Deferred Compensation and Awards Intended to Comply With the Performance-Based Exception Sample Clauses

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Deferred Compensation and Awards Intended to Comply With the Performance-Based Exception. Notwithstanding the forgoing provisions of this Section 4.2,

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Related to Deferred Compensation and Awards Intended to Comply With the Performance-Based Exception

• Performance-Based Compensation During the Period of Employment and assuming Executive remains continuously employed by the Company through the end of the relevant fiscal year, Executive shall also be entitled to participate in an annual performance-based cash bonus program as set forth in Exhibit B.

• Performance Based Bonus As additional compensation, the Executive shall be entitled to receive a performance based bonus, based on meeting revenue and cash flow objectives. The Executive shall be granted options ("Performance Options") to purchase an aggregate of 220,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to anti-dilution provisions relating to adjustments in the event that the Company, among other things, declares stock dividends, effects forward or reverse stock splits, at an exercise price of the fair market value of the date of the grant, and shall be exercisable for a period of four (4) years from the date of vesting unless sooner terminated, as described herein. The date of grant shall be the Effective Date of this Agreement. Up to one-half of these shares will be eligible for vesting on a quarterly basis and the rest annually, with the total grant allocated over a two-year period, starting with the quarter ended December 31, 2007. Vesting of the quarterly portion is subject to achievement of increased revenues over the prior quarter as well as positive and increased net cash flow per share (defined as cash provided by operating activities per the Company’s statement of cash flow, measured before changes in working capital components and not including investing or financing activities) for that quarter. Vesting of the annual portion is subject to meeting the above cash flow requirements on a year-over-year basis, plus a revenue growth rate of at least 30% for the fiscal year over the prior year, starting with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. In the event of quarter to quarter decreases in revenues and or cash flow, the Performance Options shall not vest for that quarter but the unvested quarterly Performance Options shall be added to the available Performance Options for the year, vested subject to achievement of the applicable annual goal. In the event this Agreement is not renewed or the Executive is terminated other than for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to register the stock underlying the vested portion of the Performance Options provided hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth in a registration rights agreement to be mutually agreed upon by and between Executive and the Company. The Company shall file such Registration Statement as promptly as practicable and at its sole expense. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts through its officers, directors, auditors and counsel in all matters necessary or advisable to file and cause to become effective such Registration Statement as promptly as practicable. Company and Executive agree that this bonus program will continue after the initial two-year period, through the end of the Term, with the specific bonus parameters to be negotiated in good faith between the parties at least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the program then in place.

• Performance-Based Vesting At the end of each Measurement Year, on the Measurement Date, the percentage of Shares set forth above shall be eligible to vest (the "Eligible Shares"). On each Measurement Date, 50% of the Eligible Shares shall become Vested Shares if at least 90% of the Target EBITDA amount was met for the prior Measurement Year. If more than 90% of the Target EBITDA amount was met for the prior Measurement Year, then the Eligible Shares shall become Vested Shares on a straight line basis such that an additional 5% of Eligible Shares shall become Vested Shares for each 1% that actual Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA exceeds 90% of the Target EBITDA amount.

• Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans Effective on or before the Distribution Date, Columbia shall adopt, establish and maintain nonqualified deferred compensation plans for the benefit of employees of the Columbia Parties (the “Columbia Deferred Compensation Plans”) and shall establish one or more grantor trusts to be a source of providing benefits thereunder (the “Columbia Rabbi Trusts”) that in each case shall be substantially similar to the NiSource Deferred Compensation Plans and the grantor trusts maintained by NiSource with respect to the NiSource Deferred Compensation Plans (the “NiSource Rabbi Trusts”). As of the Distribution Date, the Columbia Parties shall assume and thereafter be solely responsible for all existing and future liabilities relating to Business Employees’ (and Deceased Business Employee survivors’ and beneficiaries’) (a) benefits accrued under the NiSource Deferred Compensation Plans prior to the Distribution Date and (b) benefits that accrue under the Columbia Deferred Compensation Plans on and after the Distribution Date. All beneficiary designations made by Business Employees and by survivors and beneficiaries of Deceased Business Employees under the NiSource Deferred Compensation Plans shall, to the extent applicable, be transferred to, and be in full force and effect under, the Columbia Deferred Compensation Plans until such beneficiary designations are replaced or revoked by the Business Employee (or the survivor or beneficiary of the Deceased Business Employee) who made the beneficiary designation. Following the Distribution Date, the NiSource Parties shall have no liability or obligation with respect to the benefits accrued by such Business Employees or by such survivors or beneficiaries of Deceased Business Employees under any of the NiSource Deferred Compensation Plans or with respect to any benefits accrued under the Columbia Deferred Compensation Plans. As soon as administratively practicable after the Distribution Date, NiSource shall cause the NiSource Rabbi Trusts to transfer to the Columbia Rabbi Trusts cash, life insurance policies or other assets having an aggregate fair market value equal to (i) the aggregate fair market value of all assets held in the NiSource Rabbi Trusts as of the Distribution Date multiplied by (ii) a percentage, the numerator of which shall be the lump sum present value of the benefits assumed by the Columbia Deferred Compensation Plans pursuant to this Section 3.03 and the denominator of which shall be the lump sum present value of all benefits accrued under the NiSource Deferred Compensation Plans immediately prior to the Distribution Date.

• Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (a) It is intended that any payment or benefit which is provided pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement which is considered to be deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be paid and provided in a manner, and at such time and form, as complies with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code to avoid the unfavorable tax consequences provided therein for non-compliance.

• Equity-Based Compensation The Executive shall retain all rights to any equity-based compensation awards to the extent set forth in the applicable plan and/or award agreement.

• Compensation Program Amendments Each of the Company’s compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements) (collectively, “Benefit Plans”) with respect to you is hereby amended to the extent necessary to give effect to provisions (1) and (2). For reference, certain affected Benefit Plans are set forth in Appendix A to this letter. In addition, the Company is required to review its Benefit Plans to ensure that they do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company. To the extent any such review requires revisions to any Benefit Plan with respect to you, you and the Company agree to negotiate such changes promptly and in good faith.

• Stock Option Plans Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.

• Deferred Compensation Plans Borrower has no pension, profit sharing or other compensatory or similar plan (herein called a “Plan”) providing for a program of deferred compensation for any employee or officer. No fact or situation, including but not limited to, any “Reportable Event,” as that term is defined in Section 4043 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 as the same may be amended from time to time (“Pension Reform Act”), exists or will exist in connection with any Plan of Borrower which might constitute grounds for termination of any Plan by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or cause the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a Trustee to administer any such Plan. No “Prohibited Transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of the Pension Reform Act exists or will exist upon the execution and delivery of the Agreement or the performance by the parties hereto of their respective duties and obligations hereunder. Borrower will (1) at all times make prompt payment of contributions required to meet the minimum funding standards set forth in Sections 302 through 305 of the Pension Reform Act with respect to each of its Plans; (2) promptly, after the filing thereof, furnish to Agent copies of each annual report required to be filed pursuant to Section 103 of the Pension Reform Act in connection with each Plan for each Plan Year, including any certified financial statements or actuarial statements required pursuant to said Section 103; (3) notify Agent immediately of any fact, including, but not limited to, any Reportable Event arising in connection with any Plan which might constitute grounds for termination thereof by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or for the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a Trustee to administer the Plan; and (4) notify Agent of any “Prohibited Transaction” as that term is defined in Section 406 of the Pension Reform Act. Borrower will not (a) engage in any Prohibited Transaction or (b) terminate any such Plan in a manner which could result in the imposition of a Lien on the Property of Borrower pursuant to Section 4068 of the Pension Reform Act.

• Deferred Compensation Plan Manager shall be eligible to participate in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plan.