Exhibit 99.1
TELLURIAN INC.
2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE
COMPENSATION PLAN
Effective as of February 9, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1 PURPOSES |
1 | |||||
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||||
1. |
Affiliate |
1 | ||||
2. |
Award |
1 | ||||
3. |
Award Agreement |
1 | ||||
4. |
Base Compensation |
2 | ||||
5. |
Beneficiary |
2 | ||||
6. |
Board |
2 | ||||
7. |
Cash Awards |
2 | ||||
8. |
Cause |
2 | ||||
9. |
Change in Capitalization |
3 | ||||
10. |
Change of Control |
3 | ||||
11. |
Code |
5 | ||||
12. |
Common Stock |
5 | ||||
13. |
Company |
6 | ||||
14. |
Compensation Committee |
6 | ||||
15. |
Consultant |
6 | ||||
16. |
Covered Employee |
6 | ||||
17. |
Director |
6 | ||||
18. |
Disability |
6 | ||||
19. |
Effective Date |
7 | ||||
20. |
Employee |
7 | ||||
21. |
Employer |
7 | ||||
22. |
Exchange Act |
7 | ||||
23. |
Fair Market Value |
7 | ||||
24. |
Good Reason |
7 | ||||
25. |
Incentive Award |
8 | ||||
26. |
Incentive Stock Option |
8 | ||||
27. |
Maximum Grant |
8 | ||||
28. |
Nonqualified Option |
8 | ||||
29. |
Option |
8 | ||||
30. |
Option Price |
8 | ||||
31. |
Other Stock-Based Award |
9 |
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32. |
Participant |
9 | ||||
33. |
Performance Goals |
9 | ||||
34. |
Performance Period |
10 | ||||
35. |
Performance Shares |
11 | ||||
36. |
Performance Units |
11 | ||||
37. |
Permitted Transferee |
11 | ||||
38. |
Plan |
11 | ||||
39. |
Plan Administrator |
11 | ||||
40. |
Prior Plans |
11 | ||||
41. |
Restricted Stock |
11 | ||||
42. |
Restricted Stock Units |
11 | ||||
43. |
Restriction Period |
11 | ||||
44. |
Rule 16b-3 |
11 | ||||
45. |
Section 16 Insider |
12 | ||||
46. |
Section 162(m) |
12 | ||||
47. |
Section 409A |
12 | ||||
48. |
Securities Act |
12 | ||||
49. |
Stock Appreciation Right |
12 | ||||
50. |
Subsidiary |
12 | ||||
51. |
Termination of Service |
12 | ||||
SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION |
13 | |||||
1. |
Plan Administrator |
13 | ||||
2. |
Authority of Plan Administrator |
13 | ||||
3. |
Indemnification of Plan Administrator |
14 | ||||
SECTION 4 ELIGIBILITY |
14 | |||||
SECTION 5 SHARES AVAILABLE FOR THE PLAN |
15 | |||||
1. |
Aggregate Shares |
15 | ||||
2. |
Annual Limitations |
15 | ||||
3. |
Adjustments in Authorized Shares |
16 | ||||
4. |
Effect of Certain Transactions |
16 | ||||
SECTION 6 AWARD AGREEMENTS |
17 | |||||
SECTION 7 STOCK OPTIONS |
17 | |||||
1. |
Grant of Options |
17 | ||||
2. |
Special Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options |
18 |
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3. |
Terms of Options |
19 | ||||
SECTION 8 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
22 | |||||
1. |
Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights |
22 | ||||
2. |
Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights |
22 | ||||
3. |
Special Provisions Applicable to Stock Appreciation Rights |
23 | ||||
4. |
Repricing |
23 | ||||
SECTION 9 PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS |
23 | |||||
1. |
Grant of Performance Shares and Performance Units |
23 | ||||
2. |
Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units |
24 | ||||
3. |
Payment of Performance Shares and Performance Units |
24 | ||||
4. |
Form and Timing of Payment |
24 | ||||
5. |
Dividend Equivalents |
24 | ||||
SECTION 10 RESTRICTED STOCK |
25 | |||||
1. |
Grant of Restricted Stock |
25 | ||||
2. |
Restriction Period |
25 | ||||
3. |
Other Restrictions |
25 | ||||
4. |
Voting Rights; Dividends and Other Distributions |
25 | ||||
5. |
Issuance of Shares; Settlement of Awards; Forfeiture |
26 | ||||
SECTION 11 RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS |
26 | |||||
1. |
Grant of Restricted Stock Units |
26 | ||||
2. |
Restriction Period |
26 | ||||
3. |
Other Restrictions |
27 | ||||
4. |
Dividend Equivalents |
27 | ||||
5. |
Issuance of Shares; Settlement of Awards; Forfeiture |
27 | ||||
SECTION 12 INCENTIVE AWARDS |
28 | |||||
1. |
Incentive Awards |
28 | ||||
2. |
Performance Goal Certification |
28 | ||||
3. |
Participants Performance |
28 | ||||
4. |
Required Payment of Incentive Awards |
28 | ||||
SECTION 13 CASH AWARDS AND OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS |
29 | |||||
1. |
Grant of Cash Awards |
29 | ||||
2. |
Other Stock-Based Awards |
29 | ||||
3. |
Value of Cash Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards |
29 | ||||
4. |
Payment of Cash Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards |
29 |
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SECTION 14 DEFERRAL ELECTIONS |
29 | |||||
SECTION 15 TERMINATION OF SERVICE |
30 | |||||
1. |
General |
30 | ||||
2. |
Termination of Service without Cause or with Good Reason |
30 | ||||
SECTION 16 EFFECT OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL |
30 | |||||
SECTION 17 REGULATORY APPROVALS AND LISTING |
31 | |||||
SECTION 18 TREATMENT UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY |
32 | |||||
SECTION 19 GENERAL PROVISIONS |
33 | |||||
1. |
Clawback/Forfeiture Events |
33 | ||||
2. |
Nontransferability |
33 | ||||
3. |
No Individual Rights |
33 | ||||
4. |
Other Compensation |
33 | ||||
5. |
Leaves of Absence and Change in Status |
34 | ||||
6. |
Transfers |
34 | ||||
7. |
Unfunded Obligations |
34 | ||||
8. |
Beneficiaries |
34 | ||||
9. |
Governing Law |
35 | ||||
10. |
Satisfaction of Tax Obligations |
35 | ||||
11. |
Participants in Foreign Jurisdictions |
36 | ||||
SECTION 20 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE |
36 | |||||
1. |
Rule 16b-3 and Section 162(m) |
36 | ||||
2. |
Section 409A |
36 | ||||
SECTION 21 ESTABLISHMENT AND TERM OF PLAN |
37 | |||||
SECTION 22 AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, OR DISCONTINUANCE OF THE PLAN |
37 | |||||
1. |
Amendment of Plan |
37 | ||||
2. |
Termination or Suspension of Plan |
37 | ||||
3. |
Section 162(m) Approval |
37 |
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TELLURIAN INC.
2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
SECTION 1 PURPOSES
The purposes of the Tellurian Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan) are to promote the interests of Tellurian Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and its stockholders by strengthening its ability to attract, retain, and motivate Employees, members of the Board, and Consultants of the Company and any Subsidiary by furnishing suitable recognition of their performance, ability, and experience, to align their interests and efforts to the long-term interests of the Companys stockholders, and to provide them with a direct incentive to achieve the Companys strategic and financial goals. In furtherance of these purposes, the Plan provides for the grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Incentive Awards, Cash Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards to Participants in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below.
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS
Unless otherwise required by the context, the following terms when used in the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 2:
1. Affiliate
Any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company. The term control (including, with correlative meaning, the terms controlled by and under common control with), as applied to any person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.
2. Award
Any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Incentive Award, Cash Award, or Other Stock-Based Award, in each case payable in Common Stock and/or in cash as may be designated by the Plan Administrator.
3. Award Agreement
The written agreement setting forth the terms, conditions, rights, and duties applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. All Award Agreements shall be deemed to incorporate the provisions of the Plan. An Award Agreement need not be identical to other Award Agreements either in form or substance. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, provide for the use of electronic, internet, or other non-paper Award Agreements, and provide that execution of an
Award Agreement may be evidenced by any appropriate form of electronic signature or affirmative email or other electronic response attached to or logically associated with such Award Agreement, which is executed or adopted by a party with an indication of the intention by such party to execute or adopt such Award Agreement for purposes of execution thereof.
4. Base Compensation
The non-discretionary compensation agreed to be paid from Employer to a Participant. In the case of an Employee, Base Compensation shall include such Employees base salary and shall not include any bonus or other discretionary incentive compensation. In the case of a Consultant, Base Compensation shall include non-discretionary compensation described in any consulting, service or similar agreement between Employer and Consultant. In the case of a Director, Base Compensation shall include such Directors annual fee for service as a Director, but shall not include any bonus or other discretionary incentive compensation.
5. Beneficiary
The person or persons designated by the Participant pursuant to Section 7.3(f) or Section 19.8 of this Plan to whom payments are to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Plan in the event of the Participants death.
6. Board
The Board of Directors of the Company.
7. Cash Awards
As defined in Section 13.1 of this Plan.
8. Cause
Cause shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in any Award Agreement, or in any employment, consulting, change of control severance, or similar service agreement between a Participant and an Employer, or, in the absence of such agreement, a termination of a Participants employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries resulting from (a) continued and substantial substandard performance of reasonably assigned work or other service duties that has not been cured to the Employers satisfaction; (b) intentional and substantial workplace misconduct; (c) material or repeated violation of the Employers policies, including, without limitation, the Employers Standards of Conduct or other applicable code of ethics and/or business conduct; (d) fraud or other dishonesty against the Employer; (e) engagement in conduct that the Participant knows or should know is materially injurious to the business or reputation of the Employer; (f) falsifying Employer or Participant records (including an employment or similar application); (g) unauthorized use of Employer equipment or confidential information of an Employer or third party who has entrusted such information to the Employer; or (h) conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude. With respect to a Consultant, Cause shall also include a breach by the Consultant of the applicable consulting or similar service agreement. Whether a Participant has been terminated for Cause will be determined by the Board in its sole discretion with respect to a Section 16 Insider, and, with respect to all other Participants, by the Companys Chief Executive Officer in his or her sole discretion.
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9. Change in Capitalization
Any increase or reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock, any change (including, without limitation, in the case of a spin-off, dividend, or other distribution in respect of shares, a change in value) in the shares of Common Stock, or any exchange of shares of Common Stock for a different number or kind of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or another corporation, by reason of a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, spin-off, split-up, issuance of warrants, rights, or debentures, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, property dividend, combination, or exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or otherwise.
10. Change of Control
The occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:
(a) any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a Person) acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company (the Outstanding Company Common Stock) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company or its affiliates, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company, or (4) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B), and (C) of Section 2.10(c) of this Plan, below; or
(b) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;
(c) or consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation, or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets of another entity (a Business Combination), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination
3
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or equivalent governing authority) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an Award that is (i) subject to Section 409A and (ii) a Change of Control would accelerate the timing of payment thereunder, the term Change of Control shall, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A as determined by the Compensation Committee, mean:
(i) A change in the ownership of the Company which will occur on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group within the meaning of Section 409A, acquires ownership of stock in the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. However, if any one person or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons will not be considered a change in the ownership of the Company (or to cause a change in the effective control of the Company within the meaning of subsection (ii) below). Further, an increase of the effective percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this paragraph; provided, that the following acquisitions of Company stock will not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, (B) any acquisition directly from the Company or (C) any acquisition by the Company. This subsection (i) applies only when there is a transfer of the stock of the Company (or issuance of stock) and stock in the Company remains outstanding after the transaction.
(ii) A change in the effective control of the Company which will occur on the date that either:
4
(A) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group within the meaning of Section 409A, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company (not considering stock owned by such person or group prior to such twelve (12) month period)(i.e., such person or group must acquire within a twelve (12) month period stock possessing thirty percent (30%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company) except for (1) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, (2) any acquisition directly from the Company or (3) any acquisition by the Company; or
(B) a majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors or managers whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election.
For purposes of a change in the effective control of the Company, if any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to effectively control the Company within the meaning of this subsection (ii), the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same person or persons is not considered a change in the effective control of the Company, or to cause a change in the ownership of the Company within the meaning of subsection (i) above.
(iii) A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Companys assets which will occur on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets of the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. Any transfer of assets to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the Company immediately after the transfer, as provided in guidance issued pursuant to Section 409A, will not constitute a Change of Control.
For purposes of this definition, the provisions of Section 318(a) of the Code regarding the constructive ownership of stock will apply directly or by analogy to determine ownership; provided, that, ownership interests underlying unvested options (including options exercisable for an ownership interest that is not substantially vested) will not be treated as owned by the individual who holds the option.
11. Code
The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time, and the temporary or final regulations of the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury adopted pursuant to the Code.
12. Common Stock
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The Common Stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share, or such other class of shares or other securities as may be applicable pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of this Plan.
13. Company
As defined in Section 1 of this Plan.
14. Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board.
15. Consultant
Any consultant, agent, advisor, or independent contractor who renders services to the Company or any Subsidiary and who is a natural person and otherwise qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of Common Stock on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.
16. Covered Employee
With respect to any grant of an Award, a Participant who the Plan Administrator deems is or may become for any year a covered employee as defined in Section 162(m).
17. Director
Any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or of any Subsidiary.
18. Disability
That the Participant has experienced a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The determination of whether a Participant has experienced a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Compensation Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any circumstance or transaction in which compensation payable pursuant to this Plan or an Award Agreement would be subject to the tax under Section 409A if the foregoing definition of Disability were to apply, then Disability means (i) the inability of the Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months or (ii) the receipt of income replacements by the Participant, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, for a period of not less than three (3) months under the Companys or applicable Affiliates accident and health plan.
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19. Effective Date
The effective date of the Plan is February 9, 2017, the date on which it was approved by the stockholders of the Company.
20. Employee
Any officer or other employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary. An Employee on a leave of absence for such periods and purposes conforming to the personnel policy of the Company may be considered still in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary for purposes of eligibility for participation in this Plan.
21. Employer
As to any Participant on any date, the Company or a Subsidiary that employs or retains the Participant on such date.
22. Exchange Act
The U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
23. Fair Market Value
As of any given date, the closing sales price at which Common Stock is sold on such date as reported by the NASDAQ Stock Market or any other national securities exchange or comparable service the Plan Administrator may determine is reliable for such date, or if no Common Stock was traded on such date, on the next preceding day on which Common Stock was so traded. If the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock cannot be determined pursuant to the preceding provisions, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock shall be determined by the Plan Administrator in such a manner as it deems appropriate, consistent with the requirements of Section 409A.
24. Good Reason
Unless otherwise provided in any Award Agreement, or in any employment, consulting, change of control severance, or similar service agreement between a Participant and an Employer, the term Good Reason shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events or conditions:
(a) a material diminution in such Participants status, authority, position, titles, duties, or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) with the Employer, excluding (i) an isolated, unsubstantial, and inadvertent action by the Employer not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by such Participant, and (ii) any removal or failure to reappoint such Participant to any such position in connection with the termination of such Participants services for Cause;
(b) any reduction in such Participants Base Compensation or any failure to pay such Participant any base compensation or benefit to which such Participant is entitled;
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(c) the Employers requiring such Participant to be based at any place outside a thirty-five (35) mile radius from such Participants location of employment or service, except for (i) reasonably required travel for the Employers business, or (ii) with respect to a Participant required to be based at a project site; or
(d) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Employer of any employment, consulting, change of control severance, or similar service agreement between Participant and an Employer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a termination by the Participant shall not constitute termination for Good Reason unless the Participant shall first have delivered to the Company, not later than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of an event deemed to give rise to a right to terminate for Good Reason, written notice setting forth with specificity the occurrence of such event, and there shall have passed a reasonable time (not less than thirty (30) days) within which the Company may take action to correct, rescind or otherwise substantially reverse the occurrence supporting termination for Good Reason as identified by the Participant . Participant must terminate employment within sixty (60) days following the expiration of such cure period for the termination to be on account of Good Reason.
25. Incentive Award
A percentage of base salary, a fixed dollar amount, or other measure of compensation which Participants are eligible to receive, in cash and/or other Awards under the Plan, at the end of a Performance Period if certain performance measures are achieved.
26. Incentive Stock Option
An Option intended to meet the requirements of an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code, as in effect at the time of grant of such Option, or any statutory provision that may hereafter replace such section.
27. Maximum Grant
The maximum grants set forth in Section 5.2 of this Plan.
28. Nonqualified Option
An Option which is not intended to meet the requirements of an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
29. Option
An Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Option.
30. Option Price
The price per share of Common Stock at which an Option is exercisable.
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31. Other Stock-Based Award
As defined in Section 13.2 of this Plan.
32. Participant
An eligible Employee, Director, or a Consultant to whom an Award or Awards are granted under the Plan as set forth in Section 4 of this Plan.
33. Performance Goals
The Plan Administrator may grant Awards subject to one or more Performance Goals set forth in the table below (collectively the Performance Goals) to any Participant, including, without limitation, to any Covered Employee. As to any such Awards, the Plan Administrator shall establish one or more of the Performance Goals for each Performance Period in writing. Each Performance Goal selected for a particular Performance Period shall include any one or more of the following, either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a Subsidiary or a business unit of the Company or any Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of time, on an absolute basis or relative to the pre-established target, to previous years results, or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Plan Administrator:
Financial Goals: |
-Earnings -Revenues -Debt level -Cost reduction targets -Interest-sensitivity gap Levels -EBITDAX or adjusted EBITAX |
-Earnings per share -Cash flow from Operations -Equity ratios -Capital expended -Weighted average cost of capital -Return on assets |
-Net income -Free cash flow -Expenses -Working capital -Operating or profit margin -Return on equity or capital employed | |||
Operating Goals: |
-Engineering milestones -Construction milestones -Regulatory milestones -Execution of engineering, procurement and construction agreements -Completion of regulatory filings |
-Receipt of and compliance with regulatory approvals -Receipt of a commitment of financing or refinancing -Closing of financing or refinancing -Reaching Final Investment Decision -Execution of commercial agreements |
-Completion of construction milestones -Achievement of safety standards -Operating Efficiency -Production targets -Fuel usage -Cost of production -Management of risk |
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Corporate and Others Goals |
-Total stockholder return -Asset quality levels -Investments -Satisfactory internal or external audits -Achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives |
-Market share -Assets -Asset sale targets -Value of assets -Employee retention/ attrition rates -Improvements of Financial ratings |
-Charge-offs -Non-performing assets -Fair market value of common stock -Regulatory compliance -Safety targets -Economic value added -MMBTU growth per net debt-adjusted share |
To the extent permitted by Section 162(m) with regard to pre-established performance goals, the Plan Administrator may adjust the Performance Goals to include or exclude any of the following events that occurs during the relevant period: (i) extraordinary charges, (ii) gains or losses on the disposition of business units, (iii) losses from discontinued operations, (iv) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulations affecting reported results, (v) any reorganization or restructuring transactions, (vi) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable year, (vii) significant acquisitions or divestitures, and (viii) other unplanned special charges such as restructuring expenses, acquisitions, acquisition expenses, including expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, stock offerings, stock repurchases, and loan loss provisions. To the extent such inclusions or exclusions affect Awards to Covered Employees, they shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Section 162(m) for deductibility
In establishing Performance Goals with respect to Covered Employees, the Plan Administrator shall ensure such Performance Goals (i) are established no later than the end of the first 90 days of the Performance Period (or such other time as may be required or permitted for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), if applicable), and (ii) satisfy all other applicable requirements imposed by Section 162(m), including the requirement that such Performance Goals be stated in terms of an objective formula or standard, and the Plan Administrator may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable to a Covered Employee upon the satisfaction of any Performance Goal. Prior to the payment of any performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m), the Plan Administrator shall certify in writing (which shall be satisfied upon the Plan Administrators approval of preambles and resolutions regarding such performance results and payout and without condition with respect to any subsequent approval of the minutes of the meeting relating to such certification) the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals were, in fact, achieved and the amounts to be paid, vested, or delivered as a result thereof; provided, that the Plan Administrator may reduce, but not increase, such amount.
34. Performance Period
That period of time during which Performance Goals are evaluated to determine the vesting, granting, or payout of Awards under the Plan, as the Plan Administrator may determine, provided that the period is no longer than ten (10) years.
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35. Performance Shares
An Award granted under the Plan representing the right to receive a number of shares of Common Stock for each Performance Share granted, as the Plan Administrator may determine.
36. Performance Units
An Award granted under the Plan representing the right to receive a payment (either in cash or Common Stock) equal to the value of a Performance Unit, as the Plan Administrator may determine.
37. Permitted Transferee
As defined in Section 7.3(f) of this Plan.
38. Plan
As defined in Section 1 of this Plan.
39. Plan Administrator
The Compensation Committee or other committee of the Board appointed and authorized pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Plan to administer the Plan.
40. Prior Plans
The Companys 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, and the Companys 2012 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, in each case as amended.
41. Restricted Stock
Common Stock granted under the Plan that is subject to the requirements of Section 10 of this Plan and such other restrictions as the Plan Administrator deems appropriate. References to Restricted Stock in this Plan shall include Restricted Stock awarded in conjunction with Incentive Awards pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan, unless the context otherwise requires.
42. Restricted Stock Units
An Award granted under the Plan representing a right to receive a payment (either in cash or Common Stock) equal to the value of a share of Common Stock.
43. Restriction Period
As defined in Sections 10.2 and 11.2 of this Plan, as applicable.
44. Rule 16b-3
Rule 16b-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.
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45. Section 16 Insider
Any person who is selected by the Plan Administrator to receive an Award pursuant to the Plan and who is or is reasonably expected to become subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
46. Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Code.
47. Section 409A
Section 409A of the Code.
48. Securities Act
The U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
49. Stock Appreciation Right
Any right granted under Section 8 of this Plan.
50. Subsidiary
An entity that is designated by the Plan Administrator as a subsidiary for purposes of the Plan and that is a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other entity in which the Company owns directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power or profit interests, or as to which the Company or one of its affiliates serves as general or managing partner or in a similar capacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, the term Subsidiary shall mean a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for tax purposes) in which the Company directly or indirectly holds fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power, or a limited liability company owned by the Company that is treated as a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes.
51. Termination of Service
(a) As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between an Employee and the Company or any Employer is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability, or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Employee simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Employer.
(b) As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Participant as a Consultant to the Company or any Employer is terminated for any reason, with or without Cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death, or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Employer.
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(c) As to a Director, the time when the engagement of a Director as a Director to the Company is terminated for any reason, with or without Cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death, or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Director simultaneously is re-appointed to the board, or otherwise commences or remains as a Director of the Company.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A as determined by the Compensation Committee, a termination of service means a separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A).
SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION
1. Plan Administrator
(a) The Plan Administrator shall be the Compensation Committee, or any other duly authorized committee of the Board (comprised of two or more members of the Board) that is appointed by the Board to administer the Plan. The Plan Administrator (including each individual who is a member thereof) shall be constituted at all times so as to (i) be independent as such term is defined pursuant to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed, and (ii) meet the non-employee director standards of Rule 16b-3 and the outside director requirements of Section 162(m), so long as any of the Companys equity securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act.
(b) The Plan Administrator may designate appropriate Employees or other agents of the Company to handle the day-to-day administrative matters of the Plan.
2. Authority of Plan Administrator
Subject to the express terms and conditions set forth herein, the Plan Administrator shall have the authority and power from time to time to:
(a) select the Participants to whom Awards shall be granted under the Plan and the number of shares or amount of cash subject to such Awards, and prescribe the terms and conditions (which need not be identical) of each such Award, including, in the case of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the Option Price, vesting schedule, and duration;
(b) set the terms and conditions of any Award consistent with the terms of the Plan (which may be based on Performance Goals or other performance measures as the Plan Administrator shall determine), and make any amendments, modifications, or adjustments to such Awards as are permitted by the Plan;
(c) construe and interpret the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder, and establish, amend, and revoke rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, correcting any defect or supplying any omission, or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or advisable, including so that the Plan and the operation of the Plan comply with Rule 16b-3 and the Code, to the extent applicable, and other applicable laws, and otherwise to make the Plan fully effective;
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(d) exercise its discretion with respect to the powers and rights granted to it as set forth in the Plan; and
(e) generally exercise such powers and perform such acts as are deemed necessary or advisable to promote the best interests of the Company with respect to the Plan.
All decisions and determinations by the Plan Administrator in the exercise of the above authority and powers shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the Company, a Subsidiary, the Participants, and all other persons having or claiming any interest therein. The Plan Administrator shall cause the Company, at the Companys expense, to take any action related to the Plan which may be necessary to comply with the provisions of any U.S. federal, state, or foreign law, or any regulations issued thereunder, which the Plan Administrator determines are intended to be complied with. All Awards and any administrative action taken by the Plan Administrator shall be in conformity with all applicable U.S. federal, state, and local laws and shall not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veterans status, or any other legally protected categories.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan Administrator shall not be entitled to exercise any discretion otherwise authorized hereunder with respect to any Awards held by Covered Employees if the ability to exercise such discretion or the exercise of such discretion itself would cause the compensation attributable to such Awards to fail to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), and the Awards were intended to so qualify.
3. Indemnification of Plan Administrator
Each member of any committee acting as Plan Administrator, while serving as such, shall be entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any advice of the Companys independent auditors, counsel, or consultants hired by the committee, or other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. The Plan Administrator and any Employee of the Company acting at the direction or on behalf of the Company shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made, or not taken or made, in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected under the Companys charter or by-laws with respect to any such action or determination.
SECTION 4 ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to be a Participant, an individual must be an Employee (other than an Employee who is a member of a unit subject to collective bargaining), or a Consultant to an Employer, or a Director, as of the date on which the Plan Administrator grants to such individual an Award under the Plan. Each grant of an Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
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SECTION 5 SHARES AVAILABLE FOR THE PLAN
1. Aggregate Shares
(a) Share Authorization
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.3 of this Plan, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for grant to Participants under this Plan on or after the Effective Date shall be 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, plus any remaining authorized shares of Common Stock available under the Prior Plans (and not subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans), immediately before the Effective Date, upon which this Plan shall replace the Prior Plans and no further awards shall be made under the Prior Plans. The authorized shares of Common Stock from the Prior Plans is subject to adjustment after the Effective Date as set forth in subsection (b) below.
(b) Share Usage
Shares of Common Stock covered by an Award shall only be counted as used to the extent they are actually issued. Any shares of Common Stock related to Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares of Common Stock, or are settled in cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock, shall be available again for grant under this Plan. In addition, any shares of Common Stock related to grants or awards made under the Prior Plans that after the Effective Date may lapse, expire, terminate, or are cancelled or surrendered to the Company, without having been exercised in full, shall become available for grant under this Plan. Such shares of Common Stock related to an Award under this Plan shall increase the share authorization by one (1) share of Common Stock. However, the full number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted that are to be settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock shall be counted against the number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under the Plan, regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued upon settlement of such Stock Appreciation Rights. In addition, the full number of Incentive Stock Options granted shall be counted against the number of Incentive Stock Options that may be awarded under the Plan, regardless of the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Options. The shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this Plan may be authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock or treasury shares of Common Stock.
2. Annual Limitations
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.3 of this Plan, unless and until the Plan Administrator determines that an Award to a Covered Employee shall not be designed to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), the following limitations shall apply to grants of Awards to Covered Employees under the Plan: the maximum aggregate grant with respect to shares of Common Stock that a Participant may receive in any one calendar year shall be 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, or with respect to a grant of cash, the maximum aggregate award that a Participant may receive in any one calendar year shall be equal to the value of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock (as of the time of settlement).
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3. Adjustments in Authorized Shares
(a) In the event of a Change in Capitalization that is not also a Change of Control, the Plan Administrator shall make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as it determines are appropriate and equitable, and to the extent such an action does not conflict with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or other applicable laws or securities exchange rules, to (i) the maximum number and class of shares of Common Stock or other stock or securities with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan, (ii) the maximum number and class of shares of Common Stock or other stock or securities that may be issued upon exercise of Nonqualified Options, Incentive Stock Options, and Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) the Maximum Grants, (iv) the number and class of shares of Common Stock or other stock or securities which are subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan and the Option Price or exercise price therefore, if applicable, and (v) the Performance Goals; provided, however, that in the case of an equity restructuring (as that term is used in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718), the Board shall make an equitable or appropriate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any such adjustment shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all persons claiming any right or interest under the Plan.
(b) Any such adjustment in the shares of Common Stock or other stock or securities (i) subject to outstanding Incentive Stock Options (including any adjustments in the exercise price) shall be made in such manner as not to constitute a modification as defined by Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Sections 422 and 424 of the Code, or (ii) subject to outstanding Awards that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) shall be made in such a manner as not to adversely affect the treatment of the Awards as performance-based compensation.
(c) If, by reason of a Change in Capitalization that is not also a Change of Control, a Participant shall be entitled to, or shall be entitled to exercise an Option or Stock Appreciation Right with respect to, new, additional, or different shares of stock or securities of the Company or any other entity, such new, additional, or different shares shall thereupon be subject to all of the conditions, restrictions, and performance criteria which were applicable to the shares of Common Stock that such shares replaced or to the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as the case may be, prior to such Change in Capitalization.
(d) No adjustments made under this Section 5.3 of this Plan shall be made with respect to a Participants Award if such adjustment would result in adverse taxation to such Participant under Section 409A.
4. Effect of Certain Transactions
Following (a) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (b) a merger or consolidation of the Company (a Transaction), (i) each outstanding Award shall be treated as provided for in the agreement entered into in connection with the Transaction (which treatment may be different as among different types of Awards and different holders thereof) or (ii) if not so provided in such agreement, each Participant shall be entitled to receive in respect of each share of Common Stock subject to any outstanding Awards, upon exercise of any Option or
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Stock Appreciation Right or payment or transfer in respect of any other Award, the same number and kind of stock, securities, cash, property, or other consideration that each holder of a share of Common Stock was entitled to receive in the Transaction in respect of a share of Common Stock; provided, however, that such stock, securities, cash, property, or other consideration shall remain subject to all of the conditions, restrictions, and performance criteria which were applicable to Awards prior to such Transaction, but giving effect to any applicable provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement if the Transaction is a Change of Control. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the treatment of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5.4 in connection with a Transaction in which the consideration paid or distributed to the Companys stockholders is not entirely securities of the acquiring or resulting entity may include the cancellation of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights upon consummation of the Transaction provided either (x) the holders of affected Options and Stock Appreciation Rights have been given a period of at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the consummation of the Transaction to exercise the Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (whether or not they were otherwise exercisable) or (y) the holders of the affected Options and Stock Appreciation Rights are paid (in cash or cash equivalents) in respect of each share of Common Stock covered by the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights being cancelled an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the per share price paid or distributed to stockholders in the Transaction (the value of any non-cash consideration to be determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion) over the exercise price thereof. For clarification and avoidance of doubt, (1) the cancellation of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to clause (y) of the preceding sentence may be effected notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan or any Award Agreement and (2) if the amount determined pursuant to clause (y) of the preceding sentence is zero or less, the affected Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be cancelled without any payment therefor. The treatment of any Award as provided in this Section 5.4 shall be conclusively presumed to be appropriate for purposes of Section 5.3 of this Plan.
SECTION 6 AWARD AGREEMENTS
Upon a determination by the Plan Administrator that an Award is to be granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 of this Plan, an Award Agreement shall be provided to such Participant as soon as practicable specifying, without limitation, the terms, conditions, rights, and duties related thereto, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of a Termination of Service by the Participant, and terms relating to Clawback/Forfeiture Events under Section 19.1 of this Plan. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
SECTION 7 STOCK OPTIONS
1. Grant of Options
Options may be granted to eligible Participants in such number, and at such times during the term of the Plan, as the Plan Administrator shall determine. The Plan Administrator may grant an Option or provide for the grant of an Option, either from time to time in the discretion of the Plan Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events, including, without limitation, the achievement of Performance Goals or other performance measures, or the
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satisfaction of an event or condition within the control of the recipient of the Option or within the control of others. The granting of an Option shall take place when the Plan Administrator by resolution, written consent, or other appropriate action determines to grant such an Option to a particular Participant at the Option Price. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be identified in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Option (or if no such identification is made, then it shall be a Nonqualified Option). No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Participant who is not an Employee of the Company or any subsidiary corporation of the Company (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code).
2. Special Provisions Applicable to Incentive Stock Options
Each provision of the Plan and each Incentive Stock Option granted thereunder shall be construed so that each such Option shall qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, and any provision thereof that cannot be so construed shall be disregarded, unless the Employee agrees otherwise. Incentive Stock Options, in addition to complying with the other provisions of the Plan relating to Options generally, shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a) Ten Percent (10%) Stockholders
An Employee must not, immediately before an Incentive Stock Option is granted to him or her, own stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of a Subsidiary. This requirement is waived if (i) the Option Price of the Incentive Stock Option to be granted is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the stock subject to the Option, determined at the time the Option is granted, and (ii) the Option is not exercisable more than five (5) years from the date the Option is granted.
(b) Annual Limitation
To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of the grant of the Option) of the stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Employee during any calendar year exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), such Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Options. In applying the limitation in the preceding sentence in the case of multiple Option grants, unless otherwise required by applicable law, Options which were intended to be Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Options according to the order in which they were granted such that the most recently granted Options are first treated as Nonqualified Options.
(c) Additional Terms
Any other terms and conditions which the Plan Administrator determines, upon advice of counsel, must be imposed for the Option to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(d) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition
If an Employee makes any disposition of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to disqualifying dispositions), the Employee shall notify the Company of such disposition within twenty (20) days thereof.
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3. Terms of Options
Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement and Section 7.2 of this Plan, all Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Options under the Plan shall be granted subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) Option Price
The Option Price shall be determined by the Plan Administrator in any reasonable manner, but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Option is granted, except in the case of Options that are granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by (i) a company acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary, or (ii) a company with which the Company or a Subsidiary combines.
(b) Duration of Options
Options shall be exercisable at such time and under such conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement, but in no event shall any Option (whether a Nonqualified Option or an Incentive Stock Option) be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of its grant.
(c) Exercise of Options
Common Stock covered by an Option may be purchased at one time or in such installments over the option period as may be provided in the Award Agreement. Any Common Stock not purchased on an applicable installment date may be purchased thereafter at any time prior to the expiration of the Option in accordance with its terms. To the extent that the right to purchase Common Stock has accrued thereunder, an Option may be exercised from time to time by notice to the Company setting forth the amount of Common Stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised.
(d) Payment
The purchase price of Common Stock purchased under Options shall be paid in full to the Company upon the exercise of the Option, by delivery of consideration equal to the product of the Option Price and the Common Stock purchased (the Purchase Price). The Purchase Price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations (including, without limitation, U.S. federal tax and securities laws and regulations, and applicable state corporate law), and as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods), and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:
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(i) by cash, check, bank draft, or money order payable to the Company;
(ii) pursuant to a broker-assisted cashless exercise program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker approved by the Company to promptly deliver to the Company sufficient proceeds from the sale of Common Stock to pay the aggregate Purchase Price;
(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation presenting satisfactory proof of beneficial ownership of such Common Stock) of shares of Common Stock already owned by the Participant, with the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock as delivered to be determined as of the day of exercise;
(iv) by a net exercise arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value (determined as of the same day as the exercise of the Option) that does not exceed the aggregate Purchase Price; provided, however, that the Company shall accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate Purchase Price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares of Common Stock to be issued; provided, further, that shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares are used to pay the Purchase Price pursuant to the net exercise, (B) are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations; or
(v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion and permissible under applicable laws and regulations.
A Participant shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to shares of Common Stock subject to an Option until the shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant upon exercise of the Option.
(e) Restrictions
The Plan Administrator shall determine and reflect in the Award Agreement, with respect to each Option, the nature and extent of the restrictions, if any, to be imposed on the Common Stock which may be purchased thereunder, including, without limitation, restrictions on the transferability of such Common Stock acquired through the exercise of such Options for such periods as the Plan Administrator may determine. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, the Plan Administrator may require that a Participant who wants to effectuate a cashless exercise of Options be required to sell the Common Stock acquired in the associated exercise to the Company, or in the open market through the use of a broker selected by the Company, at such price and on such terms as the Plan Administrator may determine at the time of grant, or otherwise. Without limiting the foregoing, the Plan Administrator may impose such restrictions, conditions, or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any
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Common Stock issued as a result of the exercise of an Option, including, without limitation, (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (ii) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by one or more Participants, and (iii) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.
(f) Transferability of Options
Notwithstanding Section 19.2 of this Plan and only if allowed by the Plan Administrator in its discretion, Nonqualified Options may be transferred to a Participants immediate family members, directly or indirectly or by means of a trust, corporate entity, partnership or other legal entity (with a person who thus acquires such Nonqualified Options by such transfer, a Permitted Transferee). A transfer of a Nonqualified Option may only be effected by the Company at the request of the Participant and shall become effective upon the Permitted Transferee agreeing to such terms as the Plan Administrator may require and only when recorded in the Companys record of outstanding Options. In the event an Option is transferred as contemplated hereby, the Option may not be subsequently transferred by the Permitted Transferee, except for a transfer back to the Participant or by will or the laws of descent and distribution. A transferred Option may be exercised by a Permitted Transferee to the same extent as, and subject to the same terms and conditions as, the Participant (except as otherwise provided herein), as if no transfer had taken place. As used herein, immediate family member shall mean, with respect to any person, such persons child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son- in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, and shall include adoptive relationships. In the event of exercise of a transferred Option by a Permitted Transferee, any amounts due to (or to be withheld by) the Company upon exercise of the Option shall be delivered by (or withheld from amounts due to) the Participant, the Participants estate, or the Permitted Transferee, in the reasonable discretion of the Company.
In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and Rule 16b-3, the Plan Administrator may permit a recipient of a Nonqualified Option to designate in writing during the Participants lifetime a Beneficiary to receive and exercise the Participants Nonqualified Options in the event of such Participants death.
(g) Purchase for Investment
The Plan Administrator shall have the right to require that each Participant or other person who shall exercise an Option under the Plan, and each person into whose name the Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option, represent and agree that any and all Common Stock purchased pursuant to such Option is being purchased for investment only and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof, and that such Common Stock will not be sold except in accordance with such restrictions or limitations as may be set forth in the Option or by the Plan Administrator. This Section 7.3(g) shall be inoperative during any period of time when the Company has obtained all necessary or advisable approvals from governmental agencies and has completed all necessary or advisable registrations or other qualifications of the Common Stock as to which Options may from time to time be granted, as contemplated in Section 17 of this Plan.
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(h) Death of Optionholder
Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event a Participants Termination of Service as a result of the Participants death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Participants estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option upon the Participants death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the date of death or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Participants death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall immediately cease to be exercisable and terminate for no consideration.
(i) Repricing
The Plan Administrator in its discretion may, with the consent of an Option holder, cancel an outstanding Option in exchange for the grant of a new Option with an exercise price no less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
SECTION 8 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
1. Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants in such number, and at such times during the term of the Plan, as the Plan Administrator shall determine. The Plan Administrator may grant a Stock Appreciation Right or provide for the grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, either from time to time in the discretion of the Plan Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events, including, without limitation, the achievement of Performance Goals or other performance measures, or the satisfaction of an event or condition within the control of the recipient of the Stock Appreciation Right or within the control of others. The granting of a Stock Appreciation Right shall take place when the Plan Administrator by resolution, written consent, or other appropriate action determines to grant such a Stock Appreciation Right to a particular Participant at a particular price. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted freestanding or in tandem or in combination with any other Award under the Plan.
2. Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights
A Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised upon such terms and conditions and for such term as the Plan Administrator shall determine; provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of its grant. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive Common Stock, or the cash equivalent, with an aggregate Fair Market Value determined by multiplying (i) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right over the price determined by the Plan Administrator on the date of grant (which price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant, except in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights that are granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by (x) a company
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acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary, or (y) a company with which the Company or a Subsidiary combines) times (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. The value of any fractional shares shall be paid in cash.
3. Special Provisions Applicable to Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock Appreciation Rights are subject to the following restrictions:
(a) A Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with any other Award under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times as the Award to which it relates shall be exercisable, or at such other times as the Plan Administrator may determine.
(b) The right of a Participant to exercise a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with any other Award under the Plan shall be canceled if and to the extent the related Award is exercised or canceled. To the extent that a Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, the related Award shall be deemed to have been surrendered unexercised and canceled.
(c) A holder of Stock Appreciation Rights shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Common Stock subject thereto until the Common Stock, if any, is issued to such holder pursuant to such holders exercise of such rights.
(d) The acquisition of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to the same restrictions as would apply to the acquisition of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Option, as set forth in Section 7.3 of this Plan.
4. Repricing
The Plan Administrator in its discretion may, with the consent of the holder, cancel an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for the grant of a new Stock Appreciation Right with a base price no less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
SECTION 9 PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS
1. Grant of Performance Shares and Performance Units
Subject to the limitations in Section 5.2 of this Plan, Performance Shares or Performance Units may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as the Plan Administrator shall determine. The Plan Administrator shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units granted to each Participant and the terms and conditions thereof. Performance Shares and Performance Units may be granted alone or in combination with any other Award under the Plan.
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2. Value of Performance Shares and Performance Units
The Plan Administrator shall establish Performance Goals for any specified Performance Periods. In no event shall a Performance Period be less than one (1) year with respect to grants of Performance Shares or Performance Units. Prior to each grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units, the Plan Administrator shall establish an initial amount of Common Stock for each Performance Share and an initial value for each Performance Unit granted to each Participant for that Performance Period. Prior to each grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units, the Plan Administrator also shall set the Performance Goals that will be used to determine the extent to which the Participant receives Common Stock for the Performance Shares or payment of the value of the Performance Units awarded for such Performance Period. With respect to each such Performance Goal utilized during a Performance Period, the Plan Administrator may assign percentages or other relative values to various levels of performance which shall be applied to determine the extent to which the Participant shall receive a payout of the number of Performance Shares or value of Performance Units awarded.
3. Payment of Performance Shares and Performance Units
After a Performance Period has ended, the holder of a Performance Share or Performance Unit shall be entitled to receive the value thereof as determined by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall make this determination by first determining the extent to which the Performance Goals set pursuant to Section 9.2 of this Plan have been met. The Plan Administrator shall then determine the applicable percentage or other relative value to be applied to, and will apply such percentage or other relative value to, the number of Performance Shares or value of Performance Units to determine the payout to be received by the Participant. In addition, with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units granted to each Participant, no payout shall be made hereunder except upon written certification by the Plan Administrator that the applicable Performance Goals have been satisfied to a particular extent.
4. Form and Timing of Payment
The payment described in Section 9.3 of this Plan shall be made in Common Stock, or in cash, or partly in Common Stock and partly in cash, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. The value of any fractional shares shall be paid in cash. Payment shall be made in a lump sum or installments as prescribed by the Award Agreement, as applicable, and consistent with Section 409A. If Common Stock is to be converted into an amount of cash on any date, or if an amount of cash is to be converted into Common Stock on any date, such conversion shall be done at the then-current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on such date.
5. Dividend Equivalents
The Plan Administrator may provide that Performance Shares or Performance Units awarded under the Plan shall be entitled to an amount per Performance Share or Performance Unit equal in value to the cash dividend, if any, paid per share of Common Stock on issued and outstanding shares, on the dividend payment dates (Dividend Payment Date) occurring during the period between the date on which the Performance Shares or Performance Units are granted to the Participant and the date on which such Performance Shares or Performance Units are settled, cancelled, forfeited, waived, surrendered, or terminated under the Plan. Such paid amounts, called dividend equivalents, shall be accrued and paid in cash and/or Common Stock (including reinvestment in additional shares of Common Stock) and paid at such time as the
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Performance Share or Performance Unit to which it relates vests and settles as the Plan Administrator shall determine. The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued and/or reinvested shall be determined based on the Fair Market Value on the Dividend Payment Date. In the event the dividend equivalents are deferred, they shall be payable in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.
SECTION 10 RESTRICTED STOCK
1. Grant of Restricted Stock
Subject to the limitations in Section 5.2 of this Plan, Restricted Stock may be granted to Participants in such number and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Plan Administrator shall determine. The Plan Administrator may grant Restricted Stock or provide for the grant of Restricted Stock, either from time to time in the discretion of the Plan Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events.
2. Restriction Period
Except as permitted by the Plan Administrator and specified in the Award Agreement, during a period following the date of grant, as determined by the Plan Administrator, which in no event shall be less than one (1) year with respect to Restricted Stock subject to restrictions based upon time and one (1) year with respect to Restricted Stock subject to restrictions based upon the achievement of specific Performance Goals or other performance measures (the Restriction Period), the Restricted Stock shall be subject to Section 19.2 of this Plan. During the Restriction Period, the Plan Administrator shall evidence the restrictions on the shares of Restricted Stock in such a manner as it determines is appropriate (including, without limitation, (i) by means of appropriate legends on certificates for shares of Restricted Stock that have been certificated, and (ii) by means of appropriate stop-transfer orders for shares of Restricted Stock credited to book-entry accounts).
3. Other Restrictions
The Plan Administrator shall impose such other restrictions on Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable, including Performance Goals or other performance measures. The Plan Administrator may require, under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate or desirable, that the certificates for Restricted Stock delivered under the Plan may be held in custody by a bank or other institution, or that the Company may itself hold such shares in custody, until the Restriction Period expires or until restrictions thereon otherwise lapse, and may require, as a condition of any issuance of Restricted Stock, that the Participant shall have delivered a stock power endorsed in blank relating to the shares of Restricted Stock.
4. Voting Rights; Dividends and Other Distributions
A Participant receiving a grant of Restricted Stock shall be recorded as a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise provided under the terms of the Plan or an Award Agreement, a Participant who receives a grant of Restricted Stock shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares (except as provided in the restrictions on transferability), including the right to vote the shares and receive dividends and
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other distributions paid with respect to the underlying shares of Common Stock. The Award Agreement may provide that any cash dividend paid on a share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock be (i) paid in cash on or about the Dividend Payment Date; (ii) accrued and paid at such time as the Restricted Stock to which it relates vests and settles; (iii) paid in Common Stock on or about the Dividend Payment Date; (iv) accrued and/or reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock and paid at such time as the Restricted Stock to which it relates vests and settles; or (v) in any combination thereof. The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued and/or reinvested shall be determined based on the Fair Market Value on the Dividend Payment Date. In the event the dividends are deferred, they shall be payable in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.
5. Issuance of Shares; Settlement of Awards; Forfeiture
When the restrictions imposed by Section 10.2 of this Plan expire or otherwise lapse with respect to one or more shares of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall be obligated to return to the Company any certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock (if applicable), and the Company shall deliver to the Participant one (1) share of Common Stock (which may be delivered in book-entry or certificated form) in satisfaction of each share of Restricted Stock, which shares so delivered shall not contain any legend. The delivery of shares pursuant to this Section 10.5 of this Plan shall be subject to any required share withholding to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 19.10 of this Plan. Any fractional shares subject to such Restricted Stock shall be paid to the Participant in cash. To the extent that the restrictions imposed by Section 10.2 of this Plan do not expire or otherwise lapse during or upon the end of the Restriction Period with respect to one or more shares of Restricted Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof, such shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited to the Company, and the Participant shall be obligated to return to the Company for cancellation any certificate(s) representing shares of such Restricted Stock (if applicable).
SECTION 11 RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
1. Grant of Restricted Stock Units
Subject to the limitations in Section 5.2 of this Plan, Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Participants in such number and at such times during the term of the Plan as the Plan Administrator shall determine. The Plan Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units or provide for the grant of Restricted Stock Units, either from time to time in the discretion of the Plan Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of specified events.
2. Restriction Period
Except as permitted by the Plan Administrator and specified in the Award Agreement, during a period following the date of grant, as determined by the Plan Administrator, which in no event shall be less than one (1) year with respect to Restricted Stock Units subject to restrictions based upon time and one (1) year with respect to Restricted Stock Units subject to restrictions based upon the achievement of specific Performance Goals or other performance measures (the Restriction Period), the Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to Section 19.2 of this Plan.
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3. Other Restrictions
The Plan Administrator shall impose such other restrictions on Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable, including the requirement that certain pre-established Performance Goals be met. A Participant receiving a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall not be recorded as a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares of Common Stock that may be issued in settlement of such Restricted Stock Units, and shall not acquire any rights of a stockholder with respect thereto, unless or until the Participant is issued shares of Common Stock in settlement of such Restricted Stock Units.
4. Dividend Equivalents
The Award Agreement may provide that Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan shall be entitled to an amount per Restricted Stock Unit equal in value to the cash dividend, if any, paid per share of Common Stock on issued and outstanding shares, on the Dividend Payment Dates occurring during the period between the date on which the Restricted Stock Units are granted to the Participant and the date on which such Restricted Stock Units are settled, cancelled, forfeited, waived, surrendered, or terminated under the Plan. Such paid amounts, called dividend equivalents, shall be (i) paid in cash on or about the Dividend Payment Date or accrued and paid at such time as the Restricted Stock Unit to which it relates vests and settles, (ii) paid in Common Stock on or about the Dividend Payment Date or accrued and/or reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock and paid at such time as the Restricted Stock Units to which it relates vests and settles, or (iii) paid in any combination thereof of cash or Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued and/or reinvested shall be determined based on the Fair Market Value on the Dividend Payment Date. In the event the dividend equivalents are deferred, they shall be payable in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.
5. Issuance of Shares; Settlement of Awards; Forfeiture
When the restrictions imposed by Section 11.2 of this Plan expire or otherwise lapse with respect to one or more Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock Units shall be settled (i) in cash, or (ii) by the delivery to the Participant of the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of the Participants Restricted Stock Units that are vested, or any combination thereof, as the Plan Administrator shall determine and is in accordance with Section 409A. The delivery of shares pursuant to this Section 11.5 shall be subject to any required share withholding to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to Section 19.10 of this Plan. Any fractional shares subject to such Restricted Stock Units shall be paid to the Participant in cash. To the extent that the restrictions imposed by Section 11.2 of this Plan do not expire or otherwise lapse during or upon the end of the Restriction Period with respect to one or more Restricted Stock Units pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof, such Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited and cancelled.
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SECTION 12 INCENTIVE AWARDS
1. Incentive Awards
Prior to the beginning of each Performance Period, or not later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of the relevant fiscal year (or such other time as may be required or permitted for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m), if applicable), the Plan Administrator shall establish Performance Goals or other performance measures which must be achieved for any Participant to receive an Incentive Award for that Performance Period. The Performance Goals or other performance measures may be based on any combination of corporate and business unit Performance Goals or other performance measures. The Plan Administrator may also establish one or more Company-wide Performance Goals or other performance measures which must be achieved for any Participant to receive an Incentive Award for that Performance Period. Such Performance Goals or other performance measures may include a threshold level of performance below which no Incentive Award shall be earned, target levels of performance at which specific Incentive Awards will be earned, and a maximum level of performance at which the maximum level of Incentive Awards will be earned. Each Incentive Award shall specify the amount of cash and the amount of any other Awards subject to such Incentive Award.
2. Performance Goal Certification
An Incentive Award shall become payable to the extent provided herein and in the related Award Agreement in the event that the Plan Administrator certifies in writing prior to payment of the Incentive Award that the Performance Goals or other performance measures selected for a particular Performance Period have been attained. In no event will an Incentive Award be payable under this Plan if the threshold level of performance set for each Performance Goal or other performance measure for the applicable Performance Period is not attained.
3. Participants Performance
A Participants individual performance must be satisfactory as determined by the Plan Administrator, regardless of the Companys performance and the attainment of Performance Goals or other performance measures, before he or she may be paid an Incentive Award. In evaluating a Participants performance, the Plan Administrator shall consider the Performance Goals or other performance measures, the Participants responsibilities and accomplishments, and such other factors as it deems appropriate.
4. Required Payment of Incentive Awards
The Plan Administrator shall make a determination, as soon as administratively possible after the information that is necessary to make such a determination is available for a particular Performance Period, whether the Performance Goals or other performance measures for the Performance Period have been achieved, the amount of the Incentive Award for each Participant, and whether the Incentive Award shall be paid in cash and/or other Awards under the Plan. The Plan Administrator shall certify the foregoing determinations in writing as provided in Section 2.33 of this Plan. In the absence of an election by the Participant pursuant to Section 14 of this Plan, the Incentive Award shall be paid as soon as practicable, but in no event later than March 15 following the end of the calendar year in which the foregoing determinations have been made.
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SECTION 13 CASH AWARDS AND OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
1. Grant of Cash Awards
Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Plan Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant cash awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms, including the achievement of Performance Goals or other specific performance measures, as the Plan Administrator may determine (each, a Cash Award).
2. Other Stock-Based Awards
The Plan Administrator may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted shares of Common Stock, Awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property, or Common Stock) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Plan Administrator shall determine (each an Other Stock-Based Award). Such Other Stock-Based Awards may involve the transfer of Common Stock to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on or valued in whole or in part by reference to the value of Common Stock.
3. Value of Cash Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards
Each Cash Award granted pursuant to this Section 13 shall specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Plan Administrator. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Common Stock or units based on Common Stock, as determined by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may establish performance measures applicable to such Awards in its discretion. If the Plan Administrator exercises its discretion to establish performance measures, the number and/or value of such cash awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance measures are met.
4. Payment of Cash Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards
Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash Award or an Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or Common Stock as the Plan Administrator determines, and in accordance with Section 409A so as not to be treated as payment made pursuant to a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The value of any fractional shares shall be paid in cash.
SECTION 14 DEFERRAL ELECTIONS
The Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, and to the extent permitted by applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 409A), permit Employees to defer Awards under the Plan. Any such deferrals shall be subject to such terms, conditions, and procedures that the Company may establish from time to time in its sole discretion and consistent with the advance and subsequent deferral election requirements of Section 409A.
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SECTION 15 TERMINATION OF SERVICE
1. General
The Award Agreement applicable to each Award shall set forth the effect of a Termination of Service upon such Award; provided, however, that, except in the event of death or Disability, and unless explicitly provided herein or set forth otherwise in an Award Agreement or as determined by the Plan Administrator, (i) all of a Participants unvested and/or unexercisable Awards shall automatically be forfeited upon a Termination of Service for any reason, and, except as provided in Section 7.3(h), as to Awards consisting of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, the Participant shall be permitted to exercise the vested portion of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right for at least three (3) months following termination of his or her employment, and (ii) all of a Participants unvested Awards shall automatically be forfeited upon Termination of Service for Cause or without Good Reason. Provisions relating to the effect of a Termination of Service upon an Award shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Plan Administrator, and need not be uniform among all Awards or among all Participants. Unless the Plan Administrator determines otherwise in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, the transfer of employment of a Participant as between the Company and a Subsidiary shall not constitute a Termination of Service. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretion to determine the effect, if any, that a sale or other disposition of an Employer will have on the Participants Awards.
2. Termination of Service without Cause or with Good Reason
In the event of a Participants Termination of Service by the Company without Cause, or by the Participant for Good Reason:
(a) Any Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding which are not then exercisable and vested, shall become fully exercisable and vested.
(b) The restrictions applicable to any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award which are not performance based shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit shall become free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable.
(c) The restrictions applicable to any Performance Share or Performance Unit Award and any performance-based Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award granted pursuant to Sections 9, 10, or 11 of this Plan shall become free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable.
(d) Any restrictions applicable to Cash Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall immediately lapse and become payable within twenty (20) days following the Termination of Service.
SECTION 16 EFFECT OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary and unless otherwise provided in any applicable Award Agreement, or any applicable employment, consulting, change of control severance, or similar service agreement between a Participant and an Employer, in the event of a Change of Control:
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(a) Any Options and Stock Appreciation Rights outstanding which are not then exercisable and vested, shall become fully exercisable and vested.
(b) The restrictions applicable to any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award which are not performance based shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit shall become free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable.
(c) The restrictions applicable to any Performance Share or Performance Unit Award and any performance-based Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Award granted pursuant to Sections 9, 10, or 11 of this Plan shall become free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable.
(d) Any restrictions applicable to Cash Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards shall immediately lapse and become payable within twenty (20) days following the Change of Control.
In addition to the Plan Administrators authority set forth in Sections 5.3 of this Plan, in order to maintain the Participants rights in the event of any Change of Control, the Plan Administrator, as constituted before such Change of Control, is hereby authorized, and has sole discretion, as to any Award, either at the time such Award is made hereunder or any time thereafter, to take any one or more of the following actions: (i) provide for the purchase of any such Award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participants rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable, as long as such purchase does not result in taxation to the Participant under Section 409A; or (ii) cause any such Award then outstanding to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefor, by the acquiring or surviving entity after such Change of Control. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award Agreement as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company.
SECTION 17 REGULATORY APPROVALS AND LISTING
The Company shall not be required to issue any certificate or create a book-entry account for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to:
(a) obtaining any approval or ruling from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, or any other governmental agency which the Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be necessary or advisable;
(b) listing of such shares on any stock exchange on which the Common Stock may then be listed; and
(c) completing any registration or other qualification of such shares under any federal or state laws, rulings, or regulations of any governmental body which the Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be necessary or advisable.
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All certificates, or book-entry accounts, for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall also be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Plan Administrator may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Plan Administrator may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates, or notations on such book-entry accounts, to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. The foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not be effective if and to the extent that the shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan are covered by an effective and current registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and if and so long as the Plan Administrator determines that application of such provisions are no longer required or desirable. In making such determination, the Plan Administrator may rely upon an opinion of counsel for the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, the Plan Administrator may impose such restrictions, conditions, or limitations as it determines to be appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by a Participant of any shares of Common Stock issued under this Plan, including, without limitation, (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (ii) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by one or more Participants, and (iii) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.
SECTION 18 TREATMENT UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY
Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or any special Plan document governing an Award or any employment, consulting, change of control severance, or similar service agreement between a Participant and an Employer, upon a Termination of Service by reason of death or Disability:
(a) All of such Participants outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall become fully exerciseable, and shall thereafter remain exercisable for a period of one (1) year or until the earlier expiration of the original term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right
(b) All time-based vesting restrictions on the Participants outstanding Awards shall lapse as of the date of such termination; and
(c) The payout opportunities attainable under all of that Participants outstanding performance-based Awards shall be determined as provided in the Award Agreement or any special Plan document governing the Award, or any employment, consulting, change of control severance, or similar service agreement with Participant.
To the extent that this Section 18 causes Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Section 422(b) of the Code, the excess Options shall be deemed Nonqualified Options.
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SECTION 19 GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. Clawback/Forfeiture Events
(a) If required by Company policy, by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and/or by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 or other applicable laws, each Participants Award shall be conditioned on repayment or forfeiture in accordance with such applicable laws, Company policy, and any relevant provisions in the related Award Agreement.
(b) The Plan Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement or otherwise that a Participants rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, termination of employment for Cause, violation of material policies that may apply to the Participant, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or a Subsidiary.
2. Nontransferability
Unless otherwise provided in the Plan and permitted by law, including but not limited to the Code, the right of a Participant or Beneficiary to the payment of any Award granted under the Plan, and the rights and privileges conferred thereby, shall not be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process, and may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated in any manner (whether by operation of law or otherwise), other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, unless the Participant has received the Plan Administrators prior written consent. Except as otherwise provided for under the Plan, if any Participant attempts to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of any Award under the Plan, or of any right or privilege conferred thereby, contrary to the provisions of the Plan or such Award, or suffers the sale or levy or any attachment or similar process upon the rights or privileges conferred thereby, all affected Awards held by such Participant shall be immediately forfeited.
3. No Individual Rights
Nothing contained in the Plan, or in any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Consultant for, the Company or a Subsidiary, nor interfere in any way with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of such Participant at any time with or without assigning any reason therefor, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Employer.
4. Other Compensation
Unless determined otherwise by the Plan Administrator or required by contractual obligations, the grant, vesting, or payment of Awards under the Plan shall not be considered as part of a Participants salary or used for the calculation of any other pay, allowance, pension, or other benefit, unless otherwise permitted by other benefit plans provided by the Company or a Subsidiary, or required by law or by contractual obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary.
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5. Leaves of Absence and Change in Status
Leaves of absence for such periods and purposes conforming to the personnel policy of the Company, or of a Subsidiary, as applicable, shall not be deemed a Termination of Service, unless a Participant commences a leave of absence from which he or she is not expected to return to active employment or service with the Company or a Subsidiary. The foregoing notwithstanding, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, employment shall not be deemed to continue beyond the first ninety (90) days of such leave unless the Participants reemployment rights are guaranteed by statute or contract. With respect to any Participant who, after the date an Award is granted under this Plan, ceases to be employed by or provide services to the Company or a Subsidiary on a full-time basis but continues to be employed or provide services on a part-time basis, the Plan Administrator may make appropriate adjustments, as determined in its sole discretion, as to the number of shares issuable under, the vesting schedule of, or the amount payable under any unvested Awards held by such Participant.
6. Transfers
In the event a Participant is transferred from the Company to a Subsidiary, or vice versa, or is promoted or given different responsibilities, Awards granted to the Participant prior to such date shall not be affected by such event.
7. Unfunded Obligations
Any amounts (deferred or otherwise) to be paid to Participants pursuant to the Plan are unfunded obligations. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to segregate any monies from its general funds, to create any trusts, or to make any special deposits with respect to this obligation. The Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may direct the Company to share with a Subsidiary the costs of a portion of the Incentive Awards paid to Participants who are executives of those companies. Beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust investments which the Company may make to fulfill this obligation, shall at all times remain in the Company. Any investments and the creation or maintenance of any trust or any Participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or a fiduciary relationship between the Plan Administrator, the Company, or any Subsidiary, and a Participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial interest in any Participant or the Participants Beneficiary or the Participants creditors in any assets of the Company or a Subsidiary whatsoever. The Participants shall have no claim against the Company for any changes in the value of any assets which may be invested or reinvested by the Company with respect to the Plan.
8. Beneficiaries
The designation of a Beneficiary shall be on a form provided by the Company, executed by the Participant (with the consent of the Participants spouse, if required by the Company for reasons of community property or otherwise), and delivered to a designated representative of the Company. The Company may, in its discretion, utilize an electronic process for Beneficiary designations. A Participant may change his or her Beneficiary designation at any time. A
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designation by a Participant under any predecessor plans shall remain in effect under the Plan, unless such designation is revoked or changed under the Plan. In the event that a Participant becomes divorced, a Beneficiary designation under this Plan or a predecessor plan in favor of his or her divorced spouse shall become void as of the effective date of the divorce, unless the Participant re-designates the former spouse as his or her Beneficiary following the effective date of the divorce. If no Beneficiary is designated, if the designation is ineffective, or if the Beneficiary dies before the balance of a Participants benefit is paid, the balance shall be paid to the Participants spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, to the Participants estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, a Participants Beneficiary shall be determined under applicable state law if such state law does not recognize Beneficiary designations under plans of this sort and is not preempted by laws which recognize the provisions of this Section 19.8. In the event that the Plan Administrator determines that two or more claims are made by claimed Beneficiaries against the Plan for an Award, the Plan Administrator may initiate an interpleader action in a court of competent jurisdiction to resolve the controversy.
In the event that an Award has vested, its restrictions have lapsed, or it has been exercised and the underlying shares of Common Stock relating to such award have been transferred to a brokerage account, it is the responsibility of the Participant to establish and maintain beneficiary designations with that broker.
9. Governing Law
The Plan, all Award Agreements and all corporate law matters with respect to the Company shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
10. Satisfaction of Tax Obligations
Appropriate provision shall be made for all taxes required to be withheld in connection with the grant, vesting, exercise, or other taxable event with respect to Awards under the applicable laws and regulations of any governmental authority, whether federal, state, or local and whether domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the required withholding of a sufficient amount of Common Stock otherwise issuable to a Participant to satisfy such required tax withholding obligations. To the extent provided by the Plan Administrator, a Participant is permitted to deliver Common Stock (including shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right other than the Option or Stock Appreciation Right currently being exercised, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations) for payment of withholding taxes on the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, upon the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or upon the payout of Performance Shares, Performance Units, or Incentive Awards. Common Stock may be required to be withheld from the shares issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, upon the vesting of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or upon the payout of Performance Shares or Performance Units, to satisfy such required tax withholding obligations. The Fair Market Value of Common Stock as delivered pursuant to this Section 19.10 shall be determined as of the day of such delivery, and shall be calculated in accordance with Section 2.23 of this Plan.
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Any Participant who makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code shall, within ten (10) days of making such election, notify the Company in writing of such election and shall provide the Company or such Participants Employer with a copy of such election form filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
A Participant is solely responsible for obtaining, or failing to obtain, tax advice with respect to participation in the Plan prior to the Participants (i) entering into any transaction under or with respect to the Plan, (ii) designating or choosing the times of distributions under the Plan, (iii) the making of any elections applicable to the Participant in connection with any Award under the Plan, including, without limitation, an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, or (iv) disposing of any Common Stock issued under the Plan.
11. Participants in Foreign Jurisdictions
The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to adopt such modifications, procedures, and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of any countries in which the Company or any Subsidiary may operate, to ensure the viability of the benefits from Awards granted to Participants employed in such countries, to meet the requirements of applicable foreign laws that permit the Plan to operate in a qualified or tax-efficient manner, to comply with applicable foreign laws, and to meet the objectives of the Plan; provided, however, that no such action taken pursuant to this Section shall result in a material revision of the Plan under applicable securities exchange corporate governance rules.
SECTION 20 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
1. Rule 16b-3 and Section 162(m)
The Companys intention is that, so long as any of the Companys equity securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall comply in all respects with the rules of any exchange on which the Common Stock is traded and with Rule 16b-3. In addition, it is the Companys intention that, as to Covered Employees, unless otherwise indicated in an Award Agreement, Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Incentive Awards shall be designed to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). If any Plan provision is determined not to be in compliance with the foregoing intentions, that provision shall be deemed modified as necessary to meet the requirements of any such exchange, Rule 16b-3, and Section 162(m).
2. Section 409A
The Plan is intended to be administered, operated, and construed in compliance with Section 409A and any regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding this or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board or the Plan Administrator may amend the Plan in any manner, or take any other action, that either of them determines, in its sole discretion, is necessary, appropriate, or advisable to cause the Plan to either be exempt from, or comply with Section 409A and any regulations or other guidance issued thereunder. Any such action, once taken, shall be deemed to be effective from the earliest date necessary and applicable to avoid a violation of Section 409A, and shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all Participants and other individuals having or claiming any right or interest under the Plan.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement, if a Participant is a specified employee upon his or her separation from service (within the meaning of such terms in Section 409A under such definitions and procedures as established by the Company in accordance with Section 409A), any portion of a payment, settlement, or other distribution made upon such a separation from service that would cause the acceleration of, or an addition to, any taxes pursuant to Section 409A will not commence or be paid until a date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following the applicable separation from service. Any payments, settlements, or other distributions that are delayed pursuant to this Section 20.2 following the applicable separation from service shall be accumulated and paid to the Participant in a lump sum without interest on the first business day immediately following the required delay period.
SECTION 21 ESTABLISHMENT AND TERM OF PLAN
The Plan was adopted by the Board on September 26, 2016, and is subject to approval by the Companys stockholders. If approved by the stockholders, this Plan will replace the Prior Plans, and no further Awards will be made under the Prior Plans. This Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date, and shall remain in effect for a period of ten (10) years after the Effective Date. After this Plan is terminated, no future Awards may be granted pursuant to the Plan, but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and this Plans terms and conditions.
SECTION 22 AMENDMENT, TERMINATION, OR DISCONTINUANCE OF THE PLAN
1. Amendment of Plan
Subject to approval of the Board with respect to amendments that are required by law or regulation or stock exchange rules to be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for approval, the Board or the Compensation Committee may from time to time make such amendments to the Plan as it may deem proper and in the best interests of the Company, including, without limitation, any amendment necessary to ensure that the Company may obtain any regulatory approval referred to in Section 17 of this Plan; provided, however, that (i) to the extent required by applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, stockholder approval shall be required, and (ii) except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no change in any Award previously granted under the Plan may be made without the consent of the Participant if such change would impair the right of the Participant under the Award to acquire or retain Common Stock or cash that the Participant may have acquired as a result of the Plan.
2. Termination or Suspension of Plan
The Board or Compensation Committee may at any time suspend the operation of or terminate the Plan with respect to any Common Stock or rights which are not at that time subject to any Award outstanding under the Plan.
3. Section 162(m) Approval
If so determined by the Plan Administrator, the provisions of the Plan relating to Performance Goals and Awards that are intended to constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) shall be disclosed to, and reapproved by, the Companys
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stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Effective Date occurs (or at any such other time as may be required or allowed by Section 162(m)) in order for Awards that are intended to constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) granted after such time to be exempt from the deduction limitations of Section 162(m).
* * * * *
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this 2016 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan to be executed effective as of February 9, 2017.
TELLURIAN INC.
|
/s/ Meg A. Gentle |
Meg A. Gentle |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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