-----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, Vyz4P7w+U612IfGERHSshvTy8sAFewWWVOpfCbNZiNcspXBEVHGs7gsXn8CWZB73 RzVtXcqLiAtxZihauMJIsw== 0001193125-05-100809.txt : 20050509 0001193125-05-100809.hdr.sgml : 20050509 20050509160006 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-100809 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050503 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20050509 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050509 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000356213 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990] IRS NUMBER: 953667491 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13641 FILM NUMBER: 05811762 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3800 HOWARD HUGHES PRKWY STREET 2: SUITE 1800 CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89109 BUSINESS PHONE: 702-784-7777 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3800 HOWARD HUGHES PRKWY STREET 2: SUITE 1800 CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89109 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: HOLLYWOOD PARK INC/NEW/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2005

 


 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 


 

Delaware   001-13641   95-3667491

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3800 Howard Hughes Parkway

Las Vegas, Nevada

  89109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 784-7777

 

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


 

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):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (7 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On May 3, 2005 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”), the stockholders approved the 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”). The 2005 Plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) on April 1, 2005, subject to stockholder approval, and is effective as of April 1, 2005.

 

Under the 2005 Plan, the Company may grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, other stock unit awards and dividend equivalents with respect to a maximum of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, plus certain shares subject to awards granted under specified existing plans and arrangements. Pursuant to the terms of the 2005 Plan, the Company may settle or pay certain awards in cash or equity. A description of the terms of the 2005 Plan can be found in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 4, 2005. The section of the Proxy Statement entitled “Proposal 2—Approval of 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan” is incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing summary and the summary incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the 2005 Plan filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On May 3, 2005, the Board adopted an amendment to the Restated By-laws of the Company (the “By-laws”). The Board amended Article IV of the By-laws to provide for the election of certain officers by the Board (including a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, a Secretary, General Counsel, and such other officers as the Board determines will be elected officers (“elected officers”)) and for the appointment of all other officers by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (“appointed officers”). Prior to the amendment, Article IV of the By-laws provided that all officers were elected by the Board. Appointed officers shall not be considered elected officers and, except as required by law, or as provided by the Chief Executive Officer, appointed officers shall not be considered executive officers for any purpose, officers under Section 16 of the Exchange Act of 1934 or elected officers for purposes of gaming laws. The Board amended Article VIII of the By-laws to clarify that the provision for mandatory indemnification of officers and advancement of expenses under Article VIII of the By-laws will apply to elected officers of the Company only. The amendment to the By-Laws became effective as of May 3, 2005. This description is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the By-laws, as amended, which are filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

Each of the following directors was re-elected by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting: Daniel R. Lee, John V. Giovenco, Richard J. Goeglein, Bruce A. Leslie, James L. Martineau, Michael Ornest, Timothy J. Parrott, and Lynn P. Reitnouer.

 

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders also approved and adopted an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter Amendment”), which increased the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) from 80,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares. The Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Amendment”) effecting the Charter Amendment was filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and became effective on May 6, 2005. The Certificate of Amendment is filed herewith as Exhibit 3.2, and the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, is filed as Exhibit 3.3.


The second paragraph under the caption “Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 21, 1997, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed August 10, 2001, and by the Form 8-K report filed January 26, 2004, is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

“The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 250,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Preferred Stock”).”

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (c) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description


Exhibit 3.1   Restated By-laws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended
Exhibit 3.2   Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Exhibit 3.3   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended
Exhibit 10.1   2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.


SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

    PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
   

(Registrant)

Date: May 9, 2005

 

By:

 

/s/ Stephen H. Capp


        Stephen H. Capp
        Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description


Exhibit 3.1   Restated By-laws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended
Exhibit 3.2   Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Exhibit 3.3   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended
Exhibit 10.1   2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
EX-3.1 2 dex31.htm RESTATED BY-LAWS OF PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AS AMENDED Restated By-laws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. as amended

EXHIBIT 3.1

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

RESTATED BYLAWS

 

AS OF

 

APRIL 13, 1998

 

(as Amended 3/29/99, 9/15/00, 2/16/01 and 5/3/05)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS    1

Section 1.

  

Annual Meeting

   1

Section 2.

  

Special Meetings: Notice

   3

Section 3.

  

Notice of Meetings

   3

Section 4.

  

Quorum

   3

Section 5.

  

Organization

   4

Section 6.

  

Conduct of Business

   4

Section 7.

  

Proxies and Voting

   4

Section 8.

  

Stock List

   5

Section 9.

  

Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting.

   5
ARTICLE II - BOARD OF DIRECTORS    6

Section 1.

  

Number, Election and Term of Directors

   6

Section 2.

  

Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies

   6

Section 3.

  

Regular Meetings

   7

Section 4.

  

Special Meetings

   7

Section 5.

  

Quorum

   7

Section 6.

  

Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone

   7

Section 7.

  

Conduct of Business

   7

Section 8.

  

Powers

   8

Section 9.

  

Compensation of Directors

   8

Section 10.

  

Director Emeritus.

   9
ARTICLE III - COMMITTEES    9

Section 1.

  

Committees of the Board of Directors

   9

Section 2.

  

Conduct of Business

   10

Section 3.

  

Standing Executive Committee.

   10

Section 4.

  

Audit Committee.

   11

Section 5.

  

Compensation Committee.

   12
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS    12

Section 1.

  

Generally

   12

Section 2.

  

Chairman of the Board.

   13

Section 3.

  

Vice Chairman of the Board.

   13

Section 4.

  

President.

   14

Section 5.

  

Chief Operating Officer.

   14

Section 6.

  

Vice Presidents.

   14

Section 7.

  

Treasurer.

   15

Section 8.

  

Assistant Treasurer.

   15

Section 9.

  

Secretary.

   15

 

 

- i -


          Page

Section 10.

  

Assistant Secretary.

   15

Section 11.

  

Controller.

   16

Section 12.

  

Delegation of Authority

   16

Section 13.

  

Removal

   16

Section 14.

  

Resignations.

   16

Section 15.

  

Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations

   16
ARTICLE V - STOCK    17

Section 1.

  

Certificates of Stock

   17

Section 2.

  

Transfers of Stock

   17

Section 3.

  

Record Date

   17

Section 4.

  

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

   18

Section 5.

  

Regulations

   18
ARTICLE VI - NOTICES    18

Section 1.

  

Notices

   18

Section 2.

  

Waivers

   19
ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS    19

Section 1.

  

Facsimile Signatures

   19

Section 2.

  

Corporate Seal

   19

Section 3.

  

Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records

   19

Section 4.

  

Fiscal Year

   19

Section 5.

  

Time Periods

   20
ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS    20

Section 1.

  

Right to Indemnification

   20

Section 2.

  

Right to Advancement of Expenses

   20

Section 3.

  

Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit

   21

Section 4.

  

Non-Exclusivity of Rights

   22

Section 5.

  

Insurance

   22

Section 6.

  

Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation

   22
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS    22

 

- ii -


RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”)

 

ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1. Annual Meeting.

 

(1) An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix, which date shall be within 13 months of the last annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(2) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (a) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this bylaw, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this bylaw.

 

(3) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph (2) of this bylaw, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief


description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner and (ii) the class and number of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.

 

(4) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (3) of this bylaw to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this bylaw shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(5) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposed nomination or business shall be disregarded.

 

(6) For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(7) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this bylaw, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this bylaw. Nothing in this bylaw shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

- 2 -


Section 2. Special Meetings: Notice.

 

Special meetings of the stockholders, other than those required by statute, may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board or by a majority of directors then in office pursuant to a resolution approved by the Board of Directors. Notice of every special meeting, stating the place, date, time and purpose, shall be given by mailing, postage prepaid, at least 10 but not more than 60 days before each such meeting, a copy of such notice addressed to each stockholder of the Corporation at his post office address as recorded on the books of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting.

 

Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting.

 

Section 3. Notice of Meetings.

 

Written notice of the place, date, and time of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation).

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than 30 days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, date, and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 4. Quorum.

 

At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of one-third (1/3) of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law or the rules of the principal stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed. Where a separate vote by a class or classes is required, one-third (1/3) of the outstanding shares of such class or classes, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law or the rules of the principal stock exchange upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed.

 

- 3 -


If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time.

 

Section 5. Organization.

 

Such person as the Board of Directors may have designated or, in the absence of such a person, the Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, the President of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, such person as may be designated by the Chairman of the Board or the President or, in the absence of such a person, any other officer of the Corporation or, in the absence of such a person, such person as may be chosen by the holders of one-third (1/3) of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the person acting as chairman of the meeting appoints.

 

Section 6. Conduct of Business.

 

The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seem to him or her in order. The chairman shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, date and time. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.

 

Section 7. Proxies and Voting.

 

At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this paragraph may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

All voting, including on the election of directors but excepting where otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon demand therefore by a stockholder entitled to vote or by his or her proxy, a stock vote shall be taken. Every stock vote shall be taken by ballots, each of which shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be required under the procedure established for the meeting.

 

- 4 -


The Corporation may, and to the extent required by law, shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Every vote taken by ballots shall be counted by a duly appointed inspector or inspectors.

 

All elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by law, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively.

 

Section 8. Stock List.

 

A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in his or her name, shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.

 

The stock list shall also be kept at the place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder who is present. This list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.

 

Section 9. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery

 

- 5 -


made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand or certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation, a written consent or consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

 

Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

ARTICLE II - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. Number, Election and Term of Directors.

 

The Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members. Except as required by law, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed and may be changed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee thereof pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. Directors shall be elected by the holders of record of a plurality of the votes cast at annual meetings of stockholders, and each director so elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

Section 2. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies.

 

Except as required by law, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock with respect to such series of preferred stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

- 6 -


Section 3. Regular Meetings.

 

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this bylaw, immediately following and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors. Additional regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

 

Section 4. Special Meetings.

 

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board, or by the President or by a majority of directors then in office and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they or he or she shall fix. Notice of the place, date, and time of each such special meeting shall be given each director by whom it is not waived by mailing written notice not less than four (4) days before the meeting or by hand delivery to the recipient thereof or by recognized overnight delivery service or by telephone or by telegraphing or telexing or by facsimile transmission of the same not less than 24 hours before the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

 

Section 5. Quorum.

 

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a quorum for all purposes shall consist of the greater of (i) a majority of directors then in office or (ii) one-third (l/3) of the total number of directors including vacancies. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time, without further notice or waiver thereof.

 

Section 6. Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone.

 

Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 7. Conduct of Business.

 

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order and manner as the Board may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Action may be taken by the Board of Directors

 

- 7 -


without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8. Powers.

 

The Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law, exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the unqualified power:

 

(1) To declare dividends from time to time in accordance with law;

 

(2) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or privileges on such terms as it shall determine;

 

(3) To authorize the creation, making and issuance, in such form as it may determine, of written obligations of every kind, negotiable or non-negotiable, secured or unsecured, and to do all things necessary in connection therewith;

 

(4) To remove any officer of the Corporation with or without cause, and from time to time to devolve the powers and duties of any officer upon any other person for the time being;

 

(5) To confer upon any officer of the Corporation the power to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents;

 

(6) To adopt from time to time such stock option, stock purchase, bonus or other compensation plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;

 

(7) To adopt from time to time such insurance, retirement, and other benefit plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine; and

 

(8) To adopt from time to time regulations, not inconsistent with these Bylaws, for the management of the Corporation’s business and affairs.

 

Section 9. Compensation of Directors.

 

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of the directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the

 

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Board of Directors or paid a stated salary or paid other compensation as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

 

Section 10. Director Emeritus.

 

The Board of Directors, may designate any person who has served as a director of this Corporation as Director Emeritus, upon resignation or other retirement or termination of any such director’s tenure of office. Any Director Emeritus shall be extended thereafter all of the incidental courtesies of Hollywood Turf Club usually extended to active directors, and so long as such person shall desire the same, each such person shall be known as a Director Emeritus. Such courtesies shall include the use of a director’s badge, together with the use of the Director’s Lounge and similar incidental privileges. The Director Emeritus shall not, however, be entitled to attend any meetings of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof without special invitation nor shall such Director Emeritus have any vote or voice in management other than merely as a stockholder, if he be such a stockholder. The privileges and position of a Director Emeritus hereunder shall be personal, non-transferable and shall cease entirely upon his death and may be revoked by the Board of Directors with or without cause at any time.

 

ARTICLE III - COMMITTEES

 

Section 1. Committees of the Board of Directors.

 

The Board of Directors may designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist of one (1) or more of the directors of the Corporation appointed by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board may appoint one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, or in these Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation.

 

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Section 2. Conduct of Business.

 

Each committee may determine the procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and shall act in accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Adequate provision shall be made for notice to members of all meetings; one-third (1/3) of the members shall constitute a quorum unless the committee shall consist of one (1) or two (2) members, in which event one (1) member shall constitute a quorum; and all matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. Action may be taken by any committee without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of such committee.

 

Section 3. Standing Executive Committee.

 

The Board of Directors shall appoint at least three (3) members of the Board to comprise an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have and exercise all the powers and authority of the full Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, and these Bylaws.

 

For a period of three (3) years after the effective date of the Merger, the Executive Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors will consist of six (6) members, comprised of four (4) Parent Directors (the “Parent Committee Members”) and two (2) Boomtown Directors (the “Boomtown Committee Members”); provided that if one of the initial Parent Committee Members ceases to be a member of the Executive Committee for any reason or for no reason, the Executive Committee will consist of five (5) members, comprised of three (3) Parent Committee Members and two (2) Boomtown Committee Members. The number of members of the Executive Committee shall not be greater than six (6) members (or five (5) members if one of the initial Parent Committee Members ceases to be a member of the Executive Committee) at any time during such three (3) year period without the consent of the majority of the Boomtown Committee Members. The initial Boomtown Committee Members will be Timothy J. Parrott and Richard J. Goeglein. If either Messrs. Parrott or Goeglein shall be unavailable to serve, any replacement Boomtown Committee Members shall be selected by a majority of the Boomtown Directors then on the Corporation’s Board of Directors. The initial Parent Committee Members shall be R.D. Hubbard and three (3) other Parent Directors selected by a majority of the Parent Directors then on the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Subject to the proviso set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph, if either Mr. Hubbard or one or more of such other initial Parent Committee Members shall be unavailable to serve, any replacement Parent Committee Member shall be selected by a majority of the Parent Directors then on the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Notice of meetings of the Executive Committee shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and shall be given to each member of the Executive Committee personally, by mail, courier, telephone, telecopy or telegram on not less than 24 hours’ notice.

 

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Members of the Executive Committee may participate in such meetings by means of conference telephone. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held without notice if all the members thereof are present or if all those not present waive such notice in writing whether before or after the meeting.

 

This Section 3 may not be amended for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of the Merger without the approval of a majority of Boomtown Directors then on the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

 

Section 4. Audit Committee.

 

The Corporation’s Board of Directors shall have an Audit Committee comprised of at least three (3) members, all of whom shall consist solely of non-officer directors who shall meet the standards for membership as set forth in Rule 303.00 of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Company Guide or any successor rule adopted by the NYSE with respect to such membership.

 

In addition to such other responsibilities as may be delegated to the Audit Committee from time to time, the Audit Committee shall: (i) review and approve all related party transactions between the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and any officer or director (or their affiliates) having a total value of more than $60,000 (or such higher amount as may be specified from time to time by applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as the threshold at which disclosure of such transactions is required in the Corporation’s annual report, proxy statement or other periodic filing), other than compensation arrangements, incentive plans, stock options plans or similar plans or arrangements, and transactions that are subject to approval by another committee of the Board of Directors consisting of a majority of directors who are disinterested in the subject transaction; (ii) require the Corporation’s internal audit department to review, at least annually, all such related party transactions and report thereon to the Audit Committee; (iii) report annually on all related party transactions as required by the SEC’s proxy rules and shall, at least quarterly, report on any related party transaction involving $2 Million or more, either in the Corporation’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q or in its quarterly shareholders report; (iv) recommend an independent firm of certified public accountants to conduct the audit of the Corporation’s annual financial statements, and confer with the selected firm as to the scope and procedures of its audit; (v) require the Corporation’s independent auditors, as a part of their engagement, to render to the Corporation a “Report to Management” as to the Corporation’s system of internal financial and accounting controls. The Audit Committee shall review that report and any response thereto by management. At the conclusion of the annual audit, the Audit Committee shall receive a copy of the report of the independent auditors, and review that report as well as any concerns, comments or suggestions that the auditors may provide; (vi) on at least an annual basis, review the Corporation’s internal financial and accounting controls with the Corporation’s financial and accounting officers, and report thereon to the

 

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Corporation’s Board of Directors with any recommendations for improvement or correction as the Audit Committee may determine appropriate. Thereafter, the Audit Committee shall supervise the implementation of any recommendations of the Board with respect thereto; and (vii) review, at least annually, the adequacy and competency of the Corporation’s accounting and financial staff and internal audit department.

 

The Audit Committee may retain independent experts, including legal counsel and investment counsel, at its discretion and at the Corporation’s expense.

 

Section 5. Compensation Committee.

 

The Corporation’s Board of Directors shall have a Compensation Committee comprised of at least one (1) member. In addition to such other responsibilities and authority as may be delegated to the Compensation Committee from time to time, the Compensation Committee shall have the authority to (i) assist with the administration of the Corporation’s compensation plans including recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the establishment of such plans and the terms and provisions thereof, (ii) make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the annual salaries and other compensation of the officers of the Corporation, and (iii) provide assistance and recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the compensation policies and practices of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Generally.

 

The Corporation may have elected officers and appointed officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors (“Elected Officers”) and may consist of a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, a Secretary, or a General Counsel. The Board of Directors may also elect such other officers as the Board of Directors determines to be Elected Officers. The Elected Officers of the Corporation shall be chosen annually by the Board of Directors and each shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

All other officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation (“Appointed Officers”) and shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer and shall hold such officer titles solely for purposes of identification and business convenience. Appointed Officers shall not be considered Elected Officers. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Chief Executive Officer and except as required by law, Appointed Officers shall not be considered (i) executive officers for any purpose, including, without limitation, for purposes of any indemnification to which executive officers may be entitled and any federal securities laws and regulations, (ii) officers for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or (iii) elected officers for purposes of applicable gaming laws and regulations. Appointed Officers shall have authority to obligate and bind the Corporation only with respect to the ordinary course

 

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of their business activities on behalf of the Corporation within the parameters of their authority as specified from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer or his designee.

 

Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.

 

Section 2. Chairman of the Board.

 

The Chairman of the Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. If the Chairman of the Board is unable or declines to act as Chief Executive Officer, then the Vice Chairman of the Board shall be Chief Executive Officer. If there is more than one Vice Chairman of the Board appointed, then the Vice Chairman with the longest continuous service on the Board shall assume the duties of Chief Executive Officer in the absence of the Chairman of the Board. If both the Chairman of the Board and any Vice Chairman of the Board are unable or decline to act as Chief Executive Officer, then the President shall become the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation and shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall see that orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. He may sign bonds, mortgages, certificates for shares and all other contracts and documents whether or not under the seal of the Corporation except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by law, by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. He shall have general powers of supervision and shall be the final arbiter of all differences between officers of the Corporation and his decision as to any matter affecting the Corporation shall be final and binding between the officers of the Corporation subject only to actions of the Board of Directors. He may also delegate such of his duties to the Vice Chairman of the Board or the President or such other officers as the Chairman of the Board from time to time deems appropriate.

 

Section 3. Vice Chairman of the Board.

 

The Board of Directors may appoint one or more Vice Chairman of the Board any of whom shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. If more than one Vice Chairman is appointed the Vice Chairman shall assume the duties of the Chairman of the Board in order of their continuous service on this Board with the person having the longest continuous service being the first to act. The Vice Chairman shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors shall prescribe.

 

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Section 4. President.

 

In the absence of any Chief Executive Officer as the succession to that position is prescribed in these Bylaws or in the event of the inability or refusal of any such Chief Executive Officer to act, the President shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer. He shall, at all times, have concurrent power with the Chief Executive Officer to sign bonds, mortgages, certificates for shares and other contracts and documents whether or not under the seal of the Corporation except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by law, by the Board of Directors, or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. The President shall also perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

Section 5. Chief Operating Officer.

 

The Chief Operating Officer shall be an employee of this Corporation and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Chief Operating Officer may, but need not be, a member of the Board of Directors, but in either event, shall be reportable to and act under the direction of the Chairman of the Board and Board of Directors. The Chief Operating Officer shall supervise the daily operations and affairs of the Corporation under the direction of the Chairman of the Board or such other persons as the Chairman of the Board may appoint from time to time for that purpose and shall, within the limits specified in this Section, control all of this corporation’s racing activities, supervise its employees and personnel, administer this Corporation’s operating policies, and make such daily operating decisions as are reasonably necessary for effective management. The Chief Operating Officer shall have no authority to sign bonds, mortgages, certificates for shares or other documents or to obligate this Corporation for any sum in excess of $25,000.00 except as shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws. The Chief Operating Officer shall make such reports to the Board of Directors and to the Chairman of the Board as may be directed by those entities and shall make a detailed report to the Chairman of the Board and to the Board of Directors on the results of racing operations and on the financial affairs of this Corporation no less frequently than monthly.

 

Section 6. Vice Presidents.

 

In the absence of the President or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice President, if one has been elected by the Board, (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Executive Vice President or in the event there is no Executive Vice President, the Vice President with the longest continuous service on the Board of Directors of this Corporation) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the power of and be subject to all the restrictions

 

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upon the President. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

 

Section 7. Treasurer.

 

The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chairman of the Board and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.

 

Section 8. Assistant Treasurer.

 

The Assistant Treasurer shall, in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe or perform such duties of the Treasurer as the Treasurer of this Corporation may delegate from time to time.

 

Section 9. Secretary.

 

The Secretary (or Assistant Secretary if appropriately delegated) shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the Board of Directors in a book for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committee when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. He shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation, and he, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or such Assistant Secretary. The Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.

 

Section 10. Assistant Secretary.

 

The Assistant Secretary shall, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the

 

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Secretary and shall perform such other duties as the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors, or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe.

 

Section 11. Controller.

 

The Controller shall keep or cause to be kept correct records of the business and transactions of the Corporation and shall, upon request, at all reasonable times exhibit or cause to be exhibited such records to any of the directors of the Corporation at the place where such records are maintained. He shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors.

 

Section 12. Delegation of Authority.

 

The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

Section 13. Removal.

 

Any officer of the Corporation may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 14. Resignations.

 

Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board or the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, then it shall take effect immediately upon its receipt by the Board or the Chairman of the Board or Secretary; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 15. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations.

 

Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the Chairman of the Board or the President shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders of or with respect to any action of stockholders of any other corporation in which this Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

 

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ARTICLE V - STOCK

 

Section 1. Certificates of Stock.

 

Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be by facsimile.

 

Section 2. Transfers of Stock.

 

Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation. Except where a certificate is issued in accordance with Section 4 of this Article V, an outstanding certificate for the number of shares involved shall be surrendered for cancellation before a new certificate is issued therefor.

 

Section 3. Record Date.

 

(1) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law, fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of any meeting of stockholders, nor more than 60 days prior to the time for such other action as hereinbefore described; provided, however, that if no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held, and, for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise any rights of change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

(2) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may

 

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fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within 10 days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within 10 days of the date on which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in the manner prescribed by Article I, Section 9 of these Bylaws. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.

 

In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to such regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of such loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of indemnity.

 

Section 5. Regulations.

 

The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

 

ARTICLE VI - NOTICES

 

Section 1. Notices.

 

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mails, postage paid, recognized overnight delivery service or by sending such notice by facsimile, receipt acknowledged, or by prepaid telegram or mailgram. Any such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. The time when such notice is received, if hand delivered, or transmitted or dispatched, if delivered

 

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through the mails or by facsimile, telegram or mailgram, shall be the time of the giving of the notice.

 

Section 2. Waivers.

 

A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the sole purpose of objecting to the timeliness of notice.

 

ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1. Facsimile Signatures.

 

In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

 

Section 2. Corporate Seal.

 

The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

 

Section 3. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records.

 

Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director, committee member, or officer reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

Section 4. Fiscal Year.

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 5. Time Periods.

 

In applying any provision of these Bylaws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.

 

ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Right to Indemnification.

 

The provision in this ARTICLE VIII that an “officer” shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation is intended to mean an “Elected Officer.” Accordingly, the term “officer” in ARTICLE VIII shall mean “Elected Officer” as such term is defined in ARTICLE IV, Section 1 of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is an alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article VIII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

Section 2. Right to Advancement of Expenses.

 

The right to indemnification conferred in Section 1 of this Article VIII shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition

 

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(hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Section 3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit.

 

If a claim under Section 1 or 2 of this Article VIII is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of

 

- 21 -


proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

Section 4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

 

The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, any agreement, or by vote of the Corporation’s stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

Section 5. Insurance.

 

The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

Section 6. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation.

 

The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend and repeal these Bylaws subject to the power of the holders of capital stock of the Corporation to alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws; provided, however, that, with respect to the powers of holders of capital stock to make, alter, amend and repeal Bylaws of the Corporation, notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law, these Bylaws or any preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 K% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to make, alter, amend or repeal any provision of these Bylaws.

 

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EX-3.2 3 dex32.htm CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation

EXHIBIT 3.2

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

 

1. That the first paragraph of ARTICLE IV of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is amended to read in full as follows:

 

“The amount of the total authorized capital stock of the corporation is 100,250,000 shares which are divided into two classes as follows:

 

250,000 shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $1.00 per share; and

 

100,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $0.10 per share.”

 

2. The foregoing amendment to the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law by approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and by the holders representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, with all such outstanding capital stock voting as a single class and entitled to vote thereon.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by its duly authorized officer this 5th of May, 2005.

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ John A. Godfrey


   

John A. Godfrey, Executive Vice

   

President and Secretary

EX-3.3 4 dex33.htm RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AS AMENDED Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. as amended

EXHIBIT 3.3

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

 

1. That the first paragraph of ARTICLE IV of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is amended to read in full as follows:

 

“The amount of the total authorized capital stock of the corporation is 100,250,000 shares which are divided into two classes as follows:

 

250,000 shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $1.00 per share; and

 

100,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $0.10 per share.”

 

2. The foregoing amendment to the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law by approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and by the holders representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, with all such outstanding capital stock voting as a single class and entitled to vote thereon.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by its duly authorized officer this 5th of May, 2005.

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ John A. Godfrey


   

John A. Godfrey, Executive Vice

President and Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

 

1. That the first paragraph of ARTICLE IV of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is amended to read in full as follows:

 

“The amount of the total authorized capital stock of the corporation is 80,250,000 shares which are divided into two classes as follows:

 

250,000 shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $1.00 per share; and

 

80,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $0.10 per share.”

 

2. The foregoing amendment to the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law by approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and by the holders representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, with all such outstanding capital stock voting as a single class and entitled to vote thereon.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by its duly authorized officer this 3rd of June, 2003.

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ John A. Godfrey


   

John A. Godfrey, Senior Vice President

and Secretary


RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

a Delaware corporation

 

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

1.    The present name of this corporation is Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”). The Company was originally incorporated under the name Hollywood Park Realty Enterprises, Inc., and its original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 26, 1981.

 

2.    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with Section 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law by the Board of Directors of the Company without a vote of the stockholders of the Company.

 

3.    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company attached hereto as Exhibit A only restates and integrates, but does not further amend, all of the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation as theretofore amended or supplemented and currently in effect, and there is no discrepancy between the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company currently in effect and the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

4.    The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation is hereby restated in its entirety to read as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be duly executed by the undersigned officer of the Company this 12th day of August, 2002.

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Bruce C. Hinckley


   

Bruce C. Hinckley, Senior Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit A

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of the corporation is: Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 30 Old Rudnick Lane, in the City of Dover, County of Kent. The name of its registered agent is CorpAmerica, Inc.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The nature of the business to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

The amount of the total authorized capital stock of the corporation is 40,250,000 shares which are divided into two classes as follows:

 

250,000 shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $1.00 per share; and

 

40,000,000 shares of Common Stock having a par value of $0.10 per share.

 

The designations, voting powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the above classes of stock are as follows:

 

  A. Preferred Stock.

 

The Board of Directors is expressly authorized, from time to time, (1) to fix the number of shares of one or more series of Preferred Stock; (2) to determine the designation of any such series; (3) to determine or alter, without limitation or restriction, the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock; and (4) within the limits or restrictions stated in any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of shares constituting any series, to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) the number of shares of any such series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series.

 

  B. Common Stock.

 

(i) Subject to the preferential rights of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, to the extent permitted by law, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.


(ii) In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amount to be distributed to the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock, holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively. A consolidation, merger or reorganization of the corporation with any other corporation or corporations, or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation, shall not be considered a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the corporation within the meaning of these provisions.

 

(iii) Except as may be otherwise required by law, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder to one vote in respect of each matter voted by the stockholders.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Any and all right, title, interest and claim in or to any dividends declared by the corporation, whether in cash, stock, or otherwise, which are unclaimed by the stockholder entitled thereto for a period of six years after the close of business on the payment date, shall be and is deemed to be extinguished and abandoned; and such unclaimed dividends in the possession of the corporation, its transfer agents or other agents or depositories shall at such time become the absolute property of the corporation, free and clear of any and all claims of any persons whatsoever.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the power conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the corporation.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made,

 

- 2 -


be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the corporation, as the case may be, and also on the corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The corporation shall indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the by-laws of the corporation so provide.

 

ARTICLE X

 

The corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

[ARTICLE XI has been intentionally omitted]

 

ARTICLE XII

 

No director of the corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty by such director for corporate actions as a director; provided, however, that this Article XII shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director to the extent provided by applicable law (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to repeal this Article XII shall apply to, or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

A. Definitions. For purposes of this Article XIII, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

 

1. “Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

2. “Affiliated Companies” shall mean those companies directly or indirectly affiliated or under common Ownership or Control with the corporation, including,

 

- 3 -


without limitation, subsidiaries, holding companies and intermediary companies (as those and similar terms are defined in the Gaming Laws of the applicable Gaming Jurisdictions) that are registered or licensed under applicable Gaming Laws.

 

3. “Gaming” or “Gaming Activities” shall mean the conduct of gaming and gambling activities, or the use of gaming devices, equipment and supplies in the operation of a casino, card club or other enterprise, including, without limitation, slot machines, gaming tables, cards, dice, gaming chips, player tracking systems, cashless wagering systems and related and associated equipment and supplies.

 

4. “Gaming Authorities” shall mean all international, foreign, federal, state and local regulatory and licensing bodies and agencies with authority over Gaming within any Gaming Jurisdiction.

 

5. “Gaming Jurisdictions” shall mean all jurisdictions, domestic and foreign, and their political subdivisions, in which Gaming Activities are lawfully conducted.

 

6. “Gaming Laws” shall mean all laws, statutes and ordinances pursuant to which any Gaming Authority possesses regulatory and licensing authority over Gaming within any Gaming Jurisdiction, and all rules and regulations promulgated by such Gaming Authority thereunder.

 

7. “Gaming Licenses” shall mean all licenses, permits, approvals, authorizations, registrations, findings of suitability, franchises and entitlements issued by a Gaming Authority necessary for or relating to the conduct of Gaming Activities.

 

8. “Ownership or Control” (and derivatives thereof) shall mean (i) ownership of record, (ii) ”beneficial ownership” as defined in Rule 13d-3 or Rule 16a-1(a)(2) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, (iii) the power to direct and manage, by agreement, contract, agency or other manner, the voting or management rights or disposition of securities of the corporation, and/or (iv) definitions of ownership or control under applicable Gaming Laws.

 

9. “Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust or any other entity.

 

10. “Redemption Date” shall mean the date by which the securities Owned or Controlled by an Unsuitable Person are to be redeemed by the corporation.

 

11. “Redemption Notice” shall mean that notice of redemption served by the corporation on an Unsuitable Person if a Gaming Authority requires the corporation, or the corporation deems it necessary or advisable, to redeem such Unsuitable Person’s securities. Each Redemption Notice shall set forth (i) the Redemption Date; (ii) the number of shares of securities to be redeemed; (iii) the Redemption Price and the manner of payment therefor; (iv) the place where certificates for such shares shall be surrendered for payment; and (v) any other requirements of surrender of the certificates, including how they are to be endorsed, if at all.

 

- 4 -


12. “Redemption Price” shall mean the per share price for the redemption of any securities to be redeemed pursuant to this Article XIII, which shall be that price (if any) required to be paid by the Gaming Authority making the finding of unsuitability, or if such Gaming Authority does not require a certain price per share to be paid, that sum deemed reasonable by the corporation (which may include, in the corporation’s discretion, the original purchase price per share of the securities); provided, however, the Redemption Price, unless the Gaming Authority requires otherwise, shall in no event exceed (i) the closing sales price of the securities on the national securities exchange on which such shares are then listed on the date the notice of redemption is delivered to the Unsuitable Person by the corporation, or (ii) if such shares are not then listed for trading on any national securities exchange, then the closing sales price of such shares as quoted in the NASDAQ National Market System, or (iii) if the shares are not then so quoted, then the mean between the representative bid and the ask price as quoted by NASDAQ or another generally recognized reporting system. The Redemption Price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable Gaming Authority and, if not so required, as the corporation elects.

 

13. “Unsuitable Person” shall mean a Person who Owns or Controls any securities of the corporation or any securities of or interest in any Affiliated Company (i) that is determined by a Gaming Authority to be unsuitable to Own or Control such securities or unsuitable to be connected with a Person engaged in Gaming Activities in that Gaming Jurisdiction, or (ii) who causes the corporation or any Affiliated Company to lose or to be threatened with the loss of, or who, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of the corporation, is deemed likely to jeopardize the corporation’s right to the use of or entitlement to, any Gaming License.

 

B. Compliance with Gaming Laws. The corporation, all Persons Owning or Controlling securities of the corporation and any Affiliated Companies, and each director and officer of the corporation and any Affiliated Companies shall comply with all requirements of the Gaming Laws in each Gaming Jurisdiction in which the corporation or any Affiliated Companies conduct Gaming Activities. All securities of the corporation shall be held subject to the requirements of such Gaming Laws, including any requirement that (i) the holder file applications for Gaming Licenses with, or provide information to, applicable Gaming Authorities, or (ii) that any transfer of such securities may be subject to prior approval by Gaming Authorities, and any transfer of securities of the corporation in violation of any such approval requirement shall not be permitted and the purported transfer shall be void ab initio.

 

C. Finding of Unsuitability.

 

1. The securities of the corporation Owned or Controlled by an Unsuitable Person or an Affiliate of an Unsuitable Person shall be redeemable by the corporation, out of funds legally available therefor, by appropriate action of the Board of Directors, to the extent required by the Gaming Authority making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the corporation. If a Gaming Authority requires the corporation, or the corporation deems it necessary or advisable, to redeem such securities, the corporation shall serve a Redemption Notice on the Unsuitable Person or its Affiliate and shall purchase the securities on the Redemption Date and for the

 

- 5 -


Redemption Price set forth in the Redemption Notice. From and after the Redemption Date, such securities shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the Unsuitable Person or any Affiliate of the Unsuitable Person therein, other than the right to receive the Redemption Price, shall cease. The Unsuitable Person shall surrender the certificates for any securities to be redeemed in accordance with the requirements of the Redemption Notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the corporation and Hollywood Park Operating Company are a paired stock real estate investment trust and operating company, the corporation may, in its sole discretion, convert any securities that are redeemable pursuant to this Section (C)(1) into shares of Excess Stock effective upon written notice to the Unsuitable Person or its Affiliate, and such shares of Excess Stock shall be transferred to a Trust for sale to a Permitted Transferee (as such terms are defined in Article IV) in accordance with Sections (D)(4) through (9) of Article IV.

 

2. Commencing on the date that a Gaming Authority serves notice of a determination of unsuitability or the loss or threatened loss of a Gaming License upon the corporation, and until the securities Owned or Controlled by the Unsuitable Person or the Affiliate of an Unsuitable Person are Owned or Controlled by Persons found by such Gaming Authority to be suitable to own them, it shall be unlawful for the Unsuitable Person or any Affiliate of an Unsuitable Person (i) to receive any dividend, payment, distribution or interest with regard to the securities; (ii) to exercise, directly or indirectly or through any proxy, trustee, or nominee, any voting or other right conferred by such securities, and such securities shall not for any purposes be included in the securities of the corporation entitled to vote, or (iii) to receive any remuneration in any form from the corporation or an Affiliated Company for services rendered or otherwise.

 

D. Issuance and Transfer of Securities. The corporation shall not issue or transfer any securities or any interest, claim or charge thereon or thereto except in accordance with applicable Gaming Laws. The issuance or transfer of any securities in violation thereof shall be ineffective until (i) the corporation shall cease to be subject to the jurisdiction of the applicable Gaming Authorities, or (ii) the applicable Gaming Authorities shall, by affirmative action, validate said issuance or transfer or waive any defect in said issuance or transfer.

 

E. Indenture Restrictions. The corporation shall cause to be placed in every indenture or other operative document relating to publicly traded securities (other than capital stock) of the corporation a provision requiring that any Person or Affiliate of a Person who holds the indebtedness represented by that indenture and is found to be unsuitable to hold such interest shall have the interest redeemed or shall dispose of the interest in the corporation in the manner set forth in the indenture or other document.

 

F. Notices. All notices given by the corporation pursuant to this Article XIII, including Redemption Notices, shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered by personal service or telegram, facsimile, overnight courier or first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Person’s address as shown on the corporation’s books and records.

 

G. Indemnification. Any Unsuitable Person and any Affiliate of an Unsuitable Person shall indemnify the corporation and its Affiliated Companies for any and all costs, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by the corporation and its Affiliated Companies as a result

 

- 6 -


of such Unsuitable Person’s or Affiliate’s continuing Ownership or Control or failure to promptly divest itself of any securities in the corporation.

 

H. Fiduciary Obligations; Contractual Arrangements; Etc. Nothing contained in this Article XIII shall be construed (i) to relieve any Unsuitable Person (or Affiliate of such Person) from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law, (ii) to prohibit or affect any contractual arrangement which the corporation may make from time to time with any holder of securities of the corporation to purchase all or any part of shares of capital stock or other securities held by them, or (iii) to be in derogation of any action, past or future, which has been or may be taken by the Board of Directors or any holder of securities with respect to the subject matter of this Article XIII.

 

I. Injunctive Relief. The corporation is entitled to injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this Article XIII and each holder of the securities of the corporation shall be deemed to have acknowledged, by acquiring the securities of the corporation, that the failure to comply with this Article XIII will expose the corporation to irreparable injury for which there is no adequate remedy at law and that the corporation is entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of this Article XIII.

 

J. Legend. The restrictions set forth in this Article XIII shall be noted conspicuously on any certificate representing securities of the corporation in accordance with the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law and applicable Gaming Laws.

 

- 7 -

EX-10.1 5 dex101.htm 2005 EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN OF PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

Exhibit 10.1

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

2005 EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), hereby establishes and adopts the following 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Certain capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Article 2.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to encourage high levels of performance by those individuals who are key to the success of the Company, to attract new individuals who are highly motivated and who are expected to contribute to the success of the Company and to encourage such individuals to remain as directors, employees, consultants and/or advisors of the Company and its Affiliates by increasing their proprietary interest in the Company’s growth and success; and

 

WHEREAS, to attain these ends, the Company has formulated the Plan embodied herein to authorize the granting of Awards to Participants whose judgment, initiative and efforts are or have been or are expected to be responsible for the success of the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company hereby constitutes, establishes and adopts the following Plan and agrees to the following provisions:

 

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

 

1.1 Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company and its Affiliates in attracting and retaining selected individuals to serve as directors, employees, consultants and/or advisors of the Company who are expected to contribute to the Company’s success and to achieve long-term objectives which will inure to the benefit of all stockholders of the Company through the additional incentives inherent in the Awards hereunder.

 

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

 

2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean (i) any person or entity that directly, or through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company (including any Parent or Subsidiary) or (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Committee.

 

2.2 “Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of and issuance of securities under stock incentive plans, including, without limitation, the requirements of state corporations law, federal and state securities law, federal and state tax law, and the requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted. For all purposes of this Plan, references to statutes and regulations shall be deemed to include any successor statutes and regulations, to the extent reasonably appropriate as determined by the Committee.

 

2.3 “Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock Unit Award or any other right, interest or option relating to Shares or other property (including cash) granted pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

 

2.4 “Award Agreement” shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted by the Committee hereunder.


2.5 “Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

 

2.6 “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in a Participant’s employment or consulting agreement with the Company (if any), or if not defined therein, shall mean (i) acts or omissions by the Participant which constitute intentional material misconduct or a knowing violation of a material policy of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) the Participant personally receiving a benefit in money, property or services from the Company or any of its subsidiaries or from another person dealing with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in material violation of applicable law or Company policy, (iii) an act of fraud, conversion, misappropriation, or embezzlement by the Participant or his conviction of, or entering a guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a felony, or the equivalent thereof (other than DUI), or (iv) any deliberate and material misuse or improper disclosure of confidential or proprietary information of the Company.

 

2.7 “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i) The direct or indirect acquisition by an unrelated “Person” or “Group” of “Beneficial Ownership” (as such terms are defined below) of more than 50% of the voting power of the Company’s issued and outstanding voting securities in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

 

(ii) The direct or indirect sale or transfer by the Company of substantially all of its assets to one or more unrelated Persons or Groups in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

 

(iii) The merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity in which the Beneficial Owners of more than 50% of the voting power of the Company’s issued and outstanding voting securities immediately before such merger or consolidation do not own more than 50% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the surviving corporation or other entity immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization; or

 

(iv) During any consecutive two-year period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of the Company (together with any new Directors whose election to such Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the Directors of the Company then still in office who were either Directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of the Company then in office.

 

None of the foregoing events, however, shall constitute a Change of Control if such event is not a “Change in Control Event” under IRS Notice 2005-1 or successor IRS guidance. For purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred, the following Persons and Groups shall not be deemed to be “unrelated”: (A) such Person or Group directly or indirectly has Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting power of the Company’s voting securities immediately before the transaction in question, (B) the Company has Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such Person or Group, or (C) more than 50% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding voting securities of such Person or Group are owned, directly or indirectly, by Beneficial Owners of more than 50% of the issued and outstanding voting power of the Company’s voting securities immediately before the transaction in question. The terms “Person,” “Group,” “Beneficial Owner,” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings used in the Exchange Act.

 

2.8 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

 

2.9 “Committee” shall mean the Committee constituted under Section 4.2 to administer this Plan.

 

2.10 “Company” has the meaning set forth in introductory paragraph of the Plan.

 

2.11 “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who (i) is a natural person, (ii) provides bona fide services to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary, and (iii) provides services that are not in connection with

 

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the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and that do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the securities of the Company; provided that the term ‘Consultant’ does not include (i) Employees or (ii) Directors who are paid only a director’s fee by the Company or who are not compensated by the Company for their services as Directors.

 

2.12 “Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant” means that the employment, director or consulting relationship is not interrupted or terminated by the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, or by the Employee, Director or Consultant. Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant will not be considered interrupted in the case of: (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board, including sick leave, military leave, or any other personal leave, provided, that for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any such leave may not exceed 90 days, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract (including certain Company policies) or statute; (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, its Subsidiaries or its successor; or (iii) in the case of an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option, the ceasing of a person to be an Employee while such person remains a Director or Consultant, the ceasing of a person to be a Director while such person remains an Employee or Consultant or the ceasing of a person to be a Consultant while such person remains an Employee or Director.

 

2.13 “Covered Employee” shall mean a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.

 

2.14 “Director” shall mean a non-employee member of the Board or a non-employee member of the board of directors of a Parent or Subsidiary.

 

2.15 “Disability” shall mean total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

2.16 “Dividend Equivalents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.5.

 

2.17 “Employee” shall mean any employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

 

2.18 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2.19 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to any property other than Shares, the market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. The Fair Market Value of Shares as of any date shall be determined as follows:

 

(i) If the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation, the National Market System of NASDAQ, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be (i) the closing sales price for such Shares (or the closing bid, if no sales are reported) as quoted on that system or exchange (or the system or exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Shares) on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination or (ii) any sales price for such Shares (or the closing bid, if no sales are reported) as quoted on that system or exchange (or the system or exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Shares) on the day of determination, as the Committee may select, in each case as reported in the Wall Street Journal or any other source the Committee considers reliable.

 

(ii) If the Shares are quoted on the NASDAQ System (but not on the NASDAQ National Market System) or are regularly quoted by recognized securities dealers but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Shares on (i) the last market trading day prior to the day of determination or (ii) the day of determination, as the Committee may select, in each case as reported in the Wall Street Journal or any other source the Committee considers reliable.

 

(iii) If the Shares are not traded as set forth above, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Committee with reference to the earnings history, book value and prospects of the Company in light

 

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of market conditions generally, and any other factors the Committee considers appropriate, such determination by the Committee to be final, conclusive and binding.

 

2.20 “Family Member” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.

 

2.21 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

2.22 “Individual Arrangements” means the Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement dated as of January 11, 2003 by and between the Company and Stephen H. Capp, and the Nonqualified Stock Option Agreements dated as of April 10, 2002 by and between the Company and Daniel R. Lee.

 

2.23 “Limitations” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

 

2.24 “Option” shall mean any right granted to a Participant under the Plan allowing such Participant to purchase Shares at such price or prices and during such period or periods as the Committee shall determine.

 

2.25 “Other Stock Unit Award” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

 

2.26 “Parent” means a “parent corporation” with respect to the Company, whether now or later existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

2.27 “Participant” shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.

 

2.28 “Payee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

 

2.29 “Performance Award” shall mean any Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted pursuant to Article 9.

 

2.30 “Performance Period” shall mean that period established by the Committee at the time any Performance Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any performance goals specified by the Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.

 

2.31 “Performance Share” shall mean any grant pursuant to Article 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated number of Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.

 

2.32 “Performance Unit” shall mean any grant pursuant to Article 9 of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of property (including cash) other than Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such performance goals during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish at the time of such grant or thereafter.

 

2.33 “Prior Plans” shall mean, collectively, the Company’s 1993, 1996, 2001 and 2002 Option Plans, as amended.

 

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2.34 “Restricted Stock” shall mean any Share issued with the restriction that the holder may not sell, transfer, pledge or assign such Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may impose (including any restriction on the right to vote such Share and the right to receive any dividends), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate.

 

2.35 “Restricted Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

2.36 “Restricted Stock Award” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 

2.37 “Shares” shall mean the shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.10 per share.

 

2.38 “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 6.

 

2.39 “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of the granting of the Award, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

 

2.40 “Substitute Awards” shall mean Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.

 

ARTICLE III

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

3.1 Number of Shares.

 

(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2, a total of 3,000,000 Shares shall be authorized for grant under the Plan, plus any Shares subject to awards granted under the Prior Plans and Individual Arrangements, which such awards are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without issuance of Shares, or are settled for cash or otherwise do not result in the issuance of Shares, on or after the effective date of this Plan. Any Shares that are subject to Awards of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one Share for every one Share granted. Any Shares that are subject to Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (including, but not limited to, Shares delivered in satisfaction of Dividend Equivalents) shall be counted against this limit as 1.4 Shares for every one Share granted.

 

(b) If any Shares subject to an Award or to an award under the Prior Plans or Individual Arrangements are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without issuance of such Shares, or any Award or award under the Prior Plans or Individual Arrangements is settled for cash or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all or a portion of the Shares subject to such Award, the Shares shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, termination, cash settlement or non-issuance, again be available for Awards under the Plan, subject to Section 3.1(e) below.

 

(c) In the event that (i) any Option or other Award granted under this Plan or any option or award granted under the Prior Plans or Individual Arrangements is exercised through the tendering of Shares (either actually, by attestation, or by the giving of instructions to a broker to remit to the Company that portion of the sales price required to pay the exercise price) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, or (ii) withholding tax liabilities arising from such Options or Awards under this Plan or options or awards under a Prior Plan or an Individual Arrangement are satisfied by the tendering of Shares (either actually, by attestation, or by the giving of instructions to a broker to remit to the Company that portion of the sales price required to pay the exercise price) or by the withholding of Shares by the Company, then the Shares so tendered or withheld shall not again be available for Awards under the Plan.

 

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(d) Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in any calendar year. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary, or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines, has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by shareholders 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 adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were employees, directors or consultants of such acquired or combined company before such acquisition or combination.

 

(e) Any Shares that again become available for grant pursuant to this Article 3 shall be added back as one Share if such Shares were subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan or options or stock appreciation rights granted under the Prior Plans or Individual Arrangements, and as 1.4 Shares if such Shares were subject to Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan.

 

3.2 Limitations on Grants to Individual Participant. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2, no Participant may be granted (i) Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any 12-month period with respect to more than 1,500,000 Shares, or (ii) Restricted Stock, Performance Awards and/or Other Stock Unit Awards that are denominated in Shares in any 12-month period with respect to more than 750,000 Shares (the “Limitations”). In addition to the foregoing, the maximum dollar value payable to any Participant in any 12-month period with respect to Performance Awards and/or Other Stock Unit Awards that are valued with reference to cash or property other than Shares is $2,500,000. If an Award is cancelled, the cancelled Award shall continue to be counted toward the applicable Limitations.

 

3.3 Character of Shares. Any Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased in the open market or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE IV

ELIGIBILITY AND ADMINISTRATION

 

4.1 Eligibility. Any Employee, Director or Consultant shall be eligible to be selected as a Participant. Only Employees may receive awards of Incentive Stock Options.

 

4.2 Administration.

 

(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, constituted as follows:

 

(i) The Committee will consist of the Board, or a committee designated by the Board, which Committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. Once appointed, a Committee will serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. The Board may increase the size of the Committee and appoint additional members, remove members (with or without cause) and substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Board expressly resolves to the contrary, while the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan will be administered only by the Compensation Committee of the Board (or such other committee designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board), consisting of no fewer than two Directors, each of whom is (A) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule) of the Exchange Act, (B) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section

 

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162(m)(4)(C)(i) of the Code, and (C) an “independent director” for purpose of the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange or other exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are principally traded; provided, however, the failure of the Committee to be composed solely of individuals who are “non-employee directors,” “outside directors,” and “independent directors” shall not render ineffective or void any awards or grants made by, or other actions taken by, such Committee.

 

(ii) The Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to Directors, officers who are not Directors, and Employees and Consultants who are neither Directors nor officers, and Covered Employees.

 

(b) The Committee shall have full discretion, power and authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan and subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as may from time to time be adopted by the Board, to: (i) select the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, to be granted to each Participant hereunder; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; (iv) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder and the form and content of any Award Agreement; (v) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled in cash, Shares or other property, subject to the provisions of the Plan; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any Award shall be modified, amended, canceled or suspended; (vii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement entered into under or in connection with the Plan, including any Award Agreement; (viii) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent that the Committee shall deem desirable to carry it into effect; (ix) establish such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (x) determine whether any Award will have Dividend Equivalents; (xi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, or other property payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant; provided that the Committee shall take no action that would subject the Participant to a penalty tax under Section 409A of the Code; and (xii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for administration of the Plan.

 

(c) Decisions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons or entities, including the Company, any Participant, any stockholder and any Employee or any Affiliate. A majority of the members of the Committee may determine its actions and fix the time and place of its meetings.

 

(d) The Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more Directors of the Company or, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, to one or more officers or a committee of officers, the authority to grant Awards to Employees and officers of the Company who are not Directors, Covered Employees, or “officers,” as such term is defined by Rule 16a-l(f) of the Exchange Act, and to cancel or suspend Awards to Employees and officers of the Company who are not Directors, Covered Employees, or “officers,” as such term is defined by Rule 16a-l(f) of the Exchange Act.

 

ARTICLE V

OPTIONS

 

5.1 Grant of Options. Options may be granted hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Any Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Article 5 and to such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable.

 

5.2 Award Agreements. All Options granted pursuant to this Article 5 shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement in such form and containing such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine which are

 

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not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. Granting of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall impose no obligation on the recipient to exercise such Option. Any individual who is granted an Option pursuant to this Article 5 may hold more than one Option granted pursuant to the Plan at the same time.

 

5.3 Option Price. Other than in connection with Substitute Awards, the option price per each Share purchasable under any Option granted pursuant to this Article 5 shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Share on the date of grant of such Option. Other than pursuant to Section 12.2, the Committee shall not be permitted to (a) lower the option price per Share of an Option after it is granted, (b) cancel an Option when the option price per Share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares in exchange for another Award (other than in connection with Substitute Awards), and (c) take any other action with respect to an Option that may be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange or other exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are principally traded.

 

5.4 Option Period. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date the Option is granted.

 

5.5 Exercise of Options. Vested Options granted under the Plan shall be exercised by the Participant (or by the Participant’s executors, administrators, guardian, beneficiary, or legal representative, or Family Members, as may be provided in an Award Agreement) as to all or part of the Shares covered thereby, by the giving of written notice of exercise to the Company or its designated agent, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased, accompanied by payment of the full purchase price for the Shares being purchased. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, full payment of such purchase price shall be made at the time of exercise and shall be made (a) in cash or by certified check or bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds, (b) with the consent of the Committee, by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation, valued at their then Fair Market Value) that have been owned for a period of at least six months (or such other period to avoid accounting charges against the Company’s earnings), (c) with the consent of the Committee, by delivery of other consideration (including, where permitted by law and the Committee, other Awards) having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the total purchase price, (d) with the consent of the Committee, by withholding Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option, (e) with the consent of the Committee, by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with any other documentation as the Committee and the Participant’s broker, if applicable, require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or other proceeds (as permitted by Applicable Law) required to pay the exercise price, (f) through any other method specified in an Award Agreement, or (g) any combination of any of the foregoing. In connection with a tender of previously acquired Shares pursuant to clause (b) above, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit the Participant to constructively exchange Shares already owned by the Participant in lieu of actually tendering such Shares to the Company, provided that adequate documentation concerning the ownership of the Shares to be constructively tendered is furnished in form satisfactory to the Committee. The notice of exercise, accompanied by such payment, shall be delivered to the Company at its principal business office or such other office as the Committee may from time to time direct, and shall be in such form, containing such further provisions consistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee may from time to time prescribe. In no event may any Option granted hereunder be exercised for a fraction of a Share. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such issuance.

 

5.6 Form of Settlement. In its sole discretion, the Committee may provide, at the time of grant, that the Shares to be issued upon an Option’s exercise shall be in the form of Restricted Stock or other similar securities, or may reserve the right so to provide after the time of grant.

 

5.7 Incentive Stock Options. With respect to the Options that may be granted by the Committee under the Plan, the Committee may grant Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options to any Employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, subject to the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Award Agreement of an Option intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option shall designate the Option as an Incentive Stock Option Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary and solely for the purposes of determining whether Shares are available for the grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan, the maximum

 

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aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall be 3,000,000 Shares. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.3, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent of the voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.4, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent of the voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five years from the date of grant or any shorter term specified in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Shares subject to an Employee’s Incentive Stock Options (granted under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary), which become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year, have a Fair Market Value in excess of $100,000, the Options accounting for this excess will be not be treated as Incentive Stock Options. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time of grant.

 

5.8 Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship or Directorship. If a Participant holds exercisable Options on the date his or her Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates (other than because of termination due to Cause, death or Disability), the Participant may exercise the Options that were vested and exercisable as of the date of termination until the end of the original term or for a period of 90 days following such termination, whichever is earlier (or such other period as is set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee). If the Participant is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option at the date of such termination, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option will revert to the Plan, unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee. The Committee may determine in its sole discretion that such unexercisable portion of the Option will become exercisable at such times and on such terms as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion. If the Participant does not exercise an Option within the time specified above after termination, that Option will expire, and the Shares covered by it will revert to the Plan, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

5.9 Disability of Participant. If a Participant holds Options on the date his or her Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates because of Disability, the Participant may exercise the Options that were vested or unvested as of the date of termination until the end of the original term or for a period of 36 months following such termination, whichever is earlier (or such other period as is set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee). If the Participant does not exercise an Option within the time specified above after termination, that Option will expire, and the Shares covered by it will revert to the Plan, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

5.10 Death of Participant. If a Participant holds Options on the date his or her death, the Participant’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or under Section 12.3 may exercise the Options that were vested or unvested as of the date of death until the end of the original term or for a period of 36 months following the date of death, whichever is earlier (or such other period as is set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee). If the Participant’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or under Section 12.3 does not exercise an Option within the time specified above after termination, that Option will expire, and the Shares covered by it will revert to the Plan, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

ARTICLE VI

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

 

6.1 Grant and Exercise. The Committee may provide Stock Appreciation Rights either alone or in addition to other Awards upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion.

 

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6.2 Terms and Conditions. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, including the following:

 

(a) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall have the right to receive the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise or such other amount as the Committee shall so determine at any time during a specified period before the date of exercise over (ii) the grant price of the right on the date of grant, which, except in the case of Substitute Awards or in connection with an adjustment provided in Section 12.2, shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one Share on such date of grant of the right.

 

(b) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, payment shall be made in whole Shares, or cash to the extent permissible without penalty to the Participant under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(c) The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

 

(d) The Committee may impose such other conditions or restrictions on the terms of exercise and the exercise price of any Stock Appreciation Right, as it shall deem appropriate. In connection with the foregoing, the Committee shall consider the applicability and effect of Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2, but subject to Section 12.2, a Stock Appreciation Right shall not have (i) an exercise price less than Fair Market Value on the date of grant, or (ii) a term of greater than ten years. In addition to the foregoing, but subject to Section 12.2, the base amount of any Stock Appreciation Right shall not be reduced after the date of grant. The Committee shall take no action under this Article 6 that would subject a Participant to a penalty tax under Section 409A of the Code.

 

6.3 Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship or Directorship. If a Participant holds exercisable Stock Appreciation Rights on the date his or her Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates (other than because of termination due to Cause, death or Disability), the Participant may exercise the Stock Appreciation Rights that were vested and exercisable as of the date of termination until the end of the original term or for a period of 90 days following such termination, whichever is earlier (or such other period as is set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee). If the Participant is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Stock Appreciation Right at the date of such termination, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right will revert to the Plan, unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee. The Committee may determine in its sole discretion that such unexercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right will become exercisable at such times and on such terms as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion. If the Participant does not exercise a Stock Appreciation Right within the time specified above after termination, that Stock Appreciation Right will expire, and the Shares covered by it will revert to the Plan, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

6.4 Disability of Participant. If a Participant holds Stock Appreciation Rights on the date his or her Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates because of Disability, the Participant may exercise the Stock Appreciation Rights that were vested or unvested as of the date of termination until the end of the original term or for a period of 36 months following such termination, whichever is earlier (or such other period as is set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee). If the Participant does not exercise a Stock Appreciation Right within the time specified above after termination, that Stock Appreciation Right will expire, and the Shares covered by it will revert to the Plan, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

6.5 Death of Participant. If a Participant holds Stock Appreciation Rights on the date his or her death, the Participant’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Stock Appreciation Rights by bequest or inheritance or under Section 12.3 may exercise the Stock Appreciation Rights that were vested or unvested as of the date of death until the end of the original term or for a period of 36 months following the date of death, whichever is earlier (or such other period as is set forth in the Award Agreement or determined by the Committee).

 

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If the Participant’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right by bequest or inheritance or under Section 12.3 does not exercise the Stock Appreciation Right within the time specified above after termination, that Stock Appreciation Right will expire, and the Shares covered by it will revert to the Plan, except as otherwise determined by the Committee.

 

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

7.1 Grants. Awards of Restricted Stock may be issued hereunder to Participants either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan (a “Restricted Stock Award”). A Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to restrictions imposed by the Committee covering a period of time specified by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”). The provisions of Restricted Stock Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient. The Committee has absolute discretion to determine whether any consideration (other than services) is to be received by the Company or any Affiliate as a condition precedent to the issuance of Restricted Stock.

 

7.2 Award Agreements. The terms of any Restricted Stock Award granted under the Plan shall be set forth in a written Award Agreement which shall contain provisions determined by the Committee and not inconsistent with the Plan.

 

7.3 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, beginning on the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Award and subject to execution of the Award Agreement, the Participant shall become a shareholder of the Company with respect to all Shares subject to the Award Agreement and shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote such Shares and the right to receive distributions made with respect to such Shares; provided, however that any Shares or any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Shares as to which the restrictions have not yet lapsed shall be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Shares.

 

ARTICLE VIII

OTHER STOCK UNIT AWARDS

 

8.1 Other Stock Unit Awards. Other Awards of Shares and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property (“Other Stock Unit Awards”) may be granted hereunder to Participants, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, and such Other Stock Unit Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan. Other Stock Unit Awards shall be paid in Shares or cash. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete authority to determine the Employees, Consultants and Directors to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Unit Awards shall be made, the number of Shares to be granted pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The provisions of Other Stock Unit Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

 

8.2 Terms and Conditions. Shares (including securities convertible into Shares) subject to Awards granted under this Article 8 may be issued for no consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by Applicable Law. Shares (including securities convertible into Shares) purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Article 8 shall be purchased for such consideration as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE IX

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

 

9.1 Terms of Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be issued hereunder to Participants, for no consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by Applicable Law, either alone or in

 

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addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The performance criteria to be achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award; provided, however, that a Performance Period shall not be shorter than six months nor longer than five years. Except as provided in Article 11 or as may be provided in an Award Agreement, Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant Performance Period. Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee at the time of payment. The performance goals to be achieved for each Performance Period shall be conclusively determined by the Committee and may be based upon the criteria set forth in Section 10.2. The amount of the Award to be distributed shall be conclusively determined by the Committee. Performance Awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period.

 

ARTICLE X

CODE SECTION 162(m) PROVISIONS

 

10.1 Covered Employees. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the Committee determines at the time Restricted Stock, a Performance Award or an Other Stock Unit Award is granted to a Participant who is, or is likely to be, as of the end of the tax year in which the Company would claim a tax deduction in connection with such Award, a Covered Employee, then the Committee may provide that this Article 10 is applicable to such Award.

 

10.2 Performance Criteria. If Restricted Stock, a Performance Award or an Other Stock Unit Award is subject to this Article 10, then the lapsing of restrictions thereon and the distribution of cash, Shares or other property pursuant thereto, as applicable, shall be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance goals established by the Committee, which shall be based on the attainment of specified levels, or growth, of one or any combination of the following: net sales; pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and bonus; earnings per share; net income; division, group or corporate financial goals; return on stockholders’ equity; return on assets; attainment of strategic and operational initiatives; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the Shares or any other publicly-traded securities of the Company; market share; gross profits; earnings before taxes; earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”); economic value-added models; comparisons with various stock market indices; reductions in costs, and/or return on invested capital of the Company or any Affiliate, division or business unit of the Company for or within which the Participant is primarily employed. Such performance goals also may be based solely by reference to the Company’s performance or the performance of an Affiliate, division or business unit of the Company, or based upon the relative performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to other companies. In setting performance goals, the committee may specify objective adjustments to any of the foregoing measures for items that it determines will not properly reflect the Company’s financial performance for these purposes, such as the write-off of debt issuance costs, pre-opening and development costs, gain or loss from asset dispositions, asset or other impairment charges, litigation settlement costs, and other non-routine items that the Committee foresees may occur during the Performance Period. The Committee may also exclude the impact of an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should appropriately be excluded, including (a) restructurings, discontinued operations and charges for extraordinary items, (b) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management, or (c) a change in accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles. Such performance goals shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by, and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of, Section 162(m) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, and the regulations thereunder.

 

10.3 Adjustments. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than Article 11), with respect to any Restricted Stock, Performance Award or Other Stock Unit Award that is subject to this Article 10, the Committee may adjust downward, but not upward, the amount payable pursuant to such Award, and the Committee may not waive the achievement of the applicable performance goals, except in the case of the death or Disability of the Participant or the occurrence of a Change of Control.

 

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10.4 Determination of Performance. Prior to the vesting, payment, settlement or lapsing of any restrictions with respect to any Restricted Stock, Performance Award or Other Stock Unit Award that is subject to this Article 10, the Committee shall certify in writing that the applicable performance goals have been achieved to the extent necessary for such Award to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

 

10.5 Restrictions. The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Awards subject to this Article 10 as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Awards satisfy all requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, or which are not inconsistent with such requirements.

 

ARTICLE XI

CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS

 

11.1 Impact of Change of Control. The terms of any Award may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing the Award, or the Committee may determine in its discretion, that, upon a Change of Control of the Company, (a) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding as of the date of the Change of Control immediately vest and become fully exercisable, (b) restrictions and deferral limitations on Restricted Stock lapse and the Restricted Stock become free of all restrictions and limitations and become fully vested, (c) all Performance Awards shall be considered to be earned and payable (either in full or pro-rata based on the portion of Performance Period completed as of the date of the Change of Control), and any deferral or other restriction shall lapse and such Performance Awards shall be immediately settled or distributed, (d) the restrictions and deferral limitations and other conditions applicable to any Other Stock Unit Awards or any other Awards shall lapse, and such Other Stock Unit Awards or such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions, limitations or conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant, and (e) such other additional benefits, changes or adjustments as the Committee deems appropriate shall apply, subject in each case to any terms and conditions contained in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control of the Company, (a) each Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall remain exercisable for only a limited period of time determined by the Committee (provided that they remain exercisable for at least 30 days after notice of such action is given to the Participants), or (b) each Option and Stock Appreciation Right outstanding shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the Participant, and such Participant shall receive, with respect to each Share subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control over the exercise price per share of such Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of stock or property (including the stock or property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing and the provisions of Section 11.2, the Committee will take no action that would subject any Participant to a penalty tax under Section 409A of the Code.

 

11.2 Assumption Upon Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of any Award Agreement may also provide that, if in the event of a Change of Control the successor company assumes or substitutes for an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Share of Restricted Stock or Other Stock Unit Award, then each outstanding Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Share of Restricted Stock or Other Stock Unit Award shall not be accelerated as described in Sections 11.1(a), (b) and (d). For the purposes of this Section 11.2, an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Share of Restricted Stock or Other Stock Unit Award shall be considered assumed or substituted for if following the Change of Control the award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award or Other Stock Unit Award immediately prior to the Change of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the transaction constituting a Change of Control by holders of Shares for each Share held on the effective date of such transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of

 

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consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the transaction constituting a Change of Control is not solely common stock of the successor company, the Committee may, with the consent of the successor company, provide that the consideration to be received upon the exercise or vesting of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award or Other Stock Unit Award, for each Share subject thereto, will be solely common stock of the successor company substantially equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Shares in the transaction constituting a Change of Control. The determination of such substantial equality of value of consideration shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion and its determination shall be conclusive and binding. Any assumption or substitution of an Incentive Stock Option will be made in a manner that will not be considered a “modification” under the provisions of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on such terms and conditions as may be set forth in an Award Agreement, in the event of a termination of a Participant’s employment in such successor company within a specified time period following such Change of Control, each Award held by such Participant at the time of the Change of Control shall be accelerated as described in Sections 11.1(a), (b) and (d) above.

 

ARTICLE XII

GENERALLY APPLICABLE PROVISIONS

 

12.1 Amendment and Modification of the Plan. The Board may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as it shall deem advisable, subject to any requirement for stockholder approval imposed by Applicable Law; provided that the Board may not amend the Plan in any manner that would result in noncompliance with Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act; and further provided that the Board may not, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, amend the Plan to (a) increase the number of Shares that may be the subject of Awards under the Plan (except for adjustments pursuant to Section 12.2), (b) expand the types of awards available under the Plan, (c) materially expand the class of persons eligible to participate in the Plan, (d) amend any provision of Section 5.3, (e) increase the maximum permissible term of any Option specified by Section 5.4, or (f) amend any provision of Section 3.2. In addition, no amendments to, or termination of, the Plan (other than by reason of the failure of stockholders to approve the Plan in the manner set forth in Section 13.12) shall in any way impair the rights of a Participant under any Award previously granted without such Participant’s consent.

 

12.2 Adjustments. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, dividend or distribution (whether in cash, shares or other property), stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off or similar transaction or other change in corporate structure affecting the Shares or the value thereof, such adjustments and other substitutions shall be made to the Plan and to Awards as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems equitable or appropriate, including such adjustments in the aggregate number, class and kind of securities that may be delivered under the Plan and, in the aggregate or to any one Participant, in the number, class, kind and option or exercise price of securities subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan (including, if the Committee deems appropriate, the substitution of similar options to purchase the shares of, or other awards denominated in the shares of, another company) as the Committee may determine to be appropriate in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. Where an adjustment under this Section 12.2 is made to an Incentive Stock Option, the adjustment will be made in a manner which will not be considered a “modification” under the provisions of subsection 424(h)(3) of the Code.

 

12.3 Transferability of Awards. Except as provided below, and except as otherwise authorized by the Committee in an Award Agreement, no Award, and no Shares subject to Awards that have not been issued or as to which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period has not lapsed, may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Award may be exercised during the life of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Committee so authorizes in the Award Agreement or otherwise, an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option may be assigned, in whole or in part, during the Participant’s lifetime to one or more Family Members of the Participant.

 

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Rights under the assigned portion may be exercised by the Family Member(s) who acquire a proprietary interest in such Award pursuant to the assignment. The terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect for the Award immediately before such assignment and shall be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Committee deems appropriate.

 

(a) Designation of Beneficiary. A Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any Awards that remain unexercised in the event of the Participant’s death. If a Participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent will be required for the designation to be effective. The Participant may change such designation of beneficiary at any time by written notice to the Committee, subject to the above spousal consent requirement.

 

(b) Effect of No Designation. If a Participant dies and there is no beneficiary validly designated and living at the time of the Participant’s death, the Company will deliver such Participant’s Awards to the executor or administrator of his or her estate, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such Awards to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the Participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

 

(c) Death of Spouse or Dissolution of Marriage. If a Participant designates his or her spouse as beneficiary, that designation will be deemed automatically revoked if the Participant’s marriage is later dissolved. Similarly, any designation of a beneficiary will be deemed automatically revoked upon the death of the beneficiary if the beneficiary predeceases the Participant. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the interest in Awards of a spouse of a Participant who has predeceased the Participant or whose marriage has been dissolved will automatically pass to the Participant, and will not be transferable by such spouse in any manner, including but not limited to such spouse’s will, nor will any such interest pass under the laws of intestate succession.

 

12.4 Termination of Employment. The Committee shall determine and set forth in each Award Agreement whether any Awards granted in such Award Agreement will continue to be exercisable, and the terms of such exercise, on and after the date that a Participant ceases to be employed by or to provide services to the Company or any Affiliate (including as a Director), whether by reason of death, disability, voluntary or involuntary termination of employment or services, or otherwise. The date of termination of a Participant’s employment or services will be determined by the Committee, which determination will be final.

 

12.5 Dividend Equivalents. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the recipient of an Award (including any deferred Award) may, if so determined by the Committee, be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, cash, stock or other property dividends, or cash payments in amounts equivalent to stock or other property dividends on Shares (“Dividend Equivalents”) with respect to the number of Shares covered by the Award, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested.

 

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

 

13.1 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to make all payments or distributions pursuant to the Plan to a Participant (or to the Participant’s executors, administrators, guardian, beneficiary, or legal representative, or Family Members) (any such person, a “Payee”) net of any applicable Federal, State and local taxes required to be paid or withheld as a result of (a) the grant of any Award, (b) the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Rights, (c) the delivery of Shares or cash, (d) the lapse of any restrictions in connection with any Award, or (e) any other event occurring pursuant to the Plan. The Company or any Affiliate shall have the right to withhold from wages or other amounts otherwise payable to such Payee such withholding taxes as may be required by law, or to otherwise require the Payee to pay such withholding taxes. If the Payee shall fail to make such tax payments as are required, the Company or its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have

 

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the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Payee or to take such other action as may be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligations. The Committee shall be authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligation for the payment of such taxes by tendering previously acquired Shares (either actually or by attestation, valued at their then Fair Market Value) that have been owned for a period of at least six months (or such other period to avoid accounting charges against the Company’s earnings), or by directing the Company to retain Shares (up to the employee’s minimum required tax withholding rate) otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award. If Shares acquired upon exercise of any Incentive Stock Option are disposed of in a disposition that, under Section 422 of the Code, disqualifies the holder from the application of Section 421(a) of the Code, the holder of the Shares immediately before the disposition will comply with any requirements imposed by the Company in order to enable the Company to secure the related income tax deduction to which it is entitled in such event.

 

13.2 Right of Discharge Reserved; Claims to Awards. Nothing in the Plan nor the grant of an Award hereunder shall confer upon any Employee, Consultant or Director the right to continue in the employment or service of the Company or any Affiliate or affect any right that the Company or any Affiliate may have to terminate the employment or service of (or to demote or to exclude from future Awards under the Plan) any such Employee, Consultant or Director at any time for any reason. The Company shall not be liable for the loss of existing or potential profit from an Award granted in the event of termination of an employment or other relationship. No Employee or Participant shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Employees or Participants under the Plan.

 

13.3 Prospective Recipient. The prospective recipient of any Award under the Plan shall not, with respect to such Award, be deemed to have become a Participant, or to have any rights with respect to such Award, until and unless such recipient shall have executed an agreement or other instrument evidencing the Award and delivered a copy thereof to the Company, and otherwise complied with the then applicable terms and conditions.

 

13.4 Cancellation of Award. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all outstanding Awards granted to any Participant may be canceled in the discretion of the Committee if the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant is terminated for Cause, or if, after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Director, or Consultant, the Committee determines that Cause existed before such termination.

 

13.5 Stop Transfer Orders. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the provisions of this Plan, the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

13.6 Nature of Payments. All Awards made pursuant to the Plan are in consideration of services performed or to be performed for the Company or any Affiliate, division or business unit of the Company. Any income or gain realized pursuant to Awards under the Plan and any Stock Appreciation Rights constitute a special incentive payment to the Participant and shall not be taken into account, to the extent permissible under Applicable Law, as compensation for purposes of any of the employee benefit plans of the Company or any Affiliate except as may be determined by the Committee or by the Board or board of directors of the applicable Affiliate.

 

13.7 Other Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

13.8 Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall (a) be deemed limited to the extent

 

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that such court of competent jurisdiction deems it lawful, valid and/or enforceable and as so limited shall remain in full force and effect, and (b) not affect any other provision of the Plan or part thereof, each of which shall remain in full force and effect. If the making of any payment or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not prevent any other payment or benefit from being made or provided under the Plan, and if the making of any payment in full or the provision of any other benefit required under the Plan in full would be unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, then such unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not prevent such payment or benefit from being made or provided in part, to the extent that it would not be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, and the maximum payment or benefit that would not be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable shall be made or provided under the Plan.

 

13.9 Construction. All references in the Plan to “Section,” “Sections,” or “Article” are intended to refer to the Section, Sections or Article, as the case may be, of the Plan. As used in the Plan, the words “include” and “including,” and variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.

 

13.10 Unfunded Status of the Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver the Shares or payments in lieu of or with respect to Awards hereunder; provided, however, that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.

 

13.11 Governing Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken thereunder, to the extent not otherwise governed by the Code or the laws of the United States, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and construed accordingly.

 

13.12 Effective Date of Plan; Termination of Plan. The Plan shall be effective on the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan, within 12 months thereafter, by affirmative votes representing a majority of the votes cast under Applicable Laws at a duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company. After the adoption of this Plan by the Board, Awards may be made, but all such Awards shall be subject to stockholder approval of this Plan in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 13.12, and no Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised prior to such stockholder approval of the Plan. If the stockholders do not approve this Plan in the manner set forth in the first sentence of this Section 13.12, this Plan, and all Awards granted hereunder, shall be null and void and of no effect. Awards may be granted under the Plan at any time and from time to time on or prior to the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the Plan (unless the Board sooner suspends or terminates the Plan under Section 12.1), on which date the Plan will expire except as to Awards then outstanding under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless affirmative votes representing a majority of the votes cast under Applicable Laws approve the continuation of Article 10 at the first duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company that occurs in the fifth year following the effective date of this Plan, no Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be made to Covered Employees following the date of such meeting. Except as set forth in the third sentence of this Section 13.12, outstanding Awards shall remain in effect until they have been exercised or terminated, or have expired.

 

13.13 Foreign Employees. Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Employees employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy. The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Company’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for Employees on assignments outside their home country.

 

13.14 Effect on Prior Plans. On the approval of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company in the manner set forth in Section 13.12, the Prior Plans shall be cancelled and no further grants or awards shall be made under

 

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the Prior Plans. Grants and awards made under the Prior Plans before the date of such cancellation, however, shall continue in effect in accordance with their terms. Grants and awards made under the Individual Arrangements shall likewise continue in effect in accordance with their terms.

 

13.15 Other Company Compensation Plans. Shares available for Awards under the Plan may be used by the Company as a form of payment of compensation under other Company compensation plans, whether or not existing on the date hereof. To the extent any Shares are used as such by the Company, such Shares will reduce the then number of Shares available under Article 3 of the Plan for future Awards.

 

13.16 Captions. The captions in the Plan are for convenience of reference only, and are not intended to narrow, limit or affect the substance or interpretation of the provisions contained herein.

 

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