NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT FINGERHUT DIRECT MARKETING, INC. 2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN (EXECUTIVES)
Exhibit 10.2(i)
FINGERHUT DIRECT MARKETING, INC.
2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(EXECUTIVES)
2003 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(EXECUTIVES)
THIS AGREEMENT, made effective as of this ___ day of ________, 20___ (the “Issue Date”) by and
between Fingerhut Direct Marketing, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and
________________ (“Optionee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Optionee on the date hereof is a key employee or officer of the Company or one of its
Affiliates; and
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to grant a nonqualified stock option to Optionee to purchase
shares of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the
“Plan”); and
WHEREAS, the Administrator of the Plan has authorized the grant of a nonqualified stock option
to Optionee and has determined that, as of the effective date of this Agreement, the fair market
value of the Company’s Common Stock is $0.80 per share;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to Optionee on the date set forth above
(the “Date of Grant”), the right and option (the “Option”) to purchase all or portions of an
aggregate of _______________________ (_______) shares of Common Stock at a per share price of
$______ the terms and conditions set forth herein, and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12
of the Plan. This Option is not intended to be an incentive stock option within the meaning of
Section 422, or any successor provision, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), and the regulations thereunder.
2. Duration and Exercisability.
a. General. The term during which this Option may be exercised shall terminate on
a date which is ten (10) years from the Issue Date (the “Expiration Date”), except as otherwise
provided in Paragraphs 2(b) through 2(f) or Paragraph 5 below. This Option shall become exercisable
as follows:
(i) Fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate number of shares specified in Paragraph 1 shall
become exercisable according to the following schedule:
| Vesting Date | Percentage of Shares | |
| 12.5% | ||
| 12.5% | ||
| 12.5% | ||
| 12.5% | ||
(ii) The fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate number of shares specified in Paragraph 1 shall
become vested according to the following schedule if the Company has achieved at least 80% of the
targeted earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) established by the Company’s Board of
Directors for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the applicable vesting date:
| Vesting Date | Percentage of Shares | |
| 12.5% | ||
| 12.5% | ||
| 12.5% | ||
| 12.5% | ||
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all of such remaining shares shall become fully vested and
exercisable six (6) years after the Grant Date, whether or not the Company has achieved at least
80% of the targeted EBIT in any prior fiscal year.
(iii) Once the Option becomes exercisable to the extent of any of the aggregate number of
shares specified in Paragraph 1, Optionee may continue to exercise this Option with respect to such
shares under the terms and conditions of this Agreement until the termination of the Option as
provided herein. If Optionee does not purchase upon an exercise of this Option the full number of
shares which Optionee is then entitled to purchase, Optionee may purchase upon any subsequent
exercise prior to this Option’s termination such previously unpurchased shares in addition to those
Optionee is otherwise entitled to purchase.
b. Termination of Employment (other than Termination for Cause, Retirement, Disability
or Death). If Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for any
reason other than termination by the Company for “cause,” retirement, disability, or death, this
Option shall completely terminate on the earliest of (i) the close of business on the
twenty-four-month anniversary date of such termination of employment, (ii) ninety (90) days
following the effective date of an initial public offering of the Company’s CommonStock if the
Company’s Common Stock is not publicly-traded on the date of such termination of employment, or
ninety (90) days following the date of such termination of employment if the Company’s Common Stock
is publicly-traded on such date, and (iii) the Expiration Date of this Option stated in Paragraph
2(a) above. In such period following the termination of Optionee’s employment, this Option shall be
exercisable only to the extent the Option was exercisable on the vesting date immediately preceding
such termination of
employment, but had not previously been exercised. To the extent this Option was not
exercisable upon such termination of employment, or if Optionee does not exercise the Option within
the time specified in this Paragraph 2(b), all rights of Optionee under this Option shall be
forfeited.
c. Termination of Employment for Cause. If Optionee’s employment with the Company or
any Affiliate is terminated for “cause,” the unexercised portion of this Option shall immediately
expire, and all rights of Optionee under this Option shall be forfeited. Solely for purposes of
this Paragraph 2(c), “cause” shall mean (i) Optionee being charged with a felony or convicted of
any criminal misdemeanor or more serious act; (ii) any intentional and/or willful act of fraud or
dishonesty by Optionee related to or connected with Optionee’s employment by the Company or any of
its Affiliates; (iii) the willful and/or continued failure, neglect or refusal by Optionee to
perform his or her employment duties with the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iv) a material
violation of the Company’s or an Affiliate’s policies or codes of conduct; or (v) the willful
and/or material breach by Optionee of any agreement between Optionee and the Company or any of its
Affiliates, including but not limited to an employment agreement or a noncompetition agreement.
d. Retirement. If Optionee’s employment with the Company or any Affiliate terminates
because of retirement, this Option shall terminate on the earliest of (i) the close of business on
the twenty-four-month anniversary date of such termination of employment, (ii) ninety (90) days
following the effective date of an initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock, and (iii)
the expiration date of this Option stated in Paragraph 2(a) above. In such period following the
termination of Optionee’s employment, this Option shall be fully exercisable to the extent of 100%
of the aggregate number of shares specified in Paragraph 1, minus any shares previously purchased.
If Optionee does not exercise the Option within the time specified in this Paragraph 2(d), all
rights of Optionee under this Option shall be forfeited. Solely for purposes of this Paragraph
2(d), “retirement” means termination on or after attaining age 65 and completing at least ten (10)
years of service with the Company or any Affiliate.
e. Disability. If Optionee’s employment terminates because of disability (as defined
in Code Section 22(e), or any successor provision), this Option shall terminate on the earliest of
(i) the close of business on the twenty-four-month anniversary date of such termination of
employment, (ii) ninety (90) days following the effective date of an initial public offering of the
Company’s Common Stock, and (iii) the expiration date of this Option stated in Paragraph 2(a)
above. In such period following the termination of Optionee’s employment, this Option shall be
fully exercisable to the extent of 100% of the aggregate number of shares specified in Paragraph 1,
minus any shares previously purchased. If Optionee does not exercise the Option within the time
specified in this Paragraph 2(e), all rights of Optionee under this Option shall be forfeited.
f. Death. In the event of Optionee’s death, this Option shall terminate on the
earliest of (i) the close of business on the twenty-four-month anniversary date of such termination
of employment, (ii) ninety (90) days following the effective date of an initial public offering of
the Company’s Common Stock, and (iii) the expiration date of this Option stated in Paragraph 2(a)
above. In such period following Optionee’s death, this Option shall be exercisable
by the person or persons to whom Optionee’s rights under this Option shall have passed by
Optionee’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution to the extent of 100% of the aggregate
number of shares specified in Paragraph 1, minus any shares previously purchased. If such person or
persons do not exercise this Option within the time specified in this Paragraph 2(f), all rights
under this Option shall be forfeited.
3. Manner of Exercise.
a. General. The Option may be exercised only by Optionee (or other proper party in the
event of death or incapacity), subject to the conditions of the Plan and subject to such other
administrative rules as the Administrator may deem advisable, by delivering within the Option
Period written notice of exercise to the Company at its principal office. The notice shall state
the number of shares as to which the Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment
in full of the Option price for all shares designated in the notice. The exercise of the Option
shall be deemed effective upon receipt of such notice by the Company and upon payment that complies
with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. The Option may be exercised with respect to any
number or all of the shares as to which it can then be exercised and, if partially exercised, may
be so exercised as to the unexercised shares any number of times during the Option period as
provided herein.
b. Form of Payment. Subject to approval by the Administrator, payment of the option
price by Optionee shall be in the form of cash, personal check, certified check or mature,
previously-acquired shares of Common Stock of the Company, broker-assisted exercise, or any
combination thereof; provided, however, that Optionee shall not be permitted to pay the option
price in the form of a broker-assisted exercise or in the form of mature, previously-acquired
shares of Common Stock until after the effective date of an initial public offering of the
Company’s Common Stock; and provided, further, that Optionee shall not be permitted to pay the
option price in the form of a broker-assisted exercise or in the form of mature,
previously-acquired shares of Common Stock if payment in such form will cause the Company to
recognize a compensation expense under generally accepted accounting principles. Any stock tendered
as part of such payment shall be valued at its Fair Market Value as provided in the Plan. For
purposes of this Agreement, “mature, previously-acquired shares of Common Stock” and
“broker-assisted exercise” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 of the Plan. The
Administrator may, in its discretion, permit Optionee to tender such mature, previously-acquired
shares through the actual delivery of such shares or through attestation of ownership on such forms
as the Administrator may prescribe.
c. Stock Transfer Records. As soon as practicable after the effective exercise of all
or any part of the Option, Optionee shall be recorded on the stock transfer books of the Company as
the owner of the shares purchased, and the Company shall deliver to Optionee one or more duly
issued stock certificates evidencing such ownership. All requisite original issue or transfer
documentary stamp taxes shall be paid by the Company.
4. Miscellaneous.
a. Employment-at-Will; Rights as Shareholder. This Agreement shall not confer on
Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any
of its Affiliates, nor will it interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate
such employment. Optionee’s employment relationship with the Company and its Affiliates shall be
employment-at-will, and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as creating an employment
contract for any specified term between Optionee and the Company or any Affiliate. Optionee shall
have no rights as a shareholder with respect to shares subject to this Option until such shares
have been issued to Optionee upon exercise of this Option. No adjustment shall be made for
dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions
or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.
b. Securities Law Compliance. The exercise of all or any parts of this Option shall
only be effective at such time as counsel to the Company shall have determined that the issuance
and delivery of Common Stock pursuant to such exercise will not violate any state or federal
securities or other laws. Optionee may be required by the Company, as a condition of the
effectiveness of any exercise of this Option, to agree in writing that all Common Stock to be
acquired pursuant to such exercise shall be held, until such time that such Common Stock is
registered and freely tradable under applicable state and federal securities laws, for Optionee’s
own account without a view to any further distribution thereof, that the certificates for such
shares shall bear an appropriate legend to that effect and that such shares will be not transferred
or disposed of except in compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws.
c. Mergers, Recapitalizations, Stock Splits, Etc. Pursuant and subject to Section 12
of the Plan, certain changes in the number or character of the Common Stock of the Company (through
merger, consolidation, exchange, reorganization, divestiture (including a spinoff), liquidation,
recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend or otherwise) shall result in an adjustment,
reduction or enlargement, as appropriate, in Optionee’s rights with respect to any unexercised
portion of the Option (i.e., Optionee shall have such “anti-dilution” rights under the
Option with respect to such events, but shall not have “preemptive” rights).
d. Shares Reserved. The Company shall at all times during the option period reserve
and keep available such number of shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this
Agreement.
e. Withholding Taxes. In order to permit the Company to comply with all applicable
federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems
appropriate to insure that, if necessary, all applicable federal or state payroll, income or other
taxes are withheld from any amounts payable by the Company to the Optionee. If the Company is
unable to withhold such federal and state taxes, for whatever reason, the Optionee hereby agrees to
pay to the Company an amount equal to the amount the Company would otherwise be required to
withhold under federal or state law.
f. Nontransferability. During the lifetime of Optionee, the accrued Option shall be
exercisable only by Optionee or by the Optionee’s guardian or other legal representative, and shall
not be assignable or transferable by Optionee, in whole or in part, other than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution.
g. 2003 Equity Incentive Plan. The Option evidenced by this Agreement is granted
pursuant to the Plan, a copy of which Plan has been made available to Optionee and is hereby
incorporated into this Agreement. This Agreement is subject to and in all respects limited and
conditioned as provided in the Plan. The Plan governs this Option and, in the event of any
questions as to the construction of this Agreement or in the event of a conflict between the Plan
and this Agreement, the Plan shall govern, except as the Plan otherwise provides.
h. Lockup Period Limitation. Optionee agrees that in the event the Company advises
Optionee that it plans an underwritten public offering of its Common Stock in compliance with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that the underwriter(s) seek to impose restrictions under
which certain shareholders may not sell or contract to sell or grant any option to buy or otherwise
dispose of part or all of their stock purchase rights of the underlying Common Stock, Optionee
hereby agrees that for a period not to exceed 180 days from the prospectus, Optionee will not sell
or contract to sell or grant an option to buy or otherwise dispose of this option or any of the
underlying shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the underwriter(s) or its
representative(s).
i. Blue Sky Limitation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
in the event the Company makes any public offering of its securities and it is determined that it
is necessary to reduce the number of issued but unexercised stock purchase rights so as to comply
with any state securities or Blue Sky law limitations with respect thereto, and such determination
is affirmed by the Board of Directors, unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise, (i) the
exercisability of this Option and the date on which this Option must be exercised shall be
accelerated, provided that the Company agrees to give Optionee 15 days’ prior written notice of
such acceleration, and (ii) any portion of this Option or any other option granted to Optionee
pursuant to the Plan which is not exercised prior to or contemporaneously with such public offering
shall be canceled. Notice shall be deemed given when delivered personally or when deposited in the
United States mail, first class postage prepaid and addressed to Optionee at the address of
Optionee on file with the Company.
J. Accounting Compliance. Optionee agrees that, if a merger, reorganization,
liquidation or other “transaction” as defined in Section 12 of the Plan occurs, and Optionee is an
“affiliate” of the Company or any Affiliate (as defined in applicable legal and accounting
principles) at the time of such transaction, Optionee will comply with all requirements of Rule 145
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the requirements of such other legal or accounting
principles, and will execute any documents necessary to ensure such compliance.
k. Right of First Refusal.
(i) Notice to Company. Optionee shall not sell, assign, give, bequest or
otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of this
Option without first giving written notice to the Company of Optionee’s intent to sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of such Stock. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock
Optionee intends to sell or transfer. The Company shall have the right to repurchase all or any
portion of such Stock at any time within thirty (30) days after the date it receives such notice of
sale at a price determined pursuant to Paragraph 4(k)(iii) below.
(ii) Exercise of Right.
A. The Company shall notify Optionee, in writing, of its exercise of its right to
repurchase all or a portion of the Stock specified in Optionee’s notice of sale or other transfer.
Such notice shall be signed by a member of the Board.
B. The Company’s election to exercise its right to repurchase all or a portion of
the Stock specified in Optionee’s notice shall be approved by a majority vote of the Board, or by
written resolution of all members of the Board entitled to participate in such action, provided
that the Board may authorize a standing order electing to repurchase all shares tendered during a
stipulated time period. In no event shall Optionee participate in the Company’s election to
exercise its right to repurchase Optionee’s Stock in an individually authorized transaction if he
is a member of the Board.
C. As promptly as practicable after the Company’s exercise of its right to
repurchase all or a portion of the Stock specified in the Optionee’s notice, the Company shall
deliver to Optionee a lump-sum cash payment equal to the purchase price determined under Paragraph
4(k)(iii) below, and Optionee shall deliver the stock certificates representing such Stock,
properly endorsed for transfer in blank, to the Company for cancellation.
D. If the Board notifies Optionee, in writing, that the
Company will not exercise its right to repurchase all or any portion of the Stock specified in
Optionee’s notice, or if the Board fails to exercise the Company’s right to repurchase such Stock
during the thirty-day period described above, the Company’s right to repurchase such Stock will
lapse and Optionee shall have the right to sell or transfer the Stock specified in Optionee’s
notice for a period of sixty (60) days thereafter, subject to any restrictions imposed by
applicable securities laws. If Optionee does not sell or transfer such stock within this sixty-day
period, all of the provisions of this Paragraph 4(k) shall again apply.
E. If the Board notifies Optionee, in writing, that the
Company will not exercise its right to repurchase all or any portion of the stock specified in
Optionee’s notice, or if the Board fails to exercise the Company’s right to repurchase such stock
during the thirty-day period described above, and all or any portion of such stock is subsequently
sold or otherwise transferred, the restrictions contained in this Paragraph 4(k) shall not apply to
the stock so transferred.
(iii) Purchase Price for Stock. If the Company exercises its right to repurchase
all or any portion of the Stock specified in Optionee’s notice, the Company shall pay Optionee an
amount equal to the greater of: (A) the price offered in the proposed transaction giving rise to
such right of repurchase, and (B) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Common Stock, as defined
in the Plan, as of the date the Company received Optionee’s notice of sale or other transfer.
(iv) Investor Required Agreements. If in connection with the consummation of an
equity financing by the Company other than a public offering by the Company, the equity investor or
investors require as a condition to their making an investment in
the Company that one or more groups of optionees, with respect to shares of stock that may be
owned by Optionee, enter into buy-sell, voting, co-sale, right of first refusal or other agreements
with the Company and/or such investor or investors, and if the Optionee is a member of such group
or groups of optionees, upon written request of the Company, the Optionee agrees to enter into such
agreement or agreements, provided, however, that, without Optionee’s consent, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld, any rights of first refusal or other call options on Optionee’s
shares shall not be a price materially lower than the price that would apply under Paragraph
4(k)(iii) above.
(iv) Initial Public Offering. The provisions of this Paragraph 4(k) shall no
longer apply on the effective date of an initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock.
1. Stock Legend. The Administrator may require that the certificates for any
shares of Common Stock purchased by Optionee (or, in the case of death, Optionee’s successors)
shall bear an appropriate legend to reflect the restrictions of Paragraph 4(b) and Paragraphs 4(h)
through 4(k) of this Agreement; provided, however, that failure to so endorse any of such
certificates shall not render invalid or inapplicable Paragraph 4(k).
m. Scope of Agreement. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the
Company, its Affiliates and its successors and assigns and Optionee and any successor or successors
of Optionee permitted by Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 4(f) above.
5. Change of Control.
a. No Acceleration. The exercisability of this Option shall not accelerate upon a
Change of Control of the Company if (i) Optionee’s employment continues with the surviving entity
immediately following such Change of Control, (ii) the surviving entity assumes this Option or
replaces this Option with an option for an equivalent number of such entity’s voting securities and
substantially similar terms, including but not limited to the vesting period set forth in Paragraph
2 and a ratio of exercise price to fair market value that is equivalent to such ratio under this
Option immediately prior to such Change of Control, and (iii) the surviving entity agrees that the
Optionee’s vesting under this option or such replacement option, as the case may be, will
accelerate if the Optionee’s employment is terminated by the surviving entity without cause within
twenty-four (24) months after the Change of Control.
b. Acceleration. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Agreement to the
contrary, if connection with a Change of Control, the terms of Paragraph 5(a)(i), (ii) and (iii)
are not met, then this Option shall become immediately exercisable upon such Change of Control to
the extent of 100% of the aggregate number of shares specified in Paragraph 1, minus any shares or
securities previously purchased by Optionee, and shall remain exercisable until the earliest of (i)
the close of business on the twenty-four-month anniversary date of such termination of employment,
(ii) the expiration date stated in Paragraph 2(a) above, and (iii) the date determined by the Board
in connection with the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, upon consummation of the
Change of Control, if so determined by the Board). If Optionee does not exercise this Option or the
replacement option, as the case may be, within the
time specified in this Paragraph 5(b), all rights of Optionee under this Option or the
replacement option shall be forfeited.
c. Defined. For purposes of this Paragraph 5, a “Change of Control” means:
i. The consummation of any merger, consolidation, exchange, or reorganization to which the
Company is a party if the individuals and entities who were shareholders of the Company immediately
prior to the effective date of such transaction have, immediately following the effective date of
such transaction, beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934) of less than twenty percent (20%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
securities issued by the surviving corporation for the election of directors of the surviving
corporation;
ii. A liquidation of the Company.
iii. A sale, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
to any person or entity which is not an Affiliate of the Company; or
iv. The acquisition, without prior approval by resolution adopted by the Board, of direct or
indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
of securities of the Corporation representing, in the aggregate, eighty percent (80%) or more of
the total combined voting power of all classes of the Company’s then-issued and outstanding
securities by any person or entity or by a group of associated persons or entities acting in
concert; provided, however, that a change of control will not be deemed to occur if such
acquisition is initiated by Optionee or an entity in which Optionee owns eighty percent (80%) or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of such entity’s securities, or if Optionee
or such entity is a member of the group of associated persons or entities acting in concert.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day
and year first above written.
| FINGERHUT DIRECT MARKETING, INC. |
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| By: | ||||
| Its: | ||||
| Optionee | ||||
