EX-99.1 4 uhs-ex991_8.htm EX-99.1 uhs-ex991_8.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

Universal Health Services, Inc.

2020 OMNIBUS STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN

ARTICLE 1.  PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The purpose of the Universal Health Services, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests of Universal Health Services, Inc. and increase shareholder value by providing additional incentives to attract, retain and motivate those qualified and competent Employees, Directors, and Consultants upon whose efforts and judgment its success is largely dependent.

ARTICLE 2.  DEFINITIONS

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.  The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

 

2.1

Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act.  The Board shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which “Affiliate” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

2.2

Award” means an Option, an award of Restricted Stock, a Stock Appreciation Right, an award of Performance Shares, an award of Performance Stock Units, an award of Restricted Stock Units, a Performance-Based Award or any other right or benefit, including any other Award under Article 8, granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.

 

2.3

Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award, including through electronic medium.

 

2.4

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

2.5

Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Agreement, or if the term is not defined in the Award Agreement, shall mean, with respect to an Employee, (a) a final, non-appealable conviction of the Employee for commission of a felony involving moral turpitude, (b) the Employee’s willful gross misconduct that causes material economic harm to the Company or that brings substantial discredit to the Company’s reputation, or (c) the Employee’s material failure or refusal to perform his or her duties if such Employee has failed to cure such failure or refusal to perform within thirty (30) days after the Company notifies the Employee in writing of such failure or refusal to perform.

 

2.6

Change in Control” shall mean the first to occur of:

 

(a)

completion of a consolidation or merger in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving entity or pursuant to which each class of the Company’s common stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than (i) a consolidation or merger of the Company in which the holders of each class of common stock immediately prior to the consolidation or merger have the same proportionate ownership and voting power with respect to the common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the consolidation or merger, or (ii) a consolidation or merger which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (by being converted into voting securities of the continuing or surviving entity) 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving or continuing entity immediately after such consolidation or merger and which would result in the members of the Board immediately prior to such consolidation or merger (including, for

 


 

 

this purpose, any individuals whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of such members), constituting a majority of the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of the surviving or continuing entity immediately after such consolidation or merger;

 

(b)

shareholder approval of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which is owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale;

 

(c)

any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than (i) persons or their family members or affiliates which have such voting power on the date of adoption of the Plan, or (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, shall become the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company other than pursuant to a plan or arrangement entered into by such person and the Company; or

 

(d)

during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the entire Board (the “Incumbent Board”) shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; provided, that, other than in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest, any individual who becomes a director subsequent to the beginning of the period, whose election, 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 were directors at the beginning of the period shall be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board.

Further, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in order to make payment upon such Change in Control, the transaction or event described above with respect to such Award must also constitute a “change in the ownership,” a “change in the effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (or any successor provision), and if it does not, payment of such Award will be made pursuant to the Award’s original payment schedule or, if earlier, upon the death of the Participant, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.

 

2.7

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2.8

Committee” means the committee of the Board appointed or described in Article 11 to administer the Plan.

 

2.9

Common Stock” means the Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted for the Common Stock pursuant to Article 11.

 

2.10

Company” means Universal Health Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

2.11

Consultant” means any consultant or adviser if: (a) the consultant or advisor renders bona fide services to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; (b) the services rendered by the consultant or advisor are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction

 


 

 

and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and (c) the consultant or advisor is a natural person.

 

2.12

Director” means a member of the Board.

 

2.13

Disability means, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, that the Participant would qualify to receive benefit payments under the long-term disability policy, as it may be amended from time to time, of the Company or the Subsidiary or Affiliate to which the Participant provides services regardless of whether the Participant is covered by such policy.  If the Company or the Subsidiary or Affiliate to which the Participant provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in place, “Disability” means that a Participant is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Participant by reason of any medically determined physical or mental impairment for a period of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days.  A Participant shall not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Board (or its delegate) in its discretion.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan, “Disability” means that the Participant is permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and for purposes of an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, shall mean a “Disability” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.14

Dividend Equivalent” means a right granted to a Participant related to the Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and/or Performance Units which is a right to accrue the equivalent value of dividends paid on the Shares prior to vesting of the Award (or prior to payment of an Award that is subject to deferred settlement).  Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee, provided, however, that in no event shall Dividend Equivalents be paid on any Award that is not vested or that does not become vested in accordance with its terms.

 

2.15

Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders if such stockholder approval occurs before the first anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

2.16

Eligible Individual” means any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Director, as determined by the Committee.

 

2.17

Employee” means a full time or part time employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, including an officer or Director, who is treated as an employee in the personnel records of the Company or Subsidiary or Affiliate for the relevant period, but shall exclude individuals who are classified by the Company or Subsidiary or Affiliate as (a) independent contractors or (b) intermittent or temporary, even if any such classification is changed retroactively as a result of an audit, litigation or otherwise.  A Participant shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any vacation or sick time or otherwise approved paid time off in accordance with the Company or Subsidiary or Affiliate’s policy or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, a Subsidiary and/or Affiliate; provided that, with respect to an Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in order to settle such an Award as a result of a separation from service (including a termination of employment), whether or not a Participant has had a “separation from service” will be determined within the meaning of such term under Section 409A of the Code.  Neither services as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.

 


 

 

2.18

Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the price of Shares (or other securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Shares underlying outstanding Awards.

 

2.19

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.20

Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, (a) if Shares are traded on any established stock exchange, the closing price of a Share as quoted on the principal exchange on which the Shares are listed, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (or such other source as the Company may deem reliable for such purposes) for such date, or if no sale occurred on such date, the first trading date immediately prior to such date during which a sale occurred; or (b) if Shares are not traded on an exchange but are regularly quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the closing sales price on such date as quoted on such market or system, or if no sales occurred on such date, then on the date immediately prior to such date on which sales prices are reported; or (c) in the absence of an established market for the Shares of the type described in (a) or (b) of this Section 2.20, the fair market value established by the Committee acting in good faith to be reasonable and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary to exempt an Award from or comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

2.21

Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.

 

2.22

Independent Director” means a Director of the Company who qualifies as a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule, and an “independent director” under the NYSE rules (or other principal securities market on which Shares are traded).

 

2.23

Involuntary Termination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Agreement, or if the term is not defined in the Award Agreement, shall mean the termination of the employment of any Employee which occurs by reason of:

 

(a)

such Employee’s involuntary dismissal or discharge by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate for reasons other than Cause, or

 

(b)

such Employee’s voluntary resignation following the initial existence of any of the following conditions: (A) a material diminution in the Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities, (B) a material diminution in the Employee’s  base salary (including, without limitation, a reduction of base salary by more than 10%), (C) a material change in the geographic location at which the Employee must perform services (including, without limitation, a change in the Employee’s assigned workplace that increases the Employee’s one-way commute by more than 25 miles), provided and only if such diminution or change is effected by the Company without the Employee’s written consent.  No voluntary resignation by the Employee pursuant to part (A), (B) or (C) hereof shall be treated as an Involuntary Termination unless the Employee gives written notice to the Committee advising the Company of such intended resignation (along with the facts and circumstances constituting the condition asserted as the reason for such resignation) within 60 days after the initial existence of such condition and provides the Company a cure period of 30 days following such date that notice is delivered.  If the Committee determines that the asserted condition exists and the Company does not cure such condition within the 30-day cure period, the Employee’s termination of employment or service shall be effective on such 30th day of the cure period.

 

2.24

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not also an Employee.

 


 

 

2.25

Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

 

2.26

Option” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 5 to purchase a specified number of Shares at a specified price during specified time periods.  An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

2.27

Participant” means any Eligible Individual who, as a Director, Consultant or Employee, has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

 

2.28

Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Participant for a Performance Period.  The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish Performance Goals include: (a) pre-tax income, after-tax income or adjusted net income; (b) earnings per share (basic or diluted), adjusted earnings per share (basic or diluted); (c) earnings, including one or more of operating income, earnings before or after interest, depreciation, amortization, rent (or restructuring) costs, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDAR, economic earnings, or extraordinary or special items or book value per share (which may exclude nonrecurring items); (d) operating profit; (e) revenue, revenue growth or rate of revenue growth; (f) return on assets (gross or net), return on investment, return on capital, or return on equity; (g) operating expenses; (h) total shareholder return or stock price appreciation; (i) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), or net cash provided by operations; (j) implementation or completion of critical projects or processes; (k) acquisition financing; (l) cumulative earnings per share growth; (m) operating margin or profit margin; (n) containment of Company expenses; (o) expense targets, reductions and savings, productivity and efficiencies; (p) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration, geographic business expansion, employee satisfaction, resident satisfaction, human resources management, supervision of litigation and/or information technology goals, goals relating to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and/or similar transactions and/or goals relating to budget comparisons; (q) personal professional objectives, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing performance goals, the implementation of policies and plans, the negotiation of transactions, the development of long term business goals, formation of joint ventures, research or development collaborations, and the completion of other corporate transactions; (r) any combination of, or a specified increase or decrease in, any of the foregoing; and (s) any other criteria as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group or securities or stock market index.  As to any Participant or class of Participants, the Performance Criteria may be based upon one or more of such permissible criteria and may be based upon the performance of the Company, on a consolidated basis, the individual Participant or class of Participants, a regional, local or divisional unit of the Company, one or more subsidiaries or other affiliates of the Company or a combination thereof, either on an absolute basis or relative to an index or peer-group.  Performance Criteria may be determined without regard to, or adjusted to reflect, items that are nonrecurring or non-operational in nature including items such as, but not limited to, gains on sales of assets and businesses, reserves for settlements, legal judgments and lawsuits and other amounts that may be reflected in the current or prior year financial statements that relate to prior periods.

 

2.29

Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the goals established in writing by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.  Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance, the performance of a Subsidiary or Affiliate, the performance of a division or a business unit of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, or the performance of an individual.  The Committee, in its discretion, may appropriately adjust or modify

 


 

 

the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Period (a) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or infrequently occurring corporate item, transaction, event, or development, or (b) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual, infrequently occurring or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions.

 

2.30

Performance Period” means one or more periods of time which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance-Based Award.

 

2.31

Performance Share” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof, to receive Shares, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals or other performance-based targets established by the Committee.

 

2.32

Performance Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof, to receive Shares (or value of Shares in cash), the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals or other performance-based targets established by the Committee

 

2.33

Plan” means this Universal Health Services, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

2.34

Restricted Stock” means Shares awarded to a Participant pursuant to Article 6 that are subject to certain restrictions as set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

2.35

Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof and shall be evidenced by a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one Share.

 

2.36

Retirement” means, unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement, a Participant’s termination of employment or service, which is for any reason other than for Cause, after such Participant’s 65th birthday.

 

2.37

Securities Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

2.38

Share” means a share of Common Stock.

 

2.39

Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted pursuant to Article 7 to receive a payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares on the date the SAR is exercised over the grant price of the SAR, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

2.40

Subsidiary” means any “subsidiary corporation” as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder or any other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

ARTICLE 3.  SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

3.1

Number of Shares.  Subject to Article 10, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 6,100,000 Shares.  All Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan may be (but are not required to be) issued or transferred pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.  Following the Effective Date, no additional awards will be granted under any the Universal Health Services, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”); provided, that, all awards granted under the Prior Plan will remain subject to the terms and conditions of, and continue to be governed by, the Prior Plan.

 


 

 

(a)

Share Reserve Counting.  Shares that are subject to Options and SARs shall be counted against the maximum limit set forth in this Section 3.1 as one (1) Share for every one (1) Share subject to such Options and SARs.  Shares that are subject to Awards other than Options or SARs shall be counted against the maximum limit set forth in this Section 3.1 as four (4) Shares for every one (1) Share subject to such Awards.

 

(b)

Shares Reissuable Under Plan.  To the extent that an Award terminates, expires, lapses for any reason, or is settled in cash, any Shares subject to the Award shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan.  Any Shares that again become available for the grant of Awards pursuant to this Section 3.1(b) shall be added back as one (1) Share for each Share being added back from Options and SARs and four (4) Shares for each Share being added back from an Award other than Options and SARs.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

 

(c)

Shares Not Counted Against Share Pool Reserve.  To the extent permitted by applicable law and/or any applicable stock exchange rule, Shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate (“Substitute Awards”) shall not be counted against Shares available for grant pursuant to this Plan.  Additionally, to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or any applicable stock exchange rule in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any company with which the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for grants of Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares available for issuance under the Plan, and Shares subject to such Awards (which, for the avoidance of doubt, exclude Substitute Awards) may again become available for Awards under the Plan as provided under Section 3.1(b) above; provided, that, Awards using such available shares (or any Shares that again become available for issuance under the Plan under Section 3.1(b) above): (i) shall not be granted after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination; (ii) shall be made only to individuals who were not Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates prior to such acquisition or combination; and (iii) shall otherwise be granted in compliance with applicable stock exchange listing standards.  In addition, the payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash pursuant to any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(d)

Shares Not Reissuable Under Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under Section 3.1: (i) any Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation related to any Award; (ii) Shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding Option or SAR; and (iii) Shares repurchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds of the exercise price from Options.

 

3.2

Shares Distributed.  Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased on the open market.

 


 

ARTICLE 4.

ELIGIBILITY, PARTICIPATION, MINIMUM VESTING REQUIREMENTS, DIVIDENDS

 

4.1

Eligibility.  Each Eligible Individual shall be eligible to be granted one or more Awards pursuant to the Plan.  An Eligible Individual who is subject to taxation in the U.S. and who is a service provider to an Affiliate may be granted Options or SARs under this Plan only if, with respect to the Affiliate, the Company qualifies as an “eligible issuer of service recipient stock” within the meaning of §1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 409A of the Code (or any successor provision).

 

4.2

Participation.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award.  No Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to this Plan and the grant of an Award to an Eligible Individual shall not imply any entitlement to receive future Awards.

 

4.3

Minimum Vesting Requirements.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.3, no portion of any Award may vest before the first anniversary of the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence: (a) the Company may grant Awards with respect to up to five percent (5%) of the number of Shares reserved under Section 3.1 without regard to the minimum vesting period set forth in this Section 4.3; (b) the minimum vesting period set forth in this Section 4.3 shall not apply to Substitute Awards, Awards that may be settled only in cash, Shares delivered in lieu of fully-vested cash obligations, or Awards to Non-Employee Directors that vest on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of stockholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, that, the foregoing requirement does not apply to the Committee’s discretion to provide for, in the terms of the Award Agreement or otherwise, accelerated vesting or exercisability of any Award and/or waive any restrictions, conditions or limitations applicable to such Award, including in cases of a Participant’s Retirement, death, Disability or a Change in Control.

 

4.4

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents.  The Committee may provide that any Award (other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) that relates to shares of Common Stock shall earn dividends or Dividend Equivalents; provided, that, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may not provide for the current payment of dividends or Dividend Equivalents with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding Award (or portion thereof) that has not vested.  For any such Award, the Committee may provide only for the accrual of dividends or Dividend Equivalents that will not be payable to the Participant unless and until, and only to the extent that, the Award vests.  No dividends or Dividend Equivalents shall be paid on Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

ARTICLE 5.  STOCK OPTIONS

 

5.1

General.  The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Eligible Individuals on the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)

Exercise Price.  The exercise price per Share subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, that, subject to Section 5.2(b) hereof, the per Share exercise price for any Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant (other than in the case of Substitute Awards).

 


 

 

(b)

Time and Conditions of Exercise.  Subject to Section 4.3, the Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part; provided that the term of any Option granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten years.  The Committee shall also determine the performance or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.

 

(c)

Payment.  The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, potentially including the following methods: (i) cash or check, (ii) surrender of Shares (including withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of the Award) which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which the Award shall be exercised, (iii) promissory note bearing interest at no less than such rate as shall then preclude the imputation of interest under the Code, (iv) other property acceptable to the Committee (including through the delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale), (v) by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option shall be reduced by the largest whole number of Shares having an aggregate fair market value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price (plus withholding taxes, if applicable) and any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price (and/or applicable withholding taxes) not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole Shares to be issued shall be paid by Participant in cash or other form of payment approved by the Committee, or (vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.  The Award Agreement will specify the methods of paying the exercise price available to Participants.  The Committee shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option, or continue any extension of credit with respect to the exercise price of an Option, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

 

(d)

Expiration.  Subject to Section 5.1(b) and Section 5.2(b) hereof, an Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

 

(i)

Ten years from the date it is granted, unless an earlier time is set in the Award Agreement;

 

(ii)

Three months after the Participant’s termination of employment or service, except as otherwise provided in clauses (iii) and (iv) below;

 

(iii)

One year after the date of the Participant’s termination of employment or service on account of death or Disability.  Upon the Participant’s Disability or death, any Options exercisable at the Participant’s Disability or death may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or representatives, by the person or persons entitled to do so pursuant to the Participant’s last will and testament, or, if the Participant fails to make testamentary disposition of such Option or dies intestate, by the person or persons entitled to receive the Option pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution; and

 


 

 

(iv)

Immediately upon the date of the Participant’s termination of employment or service for Cause.

 

(e)

Transfer Restrictions.  Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Committee, no Shares acquired upon exercise of any Option by any officer of the Company may be sold, assigned, pledged, encumbered or otherwise transferred until at least six months have elapsed from (but excluding) the date that such Option was granted.

 

(f)

Evidence of Grant.  All Options shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant.  The Award Agreement shall include such additional provisions as may be specified by the Committee.

 

5.2

Incentive Stock Options.  Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary that qualifies as a “subsidiary corporation” under Section 424(f) of the Code and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, and the terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan, in addition to the requirements of Section 5.1 hereof, must comply with the provisions of this Section 5.2.

 

(a)

Dollar Limitation.  The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000 or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision.  To the extent that Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

(b)

Ten Percent Owners.  An Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of Shares of the Company only if such Option is granted at an exercise price that is not less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is exercisable for no more than five years from the date of grant.

 

(c)

Notice of Disposition.  The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within (i) two years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant.

 

(d)

Right to Exercise.  During a Participant’s lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant.

 

(e)

Failure to Meet Requirements.  Any Option (or portion thereof) purported to be an Incentive Stock Option, which, for any reason, fails to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code shall be considered a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

ARTICLE 6.  RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

6.1

Grant of Restricted Stock.  The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock to any Eligible Individual selected by the Committee in such amounts and subject to such terms and

 


 

 

conditions as determined by the Committee.  All Awards of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

 

6.2

Purchase Price.  At the time of the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall determine the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for each Share subject to the Award of Restricted Stock.  To the extent required by applicable law, the price to be paid by the Participant for each Share subject to the Award of Restricted Stock shall not be less than the par value of a Share (or such higher amount required by applicable law).  The purchase price of Shares acquired pursuant to the Award of Restricted Stock shall be paid either: (i) in cash at the time of purchase; (ii) at the sole discretion of the Committee, by services rendered or to be rendered to the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion and in compliance with applicable law.

 

6.3

Issuance and Restrictions.  Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Stock).  These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter.  Further, notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, no dividends will be paid on Restricted Stock that has not vested; however, the Committee, in its discretion, may authorize the accrual of Dividend Equivalents on Restricted Stock.

 

6.4

Forfeiture.  Subject to Section 4.3, except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided, however, that the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Stock Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock.

 

6.5

Certificates for Restricted Stock.  Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine.  If certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

ARTICLE 7.  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

7.1

Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a)

A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to any Eligible Individual selected by the Committee.  A Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall impose and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, provided that the term of any Stock Appreciation Right shall not exceed ten years.

 

(b)

A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount equal to the product of (i) the excess of (A) the Fair

 


 

 

Market Value of the Shares on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised over (B) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right and (ii) the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations the Committee may impose.

 

7.2

Grant Price.  The grant price per Share subject to a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, the per Share grant price for any Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant (other than in the case of Substitute Awards).

 

7.3

Payment and Limitations on Exercise.

 

(a)

Subject to Section 7.3(b) hereof, payment of the amounts determined under Section 7.1(b) hereof shall be in cash, in Shares (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised) or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)

To the extent any payment under Section 7.1(b) hereof is effected in Shares, it shall be made subject to satisfaction of all applicable provisions of Section 5.1(c) pertaining to Options.

ARTICLE 8.  OTHER TYPES OF AWARDS

 

8.1

Performance Share Awards.  Any Eligible Individual selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Awards of Performance Shares which shall be denominated in a number of Shares and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee.  In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.  The Committee may authorize Dividend Equivalents to be accrued with respect to outstanding Performance Share Awards.  Performance Share Awards shall be subject to applicable withholding taxes (as further set forth in Section 14.3).

 

8.2

Performance Stock Units.  Any Eligible Individual selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Stock Unit awards which shall be denominated in unit equivalents of Shares and/or units of value including dollar value of Shares and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee.  In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.  On the settlement date, the Company shall, subject to Section 9.5(a) and satisfaction of applicable withholding taxes (as further set forth in Section 14.3), transfer to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Performance Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited.  Alternatively, settlement of a Performance Stock Unit may be made in cash (in an amount reflecting the Fair Market Value of Shares that would have been issued) or any combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in either case, less applicable withholding taxes (as further set forth in Section 14.3).  The Committee may authorize Dividend Equivalents to be accrued with respect to outstanding Performance Stock Units.

 


 

 

8.3

Restricted Stock Units.  The Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual selected by the Committee in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee.  At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate.  The vesting conditions may be based on the passage of time or the attainment of performance-based conditions.  On the settlement date, the Company shall, subject to Section 9.5(a) hereof and satisfaction of applicable withholding taxes (as further set forth in Section 14.3), transfer to the Participant one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited.  Alternatively, settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit may be made in cash (in an amount reflecting the Fair Market Value of Shares that would have been issued) or any combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, in either case, less applicable withholding taxes (as further set forth in Section 14.3).  The Committee may authorize Dividend Equivalents to be accrued with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock Units.

 

8.4

Other Awards.  The Committee is authorized under the Plan to make any other Award to an Eligible Individual that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan and that by its terms involves or might involve the issuance of (i) Shares, (ii) a right with a Share-related exercise or conversion privilege related to the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or (iii) any other right with the value derived from the value of the Shares.  The Committee may establish one or more separate programs under the Plan for the purpose of issuing particular forms of Awards to one or more classes of Participants on such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee from time to time.

 

8.5

Vesting.  Subject to Section 4.3, the vesting conditions applicable to an Award granted pursuant to Article 8 shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.

 

8.6

Term.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of any Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units and any other Award granted pursuant to this Article 8 shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.

 

8.7

Exercise or Purchase Price.  The Committee may establish the exercise or purchase price, if any, of any Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units and any other Award granted pursuant to this Article 8; provided, however, that such price shall not be less than the par value of a Share on the date of grant, unless otherwise permitted by applicable state law.

 

8.8

Exercise upon Termination of Employment or Service.  An Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units and any other Awards granted pursuant to this Article 8 shall only be exercisable or payable while the Participant is an Employee, Consultant or Director, as applicable; provided, however, that the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that an Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units or any other Award granted pursuant to this Article 8 may be exercised or paid subsequent to a termination of employment or service, as applicable, or following a Change in Control of the Company, or because of the Participant’s Retirement, death or Disability, or otherwise.

 

8.9

Form of Payment.  Payments with respect to any Awards granted under this Article 8 shall be made in cash, in Shares or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.

 

8.10

Award Agreement.  All Awards under this Article 8 shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

 


 

 

8.11

Timing of Settlement.  At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the settlement date applicable to an Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units or any other Award granted pursuant to this Article 8, which shall be no earlier than the vesting date(s) applicable to the relevant Award, or it may be deferred to any later date to the extent and under the terms determined by the Committee, subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  Until an Award granted pursuant to this Article 8 has been settled, the number of Shares subject to the Award shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 10 hereof.

ARTICLE 9.  PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

 

9.1

Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards.  Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan.  Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

 

9.2

Award Agreement.  Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include the term of an Award, additional provisions applicable in the event the Participant’s employment or service terminates, and the Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award.

 

9.3

Limits on Transfer.  No right or interest of a Participant in any Award may be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to or in favor of any party other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other than the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate.  Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, no Award shall be assigned, transferred, or otherwise disposed of by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to beneficiary designation procedures approved from time to time by the Committee (or the Board in the case of Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors).  The Committee by express provision in the Award or an amendment thereto may permit an Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option) to be transferred to, exercised by and paid to certain persons or entities related to the Participant, including, but not limited to, members of the Participant’s family, charitable institutions, or trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are members of the Participant’s family and/or charitable institutions, or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee, pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may establish.  Any permitted transfer shall be subject to the condition that the Committee receive evidence satisfactory to it that the transfer is being made for estate and/or tax planning purposes (or to a “blind trust” in connection with the Participant’s termination of employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate to assume a position with a governmental, charitable, educational or similar non-profit institution) and on a basis consistent with the Company’s lawful issue of securities.  Notwithstanding anything contrary in this Section 9.3 or Section 9.4 below, no Award may be transferred for value or consideration.

 

9.4

Beneficiaries.  Notwithstanding Section 9.3 hereof, a Participant may, if permitted by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death.  A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.  If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his or her beneficiary

 


 

 

with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse.  If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to either the person’s estate or legal representative or the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution (or equivalent laws outside the U.S.).  Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.

 

9.5

Stock Certificates; Book Entry Procedures.

 

(a)

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Board has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Shares are listed or traded.  All certificates evidencing Shares delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or local securities or other laws, including laws of jurisdictions outside of the United States, and the rules and regulations of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted, or traded.  The Committee may place legends on any certificate evidencing Shares to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.  In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.  The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Committee.

 

(b)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company shall not deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

 

9.6

Accelerated Vesting and Deferral Limitations.  The Committee shall not have the discretionary authority to accelerate or delay issuance of Shares or payment of cash under an Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, except to the extent that such acceleration or delay may, in the discretion of the Committee, be effected in a manner that will not cause any person to incur taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.

 

9.7

Paperless Administration.  In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Participant may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

ARTICLE 10.  CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

10.1

Adjustments.

 


 

 

(a)

In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the price of the Shares other than an Equity Restructuring, the Committee shall make such adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such change with respect to (a) the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 hereof); (b) the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards and the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (c) the grant or exercise price per Share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.

 

(b)

In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 10.1(a) hereof or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Participant’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Committee determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

 

(i)

To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 10.1 the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion;

 

(ii)

To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

 

(iii)

To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding options, rights and awards;

 

(iv)

To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; and

 


 

 

(v)

To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

 

(c)

In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 10.1(a) and 10.1(b) hereof:

 

(i)

The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted.  The adjustments provided under this Section 10.1(c)(i) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company.

 

(ii)

The Committee shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 hereof).

 

10.2

Change in Control.  Notwithstanding Section 10.1 hereof, if a Change in Control occurs, the parties to the Change in Control may agree that outstanding Awards shall be assumed by, or converted into an award with respect to shares of common stock of, the successor or acquiring company (or a parent company thereof).  In the event that the successor company does not assume or substitute any such outstanding Award, the Award shall be fully vested and, to the extent not exercised prior to the Change in Control, cancelled in exchange for the right to receive an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the per Share consideration received by the holders of outstanding Shares in the Change in Control transaction over the exercise or base price for such Shares.  No consideration will be payable in respect of the cancellation of an Option or SAR with an exercise or base price per share that is equal to or greater than the value of the Change in Control transaction consideration per share.  The Board may in its sole discretion accelerate, in whole or in part, the vesting of any outstanding Award upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, whether or not the vesting requirements set forth in the applicable Award agreement have been satisfied and whether or not the Award is otherwise assumed or substituted by the successor company.

 

10.3

No Other Rights.  Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of Shares of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation.  Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Committee under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of Shares of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the grant or the exercise price of any Award.

ARTICLE 11.  ADMINISTRATION

 

11.1

Committee.  Except as specified herein or as otherwise determined by the Board, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee consisting of two or more members of the Board.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board each of whom is an Independent Director; provided, that, any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 11.1 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing: (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of

 


 

 

the Plan with respect to all Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and for purposes of such Awards the term “Committee” as used in this Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (b) the Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 11.5 hereof.  In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.  Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment; Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board; and vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board.

 

11.2

Action by the Committee.  Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Committee, a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee.  Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

 

11.3

Authority of Committee.  Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:

 

(a)

Designate Participants to receive Awards;

 

(b)

Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;

 

(c)

Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

 

(d)

Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;

 

(e)

Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in, cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

 

(f)

Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

(g)

Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

 

(h)

Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 


 

 

(i)

To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time provided that such suspension or termination does not materially impair rights and obligations under any outstanding Award without written consent of the affected Participant.

 

(j)

Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement; and

 

(k)

Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

 

11.4

Decisions Binding.  The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

 

11.5

Delegation of Authority.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, including, without limitation, Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Committee may from time to time (i) delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions, including the authority to grant or amend Awards to Participants, as the Committee may determine, and (ii) delegate to any person or subcommittee (who may, but need not, be members of the Committee) such Plan-related administrative authority and responsibilities as it deems appropriate; provided, however, the Committee may not delegate its authority with respect to non-ministerial actions relating to Awards to Employees who are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act or officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder.  For the avoidance of doubt, provided it meets the limitation in the preceding sentence, this delegation shall include the right to modify Awards as necessary to accommodate changes in the laws or regulations.  Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Committee may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee.  At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 11.5 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee.

ARTICLE 12.  PLAN EXPIRATION DATE

The Plan will continue in effect until it is terminated by the Board pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof, except that no Award may be granted under the Plan from and after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.  Any Awards that are outstanding on the date the Plan terminates shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 13.  AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION

 

13.1

Amendment, Modification, and Termination.  Subject to Section 14.15 hereof, with the approval of the Board, at any time and from time to time, the Committee may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that (a) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, and (b) stockholder approval shall be required for any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of shares available under the Plan (other than any adjustment as provided by Article 10), or (ii) permits the Committee to extend the exercise period for an Option beyond ten years from the date of grant.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, absent approval of the stockholders of the Company, no Option or SAR may be amended to reduce the per share exercise price of the

 


 

 

shares subject to such Option or SAR below the per share exercise price as of the date the Option or SAR is granted and, except as permitted by Article 10, (a) no Option or SAR may be granted in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation, surrender or substitution of an Option or SAR having a higher per share exercise price and (b) no Option or SAR may be cancelled in exchange for, or in connection with, the payment of a cash amount or another Award at a time when the Option or SAR has a per share exercise price that is higher than the Fair Market Value of a Share.

 

13.2

Awards Previously Granted.  Except with respect to amendments made or other actions taken pursuant to Section 14.15 hereof or any amendment or other action with respect to an outstanding Award that may be required or desirable to comply with applicable law, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, no termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant; providedhowever, that an amendment or modification that may cause an Incentive Stock Option to become a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall not be treated as adversely affecting the rights of the Participant.

ARTICLE 14.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

14.1

No Rights to Awards.  No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Participants or any other persons uniformly.

 

14.2

No Stockholders Rights.  Except as otherwise provided herein, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award, including the right to vote or receive dividends, until the Participant becomes the record owner of such Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of an Option or other Award.

 

14.3

Withholding.  The Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, as appropriate, shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy U.S. federal, state and local taxes and taxes imposed by jurisdictions outside of the United States (including income tax, social insurance contributions, payment on account and any other taxes that may be due) that the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate determines are required to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of this Plan or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate, as appropriate, to satisfy withholding obligations for the payment of taxes.  The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement direct the Company to withhold, or allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold, Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the return of Shares) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld; the number of Shares so withheld may be determined using rates of up to, but not exceeding, the maximum federal, state, local and/or foreign statutory tax rates applicable in a particular jurisdiction on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined.  No Shares shall be delivered hereunder to any Participant or other person until the Participant or such other person has made arrangements acceptable to the Committee for the satisfaction of these tax obligations with respect to any taxable event concerning the Participant or such other person arising as a result of Awards made under this Plan.

 

14.4

No Right to Employment or Services.  Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate any Participant’s employment or services at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.

 


 

 

14.5

Unfunded Status of Awards.  The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.

 

14.6

Indemnification.  To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

14.7

Relationship to other Benefits.  No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits pursuant to any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, termination programs and/or indemnities or severance payments, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

 

14.8

Expenses.  The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and/or its Subsidiaries and/or Affiliates.

 

14.9

Titles and Headings.  The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

 

14.10

Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.

 

14.11

Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

14.12

Government and Other Regulations.  The obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Shares or otherwise shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of the United States and jurisdictions outside the United States, and to such approvals by government agencies, including government agencies in jurisdictions outside of the United States, in each case as may be required or as the Company deems necessary or advisable.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares subject to Awards granted hereunder prior to: (a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable, and (b) completion of any registration or other

 


 

 

qualification with respect to the Shares under any applicable law in the United States or in a jurisdiction outside of the United States or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable or at a time when any such registration or qualification is not current, has been suspended or otherwise has ceased to be effective.  The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained and shall constitute circumstances in which the Committee may determine to amend or cancel Awards pertaining to such Shares, with or without consideration to the affected Participant.  The Company shall be under no obligation to register pursuant to the Securities Act, as amended, any of the Shares paid pursuant to the Plan.  If the Shares paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act, as amended, the Company may restrict the transfer of such Shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.

 

14.13

Governing Law.  The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 14.14 is intended to be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and, as a result, to the fullest extent allowed by the Federal Arbitration Act, state laws governing arbitration provisions that would otherwise apply to Section 14.14 are preempted.

 

14.14

Arbitration.

 

(a)

Except as otherwise specially provided in this Plan or an Award Agreement, any and all disputes, controversies or claims arising out of, relating to or in connection with this Plan, any Award Agreement, or any Award made hereunder, shall be exclusively and finally settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”).  Either party may initiate arbitration by notice to the other party (a “Request for Arbitration”).  The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA rules governing commercial arbitration in effect at the time of the arbitration, except as they may be modified by the provisions of this Section 14.14.  The place of the arbitration shall be Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator appointed by the Participant from a list of at least five (5) individuals who are independent and qualified to serve as an arbitrator submitted by the Company within fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Request for Arbitration.  The Participant will make his or her appointment within ten (10) days after he or she receives the list of qualified individuals from the Company.  In the event the Company fails to send a list of at least five (5) qualified individuals to serve as arbitrator to the Participant within such fifteen-day time period, then the Participant shall appoint such arbitrator within twenty-five (25) days from the Request for Arbitration.  In the event the Participant fails to appoint a person to serve as arbitrator from the list of at least five (5) qualified individuals within ten (10) days after his or her receipt of such list from the Company, the Company shall appoint one of the individuals from such list to serve as arbitrator within five (5) days after the expiration of such ten (10) day period.  Any individual will be qualified to serve as an arbitrator if he or she is an individual who has no material business relationship, directly or indirectly, with any of the parties to the action and who has at least ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law with experience in executive compensation matters.  The arbitration shall commence within thirty (30) days after the appointment of the arbitrator; the arbitration shall be completed within sixty (60) days of commencement; and the arbitrator’s award shall be

 


 

 

made within thirty (30) days following such completion.  The parties may agree in writing to extend the time limits specified in the foregoing sentence.

 

(b)

The arbitrator will apply the substantive law (and the law of remedies, if applicable) of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law, and will be without power to apply any different substantive law.  The arbitrator will render an award and a written opinion in support thereof.  Such award shall include payment by the non-prevailing party to the prevailing party of the prevailing party’s costs related to the arbitration and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses.  The arbitrator shall have full authority to resolve all issues in dispute, including the arbitrator’s own jurisdiction, whether any dispute must be arbitrated under this Section 14.14, whether this Section 14.14 is void or voidable, and to award compensatory remedies and other remedies permitted by law.  The arbitrator also has the authority to grant provisional remedies, including, without limitation, injunctive relief, and to award specific performance.  The arbitrator may entertain a motion to dismiss and/or a motion for summary judgment by any party, applying the standards governing such motions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and may rule upon any claim or counterclaim, or any portion thereof (a “Claim”), without holding an evidentiary hearing, if, after affording the parties an opportunity to present written submission and documentary evidence, the arbitrator concludes that there is no material issue of fact and that the Claim may be determined as a matter of law.  The parties waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any rights to appeal, or to review of, any arbitrator’s award by any court.  The arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the courts of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  The Company and each Participant under this Plan irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States sitting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in connection with any such proceeding, and waives any objection based on forum non conveniens.  THE COMPANY AND EACH PARTICIPANT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE AN ARBITRATOR’S DECISION OR AWARD PURSUANT TO SECTION 14.14(a) OF THIS PLAN.

 

(c)

The parties agree to maintain confidentiality as to all aspects of the arbitration, except as may be required by applicable law, regulations or court order, or to maintain or satisfy any suitability requirements for any license by any state, federal or other regulatory authority or body, including, without limitation, professional societies and organizations; provided, that nothing herein shall prevent a party from disclosing information regarding the arbitration for purposes of enforcing the award.  The parties further agree to obtain the arbitrator’s agreement to preserve the confidentiality of the arbitration.

 

14.15

Section 409A.  Except as provided in Section 14.16 hereof, to the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code.  To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the date the Plan became effective.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the date an Award is granted the Committee determines that the Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the date the Plan became effective), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the

 


 

 

Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, including amendments or actions that would result in a reduction to the benefits payable under an Award, in each case, without the consent of the Participant, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under such Section or mitigate any additional tax, interest and/or penalties or other adverse tax consequences that may apply under Section 409A of the Code if compliance is not practical.

 

14.16

No Representations or Covenants with respect to Tax Qualification.  Although the Company may endeavor to (a) qualify an Award for favorable tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States (e.g., incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code) or (b) avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under Section 409A of the Code), the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment, anything to the contrary in this Plan, including Section 14.15 hereof, notwithstanding.  The Company shall be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on holders of Awards under the Plan.  Nothing in this Plan or in an Award Agreement shall provide a basis for any person to take any action against the Company or any Affiliate based on matters covered by Section 409A of the Code, including the tax treatment of any Awards, and neither the Company nor any Affiliate will have any liability under any circumstances to the Participant or any other party if the Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code, is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee with respect thereto.

 

14.17

Clawback/Recovery.  All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Laws.  In addition, the Committee may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions on an Award as the Committee determines necessary or appropriate in view of Applicable Laws, governance requirements or best practices, including, but not limited to, a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired Shares or other cash or property upon the occurrence of cause (as determined by the Committee).

 

14.18

Provisions for Foreign Participants.  The Committee may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States or establish sub-plans or procedures under the Plan to recognize differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.

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