a Transfer of such shares of Class C Common Stock (including a Transfer by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement or any other court order); or
(g) in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into any other entity, the conversion of the Corporation into another entity, or in the case of any other transaction having an effect on stockholders substantially similar to that resulting from a merger or consolidation, that has been approved by the Board of Directors, the entering into (x) an agreement or arrangement with respect to any rollover, reinvestment or similar transaction, or (y) a support, voting, tender or similar agreement or arrangement (in each case, with or without the grant of a proxy) that has also been approved by the Board of Directors.
A Transfer shall also be deemed to have occurred with respect to a share of Class C Common Stock held by an entity that is a Permitted Trust, Permitted IRA or Permitted Entity, as of such time that there occurs any act or circumstance that causes such entity to no longer be a Permitted Trust, Permitted IRA or Permitted Entity.
“Voting Control” shall mean, with respect to a share of Class C Common Stock, the exclusive power to vote or direct the voting of such share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.
| B | PREFERRED STOCK. |
Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of such series to have such terms as stated or expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such series adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation as hereinafter provided. Any shares of Preferred Stock that may be redeemed, purchased or acquired by the Corporation may be reissued except as otherwise provided by law.
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Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors from time to time to issue the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and in connection with the creation of any such series, by adopting a resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of the shares thereof and by filing a certificate of designations relating thereto in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, to determine and fix the number of shares of such series and such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation preferences, as shall be stated and expressed in such resolutions, all to the full extent now or hereafter permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolutions providing for issuance of any series of Preferred Stock may provide that such series shall be superior or rank equally or be junior to any other series of Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by law. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FIFTH: Except as otherwise provided herein, the Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute and this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
SIXTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present. The stockholders may not adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation, or adopt any provision inconsistent therewith, unless such action is approved, in addition to any other vote required by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation that may otherwise permit a lesser vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article SIXTH.
SEVENTH: To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation (in the case of directors) or its stockholders (in the case of directors and officers) for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer. No amendment, repeal or elimination of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on its application with respect to any act or omission of a director or officer occurring before such amendment, repeal or elimination. If the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is amended to permit further elimination or limitation of the personal liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as so amended.
EIGHTH: The Corporation shall provide indemnification and advancement of expenses as follows:
1. Actions, Suits and Proceedings Other than by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by an Indemnitee in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liabilities, losses, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
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2. Actions or Suits by or in the Right of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by an Indemnitee in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made under this Section 2 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation, unless, and only to the extent, that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of such liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) which the Court of Chancery of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.
3. Indemnification for Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article EIGHTH, to the extent that an Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article EIGHTH, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, or on appeal from any such action, suit or proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection therewith. Without limiting the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, if any action, suit or proceeding is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice) without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Corporation, (iii) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and (v) with respect to any criminal proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto.
4. Notification and Defense of Claim. As a condition precedent to an Indemnitee’s right to be indemnified under this Article EIGHTH, such Indemnitee must notify the Corporation in writing as soon as practicable of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving such Indemnitee for which indemnity will or could be sought. With respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Corporation is so notified, the Corporation will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense and/or to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee. After notice from the Corporation to Indemnitee of its election so to assume such defense, the Corporation shall not be liable to Indemnitee for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit, proceeding or investigation, other than as provided below in this Section 4. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his or her own counsel in connection with such action, suit, proceeding or investigation, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Corporation of its assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Corporation, (ii) counsel to Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest or position on any significant issue between the Corporation and Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action, suit, proceeding or investigation or (iii) the Corporation shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action, suit, proceeding or investigation, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel for Indemnitee shall be at the expense of the Corporation, except as otherwise expressly provided by this Article EIGHTH. The Corporation shall not be entitled, without the consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Corporation or as to which counsel for Indemnitee shall have reasonably made the conclusion provided for in clause (ii) above. The Corporation shall not be required to indemnify Indemnitee under this Article EIGHTH for any amounts paid in settlement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation effected without its written consent. The Corporation shall not settle any action, suit, proceeding or investigation in any manner which would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent. Neither the Corporation nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to any proposed settlement.
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5. Advancement of Expenses. Subject to the provisions of Section 6 of this Article EIGHTH, in the event of any threatened or pending action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Corporation receives notice under this Article EIGHTH, any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in defending an action, suit, proceeding or investigation or any appeal therefrom shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such matter; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article EIGHTH; and provided further that no such advancement of expenses shall be made under this Article EIGHTH if it is determined (in the manner described in Section 6) that (i) Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, or (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Such undertaking shall be accepted without reference to the financial ability of Indemnitee to make such repayment.
6. Procedure for Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. In order to obtain indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant to Section 1, 2, 3 or 5 of this Article EIGHTH, an Indemnitee shall submit to the Corporation a written request therefor. Any such advancement of expenses shall be made promptly, and in any event within 60 days after receipt by the Corporation of the written request of Indemnitee therefor, unless (i) the Corporation has assumed the defense pursuant to Section 4 of this Article EIGHTH (and none of the circumstances described in Section 4 of this Article EIGHTH that would nonetheless entitle the Indemnitee to indemnification for the fees and expenses of separate counsel have occurred) or (ii) the Corporation determines within such 60-day period that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1, 2 or 5 of this Article EIGHTH, as the case may be. Any such indemnification, unless ordered by a court, shall be made with respect to requests under Section 1 or 2 only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination by the Corporation that the indemnification of Indemnitee is proper because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or 2, as the case may be. Such determination shall be made in each instance (a) by a majority vote of the directors of the Corporation consisting of persons who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question (“disinterested directors”), whether or not a quorum, (b) by a committee of disinterested directors designated by majority vote of disinterested directors, whether or not a quorum, (c) if there are no disinterested directors, or if the disinterested directors so direct, by independent legal counsel (who may, to the extent permitted by law, be regular legal counsel to the Corporation) in a written opinion, or (d) by the stockholders of the Corporation.
7. Remedies. Subject to Article TWELFTH, the right to indemnification or advancement of expenses as granted by this Article EIGHTH shall be enforceable by Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction. Neither the failure of the Corporation to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification or advancement of expenses is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6 of this Article EIGHTH that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article EIGHTH. Indemnitee’s expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred in connection with successfully establishing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, in any such proceeding shall also be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any suit brought by Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder it shall be a defense that the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or in this Article EIGHTH.
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8. Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article EIGHTH, except as set forth in Section 7 of this Article EIGHTH, the Corporation shall not indemnify, or advance expenses to, an Indemnitee pursuant to this Article EIGHTH in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee unless the initiation thereof was approved by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article EIGHTH, the Corporation shall not indemnify or advance expenses to an Indemnitee to the extent such Indemnitee is reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, and in the event the Corporation makes any indemnification or advancement payments to an Indemnitee and such Indemnitee is subsequently reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, such Indemnitee shall promptly refund indemnification or advancement payments to the Corporation to the extent of such insurance reimbursement.
9. Subsequent Amendment. No amendment, termination or repeal of this Article EIGHTH or of the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or any other applicable laws shall adversely affect or diminish in any way the rights of any Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses under the provisions hereof with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out of or relating to any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final adoption of such amendment, termination or repeal.
10. Other Rights. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article EIGHTH shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any law (common or statutory), agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in any other capacity while holding office for the Corporation, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer, and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of Indemnitee. Nothing contained in this Article EIGHTH shall be deemed to prohibit, and the Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into, agreements with officers and directors providing indemnification and expense advancement rights and procedures different from those set forth in this Article EIGHTH. In addition, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its Board of Directors, grant indemnification and expense advancement rights to other employees or agents of the Corporation or other persons serving the Corporation and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in this Article EIGHTH.
11. Partial Indemnification. If an Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Article EIGHTH to indemnification by the Corporation for some or a portion of the expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liabilities, losses, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) or amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or investigation and any appeal therefrom but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liabilities, losses, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) or amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.
12. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) against any expense, liability or loss incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such insurance may include insurance provided directly or indirectly by or through a captive insurance company to the extent permitted by Section 145(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
13. Savings Clause. If this Article EIGHTH or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Indemnitee as to any expenses (including attorneys’ fees), liabilities, losses, judgments, fines (including excise taxes and penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article EIGHTH that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
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14. Definitions. Terms used herein and defined in Section 145(h) and Section 145(i) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in such Section 145(h) and Section 145(i).
NINTH: This Article NINTH is inserted for the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.
1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
2. Number of Directors; Election of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be established from time to time by the Board of Directors. Election of directors need not be by written ballot, except as and to the extent provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
3. Classes of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors shall be and is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. The Initial Class I directors shall be James Rinn and Caroline Carralero, the initial Class II directors shall be Omeed Malik and Blake Masters and the initial Class III directors shall be Michael Seifert, Nick Ayers and Davis Pilot III.
4. Terms of Office. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected; provided that each director initially assigned to Class I shall serve for a term expiring at the Corporation’s annual meeting of the stockholders to be held in 2024; each director initially assigned to Class II shall serve for a term expiring at the Corporation’s annual meeting of the stockholders to be held in 2025; and each director initially assigned to Class III shall serve for a term expiring at the Corporation’s annual meeting of the stockholders to be held in 2026; provided further, that the term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
5. Quorum. The greater of (a) a majority of the directors at any time in office and (b) one-third of the number of directors fixed pursuant to Section 2 of this Article NINTH shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors. If at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than such a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
6. Action at Meeting. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors unless a greater number is required by law or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
7. Removal. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, directors of the Corporation may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
8. Vacancies. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies or newly-created directorships on the Board of Directors, however occurring, shall be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director and shall not be filled by the stockholders. A director elected to fill a vacancy or to fill a position resulting from a newly-created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen, subject to the election and qualification of a successor and to such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
9. Stockholder Nominations and Introduction of Business, Etc. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for election of directors and other business to be brought by stockholders before a meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner provided by the Bylaws of the Corporation.
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10. Amendments to Article. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation that may otherwise permit a lesser vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article NINTH.
TENTH: Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, stockholders of the Corporation may not take any action by consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation that may otherwise permit a lesser vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article TENTH.
ELEVENTH: Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or by the Board of Directors, and may not be called by any other person or persons. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation that may otherwise permit a lesser vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article ELEVENTH.
TWELFTH: (a) Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or as to which the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time) or governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This paragraph (a) of Article TWELFTH does not apply to claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
(b) Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
(c) Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, the provisions of this Article TWELFTH.
THIRTEENTH: The Corporation expressly elects not to be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by its duly authorized officer this 19th day of July, 2023.
| PSQ HOLDINGS, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ Michael Seifert | ||
| Name: | Michael Seifert | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
PSQ HOLDINGS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| ARTICLE I STOCKHOLDERS | 1 | |
| 1.1 | Place of Meetings | 1 |
| 1.2 | Annual Meeting | 1 |
| 1.3 | Special Meetings | 1 |
| 1.4 | Record Date for Stockholder Meetings | 1 |
| 1.5 | Notice of Meetings | 1 |
| 1.6 | Voting List | 2 |
| 1.7 | Quorum | 2 |
| 1.8 | Adjournments | 2 |
| 1.9 | Voting and Proxies | 3 |
| 1.10 | Action at Meeting | 3 |
| 1.11 | Nomination of Directors | 3 |
| 1.12 | Notice of Business at Annual Meetings | 6 |
| 1.13 | Conduct of Meetings | 8 |
| 1.14 | No Action by Consent in Lieu of a Meeting | 9 |
| ARTICLE II DIRECTORS | 10 | |
| 2.1 | General Powers | 10 |
| 2.3 | Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairman of the Board | 10 |
| 2.4 | Terms of Office | 10 |
| 2.5 | Quorum | 10 |
| 2.6 | Action at Meeting | 10 |
| 2.7 | Removal | 10 |
| 2.8 | Vacancies | 10 |
| 2.9 | Resignation | 10 |
| 2.10 | Regular Meetings | 11 |
| 2.11 | Special Meetings | 11 |
| 2.12 | Notice of Special Meetings | 11 |
| 2.13 | Meetings by Conference Communications Equipment | 11 |
| 2.14 | Action by Consent. | 11 |
| 2.15 | Committees | 11 |
| 2.16 | Emergency Bylaws | 12 |
| ARTICLE III OFFICERS | 12 | |
| 3.1 | Titles | 12 |
| 3.2 | Election | 12 |
| 3.3 | Qualification | 12 |
| 3.4 | Tenure | 12 |
| 3.5 | Resignation and Removal | 12 |
| 3.6 | Vacancies | 13 |
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| 3.7 | President; Chief Executive Officer | 13 |
| 3.8 | Vice Presidents. | 13 |
| 3.9 | Secretary and Assistant Secretaries | 13 |
| 3.10 | Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers | 14 |
| 3.11 | Salaries | 14 |
| 3.12 | Delegation of Authority | 14 |
| ARTICLE IV CAPITAL STOCK | 14 | |
| 4.1 | Issuance of Stock | 14 |
| 4.2 | Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares | 14 |
| 4.3 | Transfers | 15 |
| 4.4 | Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates | 15 |
| 4.5 | Regulations | 15 |
| ARTICLE V GENERAL PROVISIONS | 16 | |
| 5.1 | Fiscal Year | 16 |
| 5.2 | Corporate Seal | 16 |
| 5.3 | Record Date for Purposes Other Than Stockholder Meetings | 16 |
| 5.4 | Waiver of Notice | 16 |
| 5.5 | Voting of Securities | 16 |
| 5.6 | Evidence of Authority | 16 |
| 5.7 | Certificate of Incorporation | 16 |
| 5.8 | Severability | 16 |
| 5.9 | Pronouns | 16 |
| ARTICLE VI AMENDMENTS | 17 | |
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ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
1.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors (the “Board”), the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or, if not so designated, at the principal executive office of PSQ Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”). The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but shall instead be held solely by means of remote communication in a manner consistent with Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”).
1.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on a date and at an hour designated by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.
1.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by the Board, and may not be called by any other person or persons. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting. The Corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.
1.4 Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.
1.5 Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given to stockholders, any notice shall be effective if given in accordance with Section 232 of the DGCL (Delivery of notice; notice by electronic transmission). The notices of all meetings shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. The notice of a special meeting shall state, in addition, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.
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1.6 Voting List. The Corporation shall prepare, no later than the 10th day before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of 10 days ending on the day before the meeting date: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 1.6 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
1.7 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person, present by means of remote communication in a manner, if any, authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, however, that where a separate vote by a class or classes or series of capital stock is required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of such class or classes or series of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on such matter, present in person, present by means of remote communication in a manner, if any, authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on such matter. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.
1.8 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these bylaws by the chairman of the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (including an adjournment taken to address a technical failure to convene or continue a meeting using remote communication), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are (a) announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, (b) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy holders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication or (c) set forth in the notice of meeting given in accordance with Section 1.5 hereof. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting that is the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
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1.9 Voting and Proxies. Each stockholder shall have one vote upon the matter in question for each share of stock entitled to vote held of record by such stockholder and a proportionate vote for each fractional share so held, unless otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the Corporation’s Class C Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share). Each stockholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may vote in person (including by means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting) or may authorize another person or persons to vote for such stockholder by a proxy executed or transmitted in a manner permitted by the DGCL by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent and delivered (including by electronic transmission) to the Secretary of the Corporation. No such proxy shall be voted upon after three years from the date of its execution, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period. Any person directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Corporation must use a proxy card color other than white, the color white being reserved for the exclusive use of the Board of the Corporation.
1.10 Action at Meeting. When a quorum is present at any meeting, any matter other than the election of directors to be voted upon by the stockholders at such meeting shall be decided by the vote of the holders of shares of stock having a majority in voting power of the votes cast by the holders of all of the shares of stock present or represented at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter (or if there are two or more classes or series of stock entitled to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class or series, the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of that class or series present or represented at the meeting and voting affirmatively or negatively on such matter), except when a different vote is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws. When a quorum is present at any meeting, any election by stockholders of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election.
1.11 Nomination of Directors.
(a) Except for any directors entitled to be elected by the holders of preferred stock, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures in this Section 1.11 shall be eligible for election as directors at any meeting of stockholders. Nomination for election to the Board at a meeting of stockholders may be made only (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (x) has given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary in accordance with the procedures in, and otherwise complies with, Section 1.11(b), (y) is a stockholder of record who is entitled to vote for the election of such nominee on the date of the giving of such notice and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (z) is entitled to vote at such meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the contrary, a stockholder of the Corporation may make nominations for election to the Board at a special meeting of stockholders pursuant to the foregoing clause (ii) only if the Board has determined, in accordance with Section 1.3, that directors shall be elected at such special meeting and at such time that the stockholders are not prohibited from filling vacancies or newly created directorships on the Board. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a meeting (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such meeting.
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(b) To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received in writing by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation as follows: (i) in the case of an election of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which date of the preceding year’s annual meeting date shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders after the consummation of its business combination among Colombier Acquisition Corp., Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc. and PSQ Holdings, Inc., be deemed to have occurred on [•], 202[3] for all purposes of this Section 1.11 and Section 1.12 of these bylaws); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held or deemed to have been held in the preceding year, a stockholder’s notice must be so received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (B) the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of such annual meeting was given or public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; or (ii) in the case of an election of directors at a special meeting of stockholders, provided that the Board has determined, in accordance with Section 1.3, that directors shall be elected at such special meeting and the stockholders are not then prohibited from filling vacancies or newly created directorships on the Board, and provided further that the nomination made by the stockholder is for one of the director positions that the Board has determined will be filled at such special meeting, not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting and (y) the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of such special meeting was given or public disclosure of the date of such special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of a meeting (or the public disclosure thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice.
The stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth: (A) as to each proposed nominee (1) such person’s name, age, business address and, if known, residence address, (2) such person’s principal occupation or employment, (3) the class and series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such person, (4) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among (x) the stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and the respective affiliates and associates of, or others acting in concert with, such stockholder and such beneficial owner (each, a “Stockholder Associated Person”), on the one hand, and (y) each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with such nominee(s), on the other hand, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or any Stockholder Associated Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such Item and the proposed nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (5) any other information concerning such person that must be disclosed as to nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); and (B) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class and series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a description of any material interest related to the nomination of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are being made or who may participate in the solicitation of proxies or votes in favor of electing such nominee(s), (5) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, swaps, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, (6) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (7) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person(s) named in its notice, (8) a representation that such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person has complied, and will comply, with all applicable requirements of state law and the Exchange Act with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1.11, and (9) a representation whether such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group that intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock reasonably believed by such stockholder or such beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee (and such representation shall be included in any such proxy statement and form of proxy) and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such nomination (and such representation shall be included in any such solicitation materials). Not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting, the information required by Items (A)(1)-(5) and (B)(1)-(6) of the prior sentence shall be supplemented by the stockholder giving the notice to provide updated information as of the record date. In addition, to be effective, the stockholder’s notice must also be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement and accompanying proxy card as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as the Corporation may reasonably require to determine, among other things, the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation or whether such nominee would be independent under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and stock exchange rules and the Corporation’s publicly disclosed corporate governance guidelines. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a stockholder shall not have complied with this Section 1.11(b) if the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person solicits or does not solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee in contravention of the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.11.
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Such notice must also be accompanied by a representation as to whether or not such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person intends to solicit proxies in support of any director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, and, where such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person intends to so solicit proxies, the notice and information required by Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these bylaws, unless otherwise required by law, if any stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person (i) provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act and (ii) subsequently fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2) and Rule 14a- 19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act (or fails to timely provide reasonable evidence sufficient to satisfy the Corporation that such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act in accordance with the following sentence), then the nomination of each of the director nominees proposed by such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies or votes in respect of the election of such proposed nominees may have been received by the Corporation (which proxies and votes shall be disregarded). Upon request by the Corporation, if any stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19(b) under the Exchange Act, such stockholder, beneficial owner and/or Stockholder Associated Person shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met the requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under the Exchange Act.
(c) The chairman of any meeting (and, in advance of any meeting, the Board) shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.11 (including whether the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person did or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee in compliance with the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.11), and if the chairman (or the Board) should determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.11, the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and such nomination shall not be brought before the meeting.
(d) Except as otherwise required by law (including Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act), nothing in this Section 1.11 shall obligate the Corporation or the Board to include in any proxy statement, proxy card or other stockholder communication distributed on behalf of the Corporation or the Board the name of or other information with respect to any nominee for director submitted by a stockholder.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.11, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present a nomination, such nomination shall not be brought before the meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominee may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1.11, to be considered a “qualified representative of the stockholder”, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a written instrument executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such written instrument or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the written instrument or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
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(f) For purposes of this Section 1.11, “public disclosure” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(g) Unless the Corporation elects otherwise, a stockholder’s notice to the Corporation of nominations shall be in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and shall be delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of any document not in such written form or so delivered.
1.12 Notice of Business at Annual Meetings.
(a) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board, or (iii) properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, (A) if such business relates to the nomination of a person for election as a director of the Corporation, the procedures in Section 1.11 must be complied with and (B) if such business relates to any other matter, the business must constitute a proper matter under Delaware law for stockholder action and the stockholder must (x) have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary in accordance with the procedures in, and otherwise complied with, Section 1.12(b), (y) be a stockholder of record who is entitled to vote on such business on the date of the giving of such notice and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (z) be entitled to vote at such annual meeting.
(b) To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received in writing by the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held or deemed to have been held in the preceding year, a stockholder’s notice must be so received not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of such annual meeting was given or public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting (or the public disclosure thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice.
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The stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth: (A) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (2) the text of the proposal (including the exact text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws, the exact text of the proposed amendment), and (3) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and (B) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (2) the class and series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned, beneficially or of record, by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (3) a description of any material interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person in the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting, (4) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among such stockholder, such beneficial owner, any Stockholder Associated Person and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business or who may participate in the solicitation of proxies in favor of such proposal, (5) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, swaps, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, (6) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the business proposed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (7) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting, (8) a representation that such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person has complied, and will comply, with all applicable requirements of state law and the Exchange Act with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1.12, and (9) a representation whether such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group that intends (x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal (and such representation shall be included in any such proxy statement and form of proxy) and/or (y) otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal (and such representation shall be included in any such solicitation materials). Not later than 10 days after the record date for the meeting, the information required by Items (A)(3) and (B)(1)-(6) of the prior sentence shall be supplemented by the stockholder giving the notice to provide updated information as of the record date. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting of stockholders except in accordance with the procedures in this Section 1.12; provided that any stockholder proposal that complies with Rule 14a-8 of the proxy rules (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Exchange Act and is to be included in the Corporation’s proxy statement for an annual meeting of stockholders shall be deemed to comply with the notice requirements of this Section 1.12. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a stockholder shall not have complied with this Section 1.12(b) if the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person solicits or does not solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s proposal in contravention of the representations with respect thereto required by this Section 1.12.
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(c) The chairman of any annual meeting (and, in advance of any annual meeting, the Board) shall have the power and duty to determine whether business was properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.12 (including whether the stockholder, beneficial owner and/or any Stockholder Associated Person did or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s proposal in compliance with the representation with respect thereto required by this Section 1.12), and if the chairman (or the Board) should determine that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.12, the chairman of the meeting shall so declare to the meeting and such business shall not be brought before the annual meeting.
(d) Except as otherwise required by law, nothing in this Section 1.12 shall obligate the Corporation or the Board to include in any proxy statement or other stockholder communication distributed on behalf of the Corporation or the Board information with respect to any proposal submitted by a stockholder.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.12, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting to present business, such business shall not be considered, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such business may have been received by the Corporation.
(f) For purposes of this Section 1.12, the terms “qualified representative of the stockholder” and “public disclosure” shall have the same meaning as in Section 1.11.
(g) Unless the Corporation elects otherwise, a stockholder’s notice to the Corporation of other business shall be in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and shall be delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of any document not in such written form or so delivered.
1.13 Conduct of Meetings.
(a) Unless otherwise provided by the Board, meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the Chairman’s absence by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the Vice Chairman’s absence by the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence by the President, or in the President’s absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of all of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the Secretary’s absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
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(b) The Board may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate including, without limitation, such guidelines and procedures as it may deem appropriate regarding the participation by means of remote communication of stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules, regulations and procedures as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting and prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as shall be determined by the Board or the chairman of any meeting; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
(c) The chairman of the meeting shall announce at the meeting when the polls for each matter to be voted upon at the meeting will be opened and closed. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations or changes thereto may be accepted.
(d) In advance of any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation shall appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. One or more other persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is present, ready and willing to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspector shall have the duties prescribed by law and, when the vote is completed, shall make a certificate of the result of the vote taken and of such other facts as may be required by law. Every vote taken by ballots shall be counted by a duly appointed inspector or duly appointed inspectors.
1.14 No Action by Consent in Lieu of a Meeting. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders of the Corporation may not take any action by consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.
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ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
2.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board, who may exercise all of the powers of the Corporation except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation.
2.2 Number, Election and Qualification. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be the number fixed by, or determined in the manner provided in, the Certificate of Incorporation. Election of directors need not be by written ballot. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation. In no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.
2.3 Chairman of the Board; Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint from its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board, neither of whom need be an employee or officer of the Corporation. If the Board appoints a Chairman of the Board, such Chairman shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned by the Board and, if the Chairman of the Board is also designated as the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, shall have the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer prescribed in Section 3.7 of these bylaws. If the Board appoints a Vice Chairman of the Board, such Vice Chairman shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned by the Board or the Chairman of the Board. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or, in the Chairman’s absence, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board.
2.4 Terms of Office. Directors shall be elected for such terms and in the manner provided by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. The term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
2.5 Quorum. The greater of (a) a majority of the directors at any time in office and (b) one-third of the number of directors established by the Board pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation shall constitute a quorum of the Board. If at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than such a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
2.6 Action at Meeting. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board, unless a greater number is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation.
2.7 Removal. Directors of the Corporation may be removed in the manner specified by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
2.8 Vacancies. Any vacancy or newly-created directorship on the Board, however occurring, shall be filled in the manner specified by the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
2.9 Resignation. Any director may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation at its principal executive office or to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event.
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2.10 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place as shall be determined from time to time by the Board; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of the determination. A regular meeting of the Board may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.
2.11 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be held at any time and place designated in a call by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, two or more directors, or by one director in the event that there is only a single director in office.
2.12 Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. Notice shall be duly given to each director (a) in person, by telephone or by electronic transmission at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, (b) by delivering written notice by hand, to such director’s last known business or home address at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, or (c) by sending written notice by first-class mail to such director’s last known business or home address at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. A notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the Board need not specify the purposes of the meeting.
2.13 Meetings by Conference Communications Equipment. Directors may participate in meetings of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
2.14 Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing or by electronic transmission. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained.
2.15 Committees. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as the Board thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members of the committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board and subject to the provisions of law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it. Each such committee shall keep minutes and make such reports as the Board may from time to time request. Except as the Board may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these bylaws for the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, or the resolution of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.
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2.16 Emergency Bylaws. In the event of any emergency, disaster, catastrophe or other similar emergency condition of a type described in Section 110(a) of the DGCL (an “Emergency”), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provisions in the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, during such Emergency:
(a) Notice. A meeting of the Board or a committee thereof may be called by any director, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary by such means as, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, may be feasible at the time, and notice of any such meeting of the Board or any committee may be given, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, only to such directors as it may be feasible to reach at the time and by such means as may be feasible at the time. Such notice shall be given at such time in advance of the meeting as, in the judgment of the person calling the meeting, circumstances permit.
(b) Quorum. The director or directors in attendance at a meeting called in accordance with Section 2.16(a) shall constitute a quorum.
(c) Liability. No officer, director or employee acting in accordance with this Section 2.16 shall be liable except for willful misconduct. No amendment, repeal or change to this Section 2.16 shall modify the prior sentence with regard to actions taken prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or change.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
3.1 Titles. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers with such other titles as the Board shall determine, including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries. The Board may appoint such other officers as it may deem appropriate.
3.2 Election. The Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected annually by the Board at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be appointed by the Board at such meeting or at any other meeting.
3.3 Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
3.4 Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the resolution electing or appointing such officer, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
3.5 Resignation and Removal. Any officer may resign by delivering a resignation in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation at its principal executive office or to the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some later time or upon the happening of some later event. Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board. Except as the Board may otherwise determine, no officer who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as an officer for any period following such officer’s resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal, whether such officer’s compensation be by the month or by the year or otherwise, unless such compensation is expressly provided for in a duly authorized written agreement with the Corporation.
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3.6 Vacancies. The Board may fill any vacancy occurring in any office for any reason and may, in its discretion, leave unfilled for such period as it may determine any offices. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of such officer’s predecessor and until a successor is elected and qualified, or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
3.7 President; Chief Executive Officer. Unless the Board has designated another person as the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general charge and supervision of the business of the Corporation subject to the direction of the Board, and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of the chief executive or that are delegated to such officer by the Board. The President shall perform such other duties and shall have such other powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer (if the President is not the Chief Executive Officer) may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or the President (if the President is not the Chief Executive Officer), the Vice President (or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the Board ) shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and when so performing such duties shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer.
3.8 Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe. The Board may assign to any Vice President the title of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or any other title selected by the Board.
3.9 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe. In addition, the Secretary shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of the secretary, including without limitation the duty and power to give notices of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board, to attend all meetings of stockholders and the Board and keep a record of the proceedings, to maintain a stock ledger and prepare lists of stockholders and their addresses as required, to be custodian of corporate records and the corporate seal and to affix and attest to the same on documents.
Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.
In the absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary at any meeting of stockholders or directors, the chairman of the meeting shall designate a temporary secretary to keep a record of the meeting.
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3.10 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers. The Treasurer shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as may from time to time be assigned by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Treasurer shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of treasurer, including without limitation the duty and power to keep and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation, to deposit funds of the Corporation in depositories selected in accordance with these bylaws, to disburse such funds as ordered by the Board, to make proper accounts of such funds, and to render as required by the Board statements of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
The Assistant Treasurers shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the Treasurer may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer.
3.11 Salaries. Officers of the Corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board.
3.12 Delegation of Authority. The Board may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
4.1 Issuance of Stock. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation or the whole or any part of any shares of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation held in the Corporation’s treasury may be issued, sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by vote of the Board in such manner, for such lawful consideration and on such terms as the Board may determine.
4.2 Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock of the Corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed by law and by the Board, representing the number of shares held by such holder registered in certificate form. Each such certificate shall be signed in a manner that complies with Section 158 of the DGCL by or in the name of any two officers of the Corporation, each of whom is an authorized officer for this purpose.
Each certificate representing shares of stock that are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of stockholders or among such holders and the Corporation shall have conspicuously noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.
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If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of each certificate representing shares of such class or series of stock, provided that in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of each certificate representing shares of such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests a copy of the full text of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Sections 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or, with respect to Section 151 of the DGCL, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
4.3 Transfers. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these bylaws. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of stock of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, shares of stock represented by certificates shall be transferred only on the books of the Corporation by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Uncertificated shares may be transferred by delivery of a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these bylaws.
4.4 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon such terms and conditions as the Corporation may prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft or destruction and the giving of such indemnity and posting of such bond as the Corporation may require for the protection of the Corporation or any transfer agent or registrar.
4.5 Regulations. The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board may establish.
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ARTICLE V
GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 Fiscal Year. Except as from time to time otherwise designated by the Board, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December in each year.
5.2 Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board.
5.3 Record Date for Purposes Other Than Stockholder Meetings. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action (other than with respect to determining stockholders entitled to notice of and/or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, which is addressed in Section 1.4 of these bylaws), the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
5.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether provided before, at or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in any such waiver. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
5.5 Voting of Securities. Except as the Board may otherwise designate, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary or the Treasurer may waive notice of, vote, or appoint any person or persons to vote, on behalf of the Corporation at, and act as, or appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact for this Corporation (with or without power of substitution) at, any meeting of stockholders or securityholders of any other entity, the securities of which may be held by this Corporation, or with respect to the execution of any written or electronic consent in the name of the Corporation as a holder of such securities.
5.6 Evidence of Authority. A certificate by the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or a temporary Secretary, as to any action taken by the stockholders, directors, a committee or any officer or representative of the Corporation shall as to all persons who rely on the certificate in good faith be conclusive evidence of such action.
5.7 Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these bylaws to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and/or restated and in effect from time to time, including the terms of any certificate of designations of any series of preferred stock.
5.8 Severability. Any determination that any provision of these bylaws is for any reason inapplicable, illegal or ineffective shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of these bylaws.
5.9 Pronouns. All pronouns used in these bylaws shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons may require.
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ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new bylaws may be adopted by the Board or by the stockholders as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.
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Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 19, 2023, is made and entered into by and among PSQ Holdings, Inc. (f.k.a. Colombier Acquisition Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Colombier Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and the undersigned parties listed under Holder on the signature page hereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company, the Sponsor and certain other security holders named therein (the “Existing Holders”) are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2021 (the “Original RRA”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) dated as of February 27, 2023 by and among (i) the Company, (ii) Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), (iii) the Sponsor and (iv) PublicSq. Inc. (f.k.a. PSQ Holdings, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Target”), the Holders received shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) or shares of the Company’s Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, convertible into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock on the terms and conditions provided in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Class C Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Sponsor desire to amend and restate the Original RRA in its entirety and enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders registration rights with respect to Common Stock of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement, and amend and restate in all respects the Original RRA.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Block Trade” means an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder on a block trade or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a bought deal, same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or a Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the City of New York, New York.
“Class A Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Class C Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Demand Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Existing Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Form S-1” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.3.
“Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.
“Lock-up Period” shall mean, the period ending on the earlier of (A) the one (1) year anniversary of the date of the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (B) the first date subsequent to the Closing with respect to which the closing price of the Common Stock has equaled or exceeded $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing or (C) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
“Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
“Permitted Financing” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.
“Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Subject Shares Lock-up Period or Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, and pursuant to the Insider Letter and any other applicable agreement between such Holder and the Company, in each case for so long as such agreements remain in effect, and to any transferee thereafter.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.
“PIPE Investment” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.
“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.
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“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Subject Shares, (b) the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of any Subject Shares, (c) any Earnout Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (d) any outstanding share of Common Stock or any other equity security (including, without limitation, the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security, units comprising shares of Common Stock and warrants, and warrants) of the Company held by a Holder from time to time, and (e) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities have been sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated by the Commission); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.
“Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;
(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;
(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and
(F) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration, not to exceed $75,000 in respect of any such Demand Registration (or, in the event such counsel is required to deliver a legal opinion to Underwriters in connection with such Demand Registration, $100,000).
“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
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“Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
“Subject Shares” shall mean the Class B Common Stock and Warrants held by the Sponsor, the shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the conversion of Class B Common Stock or exercise of such Warrants by Sponsor, the Common Stock issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Class C Common Stock.
“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Registration” or “Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS
2.1 Demand Registration.
2.1.1 Request for Registration. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, at any time and from time to time hereafter, the Holders of at least 20% in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities (the “Demanding Holders”) may make a written demand for Registration of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand, a “Demand Registration”). The Company shall, within five (5) Business Days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) Business Days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall file, as soon thereafter as practicable, but, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, not more than thirty (30) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, and cause such Registration to become effective as soon as practicable thereafter, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders pursuant to such Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of four (4) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this subsection 2.1.1 with respect to any or all Registrable Securities nor more than two (2) registrations in any twelve month period; provided, however, that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-1”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, a Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 may not take the form of a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act at any time that the Company is not eligible for short-form registration on Form S-3.
2.1.2 Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto; provided, further, that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than five (5) days, of such election; provided, further, that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.
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2.1.3 Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.4 hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company in consultation with the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.
2.1.4 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) holds prior to such Underwritten Registration (such proportion referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
2.1.5 Demand Registration Withdrawal. A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under subsection 2.1.1 shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.1.5.
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2.2 Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If, at any time on or after the date hereof, the Company proposes to (A) file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of securityholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the securityholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof) or (B) consummate an Underwritten Offering for its own account or for the account of any other securityholders of the Company off of an existing registration statement of the Company under the Securities Act, in each case other than a registration statement (or an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an effective registration statement) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing or offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than five (5) Business Days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement (or in the case of an Underwritten Offering off of an existing registration statement of the Company, five (5) Business Days (unless such offering is a Block Trade, then three (3) Business Days) before the anticipated commencement of marketing efforts with respect to such Underwritten Offering), which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register or include the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) Business Days (or, in the case of a Block Trade, within one (1) Business Day) after receipt of such written notice (such Registration or offering, a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.
2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to this Section 2.2, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
| (a) | If the Registration is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof and the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, that other requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders or Registrable Securities, desire to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; |
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| (b) | If the Registration is undertaken for the account of the stockholders, then the Company shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 and Common Stock or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register on a pari passu basis with the Registrable Securities pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, that other requesting persons or entities, other than the Holder of Registrable Securities and any holders of securities with pari passu registration rights, desire to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities. |
2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering off of an existing registration statement of the Company, prior to the pricing of such offering. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering off of an existing registration statement of the Company, may withdraw the offering at any time prior to the pricing of such offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.
2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under Section 2.1 hereof.
2.3 Registrations on Form S-3.
2.3.1 Initial Registration. The Holders of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission if so requested), register the resale of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short form registration statement that may be available at such time (“Form S-3”). Within five (5) Business Days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) Business Days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, not more than thirty (30) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall file a Registration Statement to register all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders and cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable thereafter; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof if (i) a Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $25,000,000 unless such Registration Statement will register all remaining Registrable Securities then held by Holders. Any request for an underwritten offering pursuant to a Form S-3 shall follow the procedures of Section 2.1 (including Section 2.1.4) but shall not count against the number of long form Demand Registrations that may be made pursuant to Section 2.1.1.
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2.3.2 Shelf Takedown. At any time and from time to time following the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement required by Section 2.3.1, any Holder may request to sell all or a portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to such shelf registration statement, including a Block Trade (a “Shelf Underwritten Offering”) provided that such Holder(s) (a) reasonably expect aggregate gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000 from such Shelf Underwritten Offering or (b) reasonably expects to sell all of the Registrable Securities then held by such Holder(s) in such Shelf Underwritten Offering but in no event less than $5,000,000. All requests for a Shelf Underwritten Offering shall be made by giving written notice to the Company (the “Shelf Takedown Notice”). Each Shelf Takedown Notice shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Shelf Underwritten Offering and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Shelf Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) Business Days (unless such offering is a Block Trade, then within two (2) Business Days) after receipt of any Shelf Takedown Notice (or, in the case of a Block Trade, a notice received by the Company pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof), the Company shall give written notice of such requested Shelf Underwritten Offering to all other Holders of Registrable Securities (the “Company Shelf Takedown Notice”) and, subject to reductions consistent with the Pro Rata calculations in Section 2.1.4, shall include in such Shelf Underwritten Offering all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein, within three (3) Business Days (or, in the case of a Block Trade, within one (1) Business Day) after sending the Company Shelf Takedown Notice. The Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement in a form as is customary in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Company with the managing Underwriter or Underwriters selected by the Company after consultation with the initiating Holders and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. In connection with any Shelf Underwritten Offering contemplated by this Section 2.3.2, subject to Section 3.3 and Article IV, the underwriting agreement into which each Holder and the Company shall enter shall contain such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations of the Company and the selling stockholders as are customary in underwritten offerings of securities by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2.3.2 or Section 2.1.1, a request by any Holders for a Shelf Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.3.2 shall count as a Demand Registration for purposes of the limitations on the number of Demand Registrations set forth in the last sentence of Section 2.1.1 for so long as the Registrable Securities requested to be sold in such Shelf Underwritten Offering by such Holders pursuant to this Section 2.3.2 (after giving effect to any to reductions consistent with the Pro Rata calculations in Section 2.1.4) have actually been sold in connection therewith.
2.4 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to subsection 2.1.1 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration or Underwritten Offering would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time or (D) the Demand Registration or Underwritten Offering would require inclusion in the Registration Statement or any prospectus of financial statements that are then unavailable to the Company, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed or for the Underwritten Offering to be consummated in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or commencement of such Underwritten Offering. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing or commencement for a period of not more than thirty (30) days (or, in the event required audited financials of the Company or any other entity or business are required and are not then available, for a period of not more than sixty (60) days); provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no Registration shall be effected or permitted and no Registration Statement shall become effective nor shall any Underwritten Offering occur, with respect to any Registrable Securities held by any Holder, until after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period.
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2.5 Block Trades. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II, but subject to Sections 2.4 and 3.4, if any Holders desire to effect a Block Trade, such Holders shall provide written notice to the Company at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date such Block Trade will commence. As expeditiously as possible, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to facilitate such Block Trade. The Holders shall use reasonable best efforts to work with the Company and the Underwriter(s) (including by disclosing the maximum number of Registrable Securities proposed to be the subject of such Block Trade) in order to facilitate preparation of the Registration Statement, Prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade and any related due diligence and comfort procedures.
ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
3.1 General Procedures. If at any time on or after the date hereof, the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:
3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;
3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may reasonably be requested by the Holders or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;
3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
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3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
3.1.6 provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel;
3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;
3.1.10 permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.12 on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to an Underwritten Registration, obtain an opinion and negative assurance letter, each dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Underwritten Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters;
3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;
3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);
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3.1.15 if the Registration involves an Underwritten Offering, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration, including, without limitation, making available senior executives of the Company to participate in any due diligence sessions that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering.
3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.
3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.
3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions, to the extent such rule is available. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
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ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Indemnification.
4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors, employees and agents and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in any issuer free writing prospectus or investor presentation or other marketing materials of the Company in connection with any Registration or Underwritten Offering, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.
4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in any issuer free writing prospectus or investor presentation or other marketing materials of the Company in connection with any Registration or Underwritten Offering, or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission of a material fact is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.
4.1.3 Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any necessary local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
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4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail, telecopy, telegram or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: PSQ Holdings, Inc., 315 S. Coast Hwy 101 Ste. U44, Encinitas, CA, 92024, Attention: Michael Seifert with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, 45th Floor, New York, New York, 10007--, Attention: Glenn R. Pollner, Esq. and Andrew P. Alin, Esq.; if to the Purchaser Representative, to: Colombier Sponsor, LLC, 214 Brazilian Avenue, Suite 200-A, Palm Beach, FL 33480, Attention: Omeed Malik; and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.
5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.
5.2.2 A Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to a Permitted Transferee who agrees to become bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement.
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5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.
5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.
5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.
5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION AND (II) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.
5.6 Other Registration Rights. The Company covenants that, without the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, it shall not grant any third party any of the registration rights set forth in Article II to the extent such rights have priority over or conflict in any material respect with the rights of Holders under this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may grant registration rights to any investors in any Permitted Financing or PIPE Investment in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement to the extent such rights are on a pari passu basis with or subordinated to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement.
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5.7 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the date as of which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (B) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities under Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act without limitation on the amount of securities sold or the manner of sale and without compliance with the current public information requirements of Rule 144. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.
5.8 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder.
5.9 Adjustments. If there are any changes in the Common Stock as a result of share split, share dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other similar event, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations under this Agreement shall continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed.
5.10 Entire Agreement; Restatement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. Upon the Closing, the Original RRA shall no longer be of any force or effect.
[Signature pages follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: | |||
| PSQ Holdings, Inc. | |||
| By: | /s/ Michael Seifert | ||
| Name: | Michael Seifert | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
| SPONSOR: | |||
| Colombier Sponsor LLC | |||
| By: | /s/ Omeed Malik | ||
| Name: | Omeed Malik | ||
Title: |
Manager | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | ||
| Michael Seifert | ||
| /s/ Michael Seifert | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | ||
| Sebastian Harris | ||
| /s/ Sebastian Harris | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | ||
| Bradley Searle | ||
| /s/ Bradley Searle | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | ||
| Andrew Weisbecker | ||
| /s/ Andrew Weisbecker | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | ||
| Brian Elkins | ||
| /s/ Brian Elkins | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | ||
| Nick Ayers | ||
| /s/ Nick Ayers | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | ||
| Jamie F. Ayers | ||
| /s/ Jamie F. Ayers | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | |||
| Fountain Ripple, LLC | |||
| /s/ Davis Pilot III | |||
Name: |
Davis Pilot III | ||
| Title: | Manager | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | |||
| Fountain Ripple II, LLC | |||
| /s/ Davis Pilot III | |||
Name: |
Davis Pilot III | ||
| Title: | Manager | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | |||
| J. Nicholas Ayers Irrevocable Trust dated October 2021 | |||
| /s/ Jamie F. Ayers | |||
| Name: | Jamie F. Ayers | ||
| Title: | Trustee | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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HOLDERS: | |||
| Stephen R. Seifert Revocable Living Trust Dated November 2004 | |||
| /s/ Stephen R. Seifert | |||
| Name: | Stephen R. Seifert | ||
| Title: | Trustee | ||
[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
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Exhibit 10.2
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of July 19, 2023 by and between PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [●] (“Indemnitee”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering the subject matter of this Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors or officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The certificate of incorporation of the Company (as the same may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and bylaws of the Company (as the same may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Bylaws”) requires indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;
WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, as well as any rights of Indemnitee under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as [a director] [an officer] of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise (as defined below)) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), if any, is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the DGCL. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in force after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as [an officer] [a director] of the Company, as provided in Section 17 hereof.
Section 2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
(b) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
(i) Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below), other than Michael Seifert or any entity owned or otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly, by Mr. Seifert, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
(ii) Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 2(b)(i), Section 2(b)(iii) or Section 2(b)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its ultimate parent, as applicable) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity or its ultimate parent, as applicable, outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity or its ultimate parent, as applicable;
(iv) Liquidation or Sale of Assets. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or
(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
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For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms shall have the following meanings:
| (A) | “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. |
| (B) | “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company. |
| (C) | “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity. |
(c) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or joint venture, trust or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
(d) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
(e) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, employee, agent or fiduciary.
(f) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a deponent or witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee is ultimately determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement or Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be, and (iii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
(g) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
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(h) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, regulatory or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting pursuant to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. If Indemnitee believes in good faith that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, this shall be considered a Proceeding under this paragraph.
(i) Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
Section 3. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of the Company’s stockholders or disinterested directors or applicable law.
Section 4. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”) or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnification.
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Section 5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 6. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness, is or was made (or asked) to respond to discovery requests in any Proceeding, or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection therewith.
Section 7. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.
Section 8. Additional Indemnification.
(a) Notwithstanding any limitation in Section 3, Section 4, or Section 5, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.
(b) For purposes of Section 8(a), the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) to the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and
(ii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
Section 9. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment in connection with any claim involving Indemnitee:
(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or
(b) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or
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(c) except as provided in Section 14(d) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
Section 10. Advances of Expenses. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary (other than Section 14(d)), the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) (x) not initiated by Indemnitee or (y) initiated by Indemnitee with the prior approval of the Board as provided in Section 9(c), and such advancement shall be made within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. In accordance with Section 14(d), advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the [execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement][Effective Date], which shall constitute an undertaking providing that Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement. This Section 10 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 9.
Section 11. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim.
(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. The omission by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement unless such failure materially prejudices the Company, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense and, except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any such Proceeding, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently directly incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee's defense of such Proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his or her own legal counsel in such Proceeding, but all Expenses related to such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at Indemnitee's own expense; provided, however, that if (i) Indemnitee's employment of his or her own legal counsel has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of such Claim, (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Claim or (iv) after a Change in Control, Indemnitee's employment of his or her own counsel has been approved by Independent Counsel, then in any such event Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain his or her own separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if applicable, local counsel in respect of any such Claim) and all Expenses related to such separate counsel shall be borne by the Company.
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Section 12. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.
(a) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a), a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied.
(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). If a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, (i) the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit, and (ii) the Company, may at its option, select an alternative Independent Counsel and give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of such alternative Independent Counsel so selected, in which case the provisions of the two immediately preceding sentences, the introductory clause of this sentence and Section 12(b)(i) shall apply to such subsequent selection and notice. If applicable, the provisions of Section 12(b)(ii) shall apply to successive alternative selections. If, within twenty (20) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
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Section 13. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(b) Subject to Section 14(e), if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 13(b) shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
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(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
Section 14. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) Subject to Section 14(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5, Section 6 or Section 7 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3, Section 4 or Section 8 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company if, in the case of indemnification, Indemnitee is wholly successful on the underlying claims; if Indemnitee is not wholly successful on the underlying claims, then such indemnification shall be only to the extent Indemnitee is successful on such underlying claims or otherwise as permitted by law, whichever is greater.
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(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.
Section 15. Settlement of Proceedings. The Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any threatened or pending Proceeding effected without the Company's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if a Change in Control has occurred, the Company shall be liable for indemnification of Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if an Independent Counsel has approved the settlement. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any costs on Indemnitee without Indemnitee's prior written consent.
Section 16. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
(c) In the event of any payment made by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
(d) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
(e) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
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Section 17. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as [a director] [an officer] or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. The indemnification and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by written agreement to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
Section 18. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 19. Enforcement.
(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company.
(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, including any agreement covering the subject matter of this Agreement previously entered into between the Company and Indemnitee; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any directors’ and officers’ insurance maintained by the Company and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.
Section 20. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 21. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 22. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company.
(b) If to the Company to
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
516 South Dixie Highway, PMB 191
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
CC: General Counsel
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.
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Section 23. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its other directors, officers, employees and agents) on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).
Section 24. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.
Section 25. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 26. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
PSQ Holdings, Inc. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| INDEMNITEE: | ||
| [Name of Indemnitee] | ||
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Exhibit 10.3
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
2023 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose
The purpose of this 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is to advance the interests of the Company’s stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives that are intended to better align the interests of such persons with those of the Company’s stockholders. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” shall include any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations thereunder (the “Code”) and any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).
2. Eligibility
All of the Company’s employees, officers and directors, as well as consultants and advisors to the Company (as the terms consultants and advisors are defined and interpreted for purposes of Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any successor form) are eligible to be granted Awards (as defined below) under the Plan. Each person who is granted an Award under the Plan is deemed a “Participant.” “Award” means Options (as defined in Section 5), SARs (as defined in Section 6), Restricted Stock (as defined in Section 7), Restricted Stock Units (as defined in Section 7) and Other Stock-Based Awards (as defined in Section 8). Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly.
3. Administration and Delegation
(a) Administration by Board of Directors. The Plan will be administered by the Board. The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Board may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award agreements entered into under the Plan. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award. All actions and decisions by the Board with respect to the Plan and any Awards shall be made in the Board’s discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award.
(b) Appointment of Committees. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a “Committee”). All references in the Plan to the “Board” shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board or the Delegated Persons referred to in Section 3(c) to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee or such Delegated Persons.
(c) Delegation to Delegated Persons. Subject to any requirements of applicable law (including as applicable Sections 152(b) and 157(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware), the Board may, by resolution, delegate to one or more persons (including officers of the Company) or bodies (such persons or bodies, the “Delegated Persons”) the power to grant Awards (subject to any limitations under the Plan) to eligible service providers of the Company and to exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Board may determine, provided that the Board shall fix: (i) the maximum number of Awards, and the maximum number of shares issuable upon exercise thereof, that may be issued by such Delegated Persons, (ii) the time period during which such Awards, and during which the shares issuable upon exercise thereof, may be issued, and (iii) the minimum amount of consideration (if any) for which such Awards may be issued, and a minimum amount of consideration for the shares issuable upon exercise thereof; and provided further, that no Delegated Person shall be authorized to grant Awards to itself; and provided further, that no Delegated Person shall be authorized to grant Awards to any “executive officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) or to any “officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act).
4. Stock Available for Awards
(a) Number of Shares; Share Counting.
(1) Authorized Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to such number of shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”) as is equal to the sum of:
(A) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the outstanding shares of all classes of Company common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Company Common Stock”), determined immediately following the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., Colombier Sponsor, LLC and PSQ Holdings, Inc., dated as of February 27, 2023 (the “Closing”); plus
(B) an annual increase to be added on the first day of each fiscal year, commencing on January 1, 2024 and continuing for each fiscal year until, and including, January 1, 2033, equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the outstanding shares of all classes of Company Common Stock on such date and (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock determined by the Board.
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Subject to adjustment under Section 9, up to 3,000,000 of the shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be issued as Incentive Stock Options (as defined in Section 5(b)) under the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
(2) Earnout Shares Subpool. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards (any or all of which may be Incentive Stock Options) may be made for up to an additional 2,700,000 shares of Class A Common Stock (the “Earnout Subpool”). Awards from the Earnout Subpool shall be Earnout Equity Awards (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and shall be granted solely and exclusively to Deemed Equity Holders (as defined in the Merger Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. The terms of any Awards granted from the Earnout Subpool shall be determined by the Board at the time of grant. The Earnout Subpool shall be in addition to and shall not reduce the number of shares authorized for issuance under Section 4(a)(1) hereof and any shares of Class A Common Stock subject to Awards made from the Earnout Subpool that become available again for the grant of Awards pursuant to Section 4(a)(3) hereof, shall only become available again under the Earnout Subpool and shall not increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under Section 4(a)(1) hereof. In the event no Earnout Shares are released in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Earnout Subpool shall expire and be of no further force or effect.
(3) Share Counting. For purposes of counting the number of shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan under this Section 4(a):
(A) all shares of Class A Common Stock covered by SARs shall be counted against the number of shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that (i) SARs that may be settled only in cash shall not be so counted and (ii) if the Company grants an SAR in tandem with an Option for the same number of shares of Class A Common Stock and provides that only one such Award may be exercised (a “Tandem SAR”), only the shares covered by the Option, and not the shares covered by the Tandem SAR, shall be so counted, and the expiration of one in connection with the other’s exercise will not restore shares to the Plan;
(B) to the extent a Restricted Stock Unit award may be settled only in cash, no shares shall be counted against the shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan;
(C) if any Award (i) expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to such Award being repurchased by the Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right) or (ii) results in any Class A Common Stock not being issued (including as a result of an SAR or Restricted Stock Unit that was settleable either in cash or in stock actually being settled in cash), the unused Class A Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards; provided, however, that (1) in the case of Incentive Stock Options, the foregoing shall be subject to any limitations under the Code, (2) in the case of the exercise of an SAR, the number of shares counted against the shares available under the Plan shall be the full number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the percentage of the SAR actually exercised, regardless of the number of shares actually used to settle such SAR upon exercise and (3) the shares covered by a Tandem SAR shall not again become available for grant upon the expiration or termination of such Tandem SAR; and
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(D) shares of Class A Common Stock delivered (by actual delivery, attestation, or net exercise) to the Company by a Participant to (i) purchase shares of Class A Common Stock upon the exercise of an Award or (ii) satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to Awards (including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation) shall be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of Awards.
(b) Substitute Awards. In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Board deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards contained in the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 4(a)(1) or any sublimit contained in the Plan, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.
(c) Limit on Awards to Non-Employee Directors. The maximum aggregate amount of cash and value (calculated based on grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes) of Awards granted in any calendar year to any individual non-employee director in his or her capacity as a non-employee director shall not exceed $750,000; provided, however, that such maximum aggregate amount shall not exceed $950,000 in any calendar year for any individual non-employee director in such non-employee director’s initial year of service; and provided, further, however, that fees paid by the Company on behalf of any non-employee director in connection with regulatory compliance and any amounts paid to a non-employee director as reimbursement of an expense shall not count against the foregoing limit. The Board may make additional exceptions to this limit for individual non-employee directors in extraordinary circumstances, as the Board may determine in its discretion, provided that the non-employee director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation. For the avoidance of doubt, this limitation shall not apply to cash or Awards granted to the non-employee director in his or her capacity as an advisor or consultant to the Company.
5. Stock Options
(a) General. The Board may grant options to purchase Class A Common Stock (each, an “Option”) and determine the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers necessary or advisable.
(b) Incentive Stock Options. An Option that the Board intends to be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) shall only be granted to employees of PSQ Holdings, Inc., any of PSQ Holdings, Inc.’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. An Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be designated a “Nonstatutory Stock Option.” The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or if the Company converts an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
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(c) Exercise Price. The Board shall establish the exercise price of each Option or the formula by which such exercise price will be determined. The exercise price shall be specified in the applicable option agreement. The exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value (as defined below) of the Class A Common Stock on the date the Option is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an Option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value on such future date. “Grant Date Fair Market Value” of a share of Class A Common Stock for purposes of the Plan will be determined as follows:
(1) if the Class A Common Stock trades on a national securities exchange, the closing sale price (for the primary trading session) on the date of grant; or
(2) if the Class A Common Stock does not trade on any such exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the date of grant as reported by an over-the-counter marketplace designated by the Board; or
(3) if the Class A Common Stock is not publicly traded, the Board will determine the Grant Date Fair Market Value for purposes of the Plan using any measure of value it determines to be appropriate (including, as it considers appropriate, relying on appraisals) in a manner consistent with the valuation principles under Section 409A of the Code or any successor provision thereto, and the regulations thereunder (“Section 409A”), except as the Board may expressly determine otherwise.
For any date that is not a trading day, the Grant Date Fair Market Value of a share of Class A Common Stock for such date will be determined by using the closing sale price or average of the bid and asked prices, as appropriate, for the immediately preceding trading day and with the timing in the formulas above adjusted accordingly. The Board can substitute a particular time of day or other measure of “closing sale price” or “bid and asked prices” if appropriate because of exchange or market procedures or can use weighted averages either on a daily basis or such longer period, in each case to the extent permitted by Section 409A.
The Board shall determine the Grant Date Fair Market Value for purposes of the Plan, and all Awards are conditioned on the Participant’s agreement that the Board’s determination is conclusive and binding even though others might make a different determination.
(d) Duration of Options. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable Option agreement; provided, however, that no Option will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.
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(e) Exercise of Options. Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic, and which may be provided to a third- party equity plan administrator) approved by the Company, together with payment in full (in the manner specified in Section 5(f)) of the exercise price for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised. Shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the Option will be delivered by the Company as soon as practicable following exercise.
(f) Payment Upon Exercise. Class A Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:
(1) in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;
(2) except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company funds sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;
(3) to the extent provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their fair market value (valued in the manner determined or approved by the Board), provided (i) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Class A Common Stock, if acquired directly from the Company, was owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Board and (iii) such Class A Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;
(4) to the extent provided for in the applicable Nonstatutory Stock Option agreement or approved by the Board, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, as a result of which the Participant would receive (i) the number of shares underlying the portion of the Option being exercised, less (ii) such number of shares as is equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price for the portion of the Option being exercised divided by (B) the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock (valued in the manner determined or approved by the Board) on the date of exercise;
(5) to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine; or
(6) by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment, to the extent approved by the Board.
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(g) Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Company may not (except as provided for under Section 9): (1) amend any outstanding Option granted under the Plan to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding Option, (2) cancel any outstanding option (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan (other than Awards granted pursuant to Section 4(b)) covering the same or a different number of shares of Class A Common Stock and having an exercise or measurement price per share lower than the then-current exercise price per share of the cancelled option, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding Option with an exercise price per share above the then-current fair market value of the Class A Common Stock (valued in the manner determined or approved by the Board) or (4) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a “repricing” within the meaning of the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or any other exchange or marketplace on which the Company stock is listed or traded (the “Exchange”).
(h) No Reload Options. No Option granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional Options in connection with any exercise of the original Option.
(i) No Dividend Equivalents. No Option shall provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.
6. Stock Appreciation Rights
(a) General. The Board may grant Awards consisting of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount of Class A Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Board) determined by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock (valued in the manner determined or approved by the Board) over the measurement price established pursuant to Section 6(b). The date as of which such appreciation is determined shall be the exercise date.
(b) Measurement Price. The Board shall establish the measurement price of each SAR and specify it in the applicable SAR agreement. The measurement price shall not be less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the date the SAR is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an SAR effective as of a future date, the measurement price shall be not less than 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value on such future date.
(c) Duration of SARs. Each SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable SAR agreement; provided, however, that no SAR will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.
(d) Exercise of SARs. SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic) approved by the Company, together with any other documents required by the Board.
(e) Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Company may not (except as provided for under Section 9): (1) amend any outstanding SAR granted under the Plan to provide a measurement price per share that is lower than the then-current measurement price per share of such outstanding SAR, (2) cancel any outstanding SAR (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan (other than Awards granted pursuant to Section 4(b)) covering the same or a different number of shares of Class A Common Stock and having an exercise or measurement price per share lower than the then-current measurement price per share of the cancelled SAR, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding SAR with a measurement price per share above the then-current fair market value of the Class A Common Stock (valued in the manner determined or approved by the Board) or (4) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a “repricing” within the meaning of the rules of the Exchange.
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(f) No Reload SARs. No SAR granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional SARs in connection with any exercise of the original SAR.
(g) No Dividend Equivalents. No SAR shall provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.
7. Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units
(a) General. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”), subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award. The Board may also grant Awards entitling the recipient to receive shares of Class A Common Stock or cash to be delivered as soon as practicable after the time such Award vests or on a deferred basis (“Restricted Stock Units”) (Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units are each referred to herein as a “Restricted Stock Award”).
(b) Terms and Conditions for All Restricted Stock Awards. The Board shall determine the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for vesting and repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any.
(c) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock.
(1) Dividends. Any dividends (whether paid in cash, stock or property) declared and paid by the Company with respect to shares of Restricted Stock (“Unvested Dividends”) shall be paid to the Participant only if and when such shares become free from the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability that apply to such shares. Each payment of Unvested Dividends will be made no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to stockholders of that class of stock or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the lapsing of the restrictions on transferability and the forfeitability provisions applicable to the underlying shares of Restricted Stock. No interest will be paid on Unvested Dividends.
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(2) Stock Certificates/Issuance. The Company may require that any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, as well as dividends or distributions paid on such Restricted Stock, shall be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee) or, alternatively, that such shares be issued in book entry only, in the name of the Participant with appropriate transfer and forfeiture restrictions. At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions (or, to the extent the Restricted Stock was issued in book entry, remove the restrictions) to the Participant or if the Participant has died, to his or her Designated Beneficiary (as defined below).
(d) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock Units.
(1) Settlement. Upon the vesting of and/or lapsing of any other restrictions with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company (i.e., settlement) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock specified in the Award agreement or (if so provided in the applicable Award agreement or otherwise determined by the Board) an amount of cash equal to the fair market value (valued in the manner determined or approved by the Board) of such number of shares or a combination thereof. The Board may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
(2) Voting Rights. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units.
(3) Dividend Equivalents. The Award agreement for Restricted Stock Units may provide Participants with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”). Dividend Equivalents may be settled in cash and/or shares of Class A Common Stock, as provided in the Award agreement, and shall be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which paid. No interest will be paid on Dividend Equivalents.
8. Other Stock-Based Awards
(a) General. The Board may grant other Awards of shares of Class A Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Class A Common Stock or other property (“Other Stock-Based Awards”). Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in shares of Class A Common Stock or cash, as the Board shall determine.
(b) Terms and Conditions. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock-Based Award, including any purchase price applicable thereto.
(c) Dividend Equivalents. The Award agreement for an Other Stock-Based Award may provide Participants with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents will be credited to an account for the Participant, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Class A Common Stock as set forth in the Award agreement and shall be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the Other Stock-Based Award with respect to which paid. No interest will be paid on Dividend Equivalents.
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9. Adjustments for Changes in Class A Common Stock and Certain Other Events
(a) Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Class A Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under the Plan, and the number and class of securities available for issuance under the Plan that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options under the Plan, (ii) the share counting rules set forth in Section 4(a), (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding Option, (iv) the share and per-share provisions and the measurement price of each outstanding SAR, (v) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding award of Restricted Stock and (vi) the share and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each outstanding Restricted Stock Unit award and each outstanding Other Stock-Based Award, shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Board. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Class A Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an outstanding Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.
(b) Reorganization Events.
(1) Definition. A “Reorganization Event” shall mean: (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Class A Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of the Class A Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(2) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards Other than Restricted Stock.
(A) In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock on such terms as the Board determines (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an applicable Award agreement or another agreement between the Company and the Participant):
(i) provide that such Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof),
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(ii) upon written notice to a Participant, provide that all of the Participant’s unvested Awards will be forfeited immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event and/or that all of the Participant’s unexercised Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event unless exercised by the Participant (to the extent then exercisable) within a specified period following the date of such notice,
(iii) provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such Reorganization Event,
(iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Class A Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to Participants with respect to each Award held by a Participant equal to (A) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the Award (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that occurs upon or immediately prior to such Reorganization Event) multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of (I) the Acquisition Price over (II) the exercise, measurement or purchase price of such Award and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Award, provided, that if the Acquisition Price per share (as determined by the Board) does not exceed the exercise price of such Award, then the Award shall be canceled without any payment of consideration therefor,
(v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise, measurement or purchase price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings), and
(vi) any combination of the foregoing.
In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 9(b)(2)(A), the Board shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically.
(B) Notwithstanding the terms of Section 9(b)(2)(A), in the case of outstanding Restricted Stock Units that are subject to Section 409A of the Code: (i) if the applicable Restricted Stock Unit agreement provides that the Restricted Stock Units shall be settled upon a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i), and the Reorganization Event constitutes such a “change in control event”, then no assumption or substitution shall be permitted pursuant to Section 9(b)(2)(A)(i) and the Restricted Stock Units shall instead be settled in accordance with the terms of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit agreement; and (ii) the Board may only undertake the actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 9(b)(2)(A) if the Reorganization Event constitutes a “change in control event” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i) and such action is permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code; if the Reorganization Event is not a “change in control event” as so defined or such action is not permitted or required by Section 409A of the Code, and the acquiring or succeeding corporation does not assume or substitute the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to clause (i) of Section 9(b)(2)(A), then the unvested Restricted Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event without any payment in exchange therefor.
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(C) For purposes of Section 9(b)(2)(A)(i), an Award (other than Restricted Stock) shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, such Award confers the right to purchase or receive pursuant to the terms of such Award, for each share of Class A Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Class A Common Stock for each share of Class A Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award to consist solely of such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) that the Board determines to be equivalent in value (as of the date of such determination or another date specified by the Board) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.
(D) The Board may impose a limitation on the ability of Participants holding Options and/or SARs to exercise their Awards for the minimum number of days prior to the closing of the Reorganization Event as is reasonably necessary to facilitate the orderly closing of the Reorganization Event. The Company shall provide reasonable notice to Participants of any such limitation on exercise.
(3) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Restricted Stock. Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the repurchase and other rights of the Company with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Class A Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that the Board may provide for termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, either initially or by amendment, or provide for forfeiture of such Restricted Stock if issued at no cost. Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event involving the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions and conditions on all Restricted Stock then outstanding shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.
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10. General Provisions Applicable to Awards
(a) Transferability of Awards. Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by a Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant; provided, however, that, except with respect to Awards subject to Section 409A and Incentive Stock Options, the Board may permit or provide in an Award for the gratuitous transfer of the Award by the Participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the Participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if the Company would be eligible to use a Form S-8 under the Securities Act for the registration of the sale of the Class A Common Stock subject to such Award to such proposed transferee; provided further, that the Company shall not be required to recognize any such permitted transfer until such time as such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Award. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 10(a) shall be deemed to restrict a transfer to the Company.
(b) Documentation. Each Award shall be evidenced in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Board shall determine. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.
(c) Termination of Status. The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment or service, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other service status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights or receive any benefits under the Award. “Designated Beneficiary” means (i) the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death or (ii) in the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, the Participant’s estate.
(d) Withholding. The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal, state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize ownership of Class A Common Stock under an Award. The Company may elect to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages. If the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for withholding or have a broker tender to the Company cash equal to the withholding obligations. Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will issue any shares on exercise, vesting or release from forfeiture of an Award or at the same time as payment of the exercise or purchase price, unless the Company determines otherwise. If provided for in an Award or approved by the Board, a Participant may satisfy the tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Class A Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their fair market value (valued in the manner determined or approved by the Company); provided, however, except as otherwise provided by the Board, that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income), except that, to the extent that the Company is able to retain shares of Class A Common Stock having a fair market value (determined by, or in a manner approved by, the Company) that exceeds the statutory minimum applicable withholding tax without financial accounting implications or the Company is withholding in a jurisdiction that does not have a statutory minimum withholding tax, the Company may retain such number of shares of Class A Common Stock (up to the number of shares having a fair market value equal to the maximum individual statutory rate of tax (determined by, or in a manner approved by, the Company)) as the Company shall determine to be necessary to satisfy the tax liability associated with any Award. Shares used to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.
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(e) Amendment of Award. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5(g) and 6(e) with respect to repricings and Section 11(d) with respect to actions requiring stockholder approval, the Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 9.
(f) Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously issued or delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and regulations and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.
(g) Acceleration. The Board may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in whole or in part, free from some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in whole or in part, as the case may be.
11. Miscellaneous
(a) No Right To Employment or Other Status. No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award by virtue of the adoption of the Plan, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award.
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(b) No Rights As Stockholder; Clawback Policy. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares. In accepting an Award under the Plan, a Participant agrees to be bound by any clawback policy the Company has in effect or may adopt in the future.
(c) Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective, subject to stockholder approval, upon the Closing (the date on which the Closing occurs, “Effective Date”). No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the expiration of 10 years from the Effective Date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.
(d) Amendment of Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time provided that no amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of the Exchange may be made effective unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment. In addition, if at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 11(d) shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board determines that such amendment, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan. No Award shall be made that is conditioned upon stockholder approval of any amendment to the Plan unless the Award provides that (i) it will terminate or be forfeited if stockholder approval of such amendment is not obtained within no more than 12 months from the date of grant and (ii) it may not be exercised or settled (or otherwise result in the issuance of Class A Common Stock) prior to such stockholder approval.
(e) Authorization of Sub-Plans (including for Grants to non-U.S. Employees). The Board may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions. The Board shall establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan containing (i) such limitations on the Board’s discretion under the Plan as the Board deems necessary or desirable or (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable. All supplements adopted by the Board shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction and the Company shall not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Participants in any jurisdiction which is not the subject of such supplement.
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(f) Compliance with Section 409A. If and to the extent (i) any portion of any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to a Participant in connection with his or her employment termination constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and (ii) the Participant is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, in each case as determined by the Company in accordance with its procedures, by which determinations the Participant (through accepting the Award) agrees to be bound, such portion of the payment, compensation or other benefit shall not be paid before the day that is six months plus one day after the date of “separation from service” (as determined under Section 409A) (the “New Payment Date”), except as Section 409A may then permit. The aggregate of any payments that otherwise would have been paid to the Participant during the period between the date of separation from service and the New Payment Date shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum on such New Payment Date, and any remaining payments will be paid on their original schedule.
The Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to the Participant or any other person if any provisions of or payments, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but do not to satisfy the conditions of that section.
(g) Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument such individual executes in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, employee or agent of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been or will be delegated, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Board’s approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning the Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.
(h) Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
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Exhibit 10.4
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
2023 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The purpose of this 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (this “Plan”) is to provide eligible employees of PSQ Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain of its subsidiaries with opportunities to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), commencing at such time and on such dates as the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) shall determine. Subject to adjustment under Section 15 hereof, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that have been approved for this purpose is the sum of:
(a) 600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock; plus
(b) an annual increase to be added on the first day of each fiscal year, commencing on January 1, 2024 and continuing for each fiscal year until, and including, January 1, 2033, equal to the least of (i) 425,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, (ii) 1% of the outstanding shares of all classes of Company common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, on such date and (iii) a number of shares of Class A Common Stock determined by the Board.
This Plan is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” as defined in Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the regulations issued thereunder, and shall be interpreted consistent therewith.
1. Administration. The Plan will be administered by the Board or by a committee appointed by the Board (the “Administrator”). The Administrator has authority to (i) make rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan; (ii) interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan; (iii) make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; (iv) decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and (v) otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan, and its interpretation and decisions with regard thereto shall be final and conclusive.
2. Eligibility. All employees of the Company and all employees of any subsidiary of the Company (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) designated by the Administrator from time to time (a “Designated Subsidiary”), are eligible to participate in any one or more of the offerings of Options (as defined in Section 9) to purchase Class A Common Stock under the Plan provided that:
(a) they are customarily employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for more than 20 hours a week and for more than five months in a calendar year;
(b) they have been employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for at least three months prior to enrolling in the Plan; and
(c) they are employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary on the first day of the applicable Plan Period (as defined below).
No employee may be granted an Option hereunder if such employee, immediately after the Option is granted, owns 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of the stock of the Company or any subsidiary. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an employee, and all stock that the employee has a contractual right to purchase shall be treated as stock owned by the employee.
The Company retains the discretion to determine which eligible employees may participate in an offering pursuant to and consistent with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.4232(e) and (f).
3. Offerings. The Company will make one or more offerings (“Offerings”) to employees to purchase stock under this Plan. Offerings will begin at such time and on such dates as the Administrator shall determine, or the first business day thereafter (such dates, the “Offering Commencement Dates”). Each Offering Commencement Date will begin a six-month period (a “Plan Period”) during which payroll deductions will be made and held for the purchase of Class A Common Stock at the end of the Plan Period. However, the Administrator may, at its discretion, choose a different Plan Period of not more than twelve (12) months for Offerings.
4. Participation. An employee eligible on the Offering Commencement Date of any Offering may participate in such Offering by completing and forwarding either a written or electronic payroll deduction authorization form to the employee’s appropriate payroll office at least 15 days (or such other number of days as is determined by the Company) prior to the applicable Offering Commencement Date. The form will authorize a regular payroll deduction from the Compensation received by the employee during the Plan Period. Unless an employee files a new form or withdraws from the Plan, his or her deductions and purchases will continue at the same rate for future Offerings under the Plan as long as the Plan remains in effect. The Administrator shall determine what constitutes “Compensation” for purpose of the Plan. In the absence of a determination by the Administrator, the term “Compensation” shall mean the amount of money reportable on the employee’s Federal Income Tax Withholding Statement (or analogous non-U.S. statement), excluding overtime, shift premium, incentive or bonus awards, allowances and reimbursements for expenses such as relocation allowances for travel expenses, income or gains associated with the grant or vesting of restricted stock, income or gains on the exercise of Company stock options or stock appreciation rights, and similar items, whether or not shown or separately identified on the employee’s Federal Income Tax Withholding Statement (or analogous non-U.S. statement), but including, in the case of salespersons, sales commissions to the extent determined by the Administrator.
5. Deductions. The Company will maintain payroll deduction accounts for all participating employees. With respect to any Offering made under this Plan, an employee may authorize a payroll deduction in any percentage amount (in whole percentages) at a minimum of 1% up to a maximum of 15% of the Compensation he or she receives during the Plan Period or such shorter period during which deductions from payroll are made. The Administrator may, at its discretion, designate a lower maximum contribution rate. The minimum payroll deduction is such percentage of Compensation as may be established from time to time by the Administrator.
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6. Deduction Changes. An employee may decrease or discontinue his or her payroll deduction once during any Plan Period, by filing either a written or electronic new payroll deduction authorization form, as determined by the Company. However, an employee may not increase his or her payroll deduction during a Plan Period. If an employee elects to discontinue his or her payroll deductions during a Plan Period, but does not elect to withdraw his or her funds pursuant to Section 8 hereof, funds deducted prior to his or her election to discontinue will be applied to the purchase of Class A Common Stock on the Exercise Date (as defined below).
7. Interest. Interest will not be paid on any employee accounts, except to the extent that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, elects to credit employee accounts with interest at such rate as it may from time to time determine.
8. Withdrawal of Funds. An employee may at any time prior to the close of business on the fifteenth business day prior to the end of a Plan Period (or such other number of days as is determined by the Company) and for any reason permanently draw out the balance accumulated in the employee’s account and thereby withdraw from participation in an Offering. Partial withdrawals are not permitted. The employee may not begin participation again during the remainder of the Plan Period during which the employee withdrew his or her balance. The employee may participate in any subsequent Offering in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Administrator.
9. Purchase of Shares.
(a) Number of Shares. On the Offering Commencement Date for the applicable Plan Period, the Company will grant to each eligible employee who is then a participant in the Plan an option (an “Option”) to purchase on the last business day of such Plan Period (the “Exercise Date”) at the applicable purchase price (the “Option Price”) up to the whole number of shares of Class A Common Stock determined by multiplying $2,083 by the number of full months in the Plan Period and dividing the result by the closing price (as determined below) on the Offering Commencement Date; provided, however, that no employee may be granted an Option which permits his or her rights to purchase Class A Common Stock under this Plan and any other employee stock purchase plan (as defined in Section 423(b) of the Code) of the Company and its subsidiaries, to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of the fair market value of such Class A Common Stock (determined at the date such Option is granted) for each calendar year in which the Option is outstanding at any time; and, provided, further, however, that the Administrator may, in its discretion, set a different fixed number of shares of Class A Common Stock that each eligible employee may purchase per Plan Period which number shall not be greater than the number of shares of Class A Common Stock determined using the formula in the first clause of this Section 9(a), and both of which shall be subject to the second clause of this Section 9(a).
(b) Option Price. The Administrator shall determine the Option Price for each Plan Period, including whether such Option Price shall be determined based on the lesser of the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on (i) the first business day of the Plan Period or (ii) the Exercise Date, or shall be based solely on the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the Exercise Date; provided, however, that such Option Price shall be at least 85% of the applicable closing price. In the absence of a determination by the Administrator, the Option Price will be 85% of the lesser of the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on (i) the first business day of the Plan Period or (ii) the Exercise Date. The closing price shall be (a) the closing price (for the primary trading session) on any national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed or (b) the average of the closing bid and asked prices in the over-the-counter-market, whichever is applicable, as published in The Wall Street Journal or another source selected by the Administrator. If no sales of Class A Common Stock were made on such a day, the price of the Class A Common Stock shall be the reported price for the last preceding day on which sales were made.
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(c) Exercise of Option. Each employee who continues to be a participant in the Plan on the Exercise Date shall be deemed to have exercised his or her Option at the Option Price on such date and shall be deemed to have purchased from the Company the number of whole shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for the purpose of the Plan that his or her accumulated payroll deductions on such date will pay for, but not in excess of the maximum numbers determined in the manner set forth above.
(d) Return of Unused Payroll Deductions. Any balance remaining in an employee’s payroll deduction account at the end of a Plan Period will be automatically refunded to the employee, except that any balance that is less than the purchase price of one share of Class A Common Stock will be carried forward into the employee’s payroll deduction account for the following Offering, unless the employee elects not to participate in the following Offering under the Plan, in which case the balance in the employee’s account shall be refunded.
10. Issuance of Certificates. Certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock purchased under the Plan may be issued only in the name of the employee, in the name of the employee and another person of legal age as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, or (in the Company’s sole discretion) in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee holder designated by the employee. The Company may, in its sole discretion and in compliance with applicable laws, authorize the use of book entry registration of shares in lieu of issuing stock certificates.
11. Rights on Retirement, Death or Termination of Employment. If a participating employee’s employment with the Company or a Designated Subsidiary ends before the last business day of a Plan Period, no payroll deduction shall be taken from any pay then due and owing to the employee and the balance in the employee’s account shall be paid to the employee. In the event of the employee’s death before the last business day of a Plan Period, the Company shall, upon notification of such death, pay the balance of the employee’s account (a) to the executor or administrator of the employee’s estate or (b) if no such executor or administrator has been appointed to the knowledge of the Company, to such other person(s) as the Company may, in its discretion, designate. If, before the last business day of the Plan Period, the Designated Subsidiary by which an employee is employed ceases to be a subsidiary of the Company, or if the employee is transferred to a subsidiary of the Company that is not a Designated Subsidiary, the employee shall be deemed to have terminated employment for the purposes of this Plan.
12. Optionees Not Stockholders. Neither the granting of an Option to an employee nor the deductions from his or her pay shall make such employee a stockholder of the shares of Class A Common Stock covered by an Option under this Plan until he or she has purchased and received such shares.
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13. Options Not Transferable. Options under this Plan are not transferable by a participating employee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the employee’s lifetime only by the employee.
14. Application of Funds. All funds received or held by the Company under this Plan may be combined with other corporate funds and may be used for any corporate purpose.
15. Adjustment for Changes in Class A Common Stock and Certain Other Events.
(a) Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Class A Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under this Plan, (ii) the share limitations set forth in Section 9, and (iii) the Option Price shall be equitably adjusted to the extent determined by the Administrator.
(b) Reorganization Events.
(1) Definition. A “Reorganization Event” shall mean: (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Class A Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of the Class A Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(2) Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Options. In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Administrator may take any one or more of the following actions as to outstanding Options on such terms as the Administrator determines: (i) provide that Options shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Options shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to employees, provide that all outstanding Options will be terminated immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event and that all such outstanding Options will become exercisable to the extent of accumulated payroll deductions as of a date specified by the Administrator in such notice, which date shall be ten (10) days preceding the effective date of the Reorganization Event (or such other number of days as is determined by the Administrator), (iii) upon written notice to employees, provide that all outstanding Options will be cancelled as of a date prior to the effective date of the Reorganization Event and that all accumulated payroll deductions will be returned to participating employees on such date, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Class A Common Stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), change the last day of the Plan Period to be the date of the consummation of the Reorganization Event and make or provide for a cash payment to each employee equal to (A) (1) the Acquisition Price times (2) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that the employee’s accumulated payroll deductions as of immediately prior to the Reorganization Event could purchase at the Option Price, where the Acquisition Price is treated as the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the last day of the applicable Plan Period for purposes of determining the Option Price under Section 9(b) hereof, and where the number of shares that could be purchased is subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9(a), minus (B) the result of multiplying such number of shares by such Option Price, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Options shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (net of the Option Price thereof) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing.
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For purposes of clause (i) above, an Option shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, the Option confers the right to purchase, for each share of Class A Common Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Class A Common Stock for each share of Class A Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of Options to consist solely of such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) that the Board determines to be equivalent in value (as of the date of such determination or another date specified by the Board) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.
16. Amendment of the Plan. The Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend or suspend this Plan or any portion thereof, except that (a) if the approval of any such amendment by the stockholders of the Company is required by Section 423 of the Code, such amendment shall not be effected without such approval, and (b) in no event may any amendment be made that would cause the Plan to fail to comply with Section 423 of the Code.
17. Insufficient Shares. If the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock specified in elections to be purchased under any Offering plus the number of shares purchased under previous Offerings under this Plan exceeds the maximum number of shares issuable under this Plan, the Administrator will allot the shares then available on a pro-rata basis.
18. Termination of the Plan. This Plan may be terminated at any time by the Board. Upon termination of this Plan all amounts in the accounts of participating employees shall be promptly refunded.
19. Governmental Regulations. The Company’s obligation to sell and deliver Class A Common Stock under this Plan is subject to listing on a national stock exchange (to the extent the Class A Common Stock is then so listed or quoted) and the approval of all governmental authorities required in connection with the authorization, issuance or sale of such stock.
20. Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by Delaware law except to the extent that such law is preempted by federal law.
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21. Issuance of Shares. Shares may be issued upon exercise of an Option from authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, from shares held in the treasury of the Company, or from any other proper source.
22. Notification upon Sale of Shares. Each employee agrees, by participating in the Plan, to promptly give the Company notice of any disposition of shares purchased under the Plan where such disposition occurs within two years after the date of grant of the Option pursuant to which such shares were purchased.
23. Grants to Employees in Foreign Jurisdictions. The Company may, to comply with the laws of a foreign jurisdiction, grant Options to employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary who are citizens or residents of such foreign jurisdiction (without regard to whether they are also citizens of the United States or resident aliens (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) with terms that are less favorable (but not more favorable) than the terms of Options granted under the Plan to employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary who are resident in the United States. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Plan, employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary who are citizens or residents of a foreign jurisdiction (without regard to whether they are also citizens of the United States or resident aliens (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) may be excluded from eligibility under the Plan if (a) the grant of an Option under the Plan to a citizen or resident of the foreign jurisdiction is prohibited under the laws of such jurisdiction or (b) compliance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction would cause the Plan to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. The Company may add one or more appendices to this Plan describing the operation of the Plan in those foreign jurisdictions in which employees are excluded from participation or granted less favorable Options.
24. Authorization of Sub-Plans. The Administrator may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan with respect to one or more Designated Subsidiaries, provided that such sub-plan complies with Section 423 of the Code.
25. Withholding. If applicable tax laws impose a tax withholding obligation, each affected employee shall, no later than the date of the event creating the tax liability, make provision satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of any taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with any transaction related to Options granted to or shares acquired by such employee pursuant to the Plan. The Company may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to an employee.
26. Effective Date and Approval of Stockholders. The Plan shall take effect upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., Colombier Sponsor, LLC and PSQ Holdings, Inc., dated as of February 27, 2023 (the date on which such closing occurs, the “Effective Date”), subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company as required by Section 423 of the Code, which approval must occur within twelve months of the adoption of the Plan by the Board.
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Adopted by the Board of Directors on June 12, 2023
Approved by the stockholders on July 19, 2023
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Exhibit 10.7
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of July 19, 2023, by and between Colombier Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation which, as of the effective time of the Merger (as defined below), shall change its name to PSQ Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), and Michael Seifert (the “Executive”) (together, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which, as of the effective time of the Merger (as defined below), shall change its name to PublicSq Inc. (“PublicSq”);
WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of February 27, 2023, by and among the Company, Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), Colombier Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and PublicSq, pursuant to which, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into PublicSq, with PublicSq continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the surviving corporation of the merger (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into an agreement whereby the Executive will be employed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement, subject to, and contingent upon, the consummation of the Merger (such consummation, the “Closing”);
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no force or effect upon termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof, and upon the termination of this Agreement as a result of the termination of the Merger Agreement, no Party shall have any further obligations or liability under this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Executive has agreed to accept such employment with the Company effective upon the Closing on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements of the Parties herein contained, the Parties hereto agree to the following terms, which shall govern the Executive’s employment effective upon the Closing (the date of the Closing, the “Effective Date”):
1. Agreement. Provided that the Executive remains employed by PublicSq as of the Closing, this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The Executive’s employment on the terms contained in this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until such employment relationship is terminated in accordance with Section 7 hereof (the “Term of Employment”).
2. Position. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall serve on the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”), subject to his reelection thereto from time to time by the Company’s stockholders, working out of the Company’s office in Encinitas, California until such time as the Company’s headquarters relocate to the West Palm Beach, Florida area, at which time the Executive shall work out of the Company’s office in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, and travelling as reasonably required by the Executive’s job duties.
3. Scope of Employment. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be responsible for the performance of those duties consistent with the Executive’s position as Chief Executive Officer. The Executive shall report to the Board. The Executive agrees to devote the Executive’s full business time, best efforts, skill, knowledge, attention, and energies to the advancement of the Company’s business and interests and to the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company and not to engage in any other business activities (whether as an employee, consultant, board member, advisor or in any other capacity) without prior approval from the Board, except that the Executive may engage in charitable or civic activities and/or serve as an executor, trustee, or other similar fiduciary capacity, provided, however, that in no event may any activity be undertaken or continued if it would (i) be in violation of any provision of this Agreement or other agreement between the Executive and the Company, (ii) interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Company, or (iii) present a conflict of interest with the Company’s business interests. As an employee of the Company, the Executive will be required to comply with all Company policies and procedures. Violations of the Company’s policies may lead to immediate termination of the Executive’s employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights the Executive may have as set forth in Section 8 below. Further, the Company’s premises, including all workspaces, furniture, documents, and other tangible materials, and all information technology resources of the Company (including computers, data and other electronic files, and all internet and email) are subject to oversight and inspection by the Company at any time. Company employees should have no expectation of privacy with regard to any Company premises, materials, resources, or information.
4. Compensation. As full compensation for all services rendered by the Executive to the Company and any affiliate thereof, during the Term of Employment, the Company will provide to the Executive the following:
(a) Base Salary. The Executive shall receive a base salary at the annualized rate of $500,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Executive’s Base Salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed on an annual or more frequent basis by the Board and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.
(b) Annual Discretionary Bonus. The Executive will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus of 50% of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), based on the Board’s assessment of the Executive’s performance and the Company’s attainment of targeted goals to be set by the Board in its sole discretion. Following the close of each calendar year, the Board will determine whether the Executive has earned a performance bonus, and the amount of any performance bonus, based on the set criteria. No amount of the performance bonus is guaranteed, and the Executive must be an active employee of the Company on the date the bonus is distributed in order to be eligible for and to earn any bonus award, as it also serves as an incentive for the Executive to remain employed by the Company. The Executive’s bonus eligibility will be reviewed on an annual or more frequent basis by the Board and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.
(c) Equity Award. The Company shall recommend to the Board that the Executive be granted 12,500 restricted stock units (before any change in capitalization, such as a stock split or reverse stock split that may occur between the Effective Date and the date of grant) (the “RSU Award”) on or as soon as practicable after the 61st day following the Effective Date. One third of the RSU Award shall vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to the Executive continuing to provide services to the Company through the relevant vesting dates. The RSU Award will be subject to approval by the Board and the terms of the Company’s 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) and a restricted stock unit agreement between the Executive and the Company. The Executive will be eligible to receive additional equity awards at such times and on such terms and conditions as the Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine.
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(d) Paid Time Off. The Executive will be eligible for paid vacation and paid sick time, consistent with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. The Executive will also be eligible for paid time off for Company holidays, which are set annually and in accordance with Company policy.
(e) Benefits. Subject to eligibility requirements and the Company’s polices, the Executive shall have the right, on the same basis as other similarly-situated employees of the Company, to participate in, and to receive benefits under, all employee health, disability, insurance, fringe, welfare benefit and retirement plans, arrangements, practices and programs the Company provides to its senior executives in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect from time to time. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend and/or terminate any and all of its benefits plans at is discretion.
(f) Withholdings. All compensation payable to the Executive shall be subject to applicable taxes and withholdings.
5. Expenses. The Executive will be reimbursed for the Executive’s actual, necessary and reasonable business expenses pursuant to Company policy, subject to the provisions of Section 3 of Exhibit A attached hereto.
6. Restrictive Covenants Agreements. As a condition of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive will be required to sign the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Executive hereby acknowledges that the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement that the Executive previously executed in connection with the Executive’s employment with PublicSq (such agreement together with the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, the “Restrictive Covenant Agreements”) remains in full force and effect, with the terms thereof hereby deemed incorporated herein; provided, however, that the references therein to “Company” shall be deemed hereinafter to mean the Company, as well as PublicSq. The Executive further acknowledges that the Executive’s employment with the Company is conditioned on the Executive’s continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenant Agreements.
7. Employment Termination. This Agreement and the employment of the Executive shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) Upon the death of the Executive or at the election of the Company due to the Executive’s “Disability”. As used in this Agreement, the term “Disability” shall mean a physical or mental illness or disability that prevents the Executive from performing the duties of the Executive’s position for a period of more than any three (3) consecutive months or for periods aggregating more than twenty-six (26) weeks. The Company shall determine in good faith and in its sole discretion whether the Executive is unable to perform the services provided for herein.
(b) At the election of the Company, with or without “Cause” (as defined below), immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Executive. As used in this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the Executive’s engagement in any conduct that has materially and adversely affected, or is reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect, the business interests or reputation of the Company or its affiliates (for avoidance of doubt, “conduct” in this subsection does not mean poor performance or failure to meet Company objectives);
(ii) any breach by the Executive of the Restrictive Covenant Agreements;
(iii) the Executive’s willful and repeated failure to perform in any material respect, the Executive’s duties to the Company under this Agreement;
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(iv) the Executive’s fraud or embezzlement, or the Executive’s willful misconduct with respect to the Company or its affiliates;
(v) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement; or
(vi) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor relating to the Company or its affiliates, any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, or any felony;
provided, however, that with respect to subsection (iii) hereof, and solely to the extent the Company reasonably believes the failure is capable of being cured, the Executive was given thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice of such failure and an opportunity to cure such failure but the Executive failed to do so within such period (provided that the Executive is eligible for no more than two “cure” opportunities during the Executive’s employment).
(c) At the election of the Executive, with or without “Good Reason” (as defined below), upon written notice by the Executive to the Company (subject, if it is with Good Reason, to the timing provisions set forth in the definition of Good Reason). As used in this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence (without the Executive’s prior written consent), of any of the following events:
(i) a material reduction in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
(ii) the relocation of the principal place at which the Executive provides services to the Company by at least fifty (50) miles and to a location such that the Executive’s daily commuting distance is increased; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the relocation of the principal place at which the Executive provides services from Encinitas, California to the West Palm Beach, Florida area, as contemplated by Section 2 of this Agreement shall not constitute Good Reason;
(iii) a material reduction of the Executive’s Base Salary; or
(iv) a material breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement.
No termination will be treated as a termination by the Executive for Good Reason unless (x) the Executive has given written notice to the Company of the Executive’s intention to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason, describing the grounds for such action, no later than sixty (60) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, (y) the Executive has provided the Company with at least thirty (30) days in which to cure the circumstances, and (z) if the Company is not successful in curing the circumstances, the Executive ends the Executive’s employment within thirty (30) calendar days following the expiration of the cure period in (y).
8. Effect of Termination.
(a) All Terminations Other Than by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated under any circumstances other than a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by the Executive with Good Reason (including a voluntary termination by the Executive without Good Reason or a termination by the Company for Cause or due to the Executive’s death or Disability), the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall immediately cease and the Executive shall only be entitled to receive (i) the Base Salary that has accrued and to which the Executive is entitled as of the effective date of such termination, to be paid in accordance with the Company’s established payroll procedure and applicable law but no later than the next regularly scheduled pay period, (ii) unreimbursed business expenses for which expenses the Executive has timely submitted appropriate documentation in accordance with Section 5 hereof, (iii) any amounts or benefits to which the Executive is then entitled under the terms of the benefit plans then-sponsored by the Company in accordance with their terms (and not accelerated to the extent acceleration does not satisfy Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”)), and (iv) to the extent applicable in accordance with then-current Company policy, any accrued but unused vacation time through the date of termination, to be paid in accordance with Company policy and applicable law (the payments described in this sentence, the “Accrued Obligations”).
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(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations. In addition, and subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures, the Executive’s Base Salary for a period of fifteen months; (ii) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the later of the Payment Date (as defined below) and the date on which bonuses are paid to employees generally, an amount equal to the annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs that the Executive would have received had the Executive remained employed by the Company based on actual performance but prorated based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the calendar year in which the Executive’s termination date occurs that the Executive remained employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365; and (iii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, continue to pay for fifteen months following the Executive’s termination date or until the Executive has secured other employment or is no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the share of the premium for medical coverage that is paid by the Company for active and similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments will violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”).
(c) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason During the Change in Control Period. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason within the period that begins three (3) months prior to and ends twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “Change in Control Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 8(c), the Executive shall be entitled to receive the benefits described in this Section 8(c) rather than those described in Section 8(b) above. In such case, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations and, subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (x) eighteen months of the Executive’s Base Salary, and (y) 1.5 times the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which termination occurs or, if higher, the Executive’s Target Bonus immediately prior to the Change in Control, (ii) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the Payment Date, an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which termination occurs or, if higher, the Executive’s Target Bonus immediately prior to the Change in Control, prorated based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the calendar year in which the Executive’s termination date occurs that the Executive remained employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365, (iii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, continue to pay for eighteen months following the Executive’s termination date or until the Executive has secured other employment or is no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the share of the premium for health coverage that is paid by the Company for active and similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments will violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply, and (iv) provide that the vesting of the Executive’s then-unvested equity awards that vest based solely on the passage of time shall be accelerated, such that all such then-unvested time-based equity awards shall vest and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the later of the date of the Change in Control and Executive’s termination date (collectively, the “Change in Control Severance Benefits”).
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(d) Release. As a condition of the Executive’s receipt of the Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, the Executive must execute and deliver to the Company a separation and release of claims agreement in substantially the form to be provided by the Company (the “Release”), which Release must become irrevocable within sixty (60) days following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment (or such shorter period as may be directed by the Company). The Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will be paid or commence to be paid in the first regular payroll beginning after the Release becomes effective, provided that if the foregoing sixty (60) day period would end in a calendar year subsequent to the year in which the Executive’s employment ends, the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will not be paid or begin to be paid before the first payroll of the subsequent calendar year (the date the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, are paid or commence pursuant to this sentence, the “Payment Date”). The Executive must continue to comply with all post-employment obligations under law or in any agreement between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates, including the Restrictive Covenant Agreements, any similar agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates and as set forth in the Release in order to be eligible to receive or continue receiving the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason prior to a Change in Control, (i) any then-outstanding and unvested time-based equity awards held by the Executive shall remain outstanding (but any vesting shall be suspended) for up to (but no longer than) three (3) months following the date of termination so that, if it is later determined that such termination occurred during the three (3)-month period prior to the closing of a Change in Control and the Executive is entitled to Change in Control Severance Benefits rather than Severance Benefits, the vesting of such awards may be accelerated, in accordance with Section 8(c), immediately prior to the closing of the Change in Control and (ii) any Change in Control Severance Benefits shall be reduced by any Severance Benefits previously paid to the Executive, if it is later determined that the termination occurred during the three (3)-month period prior to the closing of a Change in Control and that the Executive is entitled to Change in Control Severance Benefits rather than Severance Benefits.
(e) Change in Control Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events after the Closing (it being understood that the Merger shall not, itself, constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement), provided that such event or occurrence constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as defined in Treasury Regulation §§ 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), (vi) and (vii):
(i) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition (but not before such acquisition), such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) fifty percent (50%) or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates, or (3) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) which complies with clauses (x) and (y) of subsection (iii) of this definition;
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(ii) a change in the composition of the Board that results in the Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constituting a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term “Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (x) who was a member of the Board on the Effective Date or (y) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (y) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or
(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two (2) conditions is satisfied: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Corporation”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively, immediately prior to such Business Combination and (y) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company or any of its affiliates or by the Acquiring Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Corporation, or of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination).
(f) Resignation from other Positions. If, as of the date that the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, the Executive is a member of the Board (or the board of directors of any entity affiliated with the Company), or holds any other offices or positions with the Company (or any entity affiliated with the Company), the Executive shall, unless otherwise requested by the Company, immediately relinquish and/or resign from any such board memberships, offices and positions as of the date the Executive’s employment terminates. The Executive agrees to execute such documents and take such other actions as the Company may request to reflect such relinquishments and/or resignation(s).
9. Absence of Restrictions. The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive is not bound by any employment contracts, restrictive covenants or other restrictions that prevent (or purports to prevent) the Executive from carrying out the Executive’s responsibilities for the Company, or which are in any way inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement.
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10. Notice. Any notice delivered under this Agreement shall be deemed duly delivered three (3) business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, one (1) business day after it is sent for next-business day delivery via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, or immediately upon hand delivery, in each case to the address of the recipient set forth below.
To Executive:
At the address set forth in the Executive’s personnel file
To Company:
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
516 S. Dixie Highway PMB 191
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Either Party may change the address to which notices are to be delivered by giving notice of such change to the other Party in the manner set forth in this Section 10.
11. Applicable Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida (without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof). The Parties agree to resolve through mandatory, final, and binding arbitration, except as specifically excluded herein or prohibited by applicable law and subject to the provisions of Section 19(d), all disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, and any controversy, dispute, or claim directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to, or connected with the Executive’s employment or any separation from employment with the Company, including whether the dispute is arbitrable (“Covered Disputes”); provided, however, that Covered Disputes shall not include claims for workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, sexual assault, or sexual harassment, claims arising under the National Labor Relations Act, and claims by either party for temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions (“temporary equitable relief”) in cases in which such temporary equitable relief would be otherwise authorized by law. Further, nothing herein prevents the Executive from filing a charge with, cooperating with, or participating in any proceeding or investigation before the EEOC or a state fair employment practices agency (except that the Executive acknowledges that the Executive may not recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such charge, proceeding or investigation, and the Executive further waives any rights or claims to any payment, benefit, attorneys’ fees or other remedial relief in connection with any such charge, proceeding or investigation. The Parties understand and agree that arbitration shall be the exclusive method by which to resolve all Covered Disputes to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Parties further understand and agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, neither will assert class, collective, or representative action claims against the other, whether in arbitration or otherwise, and such class, collective, or representative actions are hereby waived. Any such arbitration will be conducted in accordance with American Arbitration Association’s (the “AAA”) Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, a copy of which will be provided to the Executive upon request, and will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator from the AAA agreed upon by the Executive and the Company in accordance with the AAA rules. Any arbitration under this provision will be conducted in the city closest to where the Executive resides at the time arbitration is demanded in which a United States District Court courthouse is located, unless otherwise agreed by the Executive and the Company. The arbitrator shall: (a) provide for more than minimal discovery and have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written decision, including a statement of the award and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based. The arbitrator shall have the power to award damages, remedies or relief that would be available in a court otherwise having jurisdiction of the matter, but no other damages, remedies or relief. The Parties agree that arbitration shall be the exclusive, final and binding forum for the ultimate resolution of such claims, subject to any rights of appeal that either party may have under the Federal Arbitration Act and/or under applicable state law dealing with the review of arbitration decisions. Each Party shall pay its own attorney’s fees and expenses, except that the Company shall pay the fees and expenses related to the arbitration that the Executive would not generally be required to bear if the Executive brought the same action in a court otherwise having jurisdiction.
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12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both Parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any corporation with which or into which the Company may be merged or which may succeed to its assets or business; provided, however, that the obligations of the Executive are personal and shall not be assigned by the Executive.
13. At-Will Employment. This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement, either expressed or implied, to employ the Executive for any stated term, and shall in no way alter the Company’s policy of employment at will, under which both the Executive and the Company remain free to terminate the employment relationship, with or without cause, at any time, with or without notice. Although the Executive’s job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at-will” nature of the Executive’s employment may only be changed by a written agreement signed by the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Company, which written agreement expressly states the intention to modify the at-will nature of the Executive’s employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights the Executive may have as set forth in Section 8 above. Similarly, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement, either express or implied, to pay the Executive any compensation or grant the Executive any benefit beyond the end of the Executive’s employment with the Company, except as explicitly set forth in Section 8 above.
14. Acknowledgment. The Executive states and represents that the Executive has had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this Agreement with an attorney. The Executive further states and represents that the Executive has carefully read this Agreement, understands the contents herein, freely and voluntarily assents to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and signs the Executive’s name of the Executive’s own free act.
15. No Oral Modification, Waiver, Cancellation or Discharge. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive. No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by the Company on any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right on any other occasion.
16. Captions and Pronouns. The captions of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section of this Agreement. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa.
17. Interpretation. The Parties agree that this Agreement will be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the drafting Party. References in this Agreement to “include” or “including” should be read as though they said “without limitation” or equivalent forms. Except where the context requires otherwise, references in this Agreement to the “Board” shall include any authorized committee thereof.
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18. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement must be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Moreover, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines any of the provisions contained in this Agreement to be unenforceable because the provision is excessively broad in scope, whether as to duration, activity, geographic application, subject or otherwise, it will be construed, by limiting or reducing it to the extent legally permitted, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with then applicable law to achieve the intent of the Parties.
19. Modified Section 280G Cutback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 19(b), in the event that the Company undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive any portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) for the Executive. For purposes of this Section 19, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 19(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to the Executive (including state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any employment taxes payable by the Executive). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 19(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 19(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.
(c) For purposes of this Section 19 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
(i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.
(ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to or for the benefit of a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.
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(d) Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 19(d).
(i) Within thirty (30) days after each date on which the Executive first becomes entitled to receive (whether or not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (A) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (B) the Eliminated Amount and (C) whether the Section 19(b) Override is applicable.
(ii) Within thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that the Executive agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence or (B) that the Executive disagrees with such determination, in which case the Executive shall set forth (x) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (y) the Eliminated Amount, and (z) whether the Section 19(b) Override is applicable.
(iii) In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determination shall be final.
(iv) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that the Executive agrees with the Company’s determination, the Company shall make the Potential Payments to the Executive within three (3) business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due).
(v) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that the Executive disagrees with the Company’s determination, then, for a period of sixty (60) days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration as provided in Section 11 of this Agreement. The Company shall, within three (3) business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three (3) business days following the resolution of such dispute.
(e) If and to the extent that any Contingent Compensation Payments are required to be treated as Eliminated Payments pursuant to this Section 19, then the payments shall be reduced or eliminated, as determined by the Company, in the following order: (i) any cash payments, (ii) any taxable benefits, (iii) any nontaxable benefits, and (iv) any vesting of equity awards in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits that are to be paid the farthest in time from the date that triggers the applicability of the excise tax.
(f) The provisions of this Section 19 are intended to apply to any and all payments or benefits available to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement or plan under which the Executive may receive Contingent Compensation Payments.
20. Entire Agreement. Except as expressly provided in the Merger Agreement and any other agreements to which the Executive is or will be party in connection with the Transaction, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement; provided, however, and for the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall be deemed to supersede the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement, which remains in full force and effect as set forth in Section 6 above nor, when executed, the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, which is to be read together with the other agreements referenced to provide the most protective language for the benefit of the Company that is permitted by applicable law.
[Signatures on Page Following]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.
| PSQ HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Bradley Serle | |
| Name: | Bradley Searle | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
| EXECUTIVE: | ||
| /s/ Michael Seifert | ||
| Michael Seifert | ||
EXHIBIT A
Payments Subject to Section 409A
1. Subject to this Exhibit A, any severance payments or benefits that may be due under the Agreement (including, but not limited to any Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits) shall begin only upon the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” (determined as set forth below) which occurs on or after the termination of the Executive’s employment. The following rules shall apply with respect to distribution of the severance payments or benefits, if any, to be provided to the Executive under the Agreement, as applicable:
(a) It is intended that each installment of the severance payments or benefits provided under the Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”). Neither the Company nor the Executive shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A.
(b) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is not a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then each installment of the severance payments or benefits shall be made on the dates and terms set forth in the Agreement.
(c) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then:
| (i) | Each installment of the severance payments or benefits due under the Agreement that, in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein, will in all circumstances, regardless of when the Executive’s separation from service occurs, be paid within the short-term deferral period (as defined under Section 409A) shall be treated as a short-term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) to the maximum extent permissible under Section 409A and shall be paid on the dates and terms set forth in the Agreement; and |
| (ii) | Each installment of the severance payments or benefits due under the Agreement that is not described in Section 1(c)(i) of this Exhibit A and that would, absent this subsection, be paid within the six (6)-month period following the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company shall not be paid until the date that is six (6) months and one day after such separation from service (or, if earlier, within the permitted Section 409A period following the Executive’s death), with any such installments that are required to be delayed being accumulated during the six (6)-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day following the Executive’s separation from service and any subsequent installments, if any, being paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this sentence shall not apply to any installment of payments or benefits if and to the maximum extent that that such installment is deemed to be paid under a separation pay plan that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (relating to separation pay upon an involuntary separation from service). Any installments that qualify for the exception under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) must be paid no later than the last day of the Executive’s second taxable year following the taxable year in which the separation from service occurs. |
2. The determination of whether and when the Executive’s separation from service from the Company has occurred shall be made in a manner consistent with, and based on the presumptions set forth in, Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). Solely for purposes of Section 2 of this Exhibit A, “Company” shall include all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code.
3. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (a) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in the Agreement), (b) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (c) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred and (d) the right to reimbursement is not subject to set off or liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
4. The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or to any other person if any of the provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A) are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but that do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, that section.
5. The Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A and shall be interpreted accordingly.
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EXHIBIT B
Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement
Exhibit 10.8
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of July 19, 2023, by and between Colombier Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation which, as of the effective time of the Merger (as defined below), shall change its name to PSQ Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), and Sebastian Harris (the “Executive”) (together, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which, as of the effective time of the Merger (as defined below), shall change its name to PublicSq Inc. (“PublicSq”);
WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of February 27, 2023, by and among the Company, Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), Colombier Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and PublicSq, pursuant to which, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into PublicSq, with PublicSq continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the surviving corporation of the merger (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into an agreement whereby the Executive will be employed as Chief Operating Officer of the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement, subject to, and contingent upon, the consummation of the Merger (such consummation, the “Closing”);
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no force or effect upon termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof, and upon the termination of this Agreement as a result of the termination of the Merger Agreement, no Party shall have any further obligations or liability under this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Executive has agreed to accept such employment with the Company effective upon the Closing on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements of the Parties herein contained, the Parties hereto agree to the following terms, which shall govern the Executive’s employment effective upon the Closing (the date of the Closing, the “Effective Date”):
1. Agreement. Provided that the Executive remains employed by PublicSq as of the Closing, this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The Executive’s employment on the terms contained in this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until such employment relationship is terminated in accordance with Section 7 hereof (the “Term of Employment”).
2. Position. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, working out of the Company’s office in Encinitas, California until such time as the Company’s headquarters relocate to the West Palm Beach, Florida area, at which time the Executive shall work out of the Company’s office in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, and travelling as reasonably required by the Executive’s job duties.
3. Scope of Employment. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be responsible for the performance of those duties consistent with the Executive’s position as Chief Operating Officer. The Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his/her designee. The Executive agrees to devote the Executive’s full business time, best efforts, skill, knowledge, attention, and energies to the advancement of the Company’s business and interests and to the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company and not to engage in any other business activities (whether as an employee, consultant, board member, advisor or in any other capacity) without prior approval from the Chief Executive Officer, except that the Executive may engage in charitable or civic activities and/or serve as an executor, trustee, or other similar fiduciary capacity, provided, however, that in no event may any activity be undertaken or continued if it would (i) be in violation of any provision of this Agreement or other agreement between the Executive and the Company, (ii) interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Company, or (iii) present a conflict of interest with the Company’s business interests. As an employee of the Company, the Executive will be required to comply with all Company policies and procedures. Violations of the Company’s policies may lead to immediate termination of the Executive’s employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights the Executive may have as set forth in Section 8 below. Further, the Company’s premises, including all workspaces, furniture, documents, and other tangible materials, and all information technology resources of the Company (including computers, data and other electronic files, and all internet and email) are subject to oversight and inspection by the Company at any time. Company employees should have no expectation of privacy with regard to any Company premises, materials, resources, or information.
4. Compensation. As full compensation for all services rendered by the Executive to the Company and any affiliate thereof, during the Term of Employment, the Company will provide to the Executive the following:
(a) Base Salary. The Executive shall receive a base salary at the annualized rate of $400,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Executive’s Base Salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed on an annual or more frequent basis by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.
(b) Annual Discretionary Bonus. The Executive will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus of 40% of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), based on the Board’s assessment of the Executive’s performance and the Company’s attainment of targeted goals to be set by the Board in its sole discretion. Following the close of each calendar year, the Board will determine whether the Executive has earned a performance bonus, and the amount of any performance bonus, based on the set criteria. No amount of the performance bonus is guaranteed, and the Executive must be an active employee of the Company on the date the bonus is distributed in order to be eligible for and to earn any bonus award, as it also serves as an incentive for the Executive to remain employed by the Company. The Executive’s bonus eligibility will be reviewed on an annual or more frequent basis by the Board and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.
(c) Equity Award. The Company shall recommend to the Board that the Executive be granted 100,000 restricted stock units (before any change in capitalization, such as a stock split or reverse stock split that may occur between the Effective Date and the date of grant) (the “RSU Award”) on or as soon as practicable after the 61st day following the Effective Date. One third of the RSU Award shall vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to the Executive continuing to provide services to the Company through the relevant vesting dates. The RSU Award will be subject to approval by the Board and the terms of the Company’s 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) and a restricted stock unit agreement between the Executive and the Company. The Executive will be eligible to receive additional equity awards at such times and on such terms and conditions as the Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine.
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(d) Paid Time Off. The Executive will be eligible for paid vacation and paid sick time, consistent with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. The Executive will also be eligible for paid time off for Company holidays, which are set annually and in accordance with Company policy.
(e) Benefits. Subject to eligibility requirements and the Company’s polices, the Executive shall have the right, on the same basis as other similarly-situated employees of the Company, to participate in, and to receive benefits under, all employee health, disability, insurance, fringe, welfare benefit and retirement plans, arrangements, practices and programs the Company provides to its senior executives in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect from time to time. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend and/or terminate any and all of its benefits plans at is discretion.
(f) Withholdings. All compensation payable to the Executive shall be subject to applicable taxes and withholdings.
5. Expenses. The Executive will be reimbursed for the Executive’s actual, necessary and reasonable business expenses pursuant to Company policy, subject to the provisions of Section 3 of Exhibit A attached hereto.
6. Restrictive Covenants Agreements. As a condition of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive will be required to sign the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Executive hereby acknowledges that the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement that the Executive previously executed in connection with the Executive’s employment with PublicSq (such agreement together with the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, the “Restrictive Covenant Agreements”) remains in full force and effect, with the terms thereof hereby deemed incorporated herein; provided, however, that the references therein to “Company” shall be deemed hereinafter to mean the Company, as well as PublicSq. The Executive further acknowledges that the Executive’s employment with the Company is conditioned on the Executive’s continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenant Agreements.
7. Employment Termination. This Agreement and the employment of the Executive shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) Upon the death of the Executive or at the election of the Company due to the Executive’s “Disability”. As used in this Agreement, the term “Disability” shall mean a physical or mental illness or disability that prevents the Executive from performing the duties of the Executive’s position for a period of more than any three (3) consecutive months or for periods aggregating more than twenty-six (26) weeks. The Company shall determine in good faith and in its sole discretion whether the Executive is unable to perform the services provided for herein.
(b) At the election of the Company, with or without “Cause” (as defined below), immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Executive. As used in this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the Executive’s engagement in any conduct that has materially and adversely affected, or is reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect, the business interests or reputation of the Company or its affiliates (for avoidance of doubt, “conduct” in this subsection does not mean poor performance or failure to meet Company objectives);
(ii) any breach by the Executive of the Restrictive Covenant Agreements;
(iii) the Executive’s willful and repeated failure to perform in any material respect, the Executive’s duties to the Company under this Agreement;
(iv) the Executive’s fraud or embezzlement, or the Executive’s willful misconduct with respect to the Company or its affiliates;
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(v) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement; or
(vi) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor relating to the Company or its affiliates, any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, or any felony;
provided, however, that with respect to subsection (iii) hereof, and solely to the extent the Company reasonably believes the failure is capable of being cured, the Executive was given thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice of such failure and an opportunity to cure such failure but the Executive failed to do so within such period (provided that the Executive is eligible for no more than two “cure” opportunities during the Executive’s employment).
(c) At the election of the Executive, with or without “Good Reason” (as defined below), upon written notice by the Executive to the Company (subject, if it is with Good Reason, to the timing provisions set forth in the definition of Good Reason). As used in this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence (without the Executive’s prior written consent), of any of the following events:
(i) a material reduction in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
(ii) the relocation of the principal place at which the Executive provides services to the Company by at least fifty (50) miles and to a location such that the Executive’s daily commuting distance is increased; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the relocation of the principal place at which the Executive provides services from Encinitas, California to the West Palm Beach, Florida area, as contemplated by Section 2 of this Agreement shall not constitute Good Reason;
(iii) a material reduction of the Executive’s Base Salary; or
(iv) a material breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement.
No termination will be treated as a termination by the Executive for Good Reason unless (x) the Executive has given written notice to the Company of the Executive’s intention to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason, describing the grounds for such action, no later than sixty (60) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, (y) the Executive has provided the Company with at least thirty (30) days in which to cure the circumstances, and (z) if the Company is not successful in curing the circumstances, the Executive ends the Executive’s employment within thirty (30) calendar days following the expiration of the cure period in (y).
8. Effect of Termination.
(a) All Terminations Other Than by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated under any circumstances other than a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by the Executive with Good Reason (including a voluntary termination by the Executive without Good Reason or a termination by the Company for Cause or due to the Executive’s death or Disability), the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall immediately cease and the Executive shall only be entitled to receive (i) the Base Salary that has accrued and to which the Executive is entitled as of the effective date of such termination, to be paid in accordance with the Company’s established payroll procedure and applicable law but no later than the next regularly scheduled pay period, (ii) unreimbursed business expenses for which expenses the Executive has timely submitted appropriate documentation in accordance with Section 5 hereof, (iii) any amounts or benefits to which the Executive is then entitled under the terms of the benefit plans then-sponsored by the Company in accordance with their terms (and not accelerated to the extent acceleration does not satisfy Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”)), and (iv) to the extent applicable in accordance with then-current Company policy, any accrued but unused vacation time through the date of termination, to be paid in accordance with Company policy and applicable law (the payments described in this sentence, the “Accrued Obligations”).
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(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations. In addition, and subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures, the Executive’s Base Salary for a period of twelve months; (ii) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the later of the Payment Date (as defined below) and the date on which bonuses are paid to employees generally, an amount equal to the annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs that the Executive would have received had the Executive remained employed by the Company based on actual performance but prorated based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the calendar year in which the Executive’s termination date occurs that the Executive remained employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365; and (iii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, continue to pay for twelve months following the Executive’s termination date or until the Executive has secured other employment or is no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the share of the premium for medical coverage that is paid by the Company for active and similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments will violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”).
(c) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason During the Change in Control Period. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason within the period that begins three (3) months prior to and ends twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “Change in Control Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 8(c), the Executive shall be entitled to receive the benefits described in this Section 8(c) rather than those described in Section 8(b) above. In such case, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations and, subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (x) fifteen months of the Executive’s Base Salary, and (y) 1.25 times the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which termination occurs or, if higher, the Executive’s Target Bonus immediately prior to the Change in Control, (ii) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the Payment Date, an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which termination occurs or, if higher, the Executive’s Target Bonus immediately prior to the Change in Control, prorated based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the calendar year in which the Executive’s termination date occurs that the Executive remained employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365, (iii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, continue to pay for fifteen months following the Executive’s termination date or until the Executive has secured other employment or is no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the share of the premium for health coverage that is paid by the Company for active and similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments will violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply, and (iv) provide that the vesting of the Executive’s then-unvested equity awards that vest based solely on the passage of time shall be accelerated, such that all such then-unvested time-based equity awards shall vest and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the later of the date of the Change in Control and Executive’s termination date (collectively, the “Change in Control Severance Benefits”).
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(d) Release. As a condition of the Executive’s receipt of the Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, the Executive must execute and deliver to the Company a separation and release of claims agreement in substantially the form to be provided by the Company (the “Release”), which Release must become irrevocable within sixty (60) days following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment (or such shorter period as may be directed by the Company). The Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will be paid or commence to be paid in the first regular payroll beginning after the Release becomes effective, provided that if the foregoing sixty (60) day period would end in a calendar year subsequent to the year in which the Executive’s employment ends, the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will not be paid or begin to be paid before the first payroll of the subsequent calendar year (the date the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, are paid or commence pursuant to this sentence, the “Payment Date”). The Executive must continue to comply with all post-employment obligations under law or in any agreement between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates, including the Restrictive Covenant Agreements, any similar agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates and as set forth in the Release in order to be eligible to receive or continue receiving the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason prior to a Change in Control, (i) any then-outstanding and unvested time-based equity awards held by the Executive shall remain outstanding (but any vesting shall be suspended) for up to (but no longer than) three (3) months following the date of termination so that, if it is later determined that such termination occurred during the three (3)-month period prior to the closing of a Change in Control and the Executive is entitled to Change in Control Severance Benefits rather than Severance Benefits, the vesting of such awards may be accelerated, in accordance with Section 8(c), immediately prior to the closing of the Change in Control and (ii) any Change in Control Severance Benefits shall be reduced by any Severance Benefits previously paid to the Executive, if it is later determined that the termination occurred during the three (3)-month period prior to the closing of a Change in Control and that the Executive is entitled to Change in Control Severance Benefits rather than Severance Benefits.
(e) Change in Control Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events after the Closing (it being understood that the Merger shall not, itself, constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement), provided that such event or occurrence constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as defined in Treasury Regulation §§ 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), (vi) and (vii):
(i) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition (but not before such acquisition), such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) fifty percent (50%) or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates, or (3) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) which complies with clauses (x) and (y) of subsection (iii) of this definition;
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(ii) a change in the composition of the Board that results in the Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constituting a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term “Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (x) who was a member of the Board on the Effective Date or (y) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (y) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or
(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two (2) conditions is satisfied: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Corporation”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively, immediately prior to such Business Combination and (y) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company or any of its affiliates or by the Acquiring Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Corporation, or of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination).
(f) Resignation from other Positions. If, as of the date that the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, the Executive is a member of the Board (or the board of directors of any entity affiliated with the Company), or holds any other offices or positions with the Company (or any entity affiliated with the Company), the Executive shall, unless otherwise requested by the Company, immediately relinquish and/or resign from any such board memberships, offices and positions as of the date the Executive’s employment terminates. The Executive agrees to execute such documents and take such other actions as the Company may request to reflect such relinquishments and/or resignation(s).
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9. Absence of Restrictions. The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive is not bound by any employment contracts, restrictive covenants or other restrictions that prevent (or purports to prevent) the Executive from carrying out the Executive’s responsibilities for the Company, or which are in any way inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement.
10. Notice. Any notice delivered under this Agreement shall be deemed duly delivered three (3) business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, one (1) business day after it is sent for next-business day delivery via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, or immediately upon hand delivery, in each case to the address of the recipient set forth below.
To Executive:
At the address set forth in the Executive’s personnel file
To Company:
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
516 S. Dixie Highway PMB 191
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Either Party may change the address to which notices are to be delivered by giving notice of such change to the other Party in the manner set forth in this Section 10.
11. Applicable Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida (without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof). The Parties agree to resolve through mandatory, final, and binding arbitration, except as specifically excluded herein or prohibited by applicable law and subject to the provisions of Section 19(d), all disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, and any controversy, dispute, or claim directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to, or connected with the Executive’s employment or any separation from employment with the Company, including whether the dispute is arbitrable (“Covered Disputes”); provided, however, that Covered Disputes shall not include claims for workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, sexual assault, or sexual harassment, claims arising under the National Labor Relations Act, and claims by either party for temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions (“temporary equitable relief”) in cases in which such temporary equitable relief would be otherwise authorized by law. Further, nothing herein prevents the Executive from filing a charge with, cooperating with, or participating in any proceeding or investigation before the EEOC or a state fair employment practices agency (except that the Executive acknowledges that the Executive may not recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such charge, proceeding or investigation, and the Executive further waives any rights or claims to any payment, benefit, attorneys’ fees or other remedial relief in connection with any such charge, proceeding or investigation. The Parties understand and agree that arbitration shall be the exclusive method by which to resolve all Covered Disputes to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Parties further understand and agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, neither will assert class, collective, or representative action claims against the other, whether in arbitration or otherwise, and such class, collective, or representative actions are hereby waived. Any such arbitration will be conducted in accordance with American Arbitration Association’s (the “AAA”) Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, a copy of which will be provided to the Executive upon request, and will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator from the AAA agreed upon by the Executive and the Company in accordance with the AAA rules. Any arbitration under this provision will be conducted in the city closest to where the Executive resides at the time arbitration is demanded in which a United States District Court courthouse is located, unless otherwise agreed by the Executive and the Company. The arbitrator shall: (a) provide for more than minimal discovery and have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written decision, including a statement of the award and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based. The arbitrator shall have the power to award damages, remedies or relief that would be available in a court otherwise having jurisdiction of the matter, but no other damages, remedies or relief. The Parties agree that arbitration shall be the exclusive, final and binding forum for the ultimate resolution of such claims, subject to any rights of appeal that either party may have under the Federal Arbitration Act and/or under applicable state law dealing with the review of arbitration decisions. Each Party shall pay its own attorney’s fees and expenses, except that the Company shall pay the fees and expenses related to the arbitration that the Executive would not generally be required to bear if the Executive brought the same action in a court otherwise having jurisdiction.
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12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both Parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any corporation with which or into which the Company may be merged or which may succeed to its assets or business; provided, however, that the obligations of the Executive are personal and shall not be assigned by the Executive.
13. At-Will Employment. This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement, either expressed or implied, to employ the Executive for any stated term, and shall in no way alter the Company’s policy of employment at will, under which both the Executive and the Company remain free to terminate the employment relationship, with or without cause, at any time, with or without notice. Although the Executive’s job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at-will” nature of the Executive’s employment may only be changed by a written agreement signed by the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Company, which written agreement expressly states the intention to modify the at-will nature of the Executive’s employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights the Executive may have as set forth in Section 8 above. Similarly, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement, either express or implied, to pay the Executive any compensation or grant the Executive any benefit beyond the end of the Executive’s employment with the Company, except as explicitly set forth in Section 8 above.
14. Acknowledgment. The Executive states and represents that the Executive has had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this Agreement with an attorney. The Executive further states and represents that the Executive has carefully read this Agreement, understands the contents herein, freely and voluntarily assents to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and signs the Executive’s name of the Executive’s own free act.
15. No Oral Modification, Waiver, Cancellation or Discharge. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive. No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by the Company on any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right on any other occasion.
16. Captions and Pronouns. The captions of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section of this Agreement. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa.
17. Interpretation. The Parties agree that this Agreement will be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the drafting Party. References in this Agreement to “include” or “including” should be read as though they said “without limitation” or equivalent forms. Except where the context requires otherwise, references in this Agreement to the “Board” shall include any authorized committee thereof.
18. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement must be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Moreover, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines any of the provisions contained in this Agreement to be unenforceable because the provision is excessively broad in scope, whether as to duration, activity, geographic application, subject or otherwise, it will be construed, by limiting or reducing it to the extent legally permitted, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with then applicable law to achieve the intent of the Parties.
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19. Modified Section 280G Cutback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 19(b), in the event that the Company undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive any portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) for the Executive. For purposes of this Section 19, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 19(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to the Executive (including state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any employment taxes payable by the Executive). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 19(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 19(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.
(c) For purposes of this Section 19 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
(i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.
(ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to or for the benefit of a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.
(d) Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 19(d).
(i) Within thirty (30) days after each date on which the Executive first becomes entitled to receive (whether or not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (A) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (B) the Eliminated Amount and (C) whether the Section 19(b) Override is applicable.
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(ii) Within thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that the Executive agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence or (B) that the Executive disagrees with such determination, in which case the Executive shall set forth (x) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (y) the Eliminated Amount, and (z) whether the Section 19(b) Override is applicable.
(iii) In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determination shall be final.
(iv) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that the Executive agrees with the Company’s determination, the Company shall make the Potential Payments to the Executive within three (3) business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due).
(v) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that the Executive disagrees with the Company’s determination, then, for a period of sixty (60) days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration as provided in Section 11 of this Agreement. The Company shall, within three (3) business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three (3) business days following the resolution of such dispute.
(e) If and to the extent that any Contingent Compensation Payments are required to be treated as Eliminated Payments pursuant to this Section 19, then the payments shall be reduced or eliminated, as determined by the Company, in the following order: (i) any cash payments, (ii) any taxable benefits, (iii) any nontaxable benefits, and (iv) any vesting of equity awards in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits that are to be paid the farthest in time from the date that triggers the applicability of the excise tax.
(f) The provisions of this Section 19 are intended to apply to any and all payments or benefits available to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement or plan under which the Executive may receive Contingent Compensation Payments.
20. Entire Agreement. Except as expressly provided in the Merger Agreement and any other agreements to which the Executive is or will be party in connection with the Transaction, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement; provided, however, and for the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall be deemed to supersede the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement, which remains in full force and effect as set forth in Section 6 above nor, when executed, the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, which is to be read together with the other agreements referenced to provide the most protective language for the benefit of the Company that is permitted by applicable law.
[Signatures on Page Following]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.
| PSQ HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Seifert | |
| Name: | Michael Seifert | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| EXECUTIVE: | |
| /s/ Sebastian Harris | |
| Sebastian Harris | |
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EXHIBIT A
Payments Subject to Section 409A
1. Subject to this Exhibit A, any severance payments or benefits that may be due under the Agreement (including, but not limited to any Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits) shall begin only upon the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” (determined as set forth below) which occurs on or after the termination of the Executive’s employment. The following rules shall apply with respect to distribution of the severance payments or benefits, if any, to be provided to the Executive under the Agreement, as applicable:
(a) It is intended that each installment of the severance payments or benefits provided under the Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”). Neither the Company nor the Executive shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A.
(b) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is not a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then each installment of the severance payments or benefits shall be made on the dates and terms set forth in the Agreement.
(c) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then:
| (i) | Each installment of the severance payments or benefits due under the Agreement that, in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein, will in all circumstances, regardless of when the Executive’s separation from service occurs, be paid within the short-term deferral period (as defined under Section 409A) shall be treated as a short-term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) to the maximum extent permissible under Section 409A and shall be paid on the dates and terms set forth in the Agreement; and |
| (ii) | Each installment of the severance payments or benefits due under the Agreement that is not described in Section 1(c)(i) of this Exhibit A and that would, absent this subsection, be paid within the six (6)-month period following the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company shall not be paid until the date that is six (6) months and one day after such separation from service (or, if earlier, within the permitted Section 409A period following the Executive’s death), with any such installments that are required to be delayed being accumulated during the six (6)-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day following the Executive’s separation from service and any subsequent installments, if any, being paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this sentence shall not apply to any installment of payments or benefits if and to the maximum extent that that such installment is deemed to be paid under a separation pay plan that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (relating to separation pay upon an involuntary separation from service). Any installments that qualify for the exception under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) must be paid no later than the last day of the Executive’s second taxable year following the taxable year in which the separation from service occurs. |
2. The determination of whether and when the Executive’s separation from service from the Company has occurred shall be made in a manner consistent with, and based on the presumptions set forth in, Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). Solely for purposes of Section 2 of this Exhibit A, “Company” shall include all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code.
3. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (a) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in the Agreement), (b) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (c) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred and (d) the right to reimbursement is not subject to set off or liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
4. The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or to any other person if any of the provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A) are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but that do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, that section.
5. The Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A and shall be interpreted accordingly.
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EXHIBIT B
Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement
Exhibit 10.9
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of July 19, 2023, by and between Colombier Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation which, as of the effective time of the Merger (as defined below), shall change its name to PSQ Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), and Bradley Searle (the “Executive”) (together, the “Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which, as of the effective time of the Merger (as defined below), shall change its name to PublicSq Inc. (“PublicSq”);
WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of February 27, 2023, by and among the Company, Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), Colombier Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as Purchaser Representative (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and PublicSq, pursuant to which, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into PublicSq, with PublicSq continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the surviving corporation of the merger (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into an agreement whereby the Executive will be employed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement, subject to, and contingent upon, the consummation of the Merger (such consummation, the “Closing”);
WHEREAS, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no force or effect upon termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof, and upon the termination of this Agreement as a result of the termination of the Merger Agreement, no Party shall have any further obligations or liability under this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Executive has agreed to accept such employment with the Company effective upon the Closing on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective covenants and agreements of the Parties herein contained, the Parties hereto agree to the following terms, which shall govern the Executive’s employment effective upon the Closing (the date of the Closing, the “Effective Date”):
1. Agreement. Provided that the Executive remains employed by PublicSq as of the Closing, this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date. The Executive’s employment on the terms contained in this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until such employment relationship is terminated in accordance with Section 7 hereof (the “Term of Employment”).
2. Position. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, working out of the Company’s office in Encinitas, California until such time as the Company’s headquarters relocate to the West Palm Beach, Florida area, at which time the Executive shall work out of the Company’s office in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, and travelling as reasonably required by the Executive’s job duties.
3. Scope of Employment. During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be responsible for the performance of those duties consistent with the Executive’s position as Chief Financial Officer. The Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his/her designee. The Executive agrees to devote the Executive’s full business time, best efforts, skill, knowledge, attention, and energies to the advancement of the Company’s business and interests and to the performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as an employee of the Company and not to engage in any other business activities (whether as an employee, consultant, board member, advisor or in any other capacity) without prior approval from the Chief Executive Officer, except that the Executive may engage in charitable or civic activities and/or serve as an executor, trustee, or other similar fiduciary capacity, provided, however, that in no event may any activity be undertaken or continued if it would (i) be in violation of any provision of this Agreement or other agreement between the Executive and the Company, (ii) interfere with the performance of the Executive’s duties for the Company, or (iii) present a conflict of interest with the Company’s business interests. As an employee of the Company, the Executive will be required to comply with all Company policies and procedures. Violations of the Company’s policies may lead to immediate termination of the Executive’s employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights the Executive may have as set forth in Section 8 below. Further, the Company’s premises, including all workspaces, furniture, documents, and other tangible materials, and all information technology resources of the Company (including computers, data and other electronic files, and all internet and email) are subject to oversight and inspection by the Company at any time. Company employees should have no expectation of privacy with regard to any Company premises, materials, resources, or information.
4. Compensation. As full compensation for all services rendered by the Executive to the Company and any affiliate thereof, during the Term of Employment, the Company will provide to the Executive the following:
(a) Base Salary. The Executive shall receive a base salary at the annualized rate of $400,000 (the “Base Salary”). The Executive’s Base Salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures. The Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed on an annual or more frequent basis by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.
(b) Annual Discretionary Bonus. The Executive will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus of 40% of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), based on the Board’s assessment of the Executive’s performance and the Company’s attainment of targeted goals to be set by the Board in its sole discretion. Following the close of each calendar year, the Board will determine whether the Executive has earned a performance bonus, and the amount of any performance bonus, based on the set criteria. No amount of the performance bonus is guaranteed, and the Executive must be an active employee of the Company on the date the bonus is distributed in order to be eligible for and to earn any bonus award, as it also serves as an incentive for the Executive to remain employed by the Company. The Executive’s bonus eligibility will be reviewed on an annual or more frequent basis by the Board and is subject to change in the discretion of the Board.
(c) Equity Award. The Company shall recommend to the Board that the Executive be granted 150,000 restricted stock units (before any change in capitalization, such as a stock split or reverse stock split that may occur between the Effective Date and the date of grant) (the “RSU Award”) on or as soon as practicable after the 61st day following the Effective Date. One third of the RSU Award shall vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to the Executive continuing to provide services to the Company through the relevant vesting dates. The RSU Award will be subject to approval by the Board and the terms of the Company’s 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) and a restricted stock unit agreement between the Executive and the Company. The Executive will be eligible to receive additional equity awards at such times and on such terms and conditions as the Board shall, in its sole discretion, determine.
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(d) Paid Time Off. The Executive will be eligible for paid vacation and paid sick time, consistent with the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time. The Executive will also be eligible for paid time off for Company holidays, which are set annually and in accordance with Company policy.
(e) Benefits. Subject to eligibility requirements and the Company’s polices, the Executive shall have the right, on the same basis as other similarly-situated employees of the Company, to participate in, and to receive benefits under, all employee health, disability, insurance, fringe, welfare benefit and retirement plans, arrangements, practices and programs the Company provides to its senior executives in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect from time to time. The Company reserves the right to modify, amend and/or terminate any and all of its benefits plans at is discretion.
(f) Withholdings. All compensation payable to the Executive shall be subject to applicable taxes and withholdings.
5. Expenses. The Executive will be reimbursed for the Executive’s actual, necessary and reasonable business expenses pursuant to Company policy, subject to the provisions of Section 3 of Exhibit A attached hereto.
6. Restrictive Covenants Agreements. As a condition of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive will be required to sign the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Executive hereby acknowledges that the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement that the Executive previously executed in connection with the Executive’s employment with PublicSq (such agreement together with the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, the “Restrictive Covenant Agreements”) remains in full force and effect, with the terms thereof hereby deemed incorporated herein; provided, however, that the references therein to “Company” shall be deemed hereinafter to mean the Company, as well as PublicSq. The Executive further acknowledges that the Executive’s employment with the Company is conditioned on the Executive’s continued compliance with the Restrictive Covenant Agreements.
7. Employment Termination. This Agreement and the employment of the Executive shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) Upon the death of the Executive or at the election of the Company due to the Executive’s “Disability”. As used in this Agreement, the term “Disability” shall mean a physical or mental illness or disability that prevents the Executive from performing the duties of the Executive’s position for a period of more than any three (3) consecutive months or for periods aggregating more than twenty-six (26) weeks. The Company shall determine in good faith and in its sole discretion whether the Executive is unable to perform the services provided for herein.
(b) At the election of the Company, with or without “Cause” (as defined below), immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Executive. As used in this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the Executive’s engagement in any conduct that has materially and adversely affected, or is reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect, the business interests or reputation of the Company or its affiliates (for avoidance of doubt, “conduct” in this subsection does not mean poor performance or failure to meet Company objectives);
(ii) any breach by the Executive of the Restrictive Covenant Agreements;
(iii) the Executive’s willful and repeated failure to perform in any material respect, the Executive’s duties to the Company under this Agreement;
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(iv) the Executive’s fraud or embezzlement, or the Executive’s willful misconduct with respect to the Company or its affiliates;
(v) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement; or
(vi) the Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor relating to the Company or its affiliates, any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, or any felony;
provided, however, that with respect to subsection (iii) hereof, and solely to the extent the Company reasonably believes the failure is capable of being cured, the Executive was given thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice of such failure and an opportunity to cure such failure but the Executive failed to do so within such period (provided that the Executive is eligible for no more than two “cure” opportunities during the Executive’s employment).
(c) At the election of the Executive, with or without “Good Reason” (as defined below), upon written notice by the Executive to the Company (subject, if it is with Good Reason, to the timing provisions set forth in the definition of Good Reason). As used in this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence (without the Executive’s prior written consent), of any of the following events:
(i) a material reduction in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities;
(ii) the relocation of the principal place at which the Executive provides services to the Company by at least fifty (50) miles and to a location such that the Executive’s daily commuting distance is increased; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the relocation of the principal place at which the Executive provides services from Encinitas, California to the West Palm Beach, Florida area, as contemplated by Section 2 of this Agreement shall not constitute Good Reason;
(iii) a material reduction of the Executive’s Base Salary; or
(iv) a material breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement.
No termination will be treated as a termination by the Executive for Good Reason unless (x) the Executive has given written notice to the Company of the Executive’s intention to terminate the Executive’s employment for Good Reason, describing the grounds for such action, no later than sixty (60) days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, (y) the Executive has provided the Company with at least thirty (30) days in which to cure the circumstances, and (z) if the Company is not successful in curing the circumstances, the Executive ends the Executive’s employment within thirty (30) calendar days following the expiration of the cure period in (y).
8. Effect of Termination.
(a) All Terminations Other Than by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated under any circumstances other than a termination by the Company without Cause or a termination by the Executive with Good Reason (including a voluntary termination by the Executive without Good Reason or a termination by the Company for Cause or due to the Executive’s death or Disability), the Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall immediately cease and the Executive shall only be entitled to receive (i) the Base Salary that has accrued and to which the Executive is entitled as of the effective date of such termination, to be paid in accordance with the Company’s established payroll procedure and applicable law but no later than the next regularly scheduled pay period, (ii) unreimbursed business expenses for which expenses the Executive has timely submitted appropriate documentation in accordance with Section 5 hereof, (iii) any amounts or benefits to which the Executive is then entitled under the terms of the benefit plans then-sponsored by the Company in accordance with their terms (and not accelerated to the extent acceleration does not satisfy Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”)), and (iv) to the extent applicable in accordance with then-current Company policy, any accrued but unused vacation time through the date of termination, to be paid in accordance with Company policy and applicable law (the payments described in this sentence, the “Accrued Obligations”).
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(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations. In addition, and subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) continue to pay to the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s regularly established payroll procedures, the Executive’s Base Salary for a period of twelve months; (ii) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the later of the Payment Date (as defined below) and the date on which bonuses are paid to employees generally, an amount equal to the annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs that the Executive would have received had the Executive remained employed by the Company based on actual performance but prorated based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the calendar year in which the Executive’s termination date occurs that the Executive remained employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365; and (iii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, continue to pay for twelve months following the Executive’s termination date or until the Executive has secured other employment or is no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the share of the premium for medical coverage that is paid by the Company for active and similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments will violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”).
(c) Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive With Good Reason During the Change in Control Period. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason within the period that begins three (3) months prior to and ends twelve (12) months following a Change in Control (such period, the “Change in Control Period”), then, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 8(c), the Executive shall be entitled to receive the benefits described in this Section 8(c) rather than those described in Section 8(b) above. In such case, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations and, subject to Exhibit A and the conditions of Section 8(d), the Company shall: (i) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of (x) fifteen months of the Executive’s Base Salary, and (y) 1.25 times the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which termination occurs or, if higher, the Executive’s Target Bonus immediately prior to the Change in Control, (ii) pay to the Executive, in a single lump sum on the Payment Date, an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which termination occurs or, if higher, the Executive’s Target Bonus immediately prior to the Change in Control, prorated based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the calendar year in which the Executive’s termination date occurs that the Executive remained employed by the Company and the denominator of which is 365, (iii) provided the Executive is eligible for and timely elects to continue receiving group medical insurance pursuant to the “COBRA” law, continue to pay for fifteen months following the Executive’s termination date or until the Executive has secured other employment or is no longer eligible for coverage under COBRA, whichever occurs first, the share of the premium for health coverage that is paid by the Company for active and similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage, unless the Company’s provision of such COBRA payments will violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply, and (iv) provide that the vesting of the Executive’s then-unvested equity awards that vest based solely on the passage of time shall be accelerated, such that all such then-unvested time-based equity awards shall vest and become fully exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the later of the date of the Change in Control and Executive’s termination date (collectively, the “Change in Control Severance Benefits”).
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(d) Release. As a condition of the Executive’s receipt of the Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, the Executive must execute and deliver to the Company a separation and release of claims agreement in substantially the form to be provided by the Company (the “Release”), which Release must become irrevocable within sixty (60) days following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment (or such shorter period as may be directed by the Company). The Severance Benefits or the Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will be paid or commence to be paid in the first regular payroll beginning after the Release becomes effective, provided that if the foregoing sixty (60) day period would end in a calendar year subsequent to the year in which the Executive’s employment ends, the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, will not be paid or begin to be paid before the first payroll of the subsequent calendar year (the date the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable, are paid or commence pursuant to this sentence, the “Payment Date”). The Executive must continue to comply with all post-employment obligations under law or in any agreement between the Executive and the Company or any of its affiliates, including the Restrictive Covenant Agreements, any similar agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates and as set forth in the Release in order to be eligible to receive or continue receiving the Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason prior to a Change in Control, (i) any then-outstanding and unvested time-based equity awards held by the Executive shall remain outstanding (but any vesting shall be suspended) for up to (but no longer than) three (3) months following the date of termination so that, if it is later determined that such termination occurred during the three (3)-month period prior to the closing of a Change in Control and the Executive is entitled to Change in Control Severance Benefits rather than Severance Benefits, the vesting of such awards may be accelerated, in accordance with Section 8(c), immediately prior to the closing of the Change in Control and (ii) any Change in Control Severance Benefits shall be reduced by any Severance Benefits previously paid to the Executive, if it is later determined that the termination occurred during the three (3)-month period prior to the closing of a Change in Control and that the Executive is entitled to Change in Control Severance Benefits rather than Severance Benefits.
(e) Change in Control Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events after the Closing (it being understood that the Merger shall not, itself, constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this Agreement), provided that such event or occurrence constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as defined in Treasury Regulation §§ 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), (vi) and (vii):
(i) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition (but not before such acquisition), such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) fifty percent (50%) or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company, (2) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its affiliates, or (3) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) which complies with clauses (x) and (y) of subsection (iii) of this definition;
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(ii) a change in the composition of the Board that results in the Continuing Directors (as defined below) no longer constituting a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term “Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (x) who was a member of the Board on the Effective Date or (y) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (y) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or
(iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two (2) conditions is satisfied: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Corporation”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively, immediately prior to such Business Combination and (y) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company or any of its affiliates or by the Acquiring Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Corporation, or of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination).
(f) Resignation from other Positions. If, as of the date that the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, the Executive is a member of the Board (or the board of directors of any entity affiliated with the Company), or holds any other offices or positions with the Company (or any entity affiliated with the Company), the Executive shall, unless otherwise requested by the Company, immediately relinquish and/or resign from any such board memberships, offices and positions as of the date the Executive’s employment terminates. The Executive agrees to execute such documents and take such other actions as the Company may request to reflect such relinquishments and/or resignation(s).
9. Absence of Restrictions. The Executive represents and warrants that the Executive is not bound by any employment contracts, restrictive covenants or other restrictions that prevent (or purports to prevent) the Executive from carrying out the Executive’s responsibilities for the Company, or which are in any way inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement.
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10. Notice. Any notice delivered under this Agreement shall be deemed duly delivered three (3) business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, one (1) business day after it is sent for next-business day delivery via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service, or immediately upon hand delivery, in each case to the address of the recipient set forth below.
To Executive:
At the address set forth in the Executive’s personnel file
To Company:
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
516 S. Dixie Highway PMB 191
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Either Party may change the address to which notices are to be delivered by giving notice of such change to the other Party in the manner set forth in this Section 10.
11. Applicable Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida (without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof). The Parties agree to resolve through mandatory, final, and binding arbitration, except as specifically excluded herein or prohibited by applicable law and subject to the provisions of Section 19(d), all disputes arising out of or related to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, and any controversy, dispute, or claim directly or indirectly arising out of, relating to, or connected with the Executive’s employment or any separation from employment with the Company, including whether the dispute is arbitrable (“Covered Disputes”); provided, however, that Covered Disputes shall not include claims for workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, sexual assault, or sexual harassment, claims arising under the National Labor Relations Act, and claims by either party for temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions (“temporary equitable relief”) in cases in which such temporary equitable relief would be otherwise authorized by law. Further, nothing herein prevents the Executive from filing a charge with, cooperating with, or participating in any proceeding or investigation before the EEOC or a state fair employment practices agency (except that the Executive acknowledges that the Executive may not recover any monetary benefits in connection with any such charge, proceeding or investigation, and the Executive further waives any rights or claims to any payment, benefit, attorneys’ fees or other remedial relief in connection with any such charge, proceeding or investigation. The Parties understand and agree that arbitration shall be the exclusive method by which to resolve all Covered Disputes to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Parties further understand and agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, neither will assert class, collective, or representative action claims against the other, whether in arbitration or otherwise, and such class, collective, or representative actions are hereby waived. Any such arbitration will be conducted in accordance with American Arbitration Association’s (the “AAA”) Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, a copy of which will be provided to the Executive upon request, and will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator from the AAA agreed upon by the Executive and the Company in accordance with the AAA rules. Any arbitration under this provision will be conducted in the city closest to where the Executive resides at the time arbitration is demanded in which a United States District Court courthouse is located, unless otherwise agreed by the Executive and the Company. The arbitrator shall: (a) provide for more than minimal discovery and have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written decision, including a statement of the award and the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based. The arbitrator shall have the power to award damages, remedies or relief that would be available in a court otherwise having jurisdiction of the matter, but no other damages, remedies or relief. The Parties agree that arbitration shall be the exclusive, final and binding forum for the ultimate resolution of such claims, subject to any rights of appeal that either party may have under the Federal Arbitration Act and/or under applicable state law dealing with the review of arbitration decisions. Each Party shall pay its own attorney’s fees and expenses, except that the Company shall pay the fees and expenses related to the arbitration that the Executive would not generally be required to bear if the Executive brought the same action in a court otherwise having jurisdiction.
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12. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both Parties and their respective successors and assigns, including any corporation with which or into which the Company may be merged or which may succeed to its assets or business; provided, however, that the obligations of the Executive are personal and shall not be assigned by the Executive.
13. At-Will Employment. This Agreement shall not be construed as an agreement, either expressed or implied, to employ the Executive for any stated term, and shall in no way alter the Company’s policy of employment at will, under which both the Executive and the Company remain free to terminate the employment relationship, with or without cause, at any time, with or without notice. Although the Executive’s job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at-will” nature of the Executive’s employment may only be changed by a written agreement signed by the Executive and a duly authorized representative of the Company, which written agreement expressly states the intention to modify the at-will nature of the Executive’s employment, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall alter any rights the Executive may have as set forth in Section 8 above. Similarly, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement, either express or implied, to pay the Executive any compensation or grant the Executive any benefit beyond the end of the Executive’s employment with the Company, except as explicitly set forth in Section 8 above.
14. Acknowledgment. The Executive states and represents that the Executive has had an opportunity to fully discuss and review the terms of this Agreement with an attorney. The Executive further states and represents that the Executive has carefully read this Agreement, understands the contents herein, freely and voluntarily assents to all of the terms and conditions hereof, and signs the Executive’s name of the Executive’s own free act.
15. No Oral Modification, Waiver, Cancellation or Discharge. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive. No delay or omission by the Company in exercising any right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by the Company on any one occasion shall be effective only in that instance and shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right on any other occasion.
16. Captions and Pronouns. The captions of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section of this Agreement. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural, and vice versa.
17. Interpretation. The Parties agree that this Agreement will be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the drafting Party. References in this Agreement to “include” or “including” should be read as though they said “without limitation” or equivalent forms. Except where the context requires otherwise, references in this Agreement to the “Board” shall include any authorized committee thereof.
18. Severability. Each provision of this Agreement must be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Moreover, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines any of the provisions contained in this Agreement to be unenforceable because the provision is excessively broad in scope, whether as to duration, activity, geographic application, subject or otherwise, it will be construed, by limiting or reducing it to the extent legally permitted, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with then applicable law to achieve the intent of the Parties.
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19. Modified Section 280G Cutback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 19(b), in the event that the Company undergoes a “Change in Ownership or Control” (as defined below), the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The Company shall not be obligated to provide to the Executive any portion of any “Contingent Compensation Payments” (as defined below) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive to the extent necessary to eliminate any “excess parachute payments” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code) for the Executive. For purposes of this Section 19, the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Payments” and the aggregate amount (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-30 or any successor provision) of the Contingent Compensation Payments so eliminated shall be referred to as the “Eliminated Amount.”
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 19(a), no such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments shall be made if (i) the Eliminated Amount (computed without regard to this sentence) exceeds (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate present value (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q/A-31 and Q/A-32 or any successor provisions) of the amount of any additional taxes that would be incurred by the Executive if the Eliminated Payments (determined without regard to this sentence) were paid to the Executive (including state and federal income taxes on the Eliminated Payments, the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code payable with respect to all of the Contingent Compensation Payments in excess of the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), and any employment taxes payable by the Executive). The override of such reduction in Contingent Compensation Payments pursuant to this Section 19(b) shall be referred to as a “Section 19(b) Override.” For purpose of this paragraph, if any federal or state income taxes would be attributable to the receipt of any Eliminated Payment, the amount of such taxes shall be computed by multiplying the amount of the Eliminated Payment by the maximum combined federal and state income tax rate provided by law.
(c) For purposes of this Section 19 the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
(i) “Change in Ownership or Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.
(ii) “Contingent Compensation Payment” shall mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or made available (under this Agreement or otherwise) to or for the benefit of a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.
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(d) Any payments or other benefits otherwise due to the Executive following a Change in Ownership or Control that could reasonably be characterized (as determined by the Company) as Contingent Compensation Payments (the “Potential Payments”) shall not be made until the dates provided for in this Section 19(d).
(i) Within thirty (30) days after each date on which the Executive first becomes entitled to receive (whether or not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment relating to such Change in Ownership or Control, the Company shall determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (A) which Potential Payments constitute Contingent Compensation Payments, (B) the Eliminated Amount and (C) whether the Section 19(b) Override is applicable.
(ii) Within thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the “Executive Response”) stating either (A) that the Executive agrees with the Company’s determination pursuant to the preceding sentence or (B) that the Executive disagrees with such determination, in which case the Executive shall set forth (x) which Potential Payments should be characterized as Contingent Compensation Payments, (y) the Eliminated Amount, and (z) whether the Section 19(b) Override is applicable.
(iii) In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company’s initial determination shall be final.
(iv) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that the Executive agrees with the Company’s determination, the Company shall make the Potential Payments to the Executive within three (3) business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response (except for any Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due).
(v) If the Executive states in the Executive Response that the Executive disagrees with the Company’s determination, then, for a period of sixty (60) days following delivery of the Executive Response, the Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is not resolved within such 60-day period, such dispute shall be settled exclusively by arbitration as provided in Section 11 of this Agreement. The Company shall, within three (3) business days following delivery to the Company of the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Potential Payments as to which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding whether they should be made (except for any such Potential Payments which are not due to be made until after such date, which Potential Payments shall be made on the date on which they are due). The balance of the Potential Payments shall be made within three (3) business days following the resolution of such dispute.
(e) If and to the extent that any Contingent Compensation Payments are required to be treated as Eliminated Payments pursuant to this Section 19, then the payments shall be reduced or eliminated, as determined by the Company, in the following order: (i) any cash payments, (ii) any taxable benefits, (iii) any nontaxable benefits, and (iv) any vesting of equity awards in each case in reverse order beginning with payments or benefits that are to be paid the farthest in time from the date that triggers the applicability of the excise tax.
(f) The provisions of this Section 19 are intended to apply to any and all payments or benefits available to the Executive under this Agreement or any other agreement or plan under which the Executive may receive Contingent Compensation Payments.
20. Entire Agreement. Except as expressly provided in the Merger Agreement and any other agreements to which the Executive is or will be party in connection with the Transaction, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement; provided, however, and for the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall be deemed to supersede the Invention and Non-Disclosure Agreement, which remains in full force and effect as set forth in Section 6 above nor, when executed, the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, which is to be read together with the other agreements referenced to provide the most protective language for the benefit of the Company that is permitted by applicable law.
[Signatures on Page Following]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year set forth above.
| PSQ HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Seifert | |
| Name: | Michael Seifert | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| EXECUTIVE: | |
| /s/ Bradley Searle | |
| Bradley Searle |
EXHIBIT A
Payments Subject to Section 409A
1. Subject to this Exhibit A, any severance payments or benefits that may be due under the Agreement (including, but not limited to any Severance Benefits or Change in Control Severance Benefits) shall begin only upon the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” (determined as set forth below) which occurs on or after the termination of the Executive’s employment. The following rules shall apply with respect to distribution of the severance payments or benefits, if any, to be provided to the Executive under the Agreement, as applicable:
(a) It is intended that each installment of the severance payments or benefits provided under the Agreement shall be treated as a separate “payment” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”). Neither the Company nor the Executive shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A.
(b) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is not a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then each installment of the severance payments or benefits shall be made on the dates and terms set forth in the Agreement.
(c) If, as of the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company, the Executive is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then:
| (i) | Each installment of the severance payments or benefits due under the Agreement that, in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein, will in all circumstances, regardless of when the Executive’s separation from service occurs, be paid within the short-term deferral period (as defined under Section 409A) shall be treated as a short-term deferral within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) to the maximum extent permissible under Section 409A and shall be paid on the dates and terms set forth in the Agreement; and |
| (ii) | Each installment of the severance payments or benefits due under the Agreement that is not described in Section 1(c)(i) of this Exhibit A and that would, absent this subsection, be paid within the six (6)-month period following the Executive’s “separation from service” from the Company shall not be paid until the date that is six (6) months and one day after such separation from service (or, if earlier, within the permitted Section 409A period following the Executive’s death), with any such installments that are required to be delayed being accumulated during the six (6)-month period and paid in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day following the Executive’s separation from service and any subsequent installments, if any, being paid in accordance with the dates and terms set forth herein; provided, however, that the preceding provisions of this sentence shall not apply to any installment of payments or benefits if and to the maximum extent that that such installment is deemed to be paid under a separation pay plan that does not provide for a deferral of compensation by reason of the application of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) (relating to separation pay upon an involuntary separation from service). Any installments that qualify for the exception under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) must be paid no later than the last day of the Executive’s second taxable year following the taxable year in which the separation from service occurs. |
2. The determination of whether and when the Executive’s separation from service from the Company has occurred shall be made in a manner consistent with, and based on the presumptions set forth in, Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). Solely for purposes of Section 2 of this Exhibit A, “Company” shall include all persons with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code.
3. All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A to the extent that such reimbursements or in-kind benefits are subject to Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirements that (a) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in the Agreement), (b) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (c) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred and (d) the right to reimbursement is not subject to set off or liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
4. The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or to any other person if any of the provisions of the Agreement (including this Exhibit A) are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but that do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, that section.
5. The Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A and shall be interpreted accordingly.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
EXHIBIT B
Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement
Exhibit 10.10
NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
THIS NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is being executed and delivered as of July 19, 2023 by Michael Seifert (the “Executive”) and Colombier Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (including any successor entity thereto, the “Purchaser”) in favor of and for the benefit of the Purchaser, PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and each of the Purchaser’s and/or the Company’s respective present and future Affiliates, successors and direct and indirect subsidiaries of (collectively with the Purchaser and the Company, the “Covered Parties”). Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement (as defined below). References herein to the “Company” before the consummation of the Merger will be to PSQ Holdings, Inc. and, after the consummation of the Merger, to Purchaser and the former PSQ Holdings, Inc., then to be known as PublicSq, Inc.
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2023, (i) the Purchaser, (ii) Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (“Merger Sub”), (iii) Colombier Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (iv) the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, the Company, directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries, operates an online platform dedicated to empowering like-minded, patriotic Americans to discover and support companies that share their values (the “Business”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Transactions”), and to enable the Purchaser to secure more fully the benefits of the Transactions, including the protection and maintenance of the goodwill and confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Purchaser has required, as a condition to employment, that the Executive enter into this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Executive is entering into this Agreement to satisfy the conditions to enter into employment with the Purchaser; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is an executive of the Company and has contributed to the value of the Company and its subsidiaries and has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge and confidential information concerning the Business of the Company and its subsidiaries.
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce the Purchaser to consummate the Transactions and for other good and valuable consideration, including becoming employed by the Purchaser and the eligibility for grants of restricted stock units with respect to the Purchaser, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Executive hereby agrees as follows:
| 1. | Restriction on Competition. |
| (a) | Restriction. The Executive hereby agrees that while employed and until the first anniversary of the date on which he ceases for any reason to be employed by the Company and its Affiliates (the “Restricted Period”) the Executive will not, and will cause his Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), anywhere in the United States or in any other markets in which the Covered Parties are engaging, or are actively contemplating becoming engaged, in the Business during the Executive’s employment (the “Territory”), directly or indirectly engage in the Business (other than through a Covered Party) or own, manage, finance or control, or participate in the ownership, management, financing or control of, or become engaged or serve as an officer, director, member, partner, employee, agent, consultant, contractor, advisor or representative of, a business or entity (other than a Covered Party) that engages in the Business (a “Competitor”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive and his Affiliates shall not be prohibited from (i) directly or indirectly, owning solely as a passive investment not in excess of two percent (2%) in the aggregate of any class of capital stock of any corporation if such stock is publicly traded and listed on any national exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, regardless of whether or not such corporation is a Competitor; (ii) owning a passive equity interest in a diversified private or public debt or equity investment fund (including hedge and mutual funds) in which the Executive does not have the ability to control or exercise any managerial influence over such fund; (iii) working for or becoming employed or engaged by a venture capital, private equity, or debt fund that owns equity interests in a Competitor so long as the Executive does not serve as an officer, director, employee, advisor, or consultant, or provide any services to any such Competitor; (iv) being employed by any government agency, college, university or other non-profit research organization or performing speaking engagements and receiving honoraria in connection with such engagements, or (v) engaging in any activity consented to in writing by the Covered Parties; provided that in all such instances, the Executive continues to abide by all confidentiality obligations in favor of the Covered Parties and their Affiliates under all agreements containing such confidentiality obligations (“Permitted Ownership”). |
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| (b) | Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges and agrees, based upon the advice of legal counsel and/or on the Executive’s own education, experience and training, that (i) the Executive possesses knowledge of the trade secrets and confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Business, (ii) the Executive’s execution of this Agreement is a material inducement to the Purchaser and the Company to consummate the Transactions and to realize the goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries, for and after which the Executive and/or his Affiliates will receive a substantial direct or indirect financial benefit that the Executive agrees constitutes adequate consideration for entering into this Agreement, and that the Purchaser and the Company would not have entered into the Merger Agreement or consummated the Transactions but for the expectations of the Executive’s agreements set forth in this Agreement; (iii) it would impair the goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries and reduce the value of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and could cause serious and irreparable injury if the Executive were to use its ability and knowledge by engaging in the Business in competition with a Covered Party, and/or to otherwise breach the obligations contained herein and that the Covered Parties would not have an adequate remedy at law because of the unique nature of the Business, (iv) the Executive and his Affiliates have no intention of engaging in the Business (other than through the Covered Parties) during the Restricted Period other than through Permitted Ownership, (v) the relevant public policy aspects of restrictive covenants, covenants not to compete and non-solicitation provisions have been discussed, and every effort has been made to limit the restrictions placed upon the Executive to those that are reasonable and necessary to protect the Covered Parties’ legitimate interests, (vi) the Covered Parties conduct and intend to conduct the Business everywhere in the Territory and compete with other businesses that are or could be located in any part of the Territory, (vii) the foregoing restrictions on competition are fair and reasonable in type of prohibited activity, geographic area covered, scope and duration and do not impose an undue hardship on the Executive and will not prevent the Executive from earning a living, (viii) the consideration provided to the Executive under this Agreement and the Merger Agreement is not illusory, and (ix) such provisions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of the Covered Parties. |
| 2. | No Solicitation; No Disparagement. |
| (a) | No Solicitation of Employees and Consultants. The Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may, other than as contemplated by the following Section 2(a)(i), be withheld in its sole discretion), either on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Person (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) hire or engage as an employee, independent contractor, consultant or otherwise any Covered Personnel (as defined below), provided that with respect to this Section 2(a)(i), the Purchaser’s consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; (ii) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Personnel to leave the service (whether as an employee, consultant or independent contractor) of any Covered Party; or (iii) in any way interfere with or attempt to interfere with the relationship between any Covered Personnel and any Covered Party; provided, however, the Executive and his Affiliates will not be deemed to have violated this Section 2(a) if any Covered Personnel voluntarily and independently solicit an offer of employment from the Executive or his Affiliate (or other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) by responding to a general advertisement or solicitation program conducted by or on behalf of the Executive or his Affiliate (or such other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) that is not targeted at such Covered Personnel or Covered Personnel generally. For purposes of this Agreement, “Covered Personnel” shall mean any Person who is or was an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Covered Parties, as of such date of the relevant act prohibited by this Section 2(a) or during the three (3)-month period preceding such date. The terms “consultant” and “independent contractor” do not include Persons who are actively providing services in their field to other companies, such as accounting or law firms. |
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| (b) | Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. The Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), individually or on behalf of any other Person or entity (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Customer (as defined below) to (A) cease being, or not become, a client or customer of any Covered Party with respect to the Business or (B) reduce the amount of business of such Covered Customer with any Covered Party, or otherwise alter such business relationship in a manner adverse to any Covered Party, in either case, with respect to or relating to the Business; (ii) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt) the contractual relationship between any Covered Party and any Covered Customer; (iii) divert any business with any Covered Customer relating to the Business from a Covered Party; (iv) solicit for business, provide services to, engage in or do business with, any Covered Customer for products or services that are part of the Business; or (v) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt), any Person that was a vendor, supplier, distributor, agent or other service provider of a Covered Party at the time of such interference or disruption, for a purpose competitive with a Covered Party as it relates to the Business. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Covered Customer” shall mean any Person or entity who is or was an actual customer, contractor or client (or prospective customer, contractor or client with whom a Covered Party actively marketed or made or taken specific action to make a proposal) of a Covered Party, as of the Closing Date or during the one (1) year period immediately preceding the date of the relevant act prohibited by this Section 2(b). |
| (c) | Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that from and after the Closing until the two (2) year anniversary of the end of the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not directly or indirectly engage in any conduct that involves the making or publishing (including through electronic mail distribution or online social media) of any written or oral statements or remarks (including the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) that are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or good will of one or more Covered Parties or their respective management, officers, employees, independent contractors or consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the terms of the Inventions and Non-Disclosure Agreement entered into by the Executive with the Company (the “NDA”), the provisions of this Section 2(c) shall not restrict the Executive or his Affiliates from providing truthful testimony or information in response to a subpoena or investigation by a Governmental Authority or in connection with any legal action by the Executive or his Affiliate against any Covered Party under this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Document that is asserted by the Executive or his Affiliate in good faith. Disparaging, deleterious, or damaging statements made by the Executive in the ordinary course during his or her employment that are made in the good faith performance of his or her duties for the Covered Parties are excluded from this Section 2(c). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Executive from communicating in good faith with a government agency, regulator or legal authority concerning any possible violations of federal or state or other law or regulation (provided that the Executive is not authorized to waive attorney/client communications in doing so). |
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| 3. | Representations and Warranties. The Executive hereby represents and warrants, to and for the benefit of the Covered Parties as of the date of this Agreement, that: (a) the Executive has full power and capacity to execute and deliver, and to perform all of the Executive’s obligations under, this Agreement; and (b) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Executive’s obligations hereunder will result directly or indirectly in a violation or breach of any agreement or obligation by which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound. By entering into this Agreement, the Executive certifies and acknowledges that the Executive has carefully read all of the provisions of this Agreement, and that the Executive voluntarily and knowingly enters into this Agreement. |
| 4. | Remedies. The covenants and undertakings of the Executive contained in this Agreement relate to matters that are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and a violation of any of the terms of this Agreement may cause irreparable injury to the Covered Parties, the amount of which may be impossible to estimate or determine and that cannot be adequately compensated. The Executive agrees that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by the Executive of any covenant or obligation contained in this Agreement, each applicable Covered Party will be entitled to seek the following remedies (in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedy at law or in equity or pursuant to the Merger Agreement or the other Ancillary Documents that may be available to the Covered Parties, including monetary damages), and a court of competent jurisdiction may award an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief restraining or preventing such breach or threatened breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages or that monetary damages would be insufficient or posting bond or security, which the Executive expressly waives. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, any value attributed or allocated to this Agreement (or any other non-competition agreement with the Executive) under or in connection with the Merger Agreement shall not be considered a measure of, or a limit on, the damages of the Covered Parties. |
| 5. | Survival of Obligations. The expiration of the Restricted Period will not relieve the Executive of any obligation or liability arising from any breach by the Executive of this Agreement during the Restricted Period. The Executive further agrees that the time period during which the covenants contained in Section 1 and Section 2 of this Agreement will be effective will be computed by excluding from such computation any time during which the Executive is in violation of any provision of such Sections. |
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| 6. | Miscellaneous. |
| (a) | Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by electronic means (including email), with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice): |
If to the Company to:
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
516 S. Dixie Highway PMB 191
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Attn: Chair of the Board of Directors, or, if the Executive is the Chair, the Vice Chair or Lead Director
If to the Executive, to:
The most recent address reflected on the Company’s personnel records.
| (b) | Integration and Non-Exclusivity. This Agreement, the Merger Agreement, the Employment Agreement, the NDA, and the other Ancillary Documents contain the entire agreement between the Executive and the Covered Parties concerning the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties under this Agreement are not exclusive of or limited by any other rights or remedies that they may have, whether at law, in equity, by contract or otherwise, all of which will be cumulative (and not alternative). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties, and the obligations and liabilities of the Executive and his Affiliates, under this Agreement, are in addition to their respective rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities (i) under the laws of unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, or other requirements of statutory or common law, or any applicable rules and regulations and (ii) otherwise conferred by contract, including the Merger Agreement and any other written agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties. Nothing in the Merger Agreement will limit any of the obligations, liabilities, rights or remedies of the Executive or the Covered Parties under this Agreement, nor will any breach of the Merger Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties limit or otherwise affect any right or remedy of the Covered Parties under this Agreement. If any term or condition of any other agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties, including specifically the Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement entered into by the Executive and the Company to be effective as of the consummation of the Merger (the “Sale-Based Restrictive Covenants Agreement”) conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the more restrictive terms will control as to the Executive or his Affiliate, as applicable. |
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| (c) | Severability; Reformation. Each provision of this Agreement is separable from every other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is found or held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, by a court of competent jurisdiction, then (i) such provision will be deemed amended to conform to applicable laws so as to be valid, legal and enforceable to the fullest possible extent, (ii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision under any other circumstances or in any other jurisdiction, and (iii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of such provision or the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. The Executive and the Covered Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision. Without limiting the foregoing, if any court of competent jurisdiction determines that any part hereof is unenforceable because of the duration, geographic area covered, scope of such provision, or otherwise, such court will have the power to reduce the duration, geographic area covered or scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable. The Executive will, at a Covered Party’s request, join such Covered Party in requesting that such court take such action. |
| (d) | Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any respect, except by a written agreement executed by the Executive and the Company (or their respective permitted successors or assigns). No waiver will be effective unless it is expressly set forth in a written instrument executed by the waiving party and any such waiver will have no effect except in the specific instance in which it is given. Any delay or omission by a party in exercising its rights under this Agreement, or failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement will not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, condition or right, nor will any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power under this Agreement at any time or times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times. |
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| (e) | Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the State of Florida without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. All Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in the courts of the State of Florida (the “Specified Courts”). Each party hereto hereby (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, (b) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court and (c) waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law or in equity. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such party at the applicable address set forth in Section 6(a). Nothing in this Section 6(e) shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law. The Executive is entering into this Agreement with the understanding that he and the party hereto will have relocated to the State of Florida in connection with and shortly after the Closing and is therefore waiving any rights to have the Agreement considered under California law, as the Company and the Executive will no longer have a nexus to California shortly after the obligations under this Agreement take effect. |
| (f) | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 6(f). ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 6(f) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. |
| (g) | Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement will be binding upon the Executive and the Executive’s estate, successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Covered Parties, and their respective successors and assigns. Each Covered Party may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, at any time, in whole or in part, to any Person that acquires, in one or more transactions, at least a majority of the equity securities (whether by equity sale, merger or otherwise) of such Covered Party or all or substantially all of the assets of such Covered Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, without obtaining the consent or approval of the Executive. The Executive agrees that the obligations of the Executive under this Agreement are personal and will not be assigned by the Executive. Each of the Covered Parties are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and will be considered parties under and for purposes of this Agreement. |
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| (h) | Construction. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive has been represented, or had the opportunity to be represented by, counsel of the Executive’s choice. Any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party will not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. Neither the drafting history nor the negotiating history of this Agreement will be used or referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The headings and subheadings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement: (i) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (ii) the definitions contained herein are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms; (iii) whenever required by the context, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (iv) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision of this Agreement; (v) the word “if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; (vi) the term “or” means “and/or”; (vii) references to “Affiliates” are limited in this Agreement to such Affiliates as to which the Executive can reasonably exercise control; and (viii) any agreement or instrument defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement or instrument as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by waiver or consent and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. |
| (i) | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. A photocopy, faxed, scanned and/or emailed copy of this Agreement or any signature page to this Agreement, shall have the same validity and enforceability as an originally signed copy. |
| (j) | Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Executive upon the Executive’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall only become effective upon the consummation of the Transactions. If the Merger Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Transactions, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void, and the parties shall have no obligations hereunder. |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement as of the date first written above.
Executive:
| /s/ Michael Seifert | |
| Name: Michael Seifert |
| The Company: | ||
| PSQ Holdings, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Bradley Searle | |
| Name: | Bradley Searle | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |
[Signature Page to Employment Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]
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Exhibit 10.11
NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
THIS NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is being executed and delivered as of July 19, 2023 by Sebastian Harris (the “Executive”) and Colombier Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (including any successor entity thereto, the “Purchaser”) in favor of and for the benefit of the Purchaser, PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and each of the Purchaser’s and/or the Company’s respective present and future Affiliates, successors and direct and indirect subsidiaries of (collectively with the Purchaser and the Company, the “Covered Parties”). Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement (as defined below). References herein to the “Company” before the consummation of the Merger will be to PSQ Holdings, Inc. and, after the consummation of the Merger, to Purchaser and the former PSQ Holdings, Inc., then to be known as PublicSq. Inc.
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2023, (i) the Purchaser, (ii) Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (“Merger Sub”), (iii) Colombier Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (iv) the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, the Company, directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries, operates an online platform dedicated to empowering like-minded, patriotic Americans to discover and support companies that share their values (the “Business”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Transactions”), and to enable the Purchaser to secure more fully the benefits of the Transactions, including the protection and maintenance of the goodwill and confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Purchaser has required, as a condition to employment, that the Executive enter into this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Executive is entering into this Agreement to satisfy the conditions to enter into employment with the Purchaser; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is an executive of the Company and has contributed to the value of the Company and its subsidiaries and has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge and confidential information concerning the Business of the Company and its subsidiaries.
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce the Purchaser to consummate the Transactions and for other good and valuable consideration, including becoming employed by the Purchaser and the eligibility for grants of restricted stock units with respect to the Purchaser, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Executive hereby agrees as follows:
| 1. | Restriction on Competition. |
| (a) | Restriction. The Executive hereby agrees that while employed and until the first anniversary of the date on which he ceases for any reason to be employed by the Company and its Affiliates (the “Restricted Period”) the Executive will not, and will cause his Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), anywhere in the United States or in any other markets in which the Covered Parties are engaging, or are actively contemplating becoming engaged, in the Business during the Executive’s employment (the “Territory”), directly or indirectly engage in the Business (other than through a Covered Party) or own, manage, finance or control, or participate in the ownership, management, financing or control of, or become engaged or serve as an officer, director, member, partner, employee, agent, consultant, contractor, advisor or representative of, a business or entity (other than a Covered Party) that engages in the Business (a “Competitor”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive and his Affiliates shall not be prohibited from (i) directly or indirectly, owning solely as a passive investment not in excess of two percent (2%) in the aggregate of any class of capital stock of any corporation if such stock is publicly traded and listed on any national exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, regardless of whether or not such corporation is a Competitor; (ii) owning a passive equity interest in a diversified private or public debt or equity investment fund (including hedge and mutual funds) in which the Executive does not have the ability to control or exercise any managerial influence over such fund; (iii) working for or becoming employed or engaged by a venture capital, private equity, or debt fund that owns equity interests in a Competitor so long as the Executive does not serve as an officer, director, employee, advisor, or consultant, or provide any services to any such Competitor; (iv) being employed by any government agency, college, university or other non-profit research organization or performing speaking engagements and receiving honoraria in connection with such engagements, or (v) engaging in any activity consented to in writing by the Covered Parties; provided that in all such instances, the Executive continues to abide by all confidentiality obligations in favor of the Covered Parties and their Affiliates under all agreements containing such confidentiality obligations (“Permitted Ownership”). |
| (b) | Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges and agrees, based upon the advice of legal counsel and/or on the Executive’s own education, experience and training, that (i) the Executive possesses knowledge of the trade secrets and confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Business, (ii) the Executive’s execution of this Agreement is a material inducement to the Purchaser and the Company to consummate the Transactions and to realize the goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries, for and after which the Executive and/or his Affiliates will receive a substantial direct or indirect financial benefit that the Executive agrees constitutes adequate consideration for entering into this Agreement, and that the Purchaser and the Company would not have entered into the Merger Agreement or consummated the Transactions but for the expectations of the Executive’s agreements set forth in this Agreement; (iii) it would impair the goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries and reduce the value of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and could cause serious and irreparable injury if the Executive were to use its ability and knowledge by engaging in the Business in competition with a Covered Party, and/or to otherwise breach the obligations contained herein and that the Covered Parties would not have an adequate remedy at law because of the unique nature of the Business, (iv) the Executive and his Affiliates have no intention of engaging in the Business (other than through the Covered Parties) during the Restricted Period other than through Permitted Ownership, (v) the relevant public policy aspects of restrictive covenants, covenants not to compete and non-solicitation provisions have been discussed, and every effort has been made to limit the restrictions placed upon the Executive to those that are reasonable and necessary to protect the Covered Parties’ legitimate interests, (vi) the Covered Parties conduct and intend to conduct the Business everywhere in the Territory and compete with other businesses that are or could be located in any part of the Territory, (vii) the foregoing restrictions on competition are fair and reasonable in type of prohibited activity, geographic area covered, scope and duration and do not impose an undue hardship on the Executive and will not prevent the Executive from earning a living, (viii) the consideration provided to the Executive under this Agreement and the Merger Agreement is not illusory, and (ix) such provisions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of the Covered Parties. |
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| 2. | No Solicitation; No Disparagement. |
| (a) | No Solicitation of Employees and Consultants. The Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may, other than as contemplated by the following Section 2(a)(i), be withheld in its sole discretion), either on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Person (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) hire or engage as an employee, independent contractor, consultant or otherwise any Covered Personnel (as defined below), provided that with respect to this Section 2(a)(i), the Purchaser’s consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; (ii) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Personnel to leave the service (whether as an employee, consultant or independent contractor) of any Covered Party; or (iii) in any way interfere with or attempt to interfere with the relationship between any Covered Personnel and any Covered Party; provided, however, the Executive and his Affiliates will not be deemed to have violated this Section 2(a) if any Covered Personnel voluntarily and independently solicit an offer of employment from the Executive or his Affiliate (or other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) by responding to a general advertisement or solicitation program conducted by or on behalf of the Executive or his Affiliate (or such other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) that is not targeted at such Covered Personnel or Covered Personnel generally. For purposes of this Agreement, “Covered Personnel” shall mean any Person who is or was an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Covered Parties, as of such date of the relevant act prohibited by this Section 2(a) or during the three (3)-month period preceding such date. The terms “consultant” and “independent contractor” do not include Persons who are actively providing services in their field to other companies, such as accounting or law firms. |
| (b) | Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. The Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), individually or on behalf of any other Person or entity (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Customer (as defined below) to (A) cease being, or not become, a client or customer of any Covered Party with respect to the Business or (B) reduce the amount of business of such Covered Customer with any Covered Party, or otherwise alter such business relationship in a manner adverse to any Covered Party, in either case, with respect to or relating to the Business; (ii) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt) the contractual relationship between any Covered Party and any Covered Customer; (iii) divert any business with any Covered Customer relating to the Business from a Covered Party; (iv) solicit for business, provide services to, engage in or do business with, any Covered Customer for products or services that are part of the Business; or (v) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt), any Person that was a vendor, supplier, distributor, agent or other service provider of a Covered Party at the time of such interference or disruption, for a purpose competitive with a Covered Party as it relates to the Business. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Covered Customer” shall mean any Person or entity who is or was an actual customer, contractor or client (or prospective customer, contractor or client with whom a Covered Party actively marketed or made or taken specific action to make a proposal) of a Covered Party, as of the Closing Date or during the one (1) year period immediately preceding the date of the relevant act prohibited by this Section 2(b). |
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| (c) | Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that from and after the Closing until the two (2) year anniversary of the end of the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not directly or indirectly engage in any conduct that involves the making or publishing (including through electronic mail distribution or online social media) of any written or oral statements or remarks (including the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) that are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or good will of one or more Covered Parties or their respective management, officers, employees, independent contractors or consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the terms of the Inventions and Non-Disclosure Agreement entered into by the Executive with the Company (the “NDA”), the provisions of this Section 2(c) shall not restrict the Executive or his Affiliates from providing truthful testimony or information in response to a subpoena or investigation by a Governmental Authority or in connection with any legal action by the Executive or his Affiliate against any Covered Party under this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Document that is asserted by the Executive or his Affiliate in good faith. Disparaging, deleterious, or damaging statements made by the Executive in the ordinary course during his or her employment that are made in the good faith performance of his or her duties for the Covered Parties are excluded from this Section 2(c). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Executive from communicating in good faith with a government agency, regulator or legal authority concerning any possible violations of federal or state or other law or regulation (provided that the Executive is not authorized to waive attorney/client communications in doing so). |
| 3. | Representations and Warranties. The Executive hereby represents and warrants, to and for the benefit of the Covered Parties as of the date of this Agreement, that: (a) the Executive has full power and capacity to execute and deliver, and to perform all of the Executive’s obligations under, this Agreement; and (b) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Executive’s obligations hereunder will result directly or indirectly in a violation or breach of any agreement or obligation by which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound. By entering into this Agreement, the Executive certifies and acknowledges that the Executive has carefully read all of the provisions of this Agreement, and that the Executive voluntarily and knowingly enters into this Agreement. |
| 4. | Remedies. The covenants and undertakings of the Executive contained in this Agreement relate to matters that are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and a violation of any of the terms of this Agreement may cause irreparable injury to the Covered Parties, the amount of which may be impossible to estimate or determine and that cannot be adequately compensated. The Executive agrees that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by the Executive of any covenant or obligation contained in this Agreement, each applicable Covered Party will be entitled to seek the following remedies (in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedy at law or in equity or pursuant to the Merger Agreement or the other Ancillary Documents that may be available to the Covered Parties, including monetary damages), and a court of competent jurisdiction may award an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief restraining or preventing such breach or threatened breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages or that monetary damages would be insufficient or posting bond or security, which the Executive expressly waives. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, any value attributed or allocated to this Agreement (or any other non-competition agreement with the Executive) under or in connection with the Merger Agreement shall not be considered a measure of, or a limit on, the damages of the Covered Parties. |
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| 5. | Survival of Obligations. The expiration of the Restricted Period will not relieve the Executive of any obligation or liability arising from any breach by the Executive of this Agreement during the Restricted Period. The Executive further agrees that the time period during which the covenants contained in Section 1 and Section 2 of this Agreement will be effective will be computed by excluding from such computation any time during which the Executive is in violation of any provision of such Sections. |
| 6. | Miscellaneous. |
| (a) | Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by electronic means (including email), with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice): |
If to the Company to:
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
516 S. Dixie Highway PMB 191
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Attn: Michael Seifert
Email: michael@publicsq.com
If to the Executive, to:
The most recent address reflected on the Company’s personnel records.
| (b) | Integration and Non-Exclusivity. This Agreement, the Merger Agreement, the Employment Agreement, the NDA, and the other Ancillary Documents contain the entire agreement between the Executive and the Covered Parties concerning the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties under this Agreement are not exclusive of or limited by any other rights or remedies that they may have, whether at law, in equity, by contract or otherwise, all of which will be cumulative (and not alternative). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties, and the obligations and liabilities of the Executive and his Affiliates, under this Agreement, are in addition to their respective rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities (i) under the laws of unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, or other requirements of statutory or common law, or any applicable rules and regulations and (ii) otherwise conferred by contract, including the Merger Agreement and any other written agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties. Nothing in the Merger Agreement will limit any of the obligations, liabilities, rights or remedies of the Executive or the Covered Parties under this Agreement, nor will any breach of the Merger Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties limit or otherwise affect any right or remedy of the Covered Parties under this Agreement. If any term or condition of any other agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties, including specifically the Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement entered into by the Executive and the Company to be effective as of the consummation of the Merger (the “Sale-Based Restrictive Covenants Agreement”) conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the more restrictive terms will control as to the Executive or his Affiliate, as applicable. |
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| (c) | Severability; Reformation. Each provision of this Agreement is separable from every other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is found or held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, by a court of competent jurisdiction, then (i) such provision will be deemed amended to conform to applicable laws so as to be valid, legal and enforceable to the fullest possible extent, (ii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision under any other circumstances or in any other jurisdiction, and (iii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of such provision or the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. The Executive and the Covered Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision. Without limiting the foregoing, if any court of competent jurisdiction determines that any part hereof is unenforceable because of the duration, geographic area covered, scope of such provision, or otherwise, such court will have the power to reduce the duration, geographic area covered or scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable. The Executive will, at a Covered Party’s request, join such Covered Party in requesting that such court take such action. |
| (d) | Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any respect, except by a written agreement executed by the Executive and the Company (or their respective permitted successors or assigns). No waiver will be effective unless it is expressly set forth in a written instrument executed by the waiving party and any such waiver will have no effect except in the specific instance in which it is given. Any delay or omission by a party in exercising its rights under this Agreement, or failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement will not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, condition or right, nor will any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power under this Agreement at any time or times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times. |
| (e) | Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the State of Florida without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. All Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in the courts of the State of Florida (the “Specified Courts”). Each party hereto hereby (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, (b) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court and (c) waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law or in equity. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such party at the applicable address set forth in Section 6(a). Nothing in this Section 6(e) shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law. The Executive is entering into this Agreement with the understanding that he and the party hereto will have relocated to the State of Florida in connection with and shortly after the Closing and is therefore waiving any rights to have the Agreement considered under California law, as the Company and the Executive will no longer have a nexus to California shortly after the obligations under this Agreement take effect. |
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| (f) | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 6(f). ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 6(f) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. |
| (g) | Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement will be binding upon the Executive and the Executive’s estate, successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Covered Parties, and their respective successors and assigns. Each Covered Party may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, at any time, in whole or in part, to any Person that acquires, in one or more transactions, at least a majority of the equity securities (whether by equity sale, merger or otherwise) of such Covered Party or all or substantially all of the assets of such Covered Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, without obtaining the consent or approval of the Executive. The Executive agrees that the obligations of the Executive under this Agreement are personal and will not be assigned by the Executive. Each of the Covered Parties are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and will be considered parties under and for purposes of this Agreement. |
| (h) | Construction. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive has been represented, or had the opportunity to be represented by, counsel of the Executive’s choice. Any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party will not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. Neither the drafting history nor the negotiating history of this Agreement will be used or referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The headings and subheadings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement: (i) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (ii) the definitions contained herein are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms; (iii) whenever required by the context, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (iv) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision of this Agreement; (v) the word “if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; (vi) the term “or” means “and/or”; (vii) references to “Affiliates” are limited in this Agreement to such Affiliates as to which the Executive can reasonably exercise control; and (viii) any agreement or instrument defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement or instrument as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by waiver or consent and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. |
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| (i) | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. A photocopy, faxed, scanned and/or emailed copy of this Agreement or any signature page to this Agreement, shall have the same validity and enforceability as an originally signed copy. |
| (j) | Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Executive upon the Executive’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall only become effective upon the consummation of the Transactions. If the Merger Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Transactions, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void, and the parties shall have no obligations hereunder. |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement as of the date first written above.
| Executive: | |||
| /s/ Sebastian Harris | |||
| Name: | Sebastian Harris | ||
| The Company: | |||
| PSQ Holdings, Inc. | |||
| By: | /s/ Michael Seifert | ||
| Name: | Michael Seifert | ||
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Employment Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]
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Exhibit 10.12
NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
THIS NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is being executed and delivered as of July 19, 2023 by Bradley Searle (the “Executive”) and Colombier Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (including any successor entity thereto, the “Purchaser”) in favor of and for the benefit of the Purchaser, PSQ Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and each of the Purchaser’s and/or the Company’s respective present and future Affiliates, successors and direct and indirect subsidiaries of (collectively with the Purchaser and the Company, the “Covered Parties”). Any capitalized term used but not defined in this Agreement will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement (as defined below). References herein to the “Company” before the consummation of the Merger will be to PSQ Holdings, Inc. and, after the consummation of the Merger, to Purchaser and the former PSQ Holdings, Inc., then to be known as PublicSq. Inc.
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2023, (i) the Purchaser, (ii) Colombier-Liberty Acquisition, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Purchaser (“Merger Sub”), (iii) Colombier Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (iv) the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, the Company, directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries, operates an online platform dedicated to empowering like-minded, patriotic Americans to discover and support companies that share their values (the “Business”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Transactions”), and to enable the Purchaser to secure more fully the benefits of the Transactions, including the protection and maintenance of the goodwill and confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Purchaser has required, as a condition to employment, that the Executive enter into this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Executive is entering into this Agreement to satisfy the conditions to enter into employment with the Purchaser; and
WHEREAS, the Executive is an executive of the Company and has contributed to the value of the Company and its subsidiaries and has obtained extensive and valuable knowledge and confidential information concerning the Business of the Company and its subsidiaries.
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce the Purchaser to consummate the Transactions and for other good and valuable consideration, including becoming employed by the Purchaser and the eligibility for grants of restricted stock units with respect to the Purchaser, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Executive hereby agrees as follows:
| 1. | Restriction on Competition. |
| (a) | Restriction. The Executive hereby agrees that while employed and until the first anniversary of the date on which he ceases for any reason to be employed by the Company and its Affiliates (the “Restricted Period”) the Executive will not, and will cause his Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), anywhere in the United States or in any other markets in which the Covered Parties are engaging, or are actively contemplating becoming engaged, in the Business during the Executive’s employment (the “Territory”), directly or indirectly engage in the Business (other than through a Covered Party) or own, manage, finance or control, or participate in the ownership, management, financing or control of, or become engaged or serve as an officer, director, member, partner, employee, agent, consultant, contractor, advisor or representative of, a business or entity (other than a Covered Party) that engages in the Business (a “Competitor”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive and his Affiliates shall not be prohibited from (i) directly or indirectly, owning solely as a passive investment not in excess of two percent (2%) in the aggregate of any class of capital stock of any corporation if such stock is publicly traded and listed on any national exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, regardless of whether or not such corporation is a Competitor; (ii) owning a passive equity interest in a diversified private or public debt or equity investment fund (including hedge and mutual funds) in which the Executive does not have the ability to control or exercise any managerial influence over such fund; (iii) working for or becoming employed or engaged by a venture capital, private equity, or debt fund that owns equity interests in a Competitor so long as the Executive does not serve as an officer, director, employee, advisor, or consultant, or provide any services to any such Competitor; (iv) being employed by any government agency, college, university or other non-profit research organization or performing speaking engagements and receiving honoraria in connection with such engagements, or (v) engaging in any activity consented to in writing by the Covered Parties; provided that in all such instances, the Executive continues to abide by all confidentiality obligations in favor of the Covered Parties and their Affiliates under all agreements containing such confidentiality obligations (“Permitted Ownership”). |
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| (b) | Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges and agrees, based upon the advice of legal counsel and/or on the Executive’s own education, experience and training, that (i) the Executive possesses knowledge of the trade secrets and confidential information of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Business, (ii) the Executive’s execution of this Agreement is a material inducement to the Purchaser and the Company to consummate the Transactions and to realize the goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries, for and after which the Executive and/or his Affiliates will receive a substantial direct or indirect financial benefit that the Executive agrees constitutes adequate consideration for entering into this Agreement, and that the Purchaser and the Company would not have entered into the Merger Agreement or consummated the Transactions but for the expectations of the Executive’s agreements set forth in this Agreement; (iii) it would impair the goodwill of the Company and its subsidiaries and reduce the value of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and could cause serious and irreparable injury if the Executive were to use its ability and knowledge by engaging in the Business in competition with a Covered Party, and/or to otherwise breach the obligations contained herein and that the Covered Parties would not have an adequate remedy at law because of the unique nature of the Business, (iv) the Executive and his Affiliates have no intention of engaging in the Business (other than through the Covered Parties) during the Restricted Period other than through Permitted Ownership, (v) the relevant public policy aspects of restrictive covenants, covenants not to compete and non-solicitation provisions have been discussed, and every effort has been made to limit the restrictions placed upon the Executive to those that are reasonable and necessary to protect the Covered Parties’ legitimate interests, (vi) the Covered Parties conduct and intend to conduct the Business everywhere in the Territory and compete with other businesses that are or could be located in any part of the Territory, (vii) the foregoing restrictions on competition are fair and reasonable in type of prohibited activity, geographic area covered, scope and duration and do not impose an undue hardship on the Executive and will not prevent the Executive from earning a living, (viii) the consideration provided to the Executive under this Agreement and the Merger Agreement is not illusory, and (ix) such provisions do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of the Covered Parties. |
| 2. | No Solicitation; No Disparagement. |
| (a) | No Solicitation of Employees and Consultants. The Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may, other than as contemplated by the following Section 2(a)(i), be withheld in its sole discretion), either on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Person (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) hire or engage as an employee, independent contractor, consultant or otherwise any Covered Personnel (as defined below), provided that with respect to this Section 2(a)(i), the Purchaser’s consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; (ii) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Personnel to leave the service (whether as an employee, consultant or independent contractor) of any Covered Party; or (iii) in any way interfere with or attempt to interfere with the relationship between any Covered Personnel and any Covered Party; provided, however, the Executive and his Affiliates will not be deemed to have violated this Section 2(a) if any Covered Personnel voluntarily and independently solicit an offer of employment from the Executive or his Affiliate (or other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) by responding to a general advertisement or solicitation program conducted by or on behalf of the Executive or his Affiliate (or such other Person whom any of them is acting on behalf of) that is not targeted at such Covered Personnel or Covered Personnel generally. For purposes of this Agreement, “Covered Personnel” shall mean any Person who is or was an employee, consultant or independent contractor of the Covered Parties, as of such date of the relevant act prohibited by this Section 2(a) or during the three (3)-month period preceding such date. The terms “consultant” and “independent contractor” do not include Persons who are actively providing services in their field to other companies, such as accounting or law firms. |
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| (b) | Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers. The Executive agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser (which may be withheld in its sole discretion), individually or on behalf of any other Person or entity (other than, if applicable, a Covered Party in the performance of the Executive’s duties on behalf of the Covered Parties), directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, induce, encourage or otherwise knowingly cause (or attempt to do any of the foregoing) any Covered Customer (as defined below) to (A) cease being, or not become, a client or customer of any Covered Party with respect to the Business or (B) reduce the amount of business of such Covered Customer with any Covered Party, or otherwise alter such business relationship in a manner adverse to any Covered Party, in either case, with respect to or relating to the Business; (ii) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt) the contractual relationship between any Covered Party and any Covered Customer; (iii) divert any business with any Covered Customer relating to the Business from a Covered Party; (iv) solicit for business, provide services to, engage in or do business with, any Covered Customer for products or services that are part of the Business; or (v) interfere with or disrupt (or attempt to interfere with or disrupt), any Person that was a vendor, supplier, distributor, agent or other service provider of a Covered Party at the time of such interference or disruption, for a purpose competitive with a Covered Party as it relates to the Business. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Covered Customer” shall mean any Person or entity who is or was an actual customer, contractor or client (or prospective customer, contractor or client with whom a Covered Party actively marketed or made or taken specific action to make a proposal) of a Covered Party, as of the Closing Date or during the one (1) year period immediately preceding the date of the relevant act prohibited by this Section 2(b). |
| (c) | Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that from and after the Closing until the two (2) year anniversary of the end of the Restricted Period, the Executive and his Affiliates will not directly or indirectly engage in any conduct that involves the making or publishing (including through electronic mail distribution or online social media) of any written or oral statements or remarks (including the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors, allegations, negative reports or comments) that are disparaging, deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or good will of one or more Covered Parties or their respective management, officers, employees, independent contractors or consultants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the terms of the Inventions and Non-Disclosure Agreement entered into by the Executive with the Company (the “NDA”), the provisions of this Section 2(c) shall not restrict the Executive or his Affiliates from providing truthful testimony or information in response to a subpoena or investigation by a Governmental Authority or in connection with any legal action by the Executive or his Affiliate against any Covered Party under this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Document that is asserted by the Executive or his Affiliate in good faith. Disparaging, deleterious, or damaging statements made by the Executive in the ordinary course during his or her employment that are made in the good faith performance of his or her duties for the Covered Parties are excluded from this Section 2(c). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement prohibits the Executive from communicating in good faith with a government agency, regulator or legal authority concerning any possible violations of federal or state or other law or regulation (provided that the Executive is not authorized to waive attorney/client communications in doing so). |
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| 3. | Representations and Warranties. The Executive hereby represents and warrants, to and for the benefit of the Covered Parties as of the date of this Agreement, that: (a) the Executive has full power and capacity to execute and deliver, and to perform all of the Executive’s obligations under, this Agreement; and (b) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the performance of the Executive’s obligations hereunder will result directly or indirectly in a violation or breach of any agreement or obligation by which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound. By entering into this Agreement, the Executive certifies and acknowledges that the Executive has carefully read all of the provisions of this Agreement, and that the Executive voluntarily and knowingly enters into this Agreement. |
| 4. | Remedies. The covenants and undertakings of the Executive contained in this Agreement relate to matters that are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and a violation of any of the terms of this Agreement may cause irreparable injury to the Covered Parties, the amount of which may be impossible to estimate or determine and that cannot be adequately compensated. The Executive agrees that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by the Executive of any covenant or obligation contained in this Agreement, each applicable Covered Party will be entitled to seek the following remedies (in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedy at law or in equity or pursuant to the Merger Agreement or the other Ancillary Documents that may be available to the Covered Parties, including monetary damages), and a court of competent jurisdiction may award an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief restraining or preventing such breach or threatened breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages or that monetary damages would be insufficient or posting bond or security, which the Executive expressly waives. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, any value attributed or allocated to this Agreement (or any other non-competition agreement with the Executive) under or in connection with the Merger Agreement shall not be considered a measure of, or a limit on, the damages of the Covered Parties. |
| 5. | Survival of Obligations. The expiration of the Restricted Period will not relieve the Executive of any obligation or liability arising from any breach by the Executive of this Agreement during the Restricted Period. The Executive further agrees that the time period during which the covenants contained in Section 1 and Section 2 of this Agreement will be effective will be computed by excluding from such computation any time during which the Executive is in violation of any provision of such Sections. |
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| 6. | Miscellaneous. |
| (a) | Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by electronic means (including email), with affirmative confirmation of receipt, (iii) one Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, in each case to the applicable party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice): |
If to the Company to:
PSQ Holdings, Inc.
516 S. Dixie Highway PMB 191
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Attn: Michael Seifert
Email: michael@publicsq.com
If to the Executive, to:
The most recent address reflected on the Company’s personnel records.
| (b) | Integration and Non-Exclusivity. This Agreement, the Merger Agreement, the Employment Agreement, the NDA, and the other Ancillary Documents contain the entire agreement between the Executive and the Covered Parties concerning the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties under this Agreement are not exclusive of or limited by any other rights or remedies that they may have, whether at law, in equity, by contract or otherwise, all of which will be cumulative (and not alternative). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights and remedies of the Covered Parties, and the obligations and liabilities of the Executive and his Affiliates, under this Agreement, are in addition to their respective rights, remedies, obligations and liabilities (i) under the laws of unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, or other requirements of statutory or common law, or any applicable rules and regulations and (ii) otherwise conferred by contract, including the Merger Agreement and any other written agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties. Nothing in the Merger Agreement will limit any of the obligations, liabilities, rights or remedies of the Executive or the Covered Parties under this Agreement, nor will any breach of the Merger Agreement or any other agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties limit or otherwise affect any right or remedy of the Covered Parties under this Agreement. If any term or condition of any other agreement between the Executive or his Affiliate and any of the Covered Parties, including specifically the Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement entered into by the Executive and the Company to be effective as of the consummation of the Merger (the “Sale-Based Restrictive Covenants Agreement”) conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the more restrictive terms will control as to the Executive or his Affiliate, as applicable. |
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| (c) | Severability; Reformation. Each provision of this Agreement is separable from every other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is found or held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, by a court of competent jurisdiction, then (i) such provision will be deemed amended to conform to applicable laws so as to be valid, legal and enforceable to the fullest possible extent, (ii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision under any other circumstances or in any other jurisdiction, and (iii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of such provision or the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. The Executive and the Covered Parties will substitute for any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a suitable and equitable provision that carries out, so far as may be valid, legal and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision. Without limiting the foregoing, if any court of competent jurisdiction determines that any part hereof is unenforceable because of the duration, geographic area covered, scope of such provision, or otherwise, such court will have the power to reduce the duration, geographic area covered or scope of such provision, as the case may be, and, in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable. The Executive will, at a Covered Party’s request, join such Covered Party in requesting that such court take such action. |
| (d) | Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any respect, except by a written agreement executed by the Executive and the Company (or their respective permitted successors or assigns). No waiver will be effective unless it is expressly set forth in a written instrument executed by the waiving party and any such waiver will have no effect except in the specific instance in which it is given. Any delay or omission by a party in exercising its rights under this Agreement, or failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement will not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, condition or right, nor will any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power under this Agreement at any time or times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times. |
| (e) | Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the State of Florida without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. All Actions arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in the courts of the State of Florida (the “Specified Courts”). Each party hereto hereby (a) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Specified Court for the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party hereto, (b) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may not be enforced in or by any Specified Court and (c) waives any bond, surety or other security that might be required of any other party with respect thereto. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law or in equity. Each party irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process in any other action or proceeding relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, on behalf of itself, or its property, by personal delivery of copies of such process to such party at the applicable address set forth in Section 6(a). Nothing in this Section 6(e) shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law. The Executive is entering into this Agreement with the understanding that he and the party hereto will have relocated to the State of Florida in connection with and shortly after the Closing and is therefore waiving any rights to have the Agreement considered under California law, as the Company and the Executive will no longer have a nexus to California shortly after the obligations under this Agreement take effect. |
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| (f) | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THAT FOREGOING WAIVER AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 6(f). ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 6(f) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. |
| (g) | Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement will be binding upon the Executive and the Executive’s estate, successors and assigns, and will inure to the benefit of the Covered Parties, and their respective successors and assigns. Each Covered Party may freely assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement, at any time, in whole or in part, to any Person that acquires, in one or more transactions, at least a majority of the equity securities (whether by equity sale, merger or otherwise) of such Covered Party or all or substantially all of the assets of such Covered Party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, without obtaining the consent or approval of the Executive. The Executive agrees that the obligations of the Executive under this Agreement are personal and will not be assigned by the Executive. Each of the Covered Parties are express third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and will be considered parties under and for purposes of this Agreement. |
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| (h) | Construction. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive has been represented, or had the opportunity to be represented by, counsel of the Executive’s choice. Any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party will not be applied in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. Neither the drafting history nor the negotiating history of this Agreement will be used or referred to in connection with the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. The headings and subheadings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. In this Agreement: (i) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (ii) the definitions contained herein are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms; (iii) whenever required by the context, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (iv) the words “herein,” “hereto,” and “hereby” and other words of similar import shall be deemed in each case to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision of this Agreement; (v) the word “if” and other words of similar import when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the phrase “and only if”; (vi) the term “or” means “and/or”; (vii) references to “Affiliates” are limited in this Agreement to such Affiliates as to which the Executive can reasonably exercise control; and (viii) any agreement or instrument defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement or instrument as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by waiver or consent and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. |
| (i) | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. A photocopy, faxed, scanned and/or emailed copy of this Agreement or any signature page to this Agreement, shall have the same validity and enforceability as an originally signed copy. |
| (j) | Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Executive upon the Executive’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall only become effective upon the consummation of the Transactions. If the Merger Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Transactions, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void, and the parties shall have no obligations hereunder. |
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement as of the date first written above.
| Executive: | ||
| /s/ Bradley Searle | ||
| Name: | Bradley Searle | |
| The Company: | ||
| PSQ Holdings, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Seifert | |
| Name: | Michael Seifert | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
[Signature Page to Employment Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement]
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Exhibit 14.1
PSQ HOLDINGS, INC.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) sets forth legal and ethical standards of conduct for employees, officers and directors of PSQ Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”). This Code is intended to deter wrongdoing and to promote the conduct of all Company business in accordance with high standards of integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Except as otherwise required by applicable local law, this Code applies to the Company and all of its subsidiaries and other business entities controlled by it worldwide.
If you have any questions regarding this Code or its application to you in any situation, you should contact your supervisor or the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel (“CLO”).
Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations
The Company requires that all employees, officers and directors comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company wherever it does business. You are expected to use good judgment and common sense in seeking to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to ask for advice when you are uncertain about them.
If you become aware of the violation of any law, rule or regulation by the Company, whether by its employees, officers, directors, or any third party doing business on behalf of the Company, it is your responsibility to promptly report the matter to your supervisor or to the CLO. While it is the Company’s desire to address matters internally, nothing in this Code prohibits you from reporting any illegal activity, including any violation of the securities laws, antitrust laws, environmental laws or any other federal, state or foreign law, rule or regulation, to the appropriate regulatory authority. Employees, officers and directors shall not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any other manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee because he or she reports any such violation. However, if the report was made with knowledge that it was false, the Company may take appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination. This Code should not be construed to prohibit you from engaging in concerted activity protected by the rules and regulations of the National Labor Relations Board or from testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in any state or federal administrative, judicial or legislative proceeding or investigation.
Compliance with Company Policies
Every employee, officer and director is expected to comply with all Company policies and rules as in effect from time to time. You are expected to familiarize yourself with such policies.
Conflicts of Interest
Employees, officers, and directors must refrain from engaging in any activity or having a personal interest that presents a “conflict of interest” and should seek to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when your personal interest interferes with the business interests of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise whenever you, as an employee, officer or director, take action or have an interest that prevents you from performing your Company duties and responsibilities honestly, objectively and effectively.
Employees and Officers. Employees and officers must not:
| ● | perform services as a consultant, employee, officer, director, advisor or in any other capacity, or permit any close relative to perform services as an officer or director, for a significant customer, significant supplier or direct competitor of the Company, other than at the request of the Company; |
| ● | have, or permit any close relative to have, a financial interest in a significant supplier or significant customer of the Company, other than an investment representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of a publicly-held company or less than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of a privately-held company; |
| ● | have, or permit any close relative to have, a financial interest in a direct competitor of the Company, other than an investment representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of a publicly-held company; |
| ● | supervise, review or influence the job evaluation or compensation of a member of his or her immediate family; or |
| ● | engage in any other activity or have any other interest that the Board of Directors of the Company determines to constitute a conflict of interest. |
Directors. Directors must not:
| ● | perform services as a consultant, employee, officer, director, advisor or in any other capacity, or permit any close relative to perform services as an officer or director, for a direct competitor of the Company; |
| ● | have, or permit any close relative to have, a financial interest in a direct competitor of the Company, other than an investment representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of a publicly-held company; |
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| ● | use his or her position with the Company to influence any decision of the Company relating to a contract or transaction with a supplier or customer of the Company if the director or a close relative of the director: |
| ● | performs services as a consultant, employee, officer, director, advisor or in any other capacity for such supplier or customer; or |
| ● | has a financial interest in such supplier or customer, other than an investment representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of a publicly-held company. |
| ● | supervise, review or influence the job evaluation or compensation of a member of his or her immediate family; or |
| ● | engage in any other activity or have any other interest that the Board of Directors of the Company determines to constitute a conflict of interest. |
A “close relative” means a spouse, dependent child or any other person living in the same home with the employee, officer or director. “Immediate family” means a close relative and a parent, sibling, child, mother- or father-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law or brother- or sister-in-law. A “significant customer” is a customer that has made during the Company’s last full fiscal year, or proposes to make during the Company’s current fiscal year, payments to the Company for property or services in excess of five percent (5%) of (i) the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for its last full fiscal year or (ii) the customer’s consolidated gross revenues for its last full fiscal year. A “significant supplier” is a supplier to which the Company has made during the Company’s last full fiscal year, or proposes to make during the Company’s current fiscal year, payments for property or services in excess of five percent (5%) of (i) the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for its last full fiscal year or (ii) the customer’s consolidated gross revenues for its last full fiscal year.
It is your responsibility to disclose any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest to the CLO or, if you are an executive officer or director, to the Board of Directors, who shall be responsible for determining whether such transaction or relationship constitutes a conflict of interest.
Insider Trading
Employees, officers and directors who have material non-public information about the Company or other companies, including our suppliers and customers, as a result of their relationship with the Company are prohibited by law and Company policy from trading in securities of the Company or such other companies, as well as from communicating such information to others who might trade on the basis of that information. To help ensure that you do not engage in prohibited insider trading and avoid even the appearance of an improper transaction, the Company has adopted an Insider Trading Policy, which can be obtained from the Company’s Human Resources Department.
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If you are uncertain about the constraints on your purchase or sale of any Company securities or the securities of any other company that you are familiar with by virtue of your relationship with the Company, you should consult with the CLO before making any such purchase or sale.
Confidentiality
All information and know-how, whether or not in writing, of a private, secret or confidential nature concerning the Company’s business or financial affairs (collectively, “Proprietary Information”) is and shall be the exclusive property of the Company. By way of illustration, but not limitation, Proprietary Information may include discoveries, inventions, products, product improvements, product enhancements, processes, methods, techniques, formulas, compositions, negotiation strategies and positions, projects, developments, plans (including business and marketing plans), research data, financial data (including sales costs, profits, pricing methods), computer programs (including software used pursuant to a license agreement), customer, prospect and supplier lists, and contacts at or knowledge of customers or prospective customers of the Company.
Employees, officers and directors must maintain the confidentiality of Proprietary Information entrusted to them by the Company or other companies, including our suppliers and customers, except when disclosure is authorized by a supervisor or legally permitted in connection with reporting illegal activity to the appropriate regulatory authority. Unauthorized disclosure of any Proprietary Information is prohibited. Additionally, employees should take appropriate precautions to ensure that confidential or sensitive business information, whether it is proprietary to the Company or another company, is not communicated within the Company except to employees who have a need to know such information to perform their responsibilities for the Company.
Third parties may ask you for information concerning the Company. Subject to the exceptions noted in the preceding paragraph, employees, officers and directors (other than the Company’s authorized spokespersons) must not discuss Proprietary Information with, or disseminate Proprietary Information to, anyone outside the Company, except as required in the performance of their Company duties and, if appropriate, after a confidentiality agreement is in place. This prohibition applies particularly to inquiries concerning the Company from the media, market professionals (such as securities analysts, institutional investors, investment advisers, brokers and dealers) and security holders. All responses to inquiries on behalf of the Company must be made only by the Company’s authorized spokespersons. If you receive any inquiries of this nature, you must decline to comment and refer the inquirer to your supervisor or one of the Company’s authorized spokespersons. The Company’s policies with respect to public disclosure of internal matters are described more fully in the Company’s Summary of Disclosure Controls and Policy, which can be obtained from the Company’s Human Resources Department.
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You also must abide by any lawful obligations that you have to your former employer. These obligations may include restrictions on the use and disclosure of Proprietary Information, restrictions on the solicitation of former colleagues to work at the Company and non-competition obligations.
Honest and Ethical Conduct and Fair Dealing
Employees, officers and directors should endeavor to deal honestly, ethically and fairly with the Company’s suppliers, customers, competitors and employees. Statements regarding the Company’s products and services must not be untrue, misleading, deceptive or fraudulent. You must not take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice.
Protection and Proper Use of Corporate Assets
Employees, officers and directors should seek to protect the Company’s assets, including Proprietary Information. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s financial performance. Employees, officers and directors must use the Company’s assets and services solely for legitimate business purposes of the Company and not for any personal benefit or the personal benefit of anyone else.
Employees, officers and directors must advance the Company’s legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. You must not take for yourself personal opportunities that are discovered through your position with the Company or the use of property or information of the Company.
Gifts and Gratuities
The use of Company funds or assets for gifts, gratuities or other favors to government officials is prohibited, except to the extent such gifts, gratuities or other favors are in compliance with applicable law, insignificant in amount and not given in consideration or expectation of any action by the recipient. The use of Company funds or assets for gifts to any customer, supplier, or other person doing or seeking to do business with the Company is prohibited, except to the extent such gifts are in compliance with the policies of both the Company and the recipient and are in compliance with applicable law.
Employees, officers and directors must not accept, or permit any member of his or her immediate family to accept, any gifts, gratuities or other favors from any customer, supplier or other person doing or seeking to do business with the Company, other than items of insignificant value. Any gifts that are not of insignificant value should be returned immediately and reported to your supervisor. If immediate return is not practical, they should be given to the Company for charitable disposition or such other disposition as the Company, in its sole discretion, believes appropriate.
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Common sense and moderation should prevail in business entertainment engaged in on behalf of the Company. Employees, officers and directors should provide, or accept, business entertainment to or from anyone doing business with the Company only if the entertainment is infrequent, modest, intended to serve legitimate business goals and in compliance with applicable law.
Bribes and kickbacks are criminal acts, strictly prohibited by law. You must not offer, give, solicit or receive any form of bribe or kickback anywhere in the world. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business.
Accuracy of Books and Records and Public Reports
Employees, officers and directors must honestly and accurately report all business transactions. You are responsible for the accuracy of your records and reports. Accurate information is essential to the Company’s ability to meet legal and regulatory obligations.
All Company books, records and accounts shall be maintained in accordance with all applicable regulations and standards and accurately reflect the true nature of the transactions they record. The financial statements of the Company shall conform to generally accepted accounting rules and the Company’s accounting policies. No undisclosed or unrecorded account or fund shall be established for any purpose. No false or misleading entries shall be made in the Company’s books or records for any reason, and no disbursement of corporate funds or other corporate property shall be made without adequate supporting documentation.
It is the policy of the Company to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents filed with, or submitted to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications.
Concerns Regarding Accounting or Auditing Matters
Employees with concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters or complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters may confidentially, and anonymously if they wish, submit such concerns or complaints in writing to the Company’s CLO at 516 South Dixie Highway, PMB 191, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 or may use the toll-free telephone number (833) 214-2442. See “Reporting and Compliance Procedures.” All such concerns and complaints will be forwarded to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, unless they are determined to be without merit by the CLO and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In any event, a record of all complaints and concerns received will be provided to the Audit Committee each fiscal quarter. Any such concerns or complaints may also be communicated, confidentially and, if you desire, anonymously, directly to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
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The Audit Committee will evaluate the merits of any concerns or complaints received by it and authorize such follow-up actions, if any, as it deems necessary or appropriate to address the substance of the concern or complaint.
The Company will not discipline, discriminate against or retaliate against any employee who reports a complaint or concern, unless it is determined that the report was made with knowledge that it was false.
Dealings with Independent Auditors
No employee, officer or director shall, directly or indirectly, make or cause to be made a materially false or misleading statement to an accountant in connection with (or omit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading to, an accountant in connection with) any audit, review or examination of the Company’s financial statements or the preparation or filing of any document or report with the SEC. No employee, officer or director shall, directly or indirectly, take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead or fraudulently influence any independent public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.
Waivers of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
While some of the policies contained in this Code must be strictly adhered to and no exceptions can be allowed, in other cases exceptions may be appropriate. Any employee or officer who believes that a waiver of any of these policies is appropriate in his or her case should first contact his or her immediate supervisor. If the supervisor agrees that a waiver is appropriate, the approval of the CLO must be obtained. The CLO shall be responsible for maintaining a record of all requests by employees or officers for waivers of any of these policies and the disposition of such requests.
Any executive officer or director who seeks a waiver of any of these policies should contact the CLO. Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or directors or any change to this Code that applies to executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board of Directors of the Company and will be disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation.
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Reporting and Compliance Procedures
Every employee, officer and director has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance, report suspected violations and express concerns regarding compliance with this Code to his or her supervisor or to the CLO, as described below. Any employee, officer or director who knows or believes that any other employee or representative of the Company has engaged or is engaging in Company-related conduct that violates applicable law or this Code should report such information to his or her supervisor or to the CLO. You may report such conduct openly or anonymously without fear of retaliation. The Company will not discipline, discriminate against or retaliate against any employee who reports such conduct, unless it is determined that the report was made with knowledge that it was false, or who cooperates in any investigation or inquiry regarding such conduct. Any supervisor who receives a report of a violation of this Code must immediately inform the CLO.
You may report violations of this Code, on a confidential or anonymous basis, by contacting the Company’s CLO by fax, mail or e-mail at: (215) 689-3885; 516 South Dixie Highway, PMB 191, West Palm Beach, FL 33401; or reports@lighthouse-services.com. In addition, the Company has established a toll-free telephone number (833) 214-2442 where you can leave a recorded message about any violation or suspected violation of this Code. While we prefer that you identify yourself when reporting violations so that we may follow up with you, as necessary, for additional information, you may leave messages anonymously if you wish.
If the CLO receives information regarding an alleged violation of this Code, he or she shall, as appropriate, (a) evaluate such information, (b) if the alleged violation involves an executive officer or a director, inform the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors of the alleged violation, (c) determine whether it is necessary to conduct an informal inquiry or a formal investigation and, if so, initiate such inquiry or investigation and (d) report the results of any such inquiry or investigation, together with a recommendation as to disposition of the matter, to the Chief Executive Officer for action, or if the alleged violation involves an executive officer or a director, report the results of any such inquiry or investigation to the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. Employees, officers and directors are expected to cooperate fully with any inquiry or investigation by the Company regarding an alleged violation of this Code. Failure to cooperate with any such inquiry or investigation may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
The Company shall determine whether violations of this Code have occurred and, if so, shall determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against any employee who has violated this Code. In the event that the alleged violation involves an executive officer or a director, the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, respectively, shall determine whether a violation of this Code has occurred and, if so, shall determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against such executive officer or director.
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Failure to comply with the standards outlined in this Code will result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to, reprimands, warnings, probation or suspension without pay, demotions, reductions in salary, discharge and restitution. Certain violations of this Code may require the Company to refer the matter to the appropriate governmental or regulatory authorities for investigation or prosecution. Moreover, any supervisor who directs or approves of any conduct in violation of this Code, or who has knowledge of such conduct and does not immediately report it, also will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
Dissemination and Amendment
This Code shall be distributed to each new employee, officer and director of the Company upon commencement of his or her employment or other relationship with the Company and shall also be distributed annually to each employee, officer and director of the Company, and each employee, officer and director shall certify that he or she has received, read and understood the Code and has complied with its terms.
The Company reserves the right to amend, alter or terminate this Code at any time for any reason. The most current version of this Code can be obtained from the Company’s Human Resources Department.
This document is not an employment contract between the Company and any of its employees, officers or directors.
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Exhibit 16.1
July 25, 2023
Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
Commissioners:
We have read the statements made by PSQ Holdings, Inc. (formerly Colombier Acquisition Corp.) under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated July 19, 2023, in which we were informed of our dismissal on July 19, 2023, effective following completion of the review of the Company’s unaudited financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and related notes. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 8-K; we are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements of PSQ Holdings, Inc. (formerly Colombier Acquisition Corp.) contained therein.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Marcum llp | |
| Marcum llp | |
| Hartford, CT |
Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of PSQ Holdings, Inc.
| 1. | PublicSq. Inc. (Delaware) |
| 2. | EveryLife, Inc. (Delaware) |