EX-3.4 3 a2124434zex-3_4.htm EXHIBIT 3.4

EXHIBIT 3.4

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

TETRA TECH, INC.

(As of November 17, 2003)

 

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1.1             Registered Office.

The registered office of Tetra Tech, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 19801, and the name of the registered agent at that address shall be The Corporation Trust Company.

Section 1.2             Principal Executive Office.

The principal executive office of the Corporation shall be at such place inside or outside the State of California as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may determine from time to time.

Section 1.3             Other Offices.

The Corporation may also have an office or offices at such other place or places, either within or without the State of California, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.1             Annual Meetings.

An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors on such date, and at such time and place, either within or without the State of California, as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time.  In the absence of any such designation, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation.  Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.  A failure to hold the annual meeting at the designated time or to elect a sufficient number of directors to conduct the business of the Corporation shall not affect otherwise valid corporate acts or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Corporation, except as otherwise required by law.

Section 2.2             Special Meetings.

Special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes prescribed in the notice of the meeting, may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for adoption) or by the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at such meeting.  Special meetings shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall determine.  Business transacted at special meetings shall be limited to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice.



 

Section 2.3             Notice of Meetings.

Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of the meeting.  Unless otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.  Such notice may be delivered either personally or by mail.  If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

Section 2.4             Adjournments.

Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.  At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.  If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 2.5             Quorum.

At each meeting of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class of stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum.  In the absence of a quorum, the chairman of the meeting or the stockholders so present may, by majority vote, adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided by Section 2.4 of these Bylaws until a quorum shall attend.  Shares of its own capital stock belonging on the record date for the meeting to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

Section 2.6             Conduct of Meeting.

Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the President, or in his or her absence by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman chosen at the meeting by the majority of the voting shares represented in person or by proxy.  The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

The chairman shall call the meeting to order, establish the agenda and conduct the business of the meeting in accordance therewith or, at the chairman’s discretion, it may be conducted otherwise in accordance with the wishes of the stockholders in attendance.  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.

The chairman shall also conduct the meeting in an orderly manner, rule on the precedence of, and procedure on, motions and other procedural matters, and exercise discretion with respect to such procedural matters with fairness and good faith toward all those entitled to take part.  The chairman may impose reasonable limits on the amount of time taken up at the meeting on discussion in general or on remarks by any one stockholder.  Should any person in attendance become unruly or obstruct the meeting proceedings, the chairman shall have the power to have such person removed from participation.  Notwithstanding anything in the Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual or special meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.6 and Section 2.7 below.  The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.6 and Section 2.7, and if he



 

or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

Section 2.7             Notice of Stockholder Business.

At an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting.  To be properly brought before a meeting, business must be (1) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; (2) properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; (3) properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder; (4) specified in a request to call a special meeting by the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at the meeting.  For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation.  To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the date and month of the prior year’s proxy statement for that annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the prior year or the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, then notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received no later than the first to occur of (a) the end of the Corporation’s prior fiscal year or (b) the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.  For purposes of this Section 2.7, a “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.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of a stockholder’s meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual or special meeting (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual or special meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual or special meeting; (2) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (3) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by the stockholder; (4) any material interest of the stockholder in such business; (5) the name and address of any party or parties on whose behalf the stockholder is acting, a detailed description of any agreements, arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and such party or parties with respect to the Corporation and any material interest of such party or parties in such business, and (6) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), in his or her capacity as a proponent of a stockholder proposal.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for an annual meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act.

Section 2.8             Voting; Proxies.

Unless otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her that has voting power upon the matter in question.

A stockholder may vote the shares owned of record by him or her either in person or by proxy executed in writing (which shall include writings sent by telex, telegraph, cable, facsimile transmission or other means of electronic transmission) by the stockholder himself or herself, or his or her duly authorized attorney-in-fact; provided, however, that any such telex, telegram, cablegram, facsimile transmission or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telex, telegram, cablegram, facsimile transmission or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.  If it is determined that such telexes, telegrams, cablegrams, facsimile transmissions or other electronic transmissions are valid, the inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information upon which they relied.  Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to the foregoing sentences of this Section 2.8 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.  Execution of the proxy may be accomplished by the stockholder or his or her authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after 3 years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.  A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.  A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation.

All voting, except as required by the Certificate of Incorporation or where otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon demand therefor by stockholders holding a majority of the issued and outstanding stock present in person or by proxy at any meeting a stock vote shall be taken.  Every stock vote shall be taken by written ballots, each of which shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy who is voting, together with such other information as may be required under the procedure established for the meeting.  All elections of directors shall be by ballot, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Unless otherwise required by law or provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders.  Directors of the Corporation shall be elected by a plurality of votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.  Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, cumulative voting for the election of directors shall be prohibited.

Section 2.9             Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record.

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote, at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled 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 fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action.  If no record date is fixed:  (1) 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; (2) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting (to the extent such action by the stockholders is permitted by these Bylaws) when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the day on which the first written consent is expressed; and (3) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the 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 or Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 2.10           List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote.

The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting 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 list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.



 

Section 2.11           Inspectors of Election.

Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment.  If no inspectors of election are appointed, the chairman of the meeting may, and at the request of any stockholder or his or her proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election at the meeting.  The number of inspectors shall be either one or three.  If inspectors are appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more stockholders or proxies, the holders of a majority of shares or proxies present at the meeting shall determine whether one or three inspectors are to be appointed.  If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors before the meeting or by the chairman of the meeting at the meeting.

The duties of these inspectors shall be as follows:

(a)           to determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;

(b)           to receive votes, ballots, or consents;

(c)           to hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;

(d)           to count and tabulate all votes and consents;

(e)           to determine the election result; and

(f)            to do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.1             Powers.

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3.2             Number of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than 5 and no more than 9 members, as shall be determined from time to time within such range by resolution of the Board of Directors.  Directors need not be stockholders.

Section 3.3             Election and Term of Office.

Each director shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding his or her election and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.  No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent directors.

Section 3.4             Vacancies and Additional Directorships.

Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause (other than removal from office by a vote of stockholders) shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then



 

in office, even though such majority is less than a quorum of the Board of Directors.  Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall, if elected to fill a vacancy, hold office for the remainder of the full term of the departed director and, if elected to a newly created directorship, hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders, and, in either case, until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

Section 3.5             Removal.

Any directors, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.  Vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from such removal may be filled by (1) a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or (2) the stockholders at a special meeting of the stockholders properly called for that purpose, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at such special meeting.  Directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

Section 3.6             Regular Meetings.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such places within or without the State of California on such dates and at such times as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  A notice of each regular meeting need not be given.

Section 3.7             Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place within or without the State of California whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, by the Chief Executive Officer, or by a majority of the directors then in office (rounded up to the nearest whole number).  Written notice of the date, time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given each director by whom it is not waived by mailing the notice not less than 5 days before the meeting, or by personal delivery, telephone or facsimile notice to each director’s home or principal place of business not less than 48 hours before the meeting.  Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

Section 3.8             Telephonic Meetings Permitted.

Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, as the case may be, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such 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 participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 3.9             Quorum; Vote Required for Action.

At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of authorized directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  The vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall require a vote of a greater number.  In case at any meeting of the Board of Directors a quorum shall not be present, the members of the Board of Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall attend.

Section 3.10           Conduct of Meeting.

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in his or her absence by the President, or in their absence by a chairman chosen at the meeting.  The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.



 

Section 3.11           Action by Directors Without a Meeting.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.

Section 3.12           Compensation of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

Section 3.13           Nomination of Director Candidates.

Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors, a committee appointed by the Board of Directors or, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, by any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally.  However, any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at a meeting only if timely notice of such stockholder’s intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation.  To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the day and month of the prior year’s proxy statement for that annual meeting as set forth in Section 2.7 of these Bylaws; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the prior year or the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, then notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received no later than the first to occur of (a) the end of the Corporation’s prior fiscal year or (b) the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.  For purposes of this Section 3.13, a “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.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of a stockholder’s meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

Each notice shall set forth (1) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (2) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors on the date of such notice and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (3) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (4) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; and (5) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected.

In the event that a person is validly designated as a nominee in accordance with this Section 3.13 and shall thereafter become unable or unwilling to stand for election to the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors or the stockholder who proposed such nominee, as the case may be, may designate a substitute nominee upon delivery, not fewer than 5 days prior to the date of the meeting for the election of such nominee of a written notice to the Secretary setting forth such information regarding such substitute nominee as would have been required to be delivered to the Secretary pursuant to this Section 3.13 had such substitute nominee been initially proposed as a nominee.  Such notice shall include a signed consent to serve as a director of the Corporation, if elected, of each such substitute nominee.

If the chairman of the meeting for the election of directors determines that a nomination of any candidate for election as a director at such meeting was not made in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Section 3.13, such nomination shall be void.



 

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 4.1             Committees of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of 2 or more of the directors of the Corporation.  The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.  Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, 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 power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of dissolution, removing or indemnifying directors or amending these Bylaws; and, unless the resolution expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.

Section 4.2             Committee Rules.

Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board of Directors may adopt, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business.  In the absence of a provision by the Board of Directors or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall be the act of such committee, and in other respects each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to Article III of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 5.1             Officers; Election.

The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other offices as may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors.  Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 5.2             Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies.

Except as otherwise provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors electing any officer, each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.  Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation.  Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective.  The Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause at any time.  Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Corporation, but the election of an officer shall not of itself create contractual rights.  Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting.



 

Section 5.3             Powers and Duties.

The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the Corporation as shall be stated in these Bylaws or in a resolution of the Board of Directors which is not inconsistent with these Bylaws and, to the extent not so stated, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.  The Secretary shall have the duty to record the proceedings of the meetings of stockholders, the Board of Directors and any committees in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation with the authority to affix such seal to any instrument requiring it.  The Board of Directors may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties.

Section 5.4             Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations.

Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the President shall have the 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.

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER CORPORATE AGENTS

Section 6.1                                      Actions, Suits or Proceedings Other Than Those by or in the Right of the Corporation.

The Corporation shall indemnify, in the manner and to the full extent permitted by law, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.  The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that he or she had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

Section 6.2             Actions, Suits or Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation.

The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity against costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or in his or her behalf in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit and any appeal therefrom if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite adjudication of liability but in view or all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and



 

reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 6.3             Expenses Incurred.

To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she may be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.

Section 6.4             Determination of Indemnification.

Any indemnification provided under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 above (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 above.  Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination (1) by a majority vote of the directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 6.5             Advance of Expenses.

Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such matter, if such director, officer undertakes in writing to repay any such advances in the event that it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification.  Such expenses incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems appropriate.

Section 6.6             Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

The right of indemnity and advancement of expenses provided herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses from the Corporation may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.  Any agreement for indemnification of or advancement of expenses to any director, officer, employee or agent or other person may provide rights of indemnification or advancement of expenses which are broader or otherwise different from those set forth herein.

Section 6.7             Insurance.

The Corporation shall purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or as a member of any committee or similar body against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article or applicable law.

Section 6.8             Inclusion of Constituent Corporation.

For purposes of this Article VI, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent



 

corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VI with respect to the resulting or, surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

Section 6.9             Inclusion of Other Terms.

For purposes of this Article VI, reference to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any services as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation,” as referred to in this Article VI.

Section 6.10           Continuation of Indemnification.

The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 6.11           Effect of Amendment.

Any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this Article VI by the stockholders and the directors of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or other officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 7.1             Certificates.

Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or the President, or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer or an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Chief Financial Officer, if any, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her in the Corporation.  Any or all signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.  In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 7.2                                      Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates.

The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.



ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1             Fiscal Year.

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

Section 8.2             Seal.

The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors.  The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

Section 8.3                                      Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees.

Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors, or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.  Unless either proper notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, has been given or else the persons entitled thereto have waived such notice (either in writing or by attendance as set forth above), any business transacted at such meeting shall be null and void.

Section 8.4             Interested Directors; Quorum.

No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or her, or their, votes are counted for such purpose, if:  (1) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum, (2) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders, or (3) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders.  Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 8.5             Form of Records.

Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.



 

Section 8.6             Amendment of Bylaws.

Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board is Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws of the Corporation.  Any adoption, amendment or repeal of Bylaws of the Corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any resolution providing for adoption, amendment or repeal is presented to the Board).  The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.  In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of this Corporation required by law or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal any provisions of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

Section 8.7             Gender.

Any reference to the masculine gender in these Bylaws shall be construed to mean the feminine gender, as the situation may demand.

Section 8.8             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 8.9             Reliance on 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, including reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers, by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care.

Section 8.10           Time Periods.

In applying any provision of these Bylaws which require that an act be done or not done in 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.