S-8

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 2020

Registration No. 333-                

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

MiMedx Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Florida   26-2792552
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1775 West Oak Commons Ct., NE

Marietta, GA

  30062
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

MiMedx Group, Inc. 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

William F. Hulse IV

General Counsel and Secretary

1775 West Oak Commons Ct., NE

Marietta, GA 30062

(Name and address of agent for service)

(770) 651-9100

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies of communications to:

 

Mark G. Pedretti, Esq.

Reed Smith LLP

599 Lexington Avenue, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

Telephone: (212) 549-0408

 

Jeffrey G. Aromatorio, Esq.

Reed Smith LLP

225 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

Telephone: (412) 288-3364

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of securities
to be registered
  Amount
to be
Registered(1)
  Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share(2)
  Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price(2)
  Amount of
registration fee(3)

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

  8,400,000   $6.25   $52,500,000   $5,727.75

 

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of any additional shares of the Common Stock of MiMedx Group, Inc. (the “Registrant”) that may be offered or issued under the plan by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction. The 8,400,000 shares of Common Stock to be registered are in addition to 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock previously registered in connection with the MiMedx Group, Inc. 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan on the Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2016 (Registration No. 333-211900).

(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act. The proposed maximum offering price per share and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price are calculated based on the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant’s common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on December 14, 2020.

(3)

Calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 relates to 8,400,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Registrant to be offered to eligible participants of the Registrant and its affiliates pursuant to the MiMedx Group, Inc. 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, all shares of common stock so offered may be treasury shares, newly issued by the Registrant or acquired by purchase at the expense of the Registrant on the open market or in private transactions.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act, and the introductory note to Part I of Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified in Part I have been or will be delivered to the participants in the Plan, as applicable and as required by Rule 428(b). Those documents and the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Item 3.

Incorporation of Documents By Reference.

The following documents filed by the registrant MiMedx Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:

(a) The registrant’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed on July 6, 2020 pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”);

(b) The registrant’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed on July 6, 2020; for the quarter ended June  30, 2020, filed on August 4, 2020; and for the quarter ended September  30, 2020, filed on November 4, 2020;

(c) The registrant’s current reports on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2020, March  19, 2020, April  6, 2020, April  16, 2020, April  21, 2020, April  27, 2020, May  5, 2020, May 11, 2020, July 6, 2020, July  15, 2020, July  21, 2020, July  27, 2020, July  28, 2020, August  4, 2020, August  10, 2020, August  31, 2020, September  3, 2020, September  17, 2020, September  21, 2020, September  21, 2020, October  5, 2020, October  22, 2020, October  30, 2020, November  4, 2020, November  19, 2020, November  20, 2020, and November 27, 2020;

(d) The description of the registrant’s Common Stock set forth in the registrant’s filed registration statement on Form 8-A, filed on November 2, 2020, under Section  12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description including Form 8-K filed on November 27, 2020; and

(e) All other reports filed with the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2019.

All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than portions of those documents furnished or otherwise not deemed to be filed), prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

 

2


Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement or in any other contemporaneously or subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

 

Item 4.

Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.

Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Company is a Florida corporation. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”), the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, and the Company’s Bylaws.

Under Section 607.0852 of the FBCA, a corporation must indemnify an individual who is or was a director or officer who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal (“Proceeding”) to which the individual was a party because he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation against expenses (including reasonable attorney fees and expenses, including those incurred in connection with any appeal) incurred by the individual in connection with the Proceeding. Under Section 607.0851(1) of the FBCA, a corporation may indemnify any of its directors and officers against expenses (including reasonable attorney fees and expenses, including those incurred in connection with any appeal) incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding (i) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Under Section 607.0851(4), a corporation may not indemnify a director or an officer in connection with a Proceeding by or in the right of the corporation except for expenses and amounts paid in settlement not exceeding, in the judgment of the board of directors, the estimated expense of litigating the Proceeding to conclusion, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding, including any appeal thereof, where such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation. Further, under Section 607.0853 of the FBCA, a corporation may, before final disposition of a Proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses incurred in connection with the Proceeding if the director or officer delivers to the corporation a signed written undertaking of the director or officer to repay any funds advanced if: (a) the director or officer is not entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 607.0852 of the FBCA; and (b) it is ultimately determined that the director or officer has not met the relevant standard of conduct described in Section 607.0851 of the FBCA or the director or officer is not entitled to indemnification under Section 607.0859 of the FBCA.

Article 8 of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation and Section 9 of Article VIII of the Registrant’s Bylaws require that, if in the judgment of the majority of the Board of Directors (excluding from such majority any director under consideration for indemnification) the criteria set forth under the FBCA have been met, then the Registrant shall indemnify its directors and officers for certain liabilities incurred in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Registrant in the manner and to the extent contemplated by the FBCA. Article 8 of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation and Section 9 of Article VIII of the Registrant’s Bylaws provide that the indemnification provided therein shall not be deemed to limit the right of the Registrant to indemnify any other person for any liability to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Registrant’s Bylaws provide that the Registrant may enter into indemnification agreements with members of the Board of Directors and officers which may provide for further or expanded indemnification rights or otherwise modify the rights provided therein.

 

3


The Company has purchased insurance to insure (i) the Company’s directors and officers against damages from actions and claims incurred in the course of their duties, and (ii) the Company against expenses incurred in defending lawsuits arising from certain alleged acts of its directors and officers.

 

Item 7.

Exemption From Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.

Exhibits.

The following exhibits are hereby filed as part of this Registration Statement:

 

  4.1    Articles of Incorporation of MiMedx Group, Inc., together with Articles of Amendment, effective each of May  14, 2010; August 8, 2012, November 8, 2012; and May 15, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2017).
  4.2    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of MiMedx Group, Inc., effective November  6, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-A filed on November 7, 2018).
  4.3    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of MiMedx Group, Inc., effective July  1, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on July 6, 2020).
  4.4    Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of MiMedx Group, Inc., effective November  20, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on November 27, 2020).
  4.5    Bylaws of MiMedx Group, Inc., as amended and restated as of October  3, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2018).
  4.6    MiMedx Group, Inc. 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan, amended and restated through October 2, 2020 (filed herewith).
  5.1    Opinion of Reed Smith LLP (filed herewith).
23.1    Consent of Reed Smith LLP (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement).
23.2    Consent of BDO USA, LLP (filed herewith).
24.1    Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).
99.1    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the MiMedx Group, Inc. 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan, amended and restated through October 2, 2020 (filed herewith).

 

Item 9.

Undertakings.

 

(a)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

4


  (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement.

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

 

  (2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

5


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wilmington, State of North Carolina, on this 17th day of December, 2020.

 

MIMEDX GROUP, INC.

By:  

 

/s/ Timothy R. Wright

 

Timothy R. Wright

 

Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints William F. Hulse IV and David Wisniewski, and each of them, as such person’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and revocation, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or such person’s substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated on this 17th day of December, 2020.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/s/ Timothy R. Wright

Timothy R. Wright

  

Chief Executive Officer & Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  Dec. 17, 2020

/s/ Peter M. Carlson

Peter M. Carlson

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  Dec. 17, 2020

/s/ William L. Phelan

William L. Phelan

  

Senior Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  Dec. 17, 2020

/s/ M. Kathleen Behrens

M. Kathleen Behrens

  

Chair of the Board (Director)

 

  Dec. 17, 2020

 

6


Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/s/ James L. Bierman

James L. Bierman

   Director   Dec. 17, 2020

/s/ Michael J. Giuliani

Michael J. Giuliani

   Director   Dec. 17, 2020

/s/ William A. Hawkins III

William A. Hawkins III

   Director   Dec. 17, 2020

/s/ Cato T. Laurencin

Cato T. Laurencin

   Director   Dec. 17, 2020

/s/ K. Todd Newton

K. Todd Newton

   Director   Dec. 16, 2020

/s/ Martin P. Sutter

Martin P. Sutter

   Director   Dec. 17, 2020

 

7

EX-4.6
Table of Contents

Exhibit 4.6

 

 

 

MIMEDX GROUP, INC.

2016 EQUITY AND CASH INCENTIVE PLAN

Amended and Restated through October 2, 2020


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS      1  
 

1.01  409A Award

     1  
 

1.02  Affiliate

     1  
 

1.03  Agreement

     1  
 

1.04  Award

     1  
 

1.05  Board

     1  
 

1.06  Cause

     1  
 

1.07  Change in Control

     2  
 

1.08  Code

     3  
 

1.09  Committee

     3  
 

1.10  Common Stock

     3  
 

1.11  Company

     3  
 

1.12  Control Change Date

     3  
 

1.13  Corresponding SAR

     3  
 

1.14  Disability

     3  
 

1.15  Dividend Equivalent

     3  
 

1.16  Exchange Act

     3  
 

1.17  Fair Market Value

     3  
 

1.18  Full Value Award

     4  
 

1.19  Incentive Award

     4  
 

1.20  Incumbent Board

     4  
 

1.21  Independent Contractor

     4  
 

1.22  Initial Value

     4  
 

1.23  Non-409A Award

     5  
 

1.24  Option

     5  
 

1.25  Other Stock-Based Award

     5  
 

1.26  Participant

     5  
 

1.27  Plan

     5  
 

1.28  Performance Stock Award

     5  
 

1.29  Performance Stock Unit

     5  
 

1.30  Person

     5  
 

1.31  Restricted Stock Award

     5  
 

1.32  Restricted Stock Unit

     5  
 

1.33  Retirement

     6  
 

1.34  SAR

     6  
 

1.35  Ten Percent Shareholder

     6  
 

1.36  Termination Date

     6  

ARTICLE II ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES

     6  

ARTICLE III TYPES OF AWARDS

     6  

ARTICLE IV ADMINISTRATION

     7  
 

4.01  General Administration

     7  
 

4.02  Limited Discretion to Accelerate; Treatment of Awards in Connection with a Change in Control

     7  

 

i


Table of Contents
         Page  
 

4.03  Delegation of Authority

     7  
 

4.04  Indemnification of Committee

     8  

ARTICLE V ELIGIBILITY

     8  

ARTICLE VI COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

     9  
 

6.01  Common Stock Issued

     9  
 

6.02  Aggregate Limit

     9  
 

6.03  Individual Limit

     10  

ARTICLE VII OPTIONS

     10  
 

7.01  Grant

     10  
 

7.02  Option Price

     10  
 

7.03  Maximum Term of Option

     11  
 

7.04  Exercise

     11  
 

7.05  Payment

     11  
 

7.06  Stockholder Rights

     11  
 

7.07  Disposition of Shares

     11  
 

7.08  No Liability of Company

     12  
 

7.09  Effect of Termination Date on Options

     12  

ARTICLE VIII SARS

     13  
 

8.01  Grant

     13  
 

8.02  Maximum Term of SAR

     13  
 

8.03  Exercise

     13  
 

8.04  Settlement

     13  
 

8.05  Stockholder Rights

     13  
 

8.06  Effect of Termination Date on SARs

     13  

ARTICLE IX RESTRICTED STOCK & PERFORMANCE STOCK AWARDS

     14  
 

9.01  Award

     14  
 

9.02  Payment

     14  
 

9.03  Vesting

     15  
 

9.04  Maximum Restriction Period

     15  
 

9.05  Stockholder Rights

     15  
 

9.06  Performance Stock

     15  

ARTICLE X RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS & PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS

     16  
 

10.01  Grant

     16  
 

10.02  Earning the Award

     16  
 

10.03  Maximum Unit Award Period

     16  
 

10.04  Payment

     16  
 

10.05  Stockholder Rights

     16  
 

10.06  Performance Stock Units

     17  
ARTICLE XI INCENTIVE AWARDS      17  
 

11.01  Grant

     17  
 

11.02  Earning the Award

     17  
 

11.03  Maximum Incentive Award Period

     17  
 

11.04  Payment

     17  

 

ii


Table of Contents
         Page  
 

11.05  Stockholder Rights

     17  
ARTICLE XII OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS      17  
 

12.01  Other Stock-Based Awards

     17  
 

12.02  Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Other Obligations

     18  
 

12.03  Effect of Termination Date on Other Stock-Based Awards

     18  
ARTICLE XIII DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS      19  
ARTICLE XIV TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS      19  
 

14.01  Written Agreement

     19  
 

14.02  Nontransferability

     19  
 

14.03  Transferable Awards

     20  
 

14.04  Participant Status

     20  
 

14.05  Change in Control

     21  
 

14.06  Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem and Substitute Awards

     22  
 

14.07  Form and Timing of Payment; Deferrals

     23  
 

14.08  Time and Method of Exercise; Minimum Vesting Requirement

     23  
ARTICLE XV PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION      24  
 

15.01  Performance Conditions

     24  
 

15.02  Establishing the Amount of the Award

     25  
 

15.03  Earning the Award

     25  
 

15.04  Performance Awards

     25  
ARTICLE XVI ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK      26  
 

16.01  General Adjustments

     26  
 

16.02  No Adjustments

     26  
 

16.03  Substitute Awards

     26  
 

16.04  Limitation on Adjustments

     26  

ARTICLE XVII COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES

     27  
 

17.01  Compliance

     27  
 

17.02  Postponement of Exercise or Payment

     27  
 

17.03  Forfeiture of Payment

     28  

ARTICLE XVIII LIMITATION ON BENEFITS

     28  

ARTICLE XIX GENERAL PROVISIONS

     29  
 

19.01  Effect on Employment and Service

     29  
 

19.02  Unfunded Plan

     29  
 

19.03  Rules of Construction

     29  
 

19.04  Tax Withholding and Reporting

     29  
 

19.05  Code Section 83(b) Election

     29  
 

19.06  Reservation of Shares

     30  
 

19.07  Governing Law

     30  
 

19.08  Other Actions

     30  
 

19.09  Repurchase of Common Stock

     30  
 

19.10  Other Conditions

     30  

 

iii


Table of Contents
         Page  
 

19.11  Forfeiture Provisions

     31  
 

19.12  Legends; Payment of Expenses

     31  
 

19.13  Repricing of Awards

     31  
 

19.14  Right of Setoff

     32  
 

19.15  Fractional Shares

     32  
 

19.16  Compensation Recoupment Policy

     32  
 

19.17  Post-Exercise Holding Requirements

     32  

ARTICLE XX CLAIMS PROCEDURES

     33  
 

20.01  Initial Claim

     33  
 

20.02  Appeal of Claim

     33  
 

20.03  Time to File Suit

     33  

ARTICLE XXI AMENDMENT

     33  
 

21.01  Amendment of Plan

     33  
 

21.02  Amendment of Awards

     34  

ARTICLE XXII SECTION 409A PROVISION

     34  
 

22.01  Intent of Awards

     34  
 

22.02  409A Awards

     34  
 

22.03  Election Requirements

     34  
 

22.04  Time of Payment

     35  
 

22.05  Acceleration or Deferral

     35  
 

22.06  Distribution Requirements

     35  
 

22.07  Key Employee Rule

     36  
 

22.08  Distributions Upon Vesting

     36  
 

22.09  Scope and Application of this Provision

     36  

ARTICLE XXIII EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

     36  

ARTICLE XXIV DURATION OF PLAN

     37  

 

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ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

1.01

409A Award

409A Award means an Award that is intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code.

 

1.02

Affiliate

Affiliate, as it relates to any limitations or requirements with respect to incentive stock options, means any “subsidiary” or “parent” corporation (as such terms are defined in Code Section 424) of the Company. Affiliate otherwise means any entity that is part of a controlled group of corporations or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Code Sections 1563(a), 414(b) or 414(c), except that, in making any such determination, fifty percent (50%) shall be substituted for eighty percent (80%) under such Code Sections and the related regulations.

 

1.03

Agreement

Agreement means a written or electronic agreement (including any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and a Participant specifying the terms and conditions of an Award granted to such Participant.

 

1.04

Award

Award means an Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Stock Unit, Incentive Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Dividend Equivalent granted under this Plan.

 

1.05

Board

Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

1.06

Cause

Cause means “Cause” as such term is defined in any employment or service agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant except as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement. If no such employment or service agreement exists or if such employment or service agreement does not contain any such definition, except as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement, “Cause” means (i) the Participant’s willful and repeated failure to comply with the lawful directives of the Board, the Board of Directors of any Affiliate or any personnel with managerial responsibility for the Participant; (ii) any criminal act or act of fraud, dishonesty or willful misconduct by the Participant that has a material adverse effect on the property, operations, business or reputation of the Company or any Affiliate; (iii) the material breach by the Participant of the terms of any confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation or other agreement that the Participant has with the Company or any Affiliate; (iv) acts by the Participant of willful malfeasance or negligence in a matter of material importance to the Company or any Affiliate, (v) regular or repeated refusal or failure to perform the Participant’s duties with the Company or an Affiliate or (vi) conduct by the Participant that could have a material adverse effect on the property, operations, business or reputation of the Company or any of its Affiliates without a reasonable good faith belief that such conduct was in the best interests of the Company and its Affiliates. For purposes of the Plan, other than where the definition of Cause is determined under any employment or service agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, in which case such employment or service agreement shall control, in no event shall any termination of employment or service be deemed for Cause unless the Committee concludes that the situation warrants a determination that

 

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the Participant’s employment or service terminated for Cause; except that, in the case of any individual who is subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any determination that such individual’s employment terminated for Cause shall be made by the Board acting without such individual (if such individual is then serving on the Board). Without in any way limiting the effect of the foregoing, for the purposes of the Plan and any Award, a Participant’s employment or service shall be deemed to have terminated for Cause if, after the Participant’s employment or service has terminated, facts and circumstances are discovered that would have justified, in the opinion of the Committee, a termination for Cause.

 

1.07

Change in Control

Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a)     The accumulation in any number of related or unrelated transactions by any Person of beneficial ownership (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s voting stock; provided that for purposes of this subsection (a), a Change in Control will not be deemed to have occurred if the accumulation of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the Company’s voting stock results from any acquisition of voting stock (i) directly from the Company that is approved by the Incumbent Board, (ii) by the Company, (iii) by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate, or (iv) by any Person pursuant to a merger, consolidation or reorganization (a “Business Combination”) that would not cause a Change in Control under subsections (b), (c) or (d) below; or

(b)     Consummation of a Business Combination, unless, immediately following that Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the Persons who were the beneficial owners of the voting stock of the Company immediately prior to that Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding shares of common stock and at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the entity resulting from that Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that as a result of that transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as their ownership, immediately prior to that Business Combination, of the voting stock of the Company, and (ii) at least fifty percent (50%) of the members of the Board of Directors of the entity resulting from that Business Combination holding at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of such Board of Directors were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board of Directors providing for that Business Combination and as a result of or in connection with such Business Combination, no Person has a right to dilute either of such percentages by appointing additional members to the Board of Directors or otherwise without election or other action by the shareholders; or

(c)     A sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that would not cause a Change in Control under subsections (b) above or (d) below; or

(d)     A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that would not cause a Change in Control under subsections (b) and (c) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall only be deemed to have occurred with respect to a Participant and the Participant’s 409A Award if the Change in Control otherwise constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (except that, with respect to vesting of the 409A Award, Change in Control shall have the same meaning as described above).

 

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1.08

Code

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any amendments thereto.

 

1.09

Committee

Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or the Board itself if no Compensation Committee exists. If such Compensation Committee exists, if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Board, such Compensation Committee shall consist of two or more directors, all of whom are (i) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, (ii) to the extent required for purposes of compliance with transitional rules under Code Section 162(m), “outside directors” as defined in Code Section 162(m) prior to its amendment effective on January 1, 2018, and (iii) independent directors under the rules of the principal stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are then traded.

 

1.10

Common Stock

Common Stock means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, or such other class or kind of shares or other securities resulting from the application of Article XVI, as applicable.

 

1.11

Company

Company means MiMedx Group, Inc., a Florida corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

1.12

Control Change Date

Control Change Date means the date on which a Change in Control occurs.

 

1.13

Corresponding SAR

Corresponding SAR means a SAR that is granted in relation to a particular Option and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Company, unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.

 

1.14

Disability

Disability means a physical, mental or other impairment within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code except as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement except that a Disability shall only be deemed to occur with respect to a Participant and the Participant’s 409A Award if there is a Disability within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code where required by Section 409A of the Code.

 

1.15

Dividend Equivalent

Dividend Equivalent means the right, granted under the Plan, to receive cash, shares of Common Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to all or a specified portion of dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Common Stock.

 

1.16

Exchange Act

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

1.17

Fair Market Value

Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock means, on any given date, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine; provided,

 

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however, that the Committee shall determine Fair Market Value without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse and, if the shares of Common Stock are traded on any national stock exchange or quotation system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Common Stock as reported on such stock exchange or quotation system on such date, or if the shares of Common Stock are not traded on such stock exchange or quotation system on such date, then on the next preceding day that the shares of Common Stock were traded on such stock exchange or quotation system, all as reported by such source as the Committee shall select. The Fair Market Value that the Committee determines shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company, any Affiliate and each Participant. Fair Market Value relating to the exercise price, Initial Value, or purchase price of any Non-409A Award that is an Option, SAR or Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights shall conform to the requirements for exempt stock rights under Code Section 409A.

 

1.18

Full Value Award

Full Value Award means an Award other than an Option, SAR or Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights.

 

1.19

Incentive Award

Incentive Award means an Award stated with reference to a specified dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock which, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee, entitles the Participant to receive shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof from the Company or an Affiliate.

 

1.20

Incumbent Board

Incumbent Board means a Board of Directors at least a majority of whom consist of individuals who either are (a) members of the Company’s Board as of the effective date of the adoption of this Plan or (b) members who become members of the Company’s Board subsequent to the date of the adoption of this Plan whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least sixty percent (60%) of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which that person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to that nomination), but excluding, for that purpose, any individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the Exchange Act) 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 of Directors.

 

1.21

Independent Contractor

Independent Contractor mans an independent contractor, consultant or advisor providing services to the Company or an Affiliate.

 

1.22

Initial Value

Initial Value means, with respect to a Corresponding SAR, the Option price per share of the related Option and, with respect to a SAR granted independently of an Option, the amount determined by the Committee on the date of grant which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant, subject to Sections 14.06 and 16.03 with respect to substitute Awards.

 

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1.23

Non-409A Award

Non-409A Award means an Award that is not intended to be subject to Section 409A of the Code.

 

1.24

Option

Option means a stock option that entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth in an Agreement.

 

1.25

Other Stock-Based Award

Other Stock-Based Award means an Award granted to the Participant under Article XII of the Plan.

 

1.26

Participant

Participant means an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, a member of the Board or Board of Directors of an Affiliate (whether or not an employee), an Independent Contractor of the Company or an Affiliate and any entity which is a wholly-owned alter ego of such employee, member of the Board or Board of Directors of an Affiliate or Independent Contractor and who satisfies the requirements of Article V and is selected by the Committee to receive an Award.

 

1.27

Plan

Plan means this MiMedx Group, Inc. 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as set forth herein and as hereafter amended.

 

1.28

Performance Stock Award

Performance Stock Award means shares of Common Stock granted to a Participant under Article IX of the Plan.

 

1.29

Performance Stock Unit

Performance Stock Unit means an Award, stated with respect to a specified number of shares of Common Stock, that entitles the Participant to receive one share of Common Stock (or, as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement, the equivalent Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock in cash) with respect to each Performance Stock Unit that becomes payable under the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement, including the performance conditions.

 

1.30

Person

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity of any kind.

 

1.31

Restricted Stock Award

Restricted Stock Award means shares of Common Stock granted to a Participant under Article IX.

 

1.32

Restricted Stock Unit

Restricted Stock Unit means an Award, stated with respect to a specified number of shares of Common Stock, that entitles the Participant to receive one share of Common Stock (or, as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement, the equivalent Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock in cash) with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit that becomes payable under the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement.

 

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1.33

Retirement

Retirement means, as applied to any Participant, as defined in any employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement, if any, to which the Participant is a party, or, if there is no such agreement (or if any such agreement does contain any such definition), Retirement means retirement as determined by the Committee.

 

1.34

SAR

SAR means a stock appreciation right that in accordance with the terms of an Agreement entitles the holder to receive cash or a number of shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement, based on the increase in the Fair Market Value of the shares underlying the stock appreciation right during a stated period specified by the Committee over the Initial Value. References to “SARs” include both Corresponding SARs and SARs granted independently of Options, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

1.35

Ten Percent Shareholder

Ten Percent Shareholder means any individual who (considering the stock attribution rules described in Code Section 424(d)) owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

1.36

Termination Date

Termination Date means the day on which a Participant’s employment or service with the Company and its Affiliates terminates or is terminated.

ARTICLE II

ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES

The Plan was most recently adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors and approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 18, 2016. The Plan hereby is amended and restated as set forth herein, effective upon and subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is intended to assist the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting and retaining individuals with ability and initiative by enabling such Persons to participate in the future success of the Company and its Affiliates by aligning their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders.

ARTICLE III

TYPES OF AWARDS

The Plan is intended to permit the grant of Options qualifying under Code Section 422 (“incentive stock options”) and Options not so qualifying, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards and Dividend Equivalents in accordance with the Plan and procedures that may be established by the Committee. No Option that is intended to be an incentive stock option shall be invalid for failure to qualify as an incentive stock option. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan may be used for general corporate purposes.

 

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ARTICLE IV

ADMINISTRATION

 

4.01

General Administration

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have authority to grant Awards upon such terms (not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan) as the Committee may consider appropriate. Such terms may include conditions (in addition to those contained in this Plan) on the grant, exercisability, transferability, settlement and forfeitability of all or any part of an Award, among other terms. In addition, the Committee shall have complete authority to interpret all provisions of this Plan including, without limitation, the discretion to interpret any terms used in the Plan that are not defined herein; to prescribe the form of Agreements; to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of the Plan; and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Committee shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. Any decision made, or action taken, by the Committee in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final and conclusive. The members of the Committee shall not be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Agreement or Award. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws of the Company, by resolution of the Board or applicable law, a majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and acts of the majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and any acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee without a meeting, shall be the acts of the Committee.

 

4.02

Limited Discretion to Accelerate; Treatment of Awards in Connection with a Change in Control

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, following the grant of an Award, and other than in connection with a Change in Control as described below, the Committee may not accelerate the time at which an Award may be exercised, may become transferable or nonforfeitable or be earned and settled other than in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability, involuntary termination without Cause or Retirement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, in connection with a Change in Control the Committee may accelerate the time at which an Award may be exercised, may become transferable or nonforfeitable or be earned and settled on and after a Control Change Date to the extent not exercisable, transferable and non-forfeitable or earned and payable prior to such time.

 

4.03

Delegation of Authority

The Committee may act through subcommittees, in which case the subcommittee shall be subject to and have the authority hereunder applicable to the Committee, and the acts of the subcommittee shall be deemed to be the acts of the Committee hereunder. Additionally, to the extent applicable law so permits, the Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to one or more officers of the Company all or part of the Committee’s authority and duties with respect to Awards to be granted to individuals who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and who are not members of the Board or the Board of Directors of an Affiliate. The Committee may revoke or amend the terms of any delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Committee’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan and the Committee’s prior delegation. If and to the extent deemed necessary by the Board, all Awards granted to any individual who is subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be made by a Committee comprised solely of two or more directors, all of whom are “non-employee directors” within the

 

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meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, to the extent necessary to exempt the Award from the short-swing profit rules of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. An Award granted to an individual who is a member of the Committee may be approved by the Committee in accordance with the applicable Committee charters then in effect and other applicable law.

 

4.04

Indemnification of Committee

The Company shall bear all expenses of administering this Plan. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee acting as administrator of the Plan, or any delegate of such, against and from any cost, liability, loss or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with or resulting from any action, claim, suit or proceeding to which such Person may be a party or in which such Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or not taken under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Person in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by such Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Person, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not indemnify and hold harmless any such Person if applicable law or the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws prohibit such indemnification. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law or otherwise, or under any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Person or hold him or her harmless. The provisions of the foregoing indemnity shall survive indefinitely the term of this Plan.

ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

Any employee of the Company or an Affiliate (including an entity that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of this Plan), a member of the Board or the Board of Directors of an Affiliate (including an entity that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of the Plan) (whether or not such Board or Board of Directors member is an employee), an Independent Contractor of the Company or an Affiliate (including an entity that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of the Plan) and any entity which is a wholly-owned alter ego of such employee, member of the Board or Board of Directors of an Affiliate or Independent Contractor is eligible to participate in this Plan if the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines that such Person or entity has contributed significantly or can be expected to contribute significantly to the profits or growth of the Company or any Affiliate or if it is otherwise in the best interest of the Company or any Affiliate for such Person or entity to participate in this Plan. With respect to any Board member who is (i) designated or nominated to serve as a Board member by a stockholder of the Company and (ii) an employee of such stockholder of the Company, then, at the irrevocable election of the employing stockholder, the Person or entity who shall be eligible to participate in this Plan on behalf of the service of the respective Board member shall be the employing stockholder (or one of its Affiliates). To the extent such election is made, the respective Board member shall have no rights hereunder as a Participant with respect to such Board member’s participation in this Plan. An Award may be granted to a Person or entity who has been offered employment or service by the Company or an Affiliate and who would otherwise qualify as eligible to receive the Award to the extent that Person or entity commences employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate, provided that such Person or entity may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to the Award, and the grant of the Award will be contingent, until such Person or entity has commenced employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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ARTICLE VI

COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

 

6.01

Common Stock Issued

Upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award, the Company may deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s broker if the Participant so directs) shares of Common Stock from its authorized but unissued Common Stock, treasury shares or reacquired shares, whether reacquired on the open market or otherwise.

 

6.02

Aggregate Limit

The maximum aggregate number (the “Maximum Aggregate Number”) of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan and to which Awards may relate is the sum of (i) 8,400,000 shares of Common Stock, all of which may be issued as Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number of Shares available under the Plan immediately prior to stockholder approval of the Plan as amended and restated, subject to the counting, adjustment and substitution provisions of the Plan, plus (iii) that number of shares of Common Stock that are represented by awards which previously have been granted and are outstanding under the Plan on the date the Plan as amended and restated is approved by stockholders of the Company and which subsequently expire or otherwise lapse, are terminated or forfeited, are settled in cash, or exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of shares of Common Stock, for Awards not involving shares of Common Stock, without the issuance of the underlying shares of Common Stock. The Maximum Aggregate Number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan may be issued pursuant to (i) Options, SARs or Other Stock Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights, (ii) Full Value Awards or (iii) any combination thereof. To the extent shares of Common Stock not issued under an Option must be counted against this limit as a condition to satisfying the rules applicable to incentive stock options, such rule shall apply to the limit on incentive stock options granted under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock covered by an Award generally shall only be counted as used to the extent they are actually used. Except as set forth below, a share of Common Stock issued in connection with any Award under the Plan shall reduce the Maximum Aggregate Number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan by one; provided, however, that a share of Common Stock covered under a stock-settled SAR shall reduce the Maximum Aggregate Number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan by one even though the shares of Common Stock are not actually issued in connection with settlement of the stock-settled SAR.

Except as otherwise provided herein, any shares of Common Stock related to an Award which terminates by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without issuance of shares of Common Stock, which is settled in cash in lieu of Common Stock or which is exchanged, with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of shares of Common Stock, for Awards not involving shares of Common Stock shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.

The following shares of Common Stock, however, may not again be made available for issuance as Awards under the Plan: (i) shares of Common Stock not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an Award, (ii) shares of Common Stock tendered or withheld to pay the exercise price, purchase price or withholding taxes relating to an Award or (iii) shares of Common Stock repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of the purchase price of an Award.

The Maximum Aggregate Number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XVI, provided, however, that (i) substitute Awards granted under Section 16.03 shall not reduce the shares of Common Stock otherwise available under the Plan (to the extent permitted by applicable stock exchange rules)

 

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and (ii) available shares of stock under a stockholder-approved plan of an acquired company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) also may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise available under the Plan (subject to applicable stock exchange requirements).

 

6.03

Individual Limit

The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be covered by Options, SARs or other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights granted to any one Participant during any calendar year shall be 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock. For purposes of the foregoing limit, an Option and its corresponding SAR shall be treated as a single Award. For Full Value Awards that are denominated in shares of Common Stock, no more than 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to any such Full Value Awards granted to any one Participant during any calendar year (regardless of whether settlement of the Award is to occur prior to, at the time of, or after the time of vesting); provided, however, that if the Full Value Award is denominated in shares of Common Stock but an equivalent amount of cash is delivered in lieu of delivery of shares of Common Stock, the foregoing limit shall be applied based on the methodology used by the Committee to convert the number of shares of Common Stock into cash. For any Awards that are stated with reference to a specified dollar limit, the maximum amount that may be earned and become payable to any one Participant with respect to any twelve (12)-month performance period shall equal $2,000,000 (prorated up or down for performance periods that are greater or lesser than twelve (12) months); provided, however, that if the Award is denominated in cash but an equivalent amount of shares of Common Stock are delivered in lieu of delivery of cash, the foregoing limit shall be applied to the cash based on the methodology used by the Committee to convert the cash into shares of Common Stock. In addition to the limits set forth herein, (i) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be covered by Awards stated with reference to a specific number of shares of Common Stock and granted to any one Participant in connection with the Participant’s service as a member of the Board during any calendar year shall be 125,000 shares of Common Stock and (ii) for Awards stated with reference to a specific dollar amount, the maximum amount that may be earned and become payable to any one Participant in connection with the Participant’s service as a member of the Board for any consecutive twelve (12)-month period shall equal $300,000 (prorated up or down for periods that are greater or lesser than twelve (12) months), in each case applied as described above for the other individual limitations. The maximum number of shares that may be granted in any calendar year to any Participant under the above limits shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XVI.

ARTICLE VII

OPTIONS

 

7.01

Grant

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article V, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom an Option is to be granted and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such grant and whether the Option is an incentive stock option or a nonqualified stock option. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Agreement, the Committee may only grant an incentive stock option to an individual who is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate. An Option may be granted with or without a Corresponding SAR.

 

7.02

Option Price

The price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted, subject to Sections 14.06 and 16.03

 

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with respect to substitute Awards. However, if at the time of grant of an Option that is intended to be an incentive stock option, the Participant is a Ten Percent Shareholder, the price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of such Option shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option is granted.

 

7.03

Maximum Term of Option

The maximum time period in which an Option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, except that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date such Option was granted (or five (5) years from the date such Option was granted in the event of an incentive stock option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder).

 

7.04

Exercise

Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an Option may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that incentive stock options (granted under the Plan and all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) may not be first exercisable in a calendar year for shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Option is granted) exceeding the limit set forth under Code Section 422(d) (currently $100,000). If the limitation is exceeded, the Options that cause the limitation to be exceeded shall be treated as nonqualified stock options. An Option granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the Option could be exercised. A partial exercise of an Option shall not affect the right to exercise the Option from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the Option. The exercise of an Option shall result in the termination of the Corresponding SAR to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.

 

7.05

Payment

Subject to rules established by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an Agreement, payment of all or part of the Option price shall be made in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee. If the Agreement so provides, the Committee, in its discretion and provided applicable law so permits, may allow a Participant to pay all or part of the Option price (a) by surrendering (actually or by attestation) shares of Common Stock to the Company that the Participant already owns; (b) by a cashless exercise through a broker; (c) by means of a “net exercise” procedure; (d) by such other medium of payment as the Committee, in its discretion, shall authorize; or (e) by any combination of the aforementioned methods of payment. If shares of Common Stock are used to pay all or part of the Option price, the sum of the cash and cash equivalent and the Fair Market Value (determined as of the day preceding the date of exercise) of the shares surrendered must not be less than the Option price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised.

 

7.06

Stockholder Rights

No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to shares subject to his or her Option until the date of exercise of such Option and the issuance of the shares of Common Stock.

 

7.07

Disposition of Shares

A Participant shall notify the Company of any sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that was designated an incentive stock option if

 

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such sale or disposition occurs (a) within two (2) years of the grant of an Option or (b) within one (1) year of the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Participant (subject to any changes in such time periods as set forth in Code Section 422(a)). Such notice shall be in writing and directed to the Secretary of the Company.

 

7.08

No Liability of Company

The Company shall not be liable to any Participant or any other Person if the Internal Revenue Service or any court or other authority having jurisdiction over such matter determines for any reason that an Option intended to be an incentive stock option and granted hereunder does not qualify as an incentive stock option.

 

7.09

Effect of Termination Date on Options

Subject to rules established by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an Agreement:

(a)    If a Participant incurs a Termination Date due to death, Disability or Retirement, any unexercised Option granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of twelve (12) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Option that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Option is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

(b)    If a Participant incurs a termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and without Cause in contemplation of or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, any unexercised Option granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of six (6) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Option that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Option is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

(c)    If a Participant incurs a Termination Date for any reason, other than death, Disability or Retirement, other than as the result of termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and without Cause in contemplation of or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control and other than as the result of termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and with Cause, any unexercised Option granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of three (3) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Option that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Option is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

SARS

 

8.01

Grant

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article V, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom SARs are to be granted and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such grant. In addition, no Participant may be granted Corresponding SARs (under this Plan and all other incentive stock option plans of the Company and its Affiliates) that are related to incentive stock options which are first exercisable in any calendar year for shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the related Option is granted) that exceeds $100,000.

 

8.02

Maximum Term of SAR

The maximum term of a SAR shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, except that no SAR shall have a term of more than ten (10) years from the date such SAR was granted (or five (5) years for a Corresponding SAR that is related to an incentive stock option and that is granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder). No Corresponding SAR shall be exercisable or continue in existence after the expiration of the Option to which the Corresponding SAR relates.

 

8.03

Exercise

Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, a SAR may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that a SAR may be exercised only when the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock that is subject to the exercise exceeds the Initial Value of the SAR and a Corresponding SAR may be exercised only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable. A SAR granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the SAR could be exercised. A partial exercise of a SAR shall not affect the right to exercise the SAR from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the SAR. The exercise of a Corresponding SAR shall result in the termination of the related Option to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

 

8.04

Settlement

The amount payable to the Participant by the Company as a result of the exercise of a SAR shall be settled in cash, by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or by a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines and sets forth in the applicable Agreement. No fractional share will be deliverable upon the exercise of a SAR but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

 

8.05

Stockholder Rights

No Participant shall, as a result of receiving a SAR, have any rights as a stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate until the date that the SAR is exercised and then only to the extent that the SAR is settled by the issuance of Common Stock.

 

8.06

Effect of Termination Date on SARs

Subject to rules established by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an Agreement:

(a)    If a Participant incurs a Termination Date due to death, Disability or Retirement, any unexercised SAR granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the

 

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Termination Date, (i) for a period of twelve (12) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the SAR, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the SAR that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the SAR is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

(b)    If a Participant incurs a termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and without Cause in contemplation of or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, any unexercised SAR granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of six (6) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the SAR, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the SAR that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the SAR is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

(c)    If a Participant incurs a Termination Date for any reason, other than death, Disability or Retirement, other than as the result of the termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and without Cause in contemplation of or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control and other than as the result of termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and with Cause, any unexercised SAR granted to the Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of three (3) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the SAR, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the SAR that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the SAR is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

ARTICLE IX

RESTRICTED STOCK & PERFORMANCE STOCK AWARDS

 

9.01

Award

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article V, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom a Restricted Stock Award or Performance Stock Award is to be granted, and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such grant and the price, if any, to be paid for each share of Common Stock covered by the grant.

 

9.02

Payment

Unless the Agreement provides otherwise, if the Participant must pay for a Restricted Stock Award or Performance Stock Award, payment of the Award shall be made in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee. If the Agreement so provides, the Committee, in its discretion and provided applicable law so permits, may allow a Participant to pay all or part of the purchase price (i) by surrendering (actually or by attestation) shares of Common Stock to the Company the Participant already owns, (ii) by means of a “net exercise procedure” by the surrender of vested shares of Common Stock to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Award, (iii) by such other medium of payment as the Committee in its discretion shall authorize or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. If Common Stock is used to pay all or part

 

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of the purchase price, the sum of cash and cash equivalent and other payments and the Fair Market Value (determined as of the day preceding the date of purchase) of the Common Stock surrendered must not be less than the purchase price of the Award. A Participant’s rights in an Award may be subject to repurchase upon specified events as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Agreement.

 

9.03

Vesting

The Committee, on the date of grant may, but need not, prescribe that a Participant’s rights in the Restricted Stock Award or Performance Stock Award shall be forfeitable and nontransferable for a period of time or subject to such conditions as may be set forth in the Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary except as provided in Section 14.08, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Restricted Stock Awards that are nonforfeitable and transferable immediately upon grant. A Restricted Stock Award or Performance Stock Award can only become nonforfeitable and transferable during the Participant’s lifetime in the hands of the Participant.

 

9.04

Maximum Restriction Period

To the extent the Participant’s rights in an Award are forfeitable and nontransferable for a period of time, the Committee on the date of grant shall determine the maximum period over which the rights may become nonforfeitable and transferable, except that such period shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.

 

9.05

Stockholder Rights

The Committee, on the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Award or Performance Stock Award, shall determine whether the Participant will have any rights as a stockholder with respect to an Award, including the right to receive dividends upon vesting of the Award; provided, however, that during such period (a) a Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of shares granted pursuant to an Award, (b) the Company shall retain custody of any certificates evidencing shares granted pursuant to an Award and (c) the Participant will deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, with respect to each Award. In lieu of retaining custody of the certificates evidencing shares granted pursuant to an Award, the shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Award may, in the Committee’s discretion, be held in escrow by the Company or recorded as outstanding by notation on the stock records of the Company until the Participant’s interest in such shares of Common Stock vest. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, in no event will any dividends be paid until the vesting of the underlying Award and, subject to Section 14.07 below, if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Committee, dividends payable with respect to Awards may accumulate (without interest) and become payable in cash or in shares of Common Stock to the Participant at the time, and only to the extent that, the portion of the Award to which the dividends relate has become transferable and nonforfeitable. The limitations set forth in the preceding sentences shall not apply after the shares granted under the Award are transferable and are no longer forfeitable.

 

9.06

Performance Stock

Performance Stock Awards are awards of stock subject to performance conditions and terms included within Article XV and such other terms and conditions as are provided in the Plan and the applicable Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE X

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS & PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS

 

10.01

Grant

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article V, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom a grant of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units is to be made and will specify the number of shares covered by such grant.

 

10.02

Earning the Award

The Committee, on the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units, shall prescribe that the Units will be earned and become payable subject to such conditions as are set forth in the Agreement.

 

10.03

Maximum Unit Award Period

The Committee, on the date of grant, shall determine the maximum period over which Units may be earned, except that such period shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.

 

10.04

Payment

The amount payable to the Participant by the Company when an Award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units is earned shall be settled by the issuance of one share of Common Stock (or, as otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Agreement, the equivalent Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock in cash) for each Unit that is earned. A fractional share of Common Stock shall not be deliverable when an Award of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units is earned, but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

 

10.05

Stockholder Rights

No Participant shall, as a result of receiving a grant of Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units, have any rights as a stockholder until and then only to the extent that the Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units are earned and settled in shares of Common Stock. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may set forth in the Agreement that, for so long as the Participant holds any Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units, if the Company pays any cash dividends on its Common Stock, then upon the vesting of the Unit Award (a) the Company may pay the Participant in cash for each outstanding Unit covered by the Agreement as of the record date of such dividend, less any required withholdings, the per share amount of such dividend or (b) the number of outstanding Units covered by the Agreement may be increased by the number of Units, rounded down to the nearest whole number, equal to (i) the product of the number of the Participant’s outstanding Units as of the record date for such dividend multiplied by the per share amount of the dividend divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the payment date of such dividend. In the event additional Units are Awarded, such Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and the Agreement as the outstanding Units with respect to which they were granted. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, in no event will any dividends be paid until the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units and, subject to Section 14.07 below, if and to the extent deemed necessary to the Committee, dividends payable with respect to Restricted Stock Units or Performance Stock Units may accumulate (without interest) and become payable to the Participant at the time, and only to the extent that, the portion of the Units to which the dividends relate has become earned and payable. The limitations set forth in the preceding sentences shall not apply after the Units become earned and payable and shares are issued thereunder.

 

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10.06

Performance Stock Units

Performance Stock Unit Awards are subject to performance conditions and terms included within Article XV and such other terms and conditions as are provided in the Plan and the applicable Agreement.

ARTICLE XI

INCENTIVE AWARDS

 

11.01

Grant

Subject to the eligibility provisions of Article V, the Committee will designate each individual or entity to whom Incentive Awards are to be granted. All Incentive Awards shall be determined exclusively by the Committee under the procedures established by the Committee.

 

11.02

Earning the Award

Subject to the Plan, the Committee, on the date of grant of an Incentive Award, shall specify in the applicable Agreement the terms and conditions which govern the grant, including, without limitation, any performance conditions and whether the Participant to be entitled to payment must be employed or providing services to the Company or an Affiliate at the time the Incentive Award is to be paid.

 

11.03

Maximum Incentive Award Period

The Committee, at the time an Incentive Award is made, shall determine the maximum period over which the Incentive Award may be earned, except that such period shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.

 

11.04

Payment

The amount payable to the Participant by the Company when an Incentive Award is earned may be settled in cash, by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or by a combination thereof, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines and sets forth in the applicable Agreement. A fractional share of Common Stock shall not be deliverable when an Incentive Award is earned, but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof.

 

11.05

Stockholder Rights

No Participant shall, as a result of receiving an Incentive Award, have any rights as a stockholder of the Company or any Affiliate on account of such Incentive Award, unless and then only to the extent that the Incentive Award is earned and settled in shares of Common Stock.

ARTICLE XII

OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS

 

12.01

Other Stock-Based Awards

The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to a Participant such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to or otherwise based on shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable securities, and other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Stock or the cash value of shares of Common Stock. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Stock-Based Awards. Common Stock delivered pursuant to an Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights (“Purchase Right Award”) shall be purchased for such consideration not less than the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock as of the date the Other Stock-Based Award is granted (subject to

 

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Sections 14.06 and 16.03 with respect to substitute Awards), and may be paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Common Stock, other Awards, notes or other property, as the Committee shall determine. The maximum time period in which an Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, except that no Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date such Other Stock-Based Award was granted. Cash Awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Plan.

 

12.02

Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Other Obligations

The Committee also is authorized (i) to grant to a Participant shares of Common Stock as a bonus, (ii) to grant shares of Common Stock or other Awards in lieu of other obligations of the Company or any Affiliate to pay cash or to deliver other property under this Plan or under any other plans or compensatory arrangements of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) to use available shares of Common Stock as the form of payment for compensation, grants or rights earned or due under any other compensation plans or arrangements of the Company or an Affiliate, and (iv) subject to Section 19.13 below, to grant as alternatives to or replacements of Awards granted or outstanding under the Plan or any other plan or arrangement of the Company or any Affiliate, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee and the overall limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan. The minimum vesting provisions contained within the Plan may be satisfied by reference to the vesting or performance period of any such other compensation or incentive plan, program or arrangement the obligations of which are satisfied through the use of Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, shares of Common Stock or other securities delivered to a Participant pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Plan shall be purchased for consideration, the Fair Market Value of which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock or other securities as of the date such purchase right is granted.

 

12.03

Effect of Termination Date on Other Stock-Based Awards

Subject to rules established by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an Agreement:

(a)    If a Participant incurs a Termination Date due to death, Disability or Retirement, any unexercised Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of twelve (12) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

(b)    If a Participant incurs a termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and without Cause in contemplation of or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, any unexercised Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of six (6) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically

 

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provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

(c)    If a Participant incurs a Termination Date for any reason, other than death, Disability or Retirement, other than as the result of termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and without Cause in contemplation of or within twelve (12) months after a Change in Control and other than as the result of termination of service or employment by the Company and its Affiliates involuntarily and with Cause, any unexercised Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights may thereafter be exercised by the Participant (or, where appropriate, a transferee of the Participant), to the extent it was exercisable as of the Termination Date, (i) for a period of three (3) months after the Termination Date or (ii) until the expiration of the stated term of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights, whichever period is shorter, unless specifically provided otherwise in the applicable Agreement (in which case the terms of the Agreement shall control). Any portion of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights that remains unexercised after the expiration of such period, regardless of whether such portion of the Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights is vested or unvested, shall terminate and be forfeited with no further compensation due to the Participant.

ARTICLE XIII

DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to a Participant which may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award. In no event will any dividend equivalents be paid until the vesting of the underlying Award. Subject to Section 14.07 below, the Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, other Awards or other investment vehicles, subject to restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and such other terms as the Committee may specify and set forth in the applicable Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents may be awarded in connection with an Option, SAR or Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights.

ARTICLE XIV

TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS

 

14.01

Written Agreement

Each Award shall be evidenced by a written or electronic Agreement (including any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and the Participant specifying the terms and conditions of the Award granted to such Participant. Each Agreement should specify whether the Award is intended to be a Non-409A Award or a 409A Award.

 

14.02

Nontransferability

Except as provided in Section 14.03 below, each Award granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to the terms of a valid qualified domestic relations order. In the event of any transfer of an Option or Corresponding SAR (by the Participant or his transferee), the Option and Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred to the same Person or Persons or entity or entities. Except as provided in Section 14.03 below, during the lifetime of the Participant to whom the

 

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Option or SAR is granted, the Option or SAR may be exercised only by the Participant. No right or interest of a Participant in any Award shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant or his transferee.

 

14.03

Transferable Awards

Section 14.02 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Agreement so provides, an Award that is not an incentive stock option or a Corresponding SAR that relates to an incentive stock option may be transferred by a Participant to any of such class of transferees who can be included in the class of transferees who may rely on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to sell shares issuable upon exercise or payment of such Awards granted under the Plan. Any such transfer will be permitted only if (a) the Participant does not receive any consideration for the transfer, (b) the Committee expressly approves the transfer and (c) the transfer is on such terms and conditions as are appropriate for the class of transferees who may rely on the Form S-8 Registration Statement. The holder of the Award transferred pursuant to this Section shall be bound by the same terms and conditions that governed the Award during the period that it was held by the Participant; provided, however, that such transferee may not transfer the Award except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any transfer of an Option that is not an incentive stock option or a Corresponding SAR that relates to an incentive stock option (by the Participant or his transferee), the Option and Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred to the same Person or Persons or entity or entities. Unless transferred as provided in Section 9.05, a Restricted Stock Award or Performance Stock Award may not be transferred prior to becoming non-forfeitable and transferable.

 

14.04

Participant Status

If the terms of any Award provide that it may be exercised or paid only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. For purposes of the Plan, employment and continued service shall be deemed to exist between the Participant and the Company and/or an Affiliate if, at the time of the determination, the Participant is a director, officer, employee, consultant or advisor of the Company or an Affiliate. A Participant on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence shall continue to be considered an employee for purposes of the Plan during such leave if the period of leave does not exceed three (3) months, or, if longer, so long as the individual’s right to re-employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates is guaranteed either by statute or by contract. If the period of leave exceeds three (3) months, and the individual’s right to re-employment is not guaranteed by statute or by contract, the employment shall be deemed to be terminated on the first day after the end of such three (3) month period. Except as may otherwise be expressly provided in an Agreement, Awards granted to a director, officer, employee, consultant or advisor shall not be affected by any change in the status of the Participant so long as the Participant continues to be a director, officer, employee, consultant or advisor to the Company or any of its Affiliates (regardless of having changed from one to the other or having been transferred from one entity to another). The Participant’s employment or continued service shall not be considered interrupted in the event the Committee, in its discretion, and as specified at or prior to such occurrence, determines there is no interruption in the case of a spin-off, sale or disposition of the Participant’s employer from the Company or an Affiliate, except that if the Committee does not otherwise specify such at or such prior to such occurrence, the Participant will be deemed to have a termination of employment or continuous service to the extent the Affiliate that employs the Participant is no longer the Company or an entity that qualifies as an Affiliate. The foregoing

 

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provisions apply to a 409A Award only to the extent Section 409A of the Code does not otherwise treat the Participant as continuing in service or employment or as having a separation from service at an earlier time.

 

14.05

Change in Control

With respect to outstanding Awards, to the extent that written provision is made for their continuance, assumption or substitution by the Company or a successor employer or its parent or subsidiary in connection with the Change in Control, and except as otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement, the following provisions shall apply. In the event the employment of a Participant is terminated by the Company and its Affiliates without Cause during the two-year period following the Control Change Date (i) all Stock Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights which are then outstanding hereunder shall become fully vested and exercisable, (ii) all restrictions with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Units, Incentive Awards, Dividend Equivalents or Other Stock-Based Awards which are then outstanding hereunder shall lapse, and such shares or units shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable, and (iii) all restrictions with respect to Performance Stock, Performance Shares or other shares or units which are then outstanding and based on performance conditions and for which performance periods are already completed shall lapse, and such shares or units, measured at actual performance achieved, shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable. Unless the applicable Agreement shall otherwise provide, if a Change in Control occurs prior to the end of any performance period, with respect to all Performance Stock Awards, Performance Unit Awards and other shares or units which are then outstanding hereunder, the target level of performance set forth with respect to each performance condition under such shares and units shall be deemed to have been attained (or, if higher, the actual level of performance attained) and such shares or units shall be converted into and remain outstanding as Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, subject to forfeiture unless the Participant continues to be actively employed by the Company through the end of the original performance period, but subject to exception in the case of a termination of employment by the Company without Cause during the two-year period following the Control Change Date, and such other exceptions as may be provided by the Committee.

With respect to outstanding Awards, in the event that written provision is not made for their continuance, assumption or substitution by the Company or a successor employer or its parent or subsidiary in connection with the Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of any Agreement, subject to Section 4.02 above, the Committee in its sole discretion may

(i)    declare that outstanding Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights previously granted under the Plan, whether or not then exercisable, shall terminate on the Control Change Date without any payment to the holder thereof, provided the Committee gives prior written notice to the holders of such termination and gives such holders the right to exercise their outstanding Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights, at least seven (7) days before termination, to the extent then exercisable or will become exercisable as of the Control Change Date);

(ii)    terminate on the Control Change Date outstanding Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards not in the nature of purchase rights and Dividend Equivalents previously granted under the Plan that are not then nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable (and that will not become nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable as of the Control Change Date) without any payment to the holder thereof, other than the return, if any, of the purchase price of any such Awards;

 

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(iii)    terminate on the Control Change Date outstanding Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights previously granted under the Plan, whether or not then exercisable, in consideration of payment to the holder thereof, with respect to each share of Common Stock for which the Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights are then exercisable (or that will become exercisable as of the Control Change Date), of the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value on such date of the Common Stock subject to such Awards over the purchase price or Initial Value, as applicable (any Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights that are not then exercisable and will not become exercisable on the Control Change Date, and Options, SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Awards does not exceed the purchase price or Initial Value, as applicable, shall be cancelled without any payment therefor);

(iv)    terminate on the Control Change Date outstanding Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Incentive Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards not in the nature of purchase rights and Divided Equivalents previously granted under the Plan that will become nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable as of the Control Change Date (or that previously became nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable but have not yet been settled as of the Control Change Date) in exchange for a payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Awards, or the amount of cash payable under the Awards, over any unpaid purchase price, if any, for such Awards (any such Awards that are not then nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable as of the Control Change Date (and that will not become nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable as of the Control Change Date) shall be cancelled without any payment therefor);

(v)    terminate on the Control Change Date outstanding Performance Stock and Performance Stock Units in exchange for a payment equal to the target level of performance set forth with respect to each performance condition (or, if higher, the actual level of performance attained); or

(vi)    take such other actions as the Committee determines to be reasonable under the circumstances to permit the Participant to realize the value of the outstanding Awards (which Fair Market Value for purposes of Awards that are not then exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable as of the Control Change Date (and that will not become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable as of the Control Change Date) or with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Awards does not exceed the purchase price or Initial Value, as applicable, shall be deemed to be zero).

The payments described above may be made in any manner the Committee determines, including in cash, stock or other property. The Committee may take the actions described above with respect to Awards that are not then exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable or with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Awards does not exceed the purchase price or Initial Value, as applicable, whether or not the Participant will receive any payments therefor. The Committee in its discretion may take any of the actions described in this Section 14.05 contingent on consummation of the Change in Control, and such actions need not be uniform with respect to all outstanding Awards or Participants.

 

14.06

Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem and Substitute Awards

Subject to Section 19.13 below, Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any Award granted under another plan of the Company or any

 

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Affiliate or any entity acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Company or any Affiliate; provided, however, that a 409A Award may not be granted in tandem with a Non-409A Award, and incentive stock options may not be granted in tandem with nonqualified stock options. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with another Award or Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Award or Awards. Subject to applicable law and the restrictions on 409A Awards and repricings in Section 19.13 below, the Committee may determine that, in granting a new Award, the in-the-money value or Fair Market Value of any surrendered Award or Awards or the value of any other right to payment surrendered by the Participant may be applied, or otherwise taken into account with respect, to any other new Award or Awards.

 

14.07

Form and Timing of Payment; Deferrals

Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the exercise of an Option or settlement of any other Award may be made in such form as the Committee may determine and set forth in the applicable Agreement, including, without limitation, cash, shares of Common Stock, other Awards or other property and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments or on a deferred basis if and to the extent permitted by and consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Cash may be paid in lieu of shares of Common Stock in connection with settlement of an Award, in the discretion of the Committee or upon the occurrence of one or more specified events set forth in the applicable Agreement (and to the extent permitted by the Plan and Section 409A of the Code). Subject to the Plan, installment or deferred payments may be required by the Committee or permitted at the election of the Participant on the terms and conditions established by the Committee. Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installments or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in shares of Common Stock. In the case of any 409A Award that is vested and no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of Sections 83 and 409A of the Code), such Award may be distributed to the Participant, upon application of the Participant to the Committee, if the Participant has an unforeseeable emergency within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, however, no dividends payable with respect to an Award or Dividend Equivalents may be paid in connection with any Awards or Dividend Equivalents that are to become nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable based upon performance conditions unless and until the performance conditions are satisfied, and any such dividends and Dividend Equivalents will accumulate (without interest) and become payable to the Participant at the time, and only to the extent that, the applicable Awards or Dividend Equivalents have become non-forfeitable and transferable or earned and payable upon satisfaction of the relevant performance conditions.

 

14.08

Time and Method of Exercise; Minimum Vesting Requirement

The Committee shall determine and set forth in the Agreement the time or times at which Awards granted under the Plan may be exercised or settled in whole or in part and shall set forth in the Agreement the rules regarding the exercise, settlement and/or termination of Awards upon the Participant’s death, Disability, termination of employment or ceasing to be a director. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, an Option, SAR, other Stock Based Award in the nature of purchase rights, a Restricted Stock Award, Performance Stock Award, Restricted Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Award payable in shares or any other Award shall not become exercisable or vested sooner than one (1) year after the date of grant (except in case of

 

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death, Disability, Retirement, involuntary termination other than for Cause or a Change in Control, subject to Section 4.02, and awards to non-employee directors that vest on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of stockholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting). Notwithstanding the foregoing, up to five percent (5%) of the available shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 5(a) may provide for vesting of Options, SARs, Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights, Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Stock Awards, Restricted Units, Performance Units, Incentive Awards or any other Award partially or in full, in less than one-year. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan providing for the maximum term of an Award, in the event any Award would expire prior to exercise, vesting or settlement because trading in shares of Common Stock is prohibited by law or by any insider trading policy of the Company, the Committee may extend the term of the Award (or provide for such in the applicable Agreement) until thirty (30) days after the expiration of any such prohibitions to permit the Participant to realize the value of the Award, provided such extension (i) is permitted by law, (ii) does not violate Section 409A with respect to any Awards, and (iii) does not otherwise adversely impact the tax consequences of the Award (such as incentive stock options and related Awards).

ARTICLE XV

PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

15.01

Performance Conditions

In accordance with the Plan, the Committee may prescribe that Awards will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable, and earned and payable, based on performance conditions. The performance conditions may be stated with respect to (a) cash flow; (b) return on equity; (c) return on assets; (d) earnings per share; (e) operations expense efficient milestones; (f) earnings (losses) before or after interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and/or share-based compensation or expenses (consolidated or otherwise); (g) net income (loss); (h) operating income (loss); (i) book value per share; (j) return on investment; (k) return on capital; (l) improvements in capital structure; (m) expense management; (n) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (o) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (p) stock price; (q) total shareholder return; (r) market share; (s) revenues (consolidated or otherwise); (t) sales; (u) costs; (v) working capital; (w) economic wealth created; (x) strategic business criteria; (y) efficiency ratio(s); (z) achievement of division, group, function or corporate financial, strategic or operational goals; (aa) days sales outstanding; (bb) comparisons with stock market indices or performance metrics of peer companies; (cc) individual Participant performance criteria; and (dd) any other performance criteria adopted by the Committee. Any performance goals that are financial metrics may be determined in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) or may be adjusted when established to include or exclude any items otherwise includable or excludable under GAAP. The business criteria above may be related to a specific customer or group of customers or products or geographic region. The form of the performance conditions may be measured on a Company, Affiliate, product, division, product line, sales channel, business unit, service line, customer type, segment or geographic basis, individually, alternatively or in any combination, subset or component thereof. Performance goals may include one or more of the foregoing business criteria, either individually, alternatively or any combination, subset or component. Performance goals may reflect absolute performance or a relative comparison of the performance to the performance of a peer group or other external measure of the selected business criteria. Profits, earnings and revenues used for any performance condition measurement may exclude any extraordinary, unusual, infrequently occurring or non-recurring items. The performance conditions, as applicable, may, but need not, be based upon an

 

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increase or positive result under the aforementioned business criteria and could include, for example and not by way of limitation, maintaining the status quo or limiting the economic losses (measured, in each case, by reference to the specific business criteria). The performance conditions may not include solely the mere continued employment of the Participant. However, the Award may become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable contingent on the Participant’s continued employment or service, and/or employment or service at the time the Award becomes exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable, in addition to the performance conditions described above. The Committee shall have the sole discretion to select one or more periods of time over which the attainment of one or more of the foregoing performance conditions will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the settlement of, an Award that will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable based on performance conditions, subject to applicable minimum vesting provisions.

 

15.02

Establishing the Amount of the Award

The amount of the Award that will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable if the performance conditions are obtained (or a formula for, or method of, computing such amount) also must be established at the time set forth in Section 15.01 above. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce the amount of the Award that will become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable, as applicable, if the Committee determines that such reduction is appropriate under the facts and circumstances.

 

15.03

Earning the Award

If the Committee, on the date of grant, prescribes that an Award shall become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable only upon the attainment of any of the above enumerated performance conditions, the Award shall become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable only to the extent that the Committee determines that such conditions have been achieved. In determining if the performance conditions have been achieved, the Committee may adjust the performance targets in the event of any unbudgeted acquisition, divestiture or other unexpected fundamental change in the business of the Company, an Affiliate or business unit or in any product that is material taken as a whole as appropriate to fairly and equitably determine if the Award is to become exercisable, nonforfeitable and transferable or earned and payable pursuant to the conditions set forth in the Award. Additionally, in determining if such performance conditions have been achieved, the Committee also may adjust the performance targets in the event of any (a) unanticipated asset write-downs or impairment charges, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements thereof, (c) changes in tax laws, accounting principles or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) accruals for reorganization or restructuring programs, or extraordinary, unusual, infrequently occurring or non-reoccurring items, (e) acquisitions or dispositions or (f) foreign exchange gains or losses.

 

15.04

Performance Awards

The purpose of this Article XV is to permit the grant of Awards that are performance-based and subject to the achievement or satisfaction of performance conditions in addition to any employment conditions as may be specified by the Committee.

 

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ARTICLE XVI

ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK

 

16.01

General Adjustments

The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards, the number of shares of Common Stock and terms of outstanding Awards and the per individual limitations on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards shall be adjusted as the Committee shall determine to be equitably required in the event (a) there occurs a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, spin-off, split-off, stock dividend, issuance of stock rights, combination of shares, merger, consolidation or distribution to stockholders other than an ordinary cash dividend; (b) the Company engages in a transaction Code Section 424 describes; or (c) there occurs any other transaction or event which, in the judgment of the Board, necessitates such action. In that respect, the Committee shall make such adjustments as are necessary in the number or kind of shares of Common Stock or securities which are subject to the Award, the exercise price or Initial Value of the Award and such other adjustments as are appropriate in the discretion of the Committee. Such adjustments may provide for the elimination of fractional shares that might otherwise be subject to Awards without any payment therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of one or more outstanding shares of preferred stock or convertible debentures that the Company may issue from time to time into Common Stock shall not in and of itself require any adjustment under this Article XVI. In addition, the Committee may make such other adjustments to the terms of any Awards to the extent equitable and necessary to prevent an enlargement or dilution of the Participant’s rights thereunder as a result of any such event or similar transaction. Any determination made under this Article XVI by the Committee shall be final and conclusive.

 

16.02

No Adjustments

The issuance by the Company of stock of any class, or securities convertible into stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of stock or obligations of the Company convertible into such stock or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards, the per individual limitations on the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards or the terms of outstanding Awards.

 

16.03

Substitute Awards

The Committee may grant Awards in substitution for Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Awards or similar Awards held by an individual who becomes an employee of the Company or an Affiliate in connection with a transaction described in the first paragraph of this Article XVI. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the limitation of Section 6.02), the terms of such substituted Awards shall be as the Committee, in its discretion, determines is appropriate.

 

16.04

Limitation on Adjustments

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustment hereunder shall be authorized or made if and to the extent the existence of such authority or action (a) would cause a Non-409A Award to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (b) would violate Code Section 409A for a 409A Award, unless the Committee determines that such adjustment is necessary and specifically acknowledges that the adjustment will be made notwithstanding any such result.

 

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ARTICLE XVII

COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES

 

17.01

Compliance

No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no Restricted Stock Award, Performance Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Stock Unit, Incentive Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Dividend Equivalents shall be granted or settled, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued, no certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered and no payment shall be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations (including, without limitation, withholding tax requirements), any listing agreement to which the Company is a party and the rules of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Company’s shares may be listed. The Company shall have the right to rely on an opinion of its counsel as to such compliance. Any stock certificate evidencing shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Award may bear such legends and statements as the Committee may deem advisable to assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and to reflect any other restrictions applicable to such shares as the Committee otherwise deems appropriate. No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no Restricted Stock Award, Performance Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Stock Unit, Incentive Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Dividend Equivalents shall be granted or settled, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued, no certificate for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered and no payment shall be made under this Plan until the Company has obtained such consent or approval as the Committee may deem advisable from regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.

 

17.02

Postponement of Exercise or Payment

The Committee may postpone any grant, exercise, vesting or payment of an Award for such time as the Committee in its sole discretion may deem necessary in order to permit the Company (i) to effect, amend or maintain any necessary registration of the Plan or the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Award under the securities laws; (ii) to take any action in order to (A) list such shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company on a stock exchange if shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company are not then listed on such exchange or (B) comply with restrictions or regulations incident to the maintenance of a public market for its shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company, including any rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which the shares of Common Stock or other shares of stock of the Company are listed; (iii) to determine that such shares of Common Stock in the Plan are exempt from such registration or that no action of the kind referred to in (ii)(B) above needs to be taken; (iv) to comply with any other applicable law, including without limitation, securities laws; (v) to comply with any legal or contractual requirements during any such time the Company or any Affiliate is prohibited from doing any of such acts under applicable law, including without limitation, during the course of an investigation of the Company or any Affiliate, or under any contract, loan agreement or covenant or other agreement to which the Company or any Affiliate is a party or (vi) to otherwise comply with any prohibition on such acts or payments during any applicable blackout period; and the Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any terms and conditions of any Agreement or any provision of the Plan to recognize the grant, exercise, vesting or payment of an Award or to grant, sell or issue shares of Common Stock or make any such payments in violation of the securities laws or the laws of any government having jurisdiction thereof or any of the provisions hereof. Any such postponement shall not extend the term of the Award and neither the Company nor its directors and officers nor the Committee shall have any obligation or liability to any Participant or to any other person with respect to shares of Common Stock or payments as to which the Award shall lapse because of such postponement.

 

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17.03

Forfeiture of Payment

A Participant shall be required to forfeit any and all rights under Awards or to reimburse the Company for any payment under any Award (with interest as necessary to avoid imputed interest or original issue discount under the Code or as otherwise required by applicable law) to the extent applicable law or any applicable claw-back or recoupment policy of the Company or any of its Affiliates requires such forfeiture or reimbursement.

ARTICLE XVIII

LIMITATION ON BENEFITS

Despite any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary, if the receipt of any payments or benefits under this Plan would subject a Participant to tax under Code Section 4999, the Committee may determine whether some amount of payments or benefits would meet the definition of a “Reduced Amount.” If the Committee determines that there is a Reduced Amount, the total payments or benefits to the Participant under all Awards must be reduced to such Reduced Amount, but not below zero. If the Committee determines that the benefits and payments must be reduced to the Reduced Amount, the Company must promptly notify the Participant of that determination, with a copy of the detailed calculations by the Committee. All determinations of the Committee under this Article XVIII are final, conclusive and binding upon the Company and the Participant. It is the intention of the Company and the Participant to reduce the payments under this Plan only if the aggregate Net After Tax Receipts to the Participant would thereby be increased. As result of the uncertainty in the application of Code Section 4999 at the time of the initial determination by the Committee under this Article XVIII, however, it is possible that amounts will have been paid under the Plan to or for the benefit of a Participant which should not have been so paid (“Overpayment”) or that additional amounts which will not have been paid under the Plan to or for the benefit of a Participant could have been so paid (“Underpayment”), in each case consistent with the calculation of the Reduced Amount. If the Committee, based either upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or the Participant, which the Committee believes has a high probability of success, or controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Overpayment has been made, any such Overpayment must be treated for all purposes as a loan, to the extent permitted by applicable law, which the Participant must repay to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate under Code Section 7872(f)(2); provided, however, that no such loan may be deemed to have been made and no amount shall be payable by the Participant to the Company if and to the extent such deemed loan and payment would not either reduce the amount on which the Participant is subject to tax under Code Sections 1, 3101 or 4999 or generate a refund of such taxes. If the Committee, based upon controlling precedent or other substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, the Committee must promptly notify the Company of the amount of the Underpayment, which then shall be paid promptly to the Participant but no later than the end of the Participant’s taxable year next following the Participant’s taxable year in which the determination is made that the Underpayment has occurred. For purposes of this Section, (a) “Net After Tax Receipt” means the Present Value of a payment under this Plan net of all taxes imposed on Participant with respect thereto under Code Sections 1, 3101 and 4999, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Code Section 1 which applies to the Participant’s taxable income for the applicable taxable year; (b) “Present Value” means the value determined in accordance with Code Section 280G(d)(4); and (c) “Reduced Amount” means the smallest aggregate amount of all payments and benefits under this Plan which (i) is less than the sum of all payments and benefits under this Plan and (ii) results in aggregate Net After Tax Receipts which are equal to or greater than the Net After Tax Receipts which would result if the aggregate payments and benefits under this Plan were any other amount less than the sum of all payments and benefits to be made under this Plan.

 

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ARTICLE XIX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

19.01

Effect on Employment and Service

Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof), shall confer upon any individual or entity any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate or in any way affect any right and power of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the employment or service of any individual or entity at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor.

 

19.02

Unfunded Plan

This Plan, insofar as it provides for Awards, shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under this Plan. Any liability of the Company to any Person with respect to any Award under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this Plan. No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.

 

19.03

Rules of Construction

Headings are given to the articles and sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.

 

19.04

Tax Withholding and Reporting

Unless an Agreement provides otherwise, each Participant shall be responsible for satisfying in cash or cash equivalent any income and employment (including, without limitation, Social Security and Medicare) tax withholding obligations, if applicable, attributable to participation in the Plan and the grant, exercise, vesting or payment of Awards granted hereunder (including the making of a Code Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award). In accordance with procedures that the Committee establishes, the Committee, to the extent applicable law permits and only to the extent using shares of Common Stock to pay applicable withholdings would not cause adverse accounting consequences, may allow a Participant to pay any such applicable amounts (a) by surrendering (actually or by attestation) shares of Common Stock that the Participant already owns; (b) by a cashless exercise, or surrender of shares of Common Stock already owned, through a broker; (c) by means of a “net issuance” procedure by the surrender of shares of Common Stock to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Award; (d) by such other medium of payment as the Committee, in its discretion, shall authorize; or (e) by any combination of the aforementioned methods of payment; provided, however, that a cashless or net exercise shall not be permitted if the withholdings are incurred in connection with the making of a Code Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award unless the Participant actually surrenders shares of Common Stock that the Participant already owns. The Company shall comply with all such reporting and other requirements relating to the administration of this Plan and the grant, exercise, vesting or payment of any Award hereunder as applicable law requires.

 

19.05

Code Section 83(b) Election

No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Code Section 83(b)) or under similar laws may be made unless

 

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expressly permitted by the terms of the Award or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. In any case in which a Participant is permitted to make such an election in connection with an Award, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 83(b) or other applicable provisions.

 

19.06

Reservation of Shares

The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. Additionally, the Company, during the term of this Plan, shall use its best efforts to seek to obtain from appropriate regulatory agencies any requisite authorizations needed in order to issue and to sell such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. However, the inability of the Company to obtain from any such regulatory agency the requisite authorizations the Company’s counsel deems to be necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder, or the inability of the Company to confirm to its satisfaction that any issuance and sale of any shares of Common Stock hereunder will meet applicable legal requirements, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect to the failure to issue or to sell such shares of Common Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

 

19.07

Governing Law

This Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, except to the extent federal law applies.

 

19.08

Other Actions

Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the authority of the Company to exercise its corporate rights and powers, including, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the right to grant Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards or Dividend Equivalents for proper corporate purposes otherwise than under the Plan to any employee or to any other Person, firm, corporation, association or other entity, or to grant Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Awards, Performance Stock Awards, or Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards or Dividend Equivalents to, or assume such Awards of any Person in connection with, the acquisition, purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise, of all or any part of the business and assets of any Person, firm, corporation, association or other entity.

 

19.09

Repurchase of Common Stock

Subject to Section 19.13 below, the Company or its designee may have the option and right to purchase any Award or any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to any Award in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Agreement. However, shares of Common Stock repurchased pursuant to an Agreement will still be deemed issued pursuant to the Plan and will not be available for issuance pursuant to future Awards under the Plan.

 

19.10

Other Conditions

The Committee, in its discretion, may, as a condition to the grant, exercise, payment or settlement of an Award, require the Participant on or before the date of grant, exercise, payment or settlement of the Award to enter into (i) a covenant not to compete (including a confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition or other similar agreement) with the Company or any Affiliate,

 

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which may become effective on the date of termination of employment or service of the Participant with the Company or any Affiliate or any other date the Committee may specify and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Committee shall otherwise specify, (ii) an agreement to cancel any other employment agreement, service agreement, fringe benefit or compensation arrangement in effect between the Company or any Affiliate and such Participant and/or (iii) a shareholders’ agreement with respect to shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Award. If the Participant shall fail to enter into any such agreement at the Committee’s request, then no Award shall be granted, exercised, paid or settled and the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been subject to such Award, if any, shall be added to the remaining shares of Common Stock available under the Plan.

 

19.11

Forfeiture Provisions

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan or any Agreement, all rights to any Award that a Participant has will be immediately discontinued and forfeited, and the Company shall not have any further obligation hereunder to the Participant with respect to any Award and the Award will not be exercisable (whether or not previously exercisable) or become vested or payable on and after the time the Participant is discharged from employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate for Cause.

 

19.12

Legends; Payment of Expenses

The Company may endorse such legend or legends upon the certificates for shares of Common Stock issued upon the grant or exercise of an Award and may issue such “stop transfer” instructions to its transfer agent in respect of such shares as it determines, in its sole discretion, to be necessary or appropriate to (i) prevent a violation of, or to perfect an exemption from, the registration requirements under the Exchange Act, applicable state securities laws or other requirements, (b) implement the provisions of the Plan or any Agreement between the Company and the Participant with respect to such shares of Common Stock, (c) permit the Company to determine the occurrence of a “disqualifying disposition” as described in Section 421(b) of the Code of the shares of Common Stock transferred upon the exercise of an incentive stock option granted under the Plan or (d) as may be appropriate to continue an Award’s exemption or compliance with Section 409A of the Code. The Company shall pay all issuance taxes with respect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the grant or exercise of the Award, as well as all fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such issuance.

 

19.13

Repricing of Awards

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, except in connection with a Change in Control as described above, for adjustments pursuant to Article XVI or to the extent approved by the Company’s stockholders and consistent with the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, this Plan does not permit (a) any decrease in the exercise or purchase price or base value of any outstanding Awards, (b) the issuance of any replacement Options, SARs or Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights which shall be deemed to occur if a Participant agrees to forfeit an existing Option, SAR or Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights in exchange for a new Option, SAR or Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights with a lower exercise or purchase price or base value, (c) the Company to repurchase underwater or out-of-the-money Options, SARs or Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights, which shall be deemed to be those Options, SARs or Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights with exercise or purchase prices or base values in excess of the current Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option, SAR or Other Stock-Based Award in the nature of purchase rights, (d) the issuance of any

 

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replacement or substitute Awards or the payment of cash in exchange for, or in substitution of, underwater or out-of-the-money Options, SARs or Other Stock-Based Awards in the nature of purchase rights, (e) the Company to repurchase any Award if the Award has not become exercisable, vested or payable prior to the repurchase or (f) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles or applicable Nasdaq listing rules.

 

19.14

Right of Setoff

The Company or an Affiliate may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deduct from and setoff against any amounts the Company or Affiliate may owe the Participant from time to time, including amounts payable in connection with any Award, owed as wages, fringe benefits or other compensation owed to the Participant, such amounts as may be owed by the Participant to the Company or Affiliate, including but not limited to any amounts owed under the Plan, although the Participant shall remain liable for any part of the Participant’s obligation not satisfied through such deduction and setoff. By accepting any Award granted hereunder, the Participant agrees to any deduction or setoff hereunder.

 

19.15

Fractional Shares

No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereof shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

19.16

Compensation Recoupment Policy

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Agreement to the contrary, any Award received by the Participant and/or shares of Common Stock issued and/or cash paid hereunder, and/or any amount received with respect to any sale of any such shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to potential cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback or other action in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Compensation Recoupment Policy, if any, as it may be established or amended from time to time. By acceptance of the Award, the Participant agrees and consents to the Company’s application, implementation and enforcement of (a) any Compensation Recoupment Policy or similar policy established by the Company or any Affiliate that may apply to the Participant and (b) any provision of applicable law relating to cancellation, rescission, payback or recoupment of compensation, and expressly agrees that the Company may take such actions as are necessary to effectuate any such Compensation Recoupment Policy, similar policy (as applicable to the Participant) or applicable law without further consent or action being required by the Participant. To the extent that the terms of this Plan or any Agreement and any Compensation Recoupment Policy or similar policy or law conflict, then the terms of such policy or law shall prevail.

 

19.17

Post-Exercise Holding Requirements

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Agreement to the contrary, no Participant may sell, transfer or other dispose of any shares of Common Stock acquired under an Award (“net” shares acquired in case of any net exercise or withholding of shares) until the Participant has met the minimum level of ownership provided in the Company’s Stock Ownership Guidelines, to the extent applicable to the Participant. All shares of Common Stock acquired under Awards granted under the Plan (“net” shares acquired in case of any net exercise or withholding of shares) shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Stock Ownership Guidelines, as they may be amended from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE XX

CLAIMS PROCEDURES

 

20.01

Initial Claim

If a Participant has exercised an Option or SAR or if shares of Restricted Stock or Performance Stock have become vested or Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards or Dividend Equivalents have become payable, and the Participant has not received the benefits to which the Participant believes he or she is entitled under such Award, then the Participant must submit a written claim for such benefits to the Committee within ninety (90) days of the date the Participant tried to exercise the Option or SAR, the date the Participant contends the Restricted Stock or Performance Stock vested or the date the Participant contends the Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Incentive Awards, or Other Stock-Based Awards of Dividend Equivalents became payable or the claim will be forever barred.

 

20.02

Appeal of Claim

If a claim of a Participant is wholly or partially denied, the Participant or his duly authorized representative may appeal the denial of the claim to the Committee. Such appeal must be made at any time within thirty (30) days after the Participant receives written notice from the Company of the denial of the claim. In connection therewith, the Participant or his duly authorized representative may request a review of the denied claim, may review pertinent documents and may submit issues and comments in writing. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Committee shall make a decision with respect to the appeal and, not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of such request for review, shall furnish the Participant with the decision on review in writing, including the specific reasons for the decision written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Participant, as well as specific references to the pertinent provisions of the Plan upon which the decision is based.

 

20.03

Time to File Suit

The Committee has the discretionary and final authority under the Plan to determine the validity of a claim. Accordingly, any decision the Committee makes on a Participant’s appeal will be administratively final. If a Participant disagrees with the Committee’s final decision, the Participant may sue, but only after the claim on appeal has been denied. Any lawsuit must be filed within ninety (90) days of receipt of the Committee’s final written denial of the Participant’s claim or the claim will be forever barred.

ARTICLE XXI

AMENDMENT

 

21.01

Amendment of Plan

The Board may amend or terminate this Plan at any time; provided, however, that no amendment to the Plan may adversely impair the rights of a Participant with respect to outstanding Awards without the Participant’s consent. In addition, an amendment will be contingent on approval of the Company’s stockholders, to the extent required by law or any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Plan or by the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded or if the amendment would (i) increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, including without limitation, any amendment to the Plan or any Agreement to permit a repricing or decrease in the exercise price of any outstanding Awards, (ii) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, or (iii) modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any termination of the Plan shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A with regard to any 409A Awards.

 

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21.02

Amendment of Awards

The Committee may amend any outstanding Awards to the extent it deems appropriate; provided, however, that no amendment to an outstanding Award may adversely impair the rights of a Participant without the Participant’s consent.

ARTICLE XXII

SECTION 409A PROVISION

 

22.01

Intent of Awards

It is intended that Awards that are granted under the Plan shall be exempt from treatment as “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code unless otherwise specified by the Committee. Towards that end, all Awards under the Plan are intended to contain such terms as will qualify the Awards for an exemption from Section 409A of the Code unless otherwise specified by the Committee. The terms of the Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be construed consistent with the foregoing intent. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Committee may amend any outstanding Award without Participant’s consent if, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, such amendment is required either to (a) confirm exemption under Section 409A of the Code, (b) comply with Section 409A of the Code or (c) prevent the Participant from being subject to any tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates nor the Committee shall be liable to a Participant or any other Person if an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code or the Participant or any other Person is otherwise subject to any additional tax, interest or penalty under Section 409A of the Code. Each Participant is solely responsible for the payment of any tax liability (including any taxes, penalties and interest that may arise under Section 409A of the Code) that may result from an Award.

 

22.02

409A Awards

The Committee may grant Awards under the Plan that are intended to be 409A Awards that comply with Section 409A of the Code. The terms of such 409A Award, including any authority by the Company and the rights of the Participant with respect to such 409A Award, will be subject to such rules and limitations and shall be interpreted in a manner as to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

22.03

Election Requirements

If a Participant is permitted to elect to defer an Award or any payment under an Award, such election shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A. Each initial deferral election (an “Initial Deferral Election”) must be received by the Committee prior to the following dates or will have no effect whatsoever:

(a)    Except as otherwise provided below, the December 31 immediately preceding the year in which the compensation is earned;

(b)    With respect to any annual or long-term incentive pay which qualifies as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, by the date six (6) months prior to the end of the performance measurement period applicable to such incentive pay provided such additional requirements set forth in Code Section 409A are met;

 

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(c)    With respect to “fiscal year compensation” as defined under Code Section 409A, by the last day of the Company’s fiscal year immediately preceding the year in which the fiscal year compensation is earned; or

(d)    With respect to mid-year Awards or other legally binding rights to a payment of compensation in a subsequent year that is subject to a forfeiture condition requiring the Participant’s continued service for a period of at least twelve (12) months, on or before the thirtieth (30th) day following the grant of such Award, provided that the election is made at least twelve (12) months in advance of the earliest date at which the forfeiture condition could lapse.

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Participants to submit additional deferral elections in order to delay, but not to accelerate, a payment, or to change the form of payment of an amount of deferred compensation (a “Subsequent Deferral Election”), if, and only if, the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the Subsequent Deferral Election must not take effect until twelve (12) months after the date on which it is made, (b) in the case of a payment other than a payment attributable to the Participant’s death, disability or an unforeseeable emergency (all within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the Subsequent Deferral Election further defers the payment for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made and (c) the Subsequent Deferral Election is received by the Committee at least twelve (12) months prior to the date the payment would otherwise have been made. In addition, Participants may be further permitted to revise the form of payment they have elected, or the number of installments elected, provided that such revisions comply with the requirements of a Subsequent Deferral Election.

 

22.04

Time of Payment

The time and form of payment of a 409A Award shall be as set forth in an applicable Agreement. A 409A Award may only be paid in connection with a separation from service, a fixed time, death, disability, Change in Control or an unforeseeable emergency within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. The time of distribution of the 409A Award must be fixed by reference to the specified payment event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the time of distribution of the 409A Award is not set forth in the applicable Agreement, then the time of distribution of the 409A Award shall be within two and one-half months of the end of the later of the calendar year or the fiscal year of the Company or Affiliate that employs the Participant in which the 409A Award becomes vested and no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Code Section 409A. For purposes of Code Section 409A, each installment payment will be treated as the entitlement to a single payment.

 

22.05

Acceleration or Deferral

The Company shall have no authority to accelerate or delay or change the form of any distributions relating to 409A Awards except as permitted under Code Section 409A.

 

22.06

Distribution Requirements

Any distribution of a 409A Award triggered by a Participant’s termination of employment shall be made only at the time that the Participant has had a separation from service within the meaning of Code Section 409A. A separation from service shall occur where it is reasonably anticipated that no further services will be performed after that date or that the level of bona fide services the Participant will perform after that date (whether as an employee or independent contractor of the Company or an Affiliate) will permanently decrease to less than fifty percent (50%) of the average level of bona fide services performed over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period. A Participant shall be considered to have continued employment and to not have a separation from service while on a leave of absence if the leave does not

 

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exceed six (6) consecutive months (twenty-nine (29) months for a disability leave of absence) or, if longer, so long as the Participant retains a right to reemployment with the Company or Affiliate under an applicable statute or by contract. For this purpose, a “disability leave of absence” is an absence due to 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 six (6) months, where such impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of Participant’s position of employment or a substantially similar position of employment. Continued services solely as a director of the Company or an Affiliate shall not prevent a separation from service from occurring by an employee as permitted by Section 409A of the Code.

 

22.07

Key Employee Rule

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, any distribution of a 409A Award that would be made upon a separation from service within six (6) months following the separation from service of a “specified employee” as defined under Code Section 409A and as determined under procedures adopted by the Board or its delegate shall instead occur on the first day of the seventh month following the separation from service (or upon the Participant’s death, if earlier) to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code. In the case of installments, this delay shall not affect the timing of any installment otherwise payable after the requisite delay period.

 

22.08

Distributions Upon Vesting

In the case of any Award providing for a distribution upon the lapse of a substantial risk of forfeiture, if the timing of such distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or the applicable Agreement, the distribution shall be made not later than two and one-half (212) months after the calendar year in which the risk of forfeiture lapsed.

 

22.09

Scope and Application of this Provision

For purposes of this Article XXII, references to a term or event (including any authority or right of the Company or a Participant) being “permitted” under Code Section 409A means that the term or event will not cause the Participant to be deemed to be in constructive receipt of compensation relating to the 409A Award prior to the distribution of cash, shares of Common Stock or other property or to be liable for payment of interest or a tax penalty under Code Section 409A.

ARTICLE XXIII

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

The Plan is effective on the approval of the Plan by the Board contingent on approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board. Awards, other than Restricted Stock and Performance Stock, may be granted under this Plan on and after its effective date; but, Restricted Stock and Performance Stock may only be granted, if at all, after the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan. Awards granted under the Plan prior to such stockholder approval shall be conditioned upon and shall become exercisable, nonforfeitable, earned or payable only upon approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders on or before such date. If the Company’s stockholders do not approve the Plan within twelve (12) months after the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board, the Plan shall remain outstanding and in effect as before its amendment and restatement.

 

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ARTICLE XXIV

DURATION OF PLAN

No Award may be granted under this Plan after October 2, 2030, the ten (10) year anniversary of the date the Board approved the Plan, as amended and restated. Awards granted before that date shall remain valid in accordance with their terms.

 

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EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

[Reed Smith LLP Letterhead]

December 17, 2020

MiMedx Group, Inc.

1775 West Oak Commons Ct., NE

Marietta, GA 30062

 

  Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-8 for MiMedx Group, Inc.

      

MiMedx Group, Inc. 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan, amended and restated through October 2, 2020

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to MiMedx Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) of the issuance by the Company from time to time of up to 8,400,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”) under the Company’s 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan, amended and restated through October 2, 2020 (the “Plan”).

We have examined such corporate records, certificates and other documents, and such questions of law as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including, without limitation, (a) the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as presently in effect, (b) the Bylaws of the Company, as presently in effect, (c) the Registration Statement, and (d) the Plan. In making the foregoing examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies, and the authority and legal competence of persons who executed such documents. As to the various questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied, to the extent deemed reasonably appropriate, upon representations of officers or directors of the Company and upon documents, records, and instruments furnished to us by the Company, without independently checking or verifying the accuracy of such documents, records, and instruments.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized, and when the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act, and when the Shares have been duly issued in accordance with the Plan, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the Federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State of Florida, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

This opinion is rendered solely in connection with the transactions covered hereby, is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinions may be implied or inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

Yours truly,

/s/ Reed Smith LLP

REED SMITH LLP

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

MiMedx Group, Inc.

Marietta, Georgia

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our reports dated July 6, 2020, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of MiMedx Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting expresses an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
December 17, 2020
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

MIMEDX GROUP, INC.

2016 EQUITY AND CASH INCENTIVE PLAN

Amended and Restated through October 2, 2020

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of the              day of                      , 20    , between MiMedx Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and                      (the “Participant”), is made pursuant and subject to the provisions of the Company’s 2016 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan as amended and restated through October 2, 2020 (the “Plan”), a copy of which is attached hereto. Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used herein that are defined in the Plan have the same meaning given them in the Plan.

1.    Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Pursuant to the Plan, the Company, on                         , 20     (the “Date of Grant”), granted to the Participant, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject further to the terms and conditions set forth herein, this Restricted Stock Unit Award for              Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”). Each RSU represents the right to receive one share (a “Share”) of Common Stock subject to the terms of this Agreement. The RSUs will vest as set forth in Section 2 below. The RSUs will vest as set forth in Section 2 below and, upon vesting, will be settled as set forth in Section 3.

2.    Vesting of the RSUs. Subject to earlier expiration, termination or vesting as provided herein, the RSUs will become vested and nonforfeitable as follows:

(a)    Time-Based Vesting. The RSUs will become vested and nonforfeitable with respect to one-third (1/3) of the RSUs (rounded down to the nearest whole RSU) on each of the first and second anniversaries of the Date of Grant, and with respect to the remaining RSUs on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant, provided the Participant has been continuously employed by, or providing services to, the Company or an Affiliate from the Date of Grant until such date(s).

(b)    Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control prior to the end of the applicable vesting period, any outstanding RSUs shall be treated in accordance with and governed by Section 14.05 of the Plan.

(c)    Death and Disability. Additionally, if the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates is terminated on account of the Participant’s death or Disability prior to the end of the applicable vesting period, the RSUs shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable upon termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates on account of the Participant’s death or Disability.

3.    Settlement of .RSUs.

(a)    Timing and Amount. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or as set forth below or in the Plan, the Company shall cause one Share to be issued to the Participant for each vested RSU, with such Shares to be delivered to the Participant upon the applicable vesting date.

 

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(b)    Stock Holding Requirements. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Shares that are issued may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of until the level of ownership provided in the Company’s Stock Ownership Guidelines is met, to the extent applicable to the Participant. All Shares acquired hereunder (“net” shares acquired in case of any net exercise or withholding of shares) shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Stock Ownership Guidelines, as they may be amended from time to time.

4.    Forfeiture of the Shares. RSUs that are not vested pursuant to Sections 2(a), (b) or (c) as of the date of termination of Participant’s employment by the Company and its Affiliates will be forfeited automatically at the close of business on that date (immediately upon notice of termination for Cause). In no event may the RSUs become vested, in whole or in part, after forfeiture pursuant to this Section 4.

5.    Agreement to Terms of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant has received a copy of the Plan, has read and understands the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, and agrees to be bound by their terms and conditions. All decisions and interpretations made by the Company or the Committee with regard to any question arising under this Agreement will be binding and conclusive on the Company and Participant and any other person who has any rights under this Agreement.

6.    Tax Consequences. The Participant acknowledges (i) that there may be adverse tax consequences upon acquisition or disposition of the Shares received upon vesting of the RSUs and (ii) that Participant should consult a tax adviser prior to such acquisition or disposition. The Participant is solely responsible for determining the tax consequences of the Restricted Stock Unit Award and for satisfying the Participant’s tax obligations with respect to the Restricted Stock Unit Award (including, but not limited to, any income or excise tax as resulting from the application of Code Sections 409A or 4999 or related interest and penalties), and the Company and its Affiliates shall not be liable if this grant is subject to Code Sections 409A, 280G or 4999. The Company’s obligation to issue Shares is subject to the Participant’s satisfaction of any applicable federal, state and local income and employment tax and withholding requirements in a manner and form satisfactory to the Company. The Committee, to the extent applicable law permits, may allow the Participant to pay any such amounts as provided in the Plan.

7.    Fractional Shares. Fractional shares shall not be issuable hereunder, and when any provision hereof may entitle the Participant to a fractional share such fractional share shall be disregarded.

8.    Change in Common Stock. The RSUs are subject to adjustment as provided in Article XVI of the Plan.

9.    Notice. Any notice or other communication given pursuant to this Agreement, or in any way with respect to the Shares, shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the following addresses:

 

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If to the Company:

   MiMedx Group, Inc.   
     1775 West Oak Commons Ct. NE   
     Marietta, Georgia 30062   
     Attn: General Counsel   
 

If to the Participant:

                                                           
    

                                                     

  
                                                             

10.    Shareholder Rights; Dividend Equivalents. Except as provided below, Participant shall have no rights as a Shareholder of the Company with respect to shares underlying the RSUs unless and until Shares are delivered to Participant in respect of such RSUs upon vesting. The RSUs will be entitled to accrue Dividend Equivalents, which will be subject to all conditions and restrictions applicable to the underlying RSUs to which they relate, and which may not be paid until and unless the underlying RSUs have vested. Dividend Equivalents will accrue prior to the issuance of Shares with respect to the RSUs or their earlier forfeiture. Dividend Equivalents will be earned only for RSUs that are earned or deemed earned under this Agreement. With respect to RSUs that are not earned (because the applicable vesting restrictions do not lapse or otherwise), Dividend Equivalents that were accrued for those RSUs will be cancelled and forfeited along with the RSUs and underlying Shares, without payment therefor by the Company or any Affiliate. Dividend Equivalents will be paid at such time as the underlying RSUs to which they relate are paid.

11.    No Right to Continued Employment or Service. Neither the Plan, the granting of the RSUs nor any other action taken pursuant to the Plan or this Agreement constitutes or is evidence of any agreement or understanding, expressed or implied, that the Company or any Affiliate shall retain the Participant as an employee or other service provider for any period of time or at any particular rate of compensation.

12.    Binding Effect. Subject to the limitations stated above and in the Plan, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legatees, distributees, and personal representatives of the Participant and the successors of the Company.

13.    Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. All references herein to the Plan shall mean the Plan as in effect on the date hereof.

14.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in a number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one in the same instrument.

15.    Miscellaneous. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and take such further actions as may be necessary to carry out the intent of the Plan and this Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan shall constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

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16.    Section 409A. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement, it is intended that the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement be exempt from Section 409A of the Code as short-term deferrals, pursuant to Treasury regulation §1.409A-1(b)(4), or otherwise comply with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the preceding, neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall be liable to the Participant or any other person if the Internal Revenue Service or any court or other authority have any jurisdiction over such matter determines for any reason that the RSUs are subject to taxes, penalties or interest as a result of failing to be exempt from, or comply with, Section 409A of the Code. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with Article XXII of the Plan.

17.    Non-transferability and non-alienation. The Participant shall not assign or transfer any RSUs while such RSUs remain forfeitable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. No right or interest of Participant or any transferee in the RSUs or Shares subject to the RSUs shall be subject to any lien or any obligation or liability of the Participant or any transferee.

18.    Compensation Recoupment Policy. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the rights, payments and benefits with respect to the RSUs (including any amounts received by Participant in connection with a sale of Shares received upon the vesting of the RSUs) shall be subject to reduction, reimbursement, cancellation, forfeiture, recoupment or return by the Company, to the extent any reduction, reimbursement, cancellation, forfeiture, recoupment or return is required under applicable law or the Company’s Compensation Recoupment Policy or any similar policy that the Company may adopt.

19.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the governing laws applicable to the Plan.

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be signed by a duly authorized officer, and the Participant has affixed the Participant’s signature hereto.

 

COMPANY:

 

MIMEDX GROUP, INC.

 
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

PARTICIPANT:

 

 

[Participant’s Name]

 

 

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