-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, E1WnOaW2Ldr8G/uiBKAkktKfLD4z/noWqD+nOhL83CrNy4LhGcBMZrFd1BUvkt4y gXLWehWIDu9KlR9tFnwyVA== 0001169232-05-004839.txt : 20051007 0001169232-05-004839.hdr.sgml : 20051007 20051007153628 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001169232-05-004839 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 425 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20051007 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051007 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DUKE ENERGY CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000030371 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 560205520 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 425 SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-04928 FILM NUMBER: 051129595 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 526 SOUTH CHURCH STREET CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28202 BUSINESS PHONE: 7045940887 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 526 S. CHURCH ST. CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DUKE POWER CO /NC/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DUKE ENERGY CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000030371 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911] IRS NUMBER: 560205520 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 425 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 526 SOUTH CHURCH STREET CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28202 BUSINESS PHONE: 7045940887 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 526 S. CHURCH ST. CITY: CHARLOTTE STATE: NC ZIP: 28202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DUKE POWER CO /NC/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 425 1 d65542_8k.htm CURRENT REPORT

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

------------------

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report: October 7, 2005

(Date of earliest event reported: October 3, 2005)

 

DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

NORTH CAROLINA

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

1-4928

(Commission File No.)

56-0205520

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

526 South Church Street

Charlotte, North Carolina

(Address of principal executive offices)

28202-1904

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:704-594-6200

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

 

1

 



 

 

 

ITEM 1.01

Entry Into A Material Definitive Agreement

 

On October 3, 2005, the registrant, Cinergy Corp., Duke Energy Holding Corp., Deer Acquisition Corp., and Cougar Acquisition Corp. entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger. The amendment amends the proposed certificate of incorporation of Duke Energy Holding Corp. attached as Exhibit A to the Agreement and Plan of Merger to include certain provisions to more closely resemble the registrant’s and Cinergy’s respective current Articles of Incorporation that provide that, subject to the rights of holders of its Preferred Stock:

 

(a)

the size of its board of directors may range from nine to eighteen directors, as may be set from time to time by its board of directors;

 

(b)

newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office and that no decrease in the number of directors constituting the board of directors will shorten the term of any incumbent director;

 

(c)

directors are to be elected by the holders of voting stock and hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, and

 

(d)

the approval of a supermajority vote of the holders of at least 80% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of stock of all classes of Duke Energy Holding Corp. entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be necessary to supplement, amend, alter, change or repeal in any respect provisions in the charter relating to the number of directors and vacancies and newly created directorships.

 

The disclosure in this Item 1.01 is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

ITEM 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure

 

The registrant previously announced in publicly webcast presentations that approximately $160 million of the estimated $440 million cost savings in the third year following the completion of the merger with Cinergy Corp. (“Cinergy”) would be accelerated and reflected in discontinued operations. This was due to the announced exit from the Duke Energy North America (“DENA”) business excluding the mid-west assets, certain corporate allocations, and other structured contracts. Upon further analysis it was determined that approximately $30 million of this amount is related to DENA’s continuing operations and subsequent integration with Cinergy and therefore will continue to be included in cost savings from the merger. Accordingly, the stated $160 million of cost savings to be accelerated is now expected to be approximately $130 million.

 

ITEM 8.01

Other Events

 

Item 4 of the registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 inadvertently included the incorrect “for”, “against” and “abstain” tallies for the proposals submitted to shareholders. The errors did not affect the outcomes of the voting. The correct Item 4 is set forth below in its entirety.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

At the Duke Energy Corporation Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12, 2005, the shareholders elected Roger Agnelli, G.Alex Bernhardt, Sr., and Dennis R. Hendrix to serve as Class II directors and A. Max Lennon to serve as a Class III director. These and all other members of the Board of Directors continuing in office have tendered a letter of resignation effective as of the 2006 annual meeting, so that the terms of all directors will end at the 2006 annual meeting and all directors shall thereafter be elected annually. Below is a tabulation of votes with respect to each nominee for director at the meeting:

 

 

 

2

 



 

 

 

 

 

   Nominee   

          For           

 

       Against/Withheld       

Roger Agnelli

804,103,545

 

12,682,167

G. Alex Bernhardt, Sr.

800,849,724

 

15,935,989

Dennis R. Hendrix

804,187,957

 

12,597,756

A. Max Lennon

799,930,226

 

16,855,487

 

Class I directors whose terms continued after the meeting are Paul M. Anderson, Ann Maynard Gray, Michael E.J. Phelps and James T. Rhodes. Class III directors whose terms continued after the meeting are William T. Esrey, Jr., and James G. Martin.

 

The following paragraphs provide voting results for the other two matters submitted to a shareholder vote at the annual meeting:

 

With respect to the proposal to approve amendments to Duke Energy’s Restated Articles of Incorporation to eliminate classification of Duke Energy’s Board of Directors, 795,879,837 shares voted for the proposal, 11,984,927 shares voted against the proposal and 8,920,948 shares abstained.

 

With respect to the proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to act as independent auditors to make examination of Duke Energy’s accounts for the year 2005, 800,504,909 shares voted for the proposal, 9,745,828 shares voted against the proposal and 6,535,375 shares abstained.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(c)

Exhibits

 

 

2.1

Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 3, 2005, by and among Duke Energy Corporation, Cinergy Corp., Duke Energy Holding Corp., Deer Acquisition Corp., and Cougar Acquisition Corp.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document includes statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding benefits of the proposed mergers and restructuring transactions, integration plans and expected synergies, anticipated future financial operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of the registrant and Cinergy. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this document. For example, (1) the companies may be unable to obtain shareholder approvals required for the transaction; (2) the companies may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the transaction, or required regulatory approvals may delay the transaction or result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the combined company or cause the companies to abandon the transaction; (3) conditions to the closing of the transaction may not be satisfied; (4) problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; (5) the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies; (6) the transaction may involve unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities, or the effects of purchase accounting may be different from the companies’ expectations; (7) the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect; (8) the businesses of the companies may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the transaction; (9) the industry may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely affect the companies; and (10) the companies may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional factors that may affect the future results of the registrant and Cinergy are set forth in their respective filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”),

 

3

 



 

which are available at www.duke-energy.com/investors and www.cinergy.com/investors, respectively. The registrant and Cinergy undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

In connection with the proposed transaction, a registration statement of Duke Energy Holding Corp. (Registration No. 333-126318), which includes a preliminary prospectus and a preliminary joint proxy statement of the registrant and Cinergy, and other materials have been filed with the SEC and are publicly available. WE URGE INVESTORS TO READ THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND THESE OTHER MATERIALS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DUKE, CINERGY, DUKE ENERGY HOLDING CORP., AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the joint proxy statement-prospectus as well as other filed documents containing information about the registrant and Cinergy at http://www.sec.gov, the SEC’s website. Free copies of the registrant’s SEC filings are also available on the registrant’s website at www.duke-energy.com/investors, and free copies of Cinergy’s SEC filings are also available on Cinergy’s website at www.cinergy.com/investors.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

The registrant, Cinergy and their respective executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the registrant’s or Cinergy’s stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the officers and directors of the registrant is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting filed with the SEC on March 31, 2005. Information regarding the officers and directors of Cinergy is included in its definitive proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting filed with the SEC on March 28, 2005. More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by securities, holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the registration statement and proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction

 

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.

 

 

 

 

DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ Edward M. Marsh, Jr.

——————————————

Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Date: October 7, 2005  

 

4

 



EX-2.1 2 d65542_ex2-1.htm PLAN OF ACQUISITION, REORGANIZATION, ETC.

 

EXHIBIT 2.1  

 

AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO THE

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

______________

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 2 (this “Amendment”), dated as of October 3, 2005, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 8, 2005, as amended as of July 11, 2005 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Duke Energy Corporation, a North Carolina corporation (“Duke”), Cinergy Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Cinergy”), Duke Energy Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (formerly Deer Holding Corp.) (the “Company”), Deer Acquisition Corp., a North Carolina corporation (“Merger Sub A”), and Cougar Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub B”).

 

WHEREAS, Section 7.03 of the Merger Agreement provides for the amendment of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms set forth therein; and

 

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Merger Agreement as set forth below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1         Definitions; References. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each term used herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Merger Agreement. Each reference to “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereby” and “this Agreement” shall, from and after the date hereof, refer to the Merger Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

 

ARTICLE II

AMENDMENTS TO MERGER AGREEMENT

 

Section 2.1          Amendment to Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement shall be amended as follows:

 

 

(a)

Exhibit A to the Merger Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form attached as Annex 1 hereto.

 

 

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 3.1         No Further Amendment. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Merger Agreement is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions, and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Amendment is limited precisely as written and shall not be deemed to be an amendment to any other term or condition of the Merger Agreement or any of the

 

1

 

 



 

documents referred to therein.

 

Section 3.2         Effect of Amendment. This Amendment shall form a part of the Merger Agreement for all purposes, and each party thereto and hereto shall be bound hereby. From and after the execution of this Amendment by the parties hereto, any reference to the Merger Agreement shall be deemed a reference to the Merger Agreement as amended hereby.

 

Section 3.3          Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of laws.

 

Section 3.4         Separability Clause. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Amendment should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected, impaired, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.

 

Section 3.5         Counterparts. This Amendment may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts, and all such counterparts executed and delivered, each as an original, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 3.6         Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Articles of this Amendment were formulated, used and inserted in this Amendment for convenience only and shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2

 

 



 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Duke, Cinergy, the Company, Merger Sub A and Merger Sub B have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.

 

DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ B. Keith Trent                                      

Name: B. Keith Trent

Title: Group Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

CINERGY CORP.

 

By: /s/ Marc E. Manly                                      

Name: Marc E. Manly

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

DUKE ENERGY HOLDING CORP.

 

By: /s/ B. Keith Trent_________________

Name: B. Keith Trent

Title: Vice President and General Counsel

 

 

 

DEER ACQUISITION CORP.

 

By: /s/ B. Keith Trent                                        

Name: B. Keith Trent

Title: Vice President and General Counsel

 

 

COUGAR ACQUISITION CORP.

 

By:/s/ B. Keith Trent                                        

Name: B. Keith Trent

Title: Vice President and General Counsel

 

 

 

 



 

 

ANNEX 1

 

 

See attached.

 

 



 

 

Exhibit A

To The Merger Agreement

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE

COMPANY AS OF THE EFFECTIVE TIME

 

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. The name of the corporation is Duke Energy Corporation and the name under which the corporation was originally incorporated was Deer Holding Corp. The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 3, 2005.

 

2. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation, having been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and by the unanimous written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL, restates and integrates and further amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation as amended or supplemented heretofore. As so restated and integrated and further amended, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (hereinafter, this “Certificate of Incorporation”) reads as follows:

 

ARTICLE FIRST

Name

 

The name of the corporation is Duke Energy Corporation.

 

ARTICLE SECOND

Registered Office

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

 

ARTICLE THIRD

Purpose

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the DGCL.

 

 



 

 

ARTICLE FOURTH

 

Capital Stock

 

(a)           The aggregate number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is [__________] shares, consisting of [___________] shares of Common Stock, no par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and [_________] shares of Preferred Stock, no par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

(b)           The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the full authority permitted by law, at any time and from time to time, to divide the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock into one or more classes or series and, with respect to each such class or series, to determine by resolution or resolutions the number of shares constituting such class or series and the designation of such class or series, the voting powers, if any, of the shares of such class or series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of any such class or series of Preferred Stock to the full extent now or hereafter permitted by the law of the State of Delaware. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each class or series of Preferred Stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other classes or series at any time outstanding.

 

(c)           Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Corporation in its discretion shall determine. Nothing in this ARTICLE FOURTH shall limit the power of the Board of Directors to create a class or series of Preferred Stock with dividends the rate of which is calculated by reference to, and the payment of which is concurrent with, dividends on shares of Common Stock.

 

(d)           In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of the Preferred Stock, the net assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock in accordance with their respective rights and interests. If the assets of the Corporation are not sufficient to pay the amounts, if any, owing to holders of shares of Preferred Stock in full, holders of all shares of Preferred Stock will participate in the distribution of assets ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which they are entitled or in such order or priority, if any, as will have been fixed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of the class or series of Preferred Stock. Neither the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, nor a sale, transfer or lease of all or part of its assets, will be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this paragraph, except to the extent specifically provided in any certificate of designation for any class or series of Preferred Stock. Nothing in this ARTICLE FOURTH shall limit the power of the Board of Directors to create a class or series of Preferred Stock for which the amount to be distributed upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation is calculated by reference to, and the payment of which is concurrent with, the amount to be distributed to the holders of shares of Common Stock.

 

(e)           Except as otherwise required by law, as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors as to the shares of any class or series of Preferred

 



 

Stock, the holders of Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights and shall not be entitled to any notice of meetings of stockholders.

 

(f)           Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, with respect to all matters upon which stockholders are entitled to vote or to which stockholders are entitled to give consent, the holders of any outstanding shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a class, and every holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to cast thereon one vote in person or by proxy for each share of Common Stock standing in such holder’s name on the books of the Corporation; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, or unless provided in any certificate of designation for any class or series of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any class or series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding classes or series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected class or series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such classes or series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any class or series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to applicable law. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, stockholders of the Corporation shall not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for additional issues of stock of the Corporation and no stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any election of directors.

ARTICLE FIFTH

 

Board of Directors

 

(a)           The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

(b)           Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to provisions of ARTICLE FOURTH relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of directors of the Corporation shall not be less than nine (9) nor more than eighteen (18), as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

(c)           A director may be removed from office with or without cause; provided, however, that, subject to applicable law, any director elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock may be removed without cause only by the holders of a majority of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock.

(d)           Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to provisions of ARTICLE FOURTH relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(e)           Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to provisions of ARTICLE FOURTH relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the directors shall be elected

 



 

by the holders of voting stock and shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office.     

 

(f)

Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the By-Laws so provide.

(g)           In addition to the powers and authority hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation, and any By-Laws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the directors which would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.

ARTICLE SIXTH

 

Action by Stockholders; Books of the Corporation

 

(a)         Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the By-Laws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the DGCL) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the By-Laws of the Corporation.

 

(b)         Any action required or permitted to be taken at any Annual or Special Meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote only if consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by all the holders of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote thereon.

 

ARTICLE SEVENTH

 

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation

 

The Corporation reserves the right to supplement, amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and this Certificate of Incorporation, and all rights conferred upon stockholders, directors and officers herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this ARTICLE SEVENTH and sections (b) and (d) of ARTICLE FIFTH may not be supplemented, amended, altered, changed, or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless such supplement, amendment, alteration, change or repeal is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of stock of all classes of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE EIGHTH

 

Amendment of By-laws

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to adopt, repeal, alter or amend the By-laws of the Corporation. No By-laws may be adopted, repealed, altered or amended in any manner that would be inconsistent with this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as it may be

 



 

adopted, repealed, altered or amended from time to time in accordance with ARTICLE SEVENTH).

ARTICLE NINTH

 

Limitation of Liability

 

Except to the extent elimination or limitation of liability is not permitted by applicable law, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty in such capacity. Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE NINTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

 

ARTICLE TENTH

 

Liability of Stockholders

 

The holders of the capital stock of the Corporation shall not be personally liable for the payment of the Corporation’s debts, and the private property of the holders of the capital stock of the Corporation shall not be subject to the payment of debts of the Corporation to any extent whatsoever.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the [INSERT TITLE], has executed this Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of the [_____] day of [______], 200o, and DOES HEREBY CERTIFY under the penalties of perjury that the facts stated in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation are true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 


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