exhibit_10-2.htm
PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER RAILROAD COMPANY
2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
This 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is designed to attract and retain the best available talent and encourage the highest level of performance by, and provide additional incentive to executives and other key employees of the Company and any other member of the Participating Company Group, and for certain other individuals providing services to or acting as directors of the Company. The Company intends that this purpose will be effected by providing for Awards in the form of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards, which afford such executives, key employees, directors and other eligible individuals an opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary interest in the Company through the acquisition of shares of its Stock. The terms of the Plan shall be interpreted in accordance with this intention.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
2.1 Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:
“Acquiring Corporation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.1 hereof.
“Award” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Award or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
“Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award granted to the Participant. An Award Agreement may be an “Option Agreement,” a “SAR Agreement,” a “Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement,” a “Restricted Stock Bonus Agreement,” a “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement,” a “Performance Share Agreement,” or a “Performance Unit Agreement.”
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Calculation Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 hereof.
“Cashless Exercise” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3 hereof.
“Cause” shall have the meaning given such term in the applicable Award Agreement and, in the absence of any such definition, means (x) any material breach by the Participant of any agreement to which the Participant and the Company are both parties, (y) any willful or grossly negligent act or omission to act by the Participant which is reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business or on the Participant’s ability to perform services for the Company, including, without limitation, the conviction of, or pleading of nolo contendere to, any crime (other than ordinary traffic violations), or (z) any material misconduct or willful and material neglect of duties by the Participant in connection with the business or affairs of the Company or any Participating Company.
“Change in Control” means (i) any purchase of Stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer (other than by the Company), (ii) the acquisition of 30% or more of the beneficial ownership of that class or classes of securities of the Company which have the power separately or together with any other class to elect a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors by any person or group (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or its subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or any person who was an officer or director of the Company on the Effective Date of the Plan, which person or group did not theretofore beneficially own 30% or more of such class or classes of securities of the Company, (iii) a merger in which the Company does not survive, or the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets, or (iv) a change in the composition of a majority of the Board over a two-year period unless the selection or nomination of each of the new members is approved by two-thirds of those remaining members of the Board who were members at the beginning of the two-year period.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Committee” means the Stock Option and Compensation Committee or other committee of the Board duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers as shall be specified by the Board. If no committee of the Board has been appointed to administer the Plan, the Board shall exercise all of the powers of the Committee granted herein, and, in any event, the Board may in its discretion exercise any or all of such powers.
“Company” means Providence and Worcester Railroad Company, a Rhode Island corporation, or any successor company thereto.
“Consultant” means a person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to a Participating Company, provided that the identity of such person, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided would not preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such person pursuant to the Plan in reliance on registration on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.
“Designated Beneficiary” means the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Participant in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such time as the Committee shall require.
“Director” means a member of the Board or of the board of directors of any other Participating Company.
“Disability” shall have the meaning given such term in the applicable Award Agreement and, in the absence of any such definition, means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
“Dividend Equivalent” means a credit, made at the discretion of the Committee or as otherwise provided by the Plan, to the account of a Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one share of Stock for each share of Stock represented by an Award (other than an Option or SAR) held by such Participant.
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 20 hereof.
“Eligible Person” means any Director, Employee or Consultant.
“Employee” means any person treated as an employee (including an officer or a Director who is also treated as an employee) in the records of a Participating Company and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option granted to such person, who is an employee for purposes of Section 422 of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:
(i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock on such national or regional securities exchange or market system constituting the primary market for the Stock, as reported in the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable. If the relevant date does not fall on a day on which the Stock has traded on such securities exchange or market system, the date on which the Fair Market Value shall be established shall be the last day on which the Stock was so traded prior to the relevant date, or such other appropriate day as shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion.
(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Committee in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.
“Freestanding SAR” means a SAR awarded by the Committee pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof other than in connection with an Option.
“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualifies as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code or any successor provision thereto as in effect from time to time.
“Insider” means, at any time, any person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.
“New Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.2 hereof.
“Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) or which does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” means a right to purchase Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7 and 11 hereof) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
“Option Expiration Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.
“Other Stock-Based Award” means any right granted under Section 10 hereof.
“Parent Corporation” means any present or future “parent corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
“Participant” means any Eligible Person selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan.
“Participating Company” means the Company or any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation.
“Participating Company Group” means at any point in time, all corporations collectively which are then Participating Companies.
“Performance Award” means an Award of Performance Shares or Performance Units.
“Performance Goal” means a performance goal established by the Committee pursuant to Section 9.2 hereof.
“Performance Period” means a period established by the Committee pursuant to Section 9.2 hereof, at the end of which one or more Performance Goals are to be measured.
“Performance Share” means a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a Participant pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 9 hereof to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Share, as determined by the Committee, based on performance.
“Performance Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a Participant pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 9 hereof to receive a payment equal to the value of a Performance Unit, as determined by the Committee, based upon performance.
“Plan” means the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
“Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 8 hereof.
“Restricted Stock Award” means an Award of Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Purchase Right or a Restricted Stock Unit.
“Restricted Stock Purchase Right” means a right to purchase Stock granted to a Participant pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 8 hereof.
“Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a Participant to receive in cash or Stock the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 8 hereof.
“Restriction Period” means the period established in accordance with Section 8.4 hereof during which shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award are subject to Vesting Conditions.
“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation thereto.
“Section 162(m)” means Section 162(m) of the Code.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and any applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Service” means a Participant’s employment or service with a Participating Company, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. A Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders Service to the Participating Company or a change in the Participating Company for which the Participant renders such Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Service. Furthermore, a Participant’s Service with a Participating Company may be deemed, as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, not to have terminated if the Participant takes any military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company; provided, however, that if any such leave exceeds ninety (90) days, on the one hundred eighty-first (181st) day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by such Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and instead shall be treated thereafter as a Nonstatutory Stock Option unless the Participant’s right to return to Service with the Participating Company is guaranteed by statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Committee or the Participating Company or required by law, a leave of absence shall not be treated as Service for purposes of determining vesting under the Participant’s Award Agreement. A Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the Participating Company for which the Participant performs Service ceasing to be a Participating Company. Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the Participant’s Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination.
“Stock” means the common stock of the Company, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 11 hereof.
“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a bookkeeping entry representing, for each share of Stock subject to such SAR, a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 hereof to receive payment of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the exercise price.
“Subsidiary Corporation” means any present or future “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
“Substitute Awards” shall mean Awards granted or shares of Stock 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, in each case by a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Corporation or with which the Company or any Subsidiary Corporation combines.
“Tandem SAR” means a SAR awarded by the Committee in connection with an Option pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof.
“Ten Percent Owner” means a Participant who, at the time an Option is granted to the Participant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a Participating Company within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
“Vesting Conditions” means those conditions established in accordance with Section 8.4 prior to the satisfaction of which shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to forfeiture or a repurchase option in favor of the Company.
2.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular and the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, as the context requires. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Administration by the Committee.
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. All questions of interpretation of the Plan or of any Award shall be determined by the Committee, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award.
3.2 Authority of Officers. Any officer of a Participating Company shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election.
3.3 Powers of the Committee. In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:
(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock or units to be subject to each Award;
(b) to determine the type of Award granted and to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options;
(c) to determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock or other property;
(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, (i) the purchase price of any Stock, (ii) the method of payment for shares purchased pursuant to any Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with any Award, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of Stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions of the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, (v) the Performance Goals applicable to any Award and the extent to which such Performance Goals have been attained, (vi) the time of the expiration of any Award, (vii) the effect of the Participant’s termination of Service on any of the foregoing, and (viii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to any Award or shares acquired pursuant thereto not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;
(e) to determine whether an Award will be settled in shares of Stock, cash, or in any combination thereof;
(f) to approve one or more forms of Award Agreement;
(g) to amend, modify, extend, cancel or renew any Award or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto;
(h) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability or vesting of any Award or any shares acquired pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, with respect to the period following a Participant’s termination of Service;
(i) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Committee deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted Awards;
(j) to authorize, in conjunction with any applicable Company deferred compensation plan, that the receipt of cash or Stock subject to any Award under this Plan, may be deferred under the terms and conditions of such Company deferred compensation plan; and
(k) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Award as the Committee may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law.
3.4 Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
3.5 Committee Complying with Section 162(m). If the Company is a “publicly held corporation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board may establish a Committee of “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) to approve the grant of any Award which might reasonably be anticipated to result in the payment of employee remuneration that would otherwise exceed the limit on employee remuneration deductible for income tax purposes pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code.
3.6 Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board, the Committee or as officers or employees of a Participating Company, members of the Board or of the Committee and any officers or employees of the Participating Company to whom authority to act for the Board, the Committee or the Company is delegated, shall be indemnified by the Company against all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, or any right granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct in duties; provided, however, that within sixty (60) days after the institution of such action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the Company, in writing, the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend the same.
SECTION 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN
4.1 Share Reserve. The total number of shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) shares; provided, however, that the class and aggregate number of shares which may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 hereof.
4.2 Determination of Shares Issued and Issuable. Shares of Stock shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan (i) with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash or (ii) to the extent such shares are withheld and/or attested to in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 14.2. Upon payment in shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of a SAR, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced only by the number of shares actually issued in such payment. If the exercise price of an Option is paid by withholding, tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the Option is exercised.
4.3 Expiration, Cancellation or Termination of Award. Whenever any outstanding Award under the Plan expires for any reason, is canceled or is otherwise terminated without having been exercised or settled in full, the shares of Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of such Award may again be the subject of Awards under the Plan.
4.4 Substitute Awards. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the shares of Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan, nor shall shares of Stock subject to a Substitute Award be added to the shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 above. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Corporation or with which the Company or any Subsidiary Corporation combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as 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 of Stock authorized for grant under the Plan (and shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 above); 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 not Employees or Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.
4.5 Source of Shares. The Stock subject to the Awards granted under the Plan shall be shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued Stock or shares of the Stock held in treasury.
SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY
5.1 General. In determining the Participants to whom Awards shall be granted and the amount of Stock or units to be covered by each Award, the Committee shall take into account the nature of the Participant’s duties, the present and potential contributions to the success of the Company, and such other factors as it shall deem relevant in connection with accomplishing the purposes of the Plan.
5.2 Persons Eligible for Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the term “Employees” shall include prospective Employees to whom Incentive Stock Options are granted in connection with written offers of employment with the Participating Companies; provided, however, that any such Incentive Stock Option shall be deemed granted effective on the date such person commences Service as an Employee, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof. Eligible persons may be granted more than one (1) Incentive Stock Option.
5.3 Persons Eligible for Other Awards. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible Persons. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the term “Eligible Person” shall include current and prospective Employees, current and prospective Consultants and current and prospective Directors to whom Awards are granted in connection with written offers of an employment or other service relationship with the Participating Companies; provided, however, that no Stock subject to any such Award shall vest, become exercisable or be issued prior to the date on which such person commences Service as an Employee, Consultant or Directors. Eligible persons may be granted more than one (1) Award.
5.4 Fair Market Value Limitation on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that options designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock option plans of the Participating Companies, including the Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for stock having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the portions of such options which exceed such amount shall be treated as Non-statutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5.4, Options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 5.4, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Non-statutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 5.4, the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option.
5.5 Section 162(m) Award Limits. The following limits shall apply to the grant of any Award if, at the time of grant, the Company is a “publicly held corporation” within the meaning of Section 162(m):
(a) Options and SARs. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11, no Employee shall be granted within any fiscal year of the Company one or more Options or Freestanding SARs (as defined in Section 7.1) which in the aggregate are for more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares of Stock. An Option which is canceled (or a Freestanding SAR as to which the exercise price is reduced to reflect a reduction in the Fair Market Value of the Stock) in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted shall continue to be counted against such limit for such fiscal year.
(b) Restricted Stock Awards. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11, no Employee shall be granted within any fiscal year of the Company one or more Restricted Stock Awards, subject to Vesting Conditions based on the attainment of Performance Goals, for more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares of Stock.
5.6 Performance Awards. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11, no Employee shall be granted (a) Performance Shares which could result in such Employee receiving more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares of Stock for each full fiscal year of the Company contained in the Performance Period for such Award, or (b) Performance Units which could result in such Employee receiving more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) with respect to such Performance Units for each full fiscal year of the Company contained in the Performance Period for such Award.
5.7 Limits on Awards to Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with applicable financial accounting rules) of all Awards granted to any non-employee Director during any single fiscal year (excluding Awards made at the election of the non-employee Director in lieu of all or a portion of annual and committee cash retainers) shall not exceed five thousand (5,000) shares.
SECTION 6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK OPTIONS
Options shall be evidenced by Option Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time establish. No Option or purported Option shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by an effective Option Agreement. Option Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
6.1 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share for an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall have an exercise price per share less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to a Substitute Award in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code. The exercise price shall not be adjusted except pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.2 hereof.
6.2 Exercisability and Term of Options. Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (a) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, (c) no Option granted to a prospective Employee, prospective Consultant or prospective Director may become exercisable prior to the date on which such person commences Service. Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.
6.3 Payment of Exercise Price.
(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made (i) in cash, by check or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value not less than the exercise price, (iii) by delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a “Cashless Exercise”), (iv) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (v) by any combination thereof. The Committee may at any time or from time to time grant Options which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.
(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.
(i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for more than six (6) months (and not used for another Option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.
(ii) Cashless Exercise. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise.
6.4 Effect of Termination of Service.
(a) Option Exercisability. An Option granted to a Participant shall be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Service only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with the Option’s term as set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option (the “Option Expiration Date”).
(b) Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination of a Participant’s Service for Cause if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in an Option Agreement is prevented by the provisions of Section 13 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until one (1) month (or such longer period of time as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) after the date the Participant is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option, other than an Incentive Stock Option (i) the exercise of the Option is prohibited by applicable law or (ii) Shares may not be purchased or sold by certain employees or directors of the Company due to the “black-out period” of a Company policy or a “lock-up” agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, the term of the Option shall be extended for a period of thirty (30) days following the end of the legal prohibition, black-out period or lock-up agreement in each case to the extent any such extension would not constitute the extension of a stock right under Section 409A of the Code.
(c) Extension if Participant Subject to Section 16(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing other than termination of a Participant’s Service for Cause if a sale within the applicable time periods set forth in an Option Agreement of shares acquired upon the exercise of the Option would subject the Participant to suit under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Participant would no longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred and ninetieth (190th) day after the Participant’s termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration Date.
6.5 Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the Participant, an Option shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Participant, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be assignable or transferable without consideration, subject to the applicable limitations, if any, described in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.
6.6 Annual Directors’ Options. Beginning in 2016, upon the adjournment of each annual meeting or special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company (either, the “Annual Meeting”), each person who is not an employee of the Company or of an Affiliate who is serving as a Director of the Company upon the adjournment of such Annual Meeting shall be granted an Option to purchase a number of shares of Stock as the Board shall determine based upon the recommendation of the Committee, subject to the limitations contained herein, provided, however, a person who is not an employee of the Company or of an Affiliate who is first elected to serve as a Director of the Company at any meeting of stockholders other than the Annual Meeting or at any meeting of the Board of Directors (or by the unanimous written consent of the Directors) pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and its By-Laws shall be granted a Stock Option to purchase shares of Stock upon such election as determined by Board of Directors at the time of such person’s election. Each such Option shall have an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock on the date of grant of the Option.
(a) Option Exercisability. Each Option granted pursuant to this Section 6.6, shall (i) have a term of ten (10) years and (ii) become exercisable immediately prior to the occurrence of the Annual Meeting following the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all such Options shall become immediately exercisable upon a Change of Control of the Company.
(b) Termination of Directorship. If a Director fails to be re-elected to the Board, resigns or otherwise ceases to be a director of the Company for reasons other than death or Disability, all Options granted under this Section 6.6 to such director which are not exercisable on such date shall immediately terminate, and any such Options remaining shall terminate if not exercised before twenty-four (24) months following such termination, or at such earlier time as may be applicable under Section 6.6(a) above.
(c) Death or Disability. If a Participant ceases to be a Director of the Company by reason of death or Disability, all Options granted under this Section 6.6 to such Director which are not exercisable on such date shall become immediately exercisable, and may be exercised at any time before the expiration of twenty-four (24) months following the date of death or commencement of Disability, or such earlier time as may be applicable under Section 6.6(a) above.
(d) Amendments. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15 hereof concerning amendment of the Plan, the provisions of this Section 6.6 shall not be amended more than once every six months, other than to comport with changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder.
SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
SARs shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time establish. No SAR or purported SAR shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by an effective Award Agreement. Award Agreements evidencing SARs may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
7.1 Types of SARs Authorized. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or any portion of a related Option (a “Tandem SAR”) or may be granted independently of any Option (a “Freestanding SAR”). A Tandem SAR may be granted either concurrently with the grant of the related Option or at any time thereafter prior to the complete exercise, termination, expiration or cancellation of such related Option.
7.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price for each SAR shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) the exercise price per share subject to a Tandem SAR shall be the exercise price per share under the related Option and (b) the exercise price per share subject to a Freestanding SAR shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the SAR. The exercise price shall not be adjusted except pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof.
7.3 Exercisability and Term of SARs.
(a) Tandem SARs. Tandem SARs shall be exercisable only at the time and to the extent that the related Option is exercisable, subject to such provisions as the Committee may specify where the Tandem SAR is granted with respect to less than the full number of shares of Stock subject to the related Option. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide in any Award Agreement evidencing a Tandem SAR that such SAR may not be exercised without the advance approval of the Company and, if such approval is not given, then the Option shall nevertheless remain exercisable in accordance with its terms. A Tandem SAR shall terminate and cease to be exercisable no later than the date on which the related Option expires or is terminated or canceled. Upon the exercise of a Tandem SAR with respect to some or all of the shares subject to such SAR, the related Option shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the Tandem SAR was exercised. Upon the exercise of an Option related to a Tandem SAR as to some or all of the shares subject to such Option, the related Tandem SAR shall be canceled automatically as to the number of shares with respect to which the related Option was exercised.
(b) Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR; provided, however, that no Freestanding SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such SAR.
7.4 Exercise of SARs. Upon the exercise (or deemed exercise pursuant to Section 7.5) of a SAR, the Participant (or the Participant’s legal representative or other person who acquired the right to exercise the SAR by reason of the Participant’s death) shall be entitled to receive payment of an amount for each share with respect to which the SAR is exercised equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR over the exercise price. Payment of such amount shall be made in cash, shares of Stock, or any combination thereof as determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR, payment shall be made in a lump sum as soon as practicable following the date of exercise of the SAR. The Award Agreement evidencing any SAR may provide for deferred payment in a lump sum or in installments. When payment is to be made in shares of Stock, the number of shares to be issued shall be determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise of the SAR. For purposes of this Section 7, a SAR shall be deemed exercised on the date on which the Company receives notice of exercise from the Participant.
7.5 Deemed Exercise of SARs. If, on the date on which a SAR would otherwise terminate or expire, the SAR by its terms remains exercisable immediately prior to such termination or expiration and, if so exercised, would result in a payment to the holder of such SAR, then any portion of such SAR which has not previously been exercised shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion.
7.6 Effect of Termination of Service. A SAR shall be exercisable after a Participant’s termination of Service to such extent and during such period as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.
7.7 Nontransferability of SARs. SARs may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative.
SECTION 8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
The Committee may from time to time grant Restricted Stock Awards upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals described in Section 9.3. If either the grant of a Restricted Stock Award or the lapsing of the Restriction Period is to be contingent upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals, the Committee shall follow procedures substantially equivalent to those set forth in Sections 9.2 through 9.4. Restricted Stock Awards may be in the form of a Restricted Stock, which shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement, a Restricted Stock Purchase Right, which shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement or a Restricted Stock Unit, which shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each such Award Agreement shall specify the number of shares of Stock subject to and the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award, and shall be in such form as the Committee shall establish from time to time. No Restricted Stock Award or purported Restricted Stock Award shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by an effective Award Agreement. Restricted Stock Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply, as applicable, with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
8.1 Purchase Price. The purchase price under each Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be established by the Committee. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding) shall be required as a condition of receiving a Restricted Stock Bonus or Restricted Stock Unit, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit. The purchase price shall not be adjusted except pursuant to Section 11.2 hereof.
8.2 Purchase Period. A Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be exercisable within a period established by the Committee, which shall in no event exceed thirty (30) days from the effective date of the grant of the Restricted Stock Purchase Right; provided, however, that no Restricted Stock Purchase Right granted to a prospective Employee, prospective Director or prospective Consultant may become exercisable prior to the date on which such person commences Service.
8.3 Payment of Purchase Price. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the purchase price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Restricted Stock Purchase Right shall be made (i) in cash, by check, or cash equivalent, (ii) provided that the Participant is an Employee (unless otherwise not prohibited by law, including, without limitation, any regulation promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and in the Company’s sole discretion at the time the Restricted Stock Purchase Right is exercised, by delivery of the Participant’s promissory note in a form approved by the Company for the aggregate purchase price, provided that the Participant shall pay in cash that portion of the aggregate purchase price as required by applicable law, (iii) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (iv) by any combination thereof. Payment by means of the Participant’s promissory note shall be subject to the conditions described in Section 6.3(a). The Committee may at any time or from time to time grant Restricted Stock Purchase Rights which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the purchase price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration. Restricted Stock Units shall be issued in consideration for services actually rendered to a Participating Company or for its benefit.
8.4 Vesting and Restrictions on Transfer. Shares issued pursuant to any Restricted Stock Award may be made subject to vesting conditioned upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions, restrictions or performance criteria, including, without limitation, Performance Goals as described in Section 9.3 (the “Vesting Conditions”), as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Award. During any period (the “Restriction Period”) in which shares acquired pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award remain subject to Vesting Conditions, such shares may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, assigned or otherwise disposed of other than pursuant to a Change in Control, or as provided in Section 8.7. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.
8.5 Voting Rights; Dividends. Except as provided in this Section and Section 8.4, during the Restriction Period applicable to shares subject to a Restricted Stock Purchase Right and Restricted Stock held by a Participant, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company holding shares of Stock, including the right to vote such shares and to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares; provided, however, that if any such dividends or distributions are paid in shares of Stock, such shares shall be subject to the same Vesting Conditions as the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Purchase Right and Restricted Stock Bonus with respect to which the dividends or distributions were paid. A Participant who is awarded a Restricted Stock Unit shall possess no incidents of ownership; provided that the Award Agreement may provide for Dividend Equivalents to such Participant. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, cash dividends, stock and any other property (other than cash) distributed as a dividend or otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award that vests based on achievement of performance goals shall either (i) not be paid or credited or (ii) be accumulated, shall be subject to restrictions and risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock Award with respect to which such cash, stock or other property has been distributed and shall be paid at the time such restrictions and risk of forfeiture lapse.
8.6 Effect of Termination of Service. The effect of the Participant’s termination of Service on any Restricted Stock Award shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Restricted Stock Award.
8.7 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Award Rights. Rights to acquire shares of Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant.
SECTION 9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS
The Committee may from time to time grant Performance Awards upon such conditions as the Committee shall determine. Performance Awards may be in the form of either Performance Shares, which shall be evidenced by a Performance Share Agreement, or Performance Units, which shall be evidenced by a Performance Unit Agreement. Each such Award Agreement shall specify the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units subject thereto, the method of computing the value of each Performance Share or Performance Unit, the Performance Goals and Performance Period applicable to the Award, and the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award, and shall be in such form as the Committee shall establish from time to time. No Performance Award or purported Performance Award shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by an effective Award Agreement. Performance Share and Performance Unit Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
9.1 Initial Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in granting a Performance Award, each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to one share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Performance Share, and each Performance Unit shall have an initial value of One Hundred Dollars ($100). The final value payable to the Participant in settlement of a Performance Award will depend on the extent to which Performance Goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period established by the Committee.
9.2 Establishment of Performance Goals and Performance Period. The Committee shall establish in writing the Performance Period applicable to each Performance Award and one or more Performance Goals which, when measured at the end of the Performance Period, shall determine the final value of the Performance Award to be paid to the Participant (“Performance Goals”). Unless otherwise permitted in compliance with the requirements under Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to “performance-based compensation,” the Committee shall establish the Performance Goals applicable to each Performance Award no later than the earlier of (a) the date ninety (90) days after the commencement of the applicable Performance Period or (b) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, and, in any event, at a time when the outcome of the Performance Goals remains substantially uncertain. Once established, the Performance Goals shall not be changed during the Performance Period except in a manner consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.
9.3 Measurement of Performance Goals. For purposes of the Plan, the Performance Goals shall be determined by the Committee, according to criteria established by the Committee. Performance Goals may be based on any of the following criteria: (i) revenue, (ii) gross profit margin, (iii) operating income, (iv) operating ratio, (v) income before income taxes, (vi) net income, (vii) earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and/or amortization (EBITDA), (viii) earnings per share (diluted), (ix) cash flow from operations, (x) free cash flow, (xi) return on equity, (xii) return on assets, (xiii) return on sales, (xiv) market share, (xv) one or more operating ratios, (xvi) stock price, (xvii) the accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions or similar extraordinary business transactions, (xviii) any individual performance objective that is measured solely in terms of quantitative targets related to the Company or the Company’s business or (xix) any combination of the foregoing. The Performance Goals selected in any case need not be applicable across the Company, but may be particular to one or more Subsidiary Corporations or an individual’s function or business unit. The Committee shall determine whether such Performance Goals are attained and such determination shall be final and conclusive. In the event that the Performance Goals are not met, the Performance Award shall be forfeited and transferred to, and reacquired by, the Company at no cost to the Company.
The Committee may impose such other restrictions and conditions (in addition to the performance-based restrictions described above) on any Performance Award as the Committee deems appropriate and may waive any such additional restrictions and conditions, so long as such waiver does not waive any restriction described in the previous paragraph. Nothing herein shall limit the Committee’s ability to reduce the amount payable under an Award upon the attainment of the Performance Goal(s), provided, however, that the Committee shall have no right under any circumstance to increase the amount payable under, or waive compliance with, any applicable Performance Goal(s).
9.4 Determination of Final Value of Performance Awards. As soon as practicable following the completion of the Performance Period applicable to a Performance Award, the Committee shall certify in writing the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained and the resulting final value of the Award earned by the Participant and to be paid upon its settlement in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreement. The Committee shall have no discretion to increase the value of an Award payable upon its settlement in excess of the amount called for by the terms of the Award Agreement on the basis of the degree of attainment of the Performance Goals as certified by the Committee. However, notwithstanding the attainment of any Performance Goal, if permitted under a Participant’s Award Agreement, the Committee shall have the discretion, on the basis of such criteria as may be established by the Committee, to reduce some or all of the value of a Performance Award that would otherwise be paid upon its settlement. No such reduction may result in an increase in the amount payable upon settlement of another Participant’s Performance Award. As soon as practicable following the Committee’s certification, the Company shall notify the Participant of the determination of the Committee.
9.5 Dividend Equivalents. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Performance Share Award that the Participant shall be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalents with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Stock having a record date prior to the date on which the Performance Shares are settled or forfeited. Dividend Equivalents shall be accumulated and paid to the extent that Performance Shares become non-forfeitable, as determined by the Committee. Settlement of Dividend Equivalents may be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee, and may be paid on the same basis as settlement of the related Performance Share as provided in Section 9.6. Dividend Equivalents shall not be paid with respect to Performance Units.
9.6 Payment in Settlement of Performance Awards. Payment of the final value of a Performance Award earned by a Participant as determined following the completion of the applicable Performance Period pursuant to Sections 9.4 and 9.5 may be made in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee. If payment is made in shares of Stock, the number of such shares shall be determined by dividing the final value of the Performance Award by the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the settlement date. Payment may be made in a lump sum or installments as prescribed by the Committee. If any payment is to be made on a deferred basis, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, provide for the payment during the deferral period of Dividend Equivalents or a reasonable rate of interest within the meaning of Section 162(m).
9.7 Restrictions Applicable to Payment in Shares. Shares of Stock issued in payment of any Performance Award may be fully vested and freely transferable shares or may be shares of Stock subject to Vesting Conditions as provided in Section 8.4. Any shares subject to Vesting Conditions shall be evidenced by an appropriate Restricted Stock Agreement and shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 8.4 through 8.7 above.
9.8 Effect of Termination of Service. The effect of the Participant’s termination of Service on any Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Performance Award.
9.9 Nontransferability of Performance Awards. Performance Shares and Performance Units may not be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, assigned, or otherwise disposed of other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution until the completion of the applicable Performance Period. All rights with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units granted to a Participant hereunder shall be exercisable during his or her lifetime only by such Participant.
SECTION 10. OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
The Committee shall have authority to grant to eligible Employees an “Other Stock-Based Award,” which shall consist of any right that is an Award of Stock or an Award denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Stock (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Stock), as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, other than an Award described in Sections 6 through 9 above.
SECTION 11. CHANGES IN THE COMPANY’S CAPITAL STRUCTURE
11.1 Rights of the Company. The existence of outstanding Awards shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize, without limitation, any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of Stock, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock or other capital stock ahead of or affecting the Stock or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
11.2 Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure. In the event of any extraordinary cash dividend, stock dividend, spin off, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, in the limits on Incentive Stock Options set forth in Section 5.4, and in the exercise price per share of any outstanding Options and Restricted Stock Purchase Rights. If a majority of the shares which are of the same class as the shares that are subject to outstanding Awards are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become shares of another corporation (the “New Shares”), the Committee may unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards shall be for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price per share of outstanding Options and Restricted Stock Purchase Rights shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Committee, in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may the exercise price of any Option or Restricted Stock Purchase Right be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to such Award. The adjustments determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be final, binding and conclusive.
SECTION 12. CHANGE IN CONTROL
12.1 Effect of Change in Control on Options. In the event of a Change in Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent corporation thereof, as the case may be (the “Acquiring Corporation”), may, without the consent of the Participant, either assume the Company’s rights and obligations under outstanding Options or substitute for outstanding Options substantially equivalent options for the Acquiring Corporation’s stock provided that upon such assumption or substitution, all Options granted thereunder shall vest if the Participant’s employment with the successor or any affiliate of the successor is terminated without cause within twenty-four (24) months of the Change in Control. In the event that the Acquiring Corporation elects not to assume or substitute for outstanding Options in connection with a Change in Control, the exercisability and vesting of each such outstanding Option and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof held by a Participant whose Service has not terminated prior to such date shall be accelerated, effective as of the date of the Change in Control. The exercise of any Option and any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof that was permissible solely by reason of this Section 12.1 and the provisions of such Option Agreement shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Change in Control. Any Options which are neither assumed or substituted for by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of an Option prior to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all applicable provisions of the Option Agreement evidencing such Option except as otherwise provided in such Option Agreement.
12.2 Effect of Change in Control on SARs. In the event of a Change in Control, the Acquiring Corporation may, without the consent of any Participant, either assume the Company’s rights and obligations under outstanding SARs or substitute for outstanding SARs substantially equivalent SARs for the Acquiring Corporation’s stock. In the event the Acquiring Corporation elects not to assume or substitute for outstanding SARs in connection with a Change in Control, then any unexercised and/or unvested portions of outstanding SARs shall be immediately exercisable and vested in full as of the date thirty (30) days prior to the date of the Change in Control. The exercise and/or vesting of any SAR that was permissible solely by reason of this Section 12.2 shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Change in Control. Any SARs which are not assumed by the Acquiring Corporation in connection with the Change in Control nor exercised as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control shall terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the time of consummation of the Change in Control.
12.3. Effect of Change in Control on Restricted Stock Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, the lapsing of the Vesting Conditions applicable to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award held by a Participant whose Service has not terminated prior to such date shall be accelerated effective as of the date of the Change in Control. Any acceleration of the lapsing of Vesting Conditions that was permissible solely by reason of this Section 12.3 and the provisions of such Award Agreement shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Change in Control.
12.4 Effect of Change in Control on Performance Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, the Performance Award held by a Participant whose Service has not terminated prior to such date (unless the Participant’s Service terminated by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability) shall become payable effective as of the date of the Change in Control. For this purpose, the final value of the Performance Award shall be determined by the greater of (a) the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been attained during the Performance Period prior to the date of the Change in Control or (b) the pre-established 100% level with respect to each Performance Target comprising the applicable Performance Goals. Any acceleration of a Performance Award that was permissible solely by reason of this Section 12.4 and the provisions of such Award Agreement shall be conditioned upon the consummation of the Change in Control.
SECTION 13. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW
The grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock pursuant to any Award shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to such securities and the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Award may be exercised or shares issued pursuant to an Award unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time of such exercise or issuance be in effect with respect to the shares issuable pursuant to the Award or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable pursuant to the Award may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to issuance of any Stock, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.
SECTION 14. TAX WITHHOLDING
14.1 Tax Withholding in General. The Company shall have the right to require the Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, including by means of a Cashless Exercise of an Option, to make adequate provision for the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld by the Participating Company Group with respect to an Award or the shares acquired pursuant thereto. The Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock, to release shares of Stock from an escrow established pursuant to an Award Agreement, or to make any payment in cash under the Plan until the Participating Company Group’s tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Participant.
14.2 Withholding in Shares. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from the shares of Stock issuable to a Participant upon the exercise or settlement of an Award, or to accept from the Participant the tender of, a number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, equal to all or any part of the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group. The Fair Market Value of any shares of Stock withheld or tendered to satisfy any such tax withholding obligations shall not exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates (unless a higher withholding rate is permissible without adverse accounting consequences).
SECTION 15. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN; PROHIBITION ON REPRICING
The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan at any time. However, subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or rules that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the Company’s shareholders, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Section 11), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, and (c) no other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s shareholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule. No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Committee. In any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan may materially adversely affect any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant, unless such termination or amendment is required to enable an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation or rule.
Other than pursuant to Section 11.2, the Committee shall not without the approval of the Company’s stockholders (a) lower the per share option price of an Option or SAR after it is granted, (b) cancel an Option or SAR when the per share exercise price exceeds the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock in exchange for cash or another Award (other than in connection with a Change in Control), or (c) take any other action with respect to an Option or SAR that would be treated as a repricing under the rules and regulations of the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed.
SECTION 16. STANDARD FORMS OF AWARD AGREEMENT
16.1 Award Agreements. Each Award shall comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the appropriate form of Award Agreement approved by the Committee from time to time. Any Award Agreement may consist of an appropriate form of Notice of Grant and a form of Agreement incorporated therein by reference, or such other form or forms as the Committee may approve from time to time. The terms and conditions of an Award are not required to be uniform among Participants.
16.2 Authority to Vary Terms. The Committee shall have the authority from time to time to vary the terms of any standard form of Award Agreement either in connection with the grant or amendment of an individual Award or in connection with the authorization of a new standard form or forms; provided, however, that the terms and conditions of any such new, revised or amended standard form or forms of Award Agreement are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
SECTION 17. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
17.1 Provision of Information. Each Participant shall be given access to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally made available to the Company’s common shareholders.
17.2 Rights as Employee, Consultant or Director. No person, even though eligible pursuant to Section 5, shall have a right to be selected as a Participant, or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant. Nothing in the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan shall confer on any Participant a right to remain an Employee, Consultant or Director, or interfere with or limit in any way the right of a Participating Company to terminate the Participant’s Service at any time.
17.3 Rights as a Shareholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by an Award until the date of the issuance of a certificate for such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 11 or another provision of the Plan.
17.4 Right of Setoff. The Company or any Participating Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deduct from and set off against any amounts the Company or Participating Company may owe to the Participant from time to time, including amounts payable in connection with any Award, owed as wages, fringe benefits, or other compensation owed to the Participant, such amounts as may be owed by the Participant to the Company, although the Participant shall remain liable for any part of the Participant’s payment obligation not satisfied through such deduction and setoff. By accepting any Award granted hereunder, the Participant agrees to any deduction or setoff under this Section 17.4.
17.5 Section 83(b) Election. No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Code Section 83(b)) or under a similar provision of the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States may be made, unless expressly permitted by the terms of the Award Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing before the making of such election. In any case in which a Participant is permitted to make such an election in connection with an Award, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten days after filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 83(b) or other applicable provision.
17.6 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Except to the extent specifically provided otherwise by the Committee, Awards under the Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (and the Treasury Department guidance and regulations issued thereunder) so as to avoid the imposition of any additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. If the Committee determines that an Award, Award Agreement, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken, cause a Participant to become subject to any additional taxes or other penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then unless the Committee specifically provides otherwise, such Award, Award Agreement, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be given effect to the extent it causes such result and the related provisions of the Plan and/or Award Agreement will be deemed modified, or, if necessary, suspended in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case without the consent of or notice to the Participant.
17.7 Disqualifying Disposition Notification. If any Participant shall make any disposition of Stock delivered pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days thereof.
17.8 Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any benefit under the Plan to which the Participant is entitled in the event of such Participant’s death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. If a married Participant designates a beneficiary other than the Participant’s spouse, the effectiveness of such designation shall be subject to the consent of the Participant’s spouse. If a Participant dies without an effective designation of a beneficiary who is living at the time of the Participant’s death, the Company will pay any remaining unpaid benefits to the Participant’s legal representative.
SECTION 18. MISCELLANEOUS
18.1 Unfunded Obligation. Any amounts payable to Participants pursuant to the Plan shall be unfunded obligations for all purposes, including, without limitation, Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. No Participating Company shall be required to segregate any monies from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special accounts with respect to such obligations. The Company shall retain at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments, which the Company may make to fulfill its payment obligations hereunder. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or fiduciary relationship between the Committee or any Participating Company and a Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Participant or the Participant’s creditors in any assets of any Participating Company. The Participants shall have no claim against any Participating Company for any changes in the value of any assets which may be invested or reinvested by the Company with respect to the Plan.
18.2 Awards to Participants Outside the United States. The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then resident or primarily employed outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then resident or primarily employed, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by foreign tax laws and other restrictions, applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence or employment abroad shall be comparable to the value of such an Award to a Participant who is resident or primarily employed in the United States. An Award may be modified under this Section 18.2 in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation or result in actual liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act for the Participant whose Award is modified.
18.3 Claw-Back. Any Awards made pursuant to the Plan are subject to reversion to the Company in whole or in part if any part of the Participant’s compensation shall be subject to recapture by the Company under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, or any other applicable law or regulation, or pursuant to a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction from which no appeal lies, or pursuant to any Company policy or policies.
18.4 Gender and Number; Headings. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. Headings are included for the convenience of reference only and shall not be used in the interpretation or construction of any such provision contained in the Plan.
18.5 Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
18.6 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
18.7 Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Rhode Island.
SECTION 19. NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN
Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
SECTION 20. EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF PLAN
The Plan shall become effective (the “Effective Date”) upon the later of the approval of the Plan by the Board and the approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. No Award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. The Plan shall terminate when the total amount of the Stock available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such shares under the terms of the Plan and the agreements evidencing Awards granted under the Plan have lapsed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this 2015 Equity Incentive Plan to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the ______ day of ____________, 2015.
PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER
RAILROAD COMPANY
By: _______________________________
Name: Robert H. Eder
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Attest:
_______________________________
Charles D. Rennick
Secretary and General Counsel