AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF ALLIANCE GP, LLC Dated as of , 2006
Exhibit 3.4
Β
Β
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
Β
OF
Β
ALLIANCE GP, LLC
Β
Dated as of Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β , 2006
Β
Β
The Membership Interests referred to in this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any other securities laws, and such Membership Interests may not be Transferred without appropriate registration or the availability of an exemption from such registration requirements.
Table of Contents
Β
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | ||||
1.1 | Β Β | Terms Defined Herein | Β Β | 1 |
1.2 | Β Β | Other Definitional Provisions | Β Β | 5 |
ARTICLE II GENERAL | Β Β | Β | ||
2.1 | Β Β | Formation | Β Β | 5 |
2.2 | Β Β | Name | Β Β | 5 |
2.3 | Β Β | Purpose of the Company | Β Β | 6 |
2.4 | Β Β | Powers | Β Β | 6 |
2.5 | Β Β | Principal Office | Β Β | 6 |
2.6 | Β Β | Registered Office and Registered Agent | Β Β | 6 |
2.7 | Β Β | Effective Date | Β Β | 6 |
2.8 | Β Β | Liability of Members, Directors and Officers | Β Β | 6 |
2.9 | Β Β | Qualification and Authorization; Membership Interest Not Acquired for Resale | Β Β | 6 |
2.10 | Β Β | Foreign Qualification | Β Β | 7 |
2.11 | Β Β | Term | Β Β | 7 |
2.12 | Β Β | Members | Β Β | 7 |
2.13 | Β Β | No State Law Partnership | Β Β | 7 |
ARTICLE III CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS | Β Β | Β | ||
3.1 | Β Β | Initial Capital Contributions | Β Β | 7 |
3.2 | Β Β | Subsequent Capital Contributions | Β Β | 7 |
3.3 | Β Β | Return of Contributions | Β Β | 7 |
ARTICLE IV ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | Β Β | Β | ||
4.1 | Β Β | Distributions | Β Β | 8 |
4.2 | Β Β | Liquidation Distributions | Β Β | 8 |
4.3 | Β Β | Limitations on Distributions | Β Β | 8 |
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP | Β Β | Β | ||
5.1 | Β Β | Membership Interests; Additional Members | Β Β | 8 |
5.2 | Β Β | Voting Rights of Members | Β Β | 9 |
5.3 | Β Β | Access to Information | Β Β | 10 |
5.4 | Β Β | Liability | Β Β | 10 |
5.5 | Β Β | General Disposition Restriction | Β Β | 11 |
5.6 | Β Β | Admission of Assignee as a Member | Β Β | 11 |
5.7 | Β Β | Requirements Applicable to All Dispositions and Admissions | Β Β | 11 |
ARTICLE VI MANAGEMENT | Β Β | Β | ||
6.1 | Β Β | Management by Board of Directors and Executive Officers | Β Β | 12 |
6.2 | Β Β | Number; Qualification; Tenure | Β Β | 12 |
6.3 | Β Β | Regular Meetings | Β Β | 12 |
6.4 | Β Β | Special Meetings | Β Β | 12 |
6.5 | Β Β | Notice | Β Β | 13 |
6.6 | Β Β | Action by Consent of Board | Β Β | 13 |
Β
i
6.7 | Β Β | Conference Telephone Meetings | Β Β | 13 |
6.8 | Β Β | Quorum | Β Β | 13 |
6.9 | Β Β | Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors | Β Β | 13 |
6.10 | Β Β | Committees | Β Β | 13 |
6.11 | Β Β | Removal of Directors | Β Β | 14 |
6.12 | Β Β | Elected Officers | Β Β | 14 |
6.13 | Β Β | Election and Term of Office | Β Β | 14 |
6.14 | Β Β | Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board | Β Β | 15 |
6.15 | Β Β | President | Β Β | 15 |
6.16 | Β Β | Chief Financial Officer | Β Β | 15 |
6.17 | Β Β | Vice Presidents | Β Β | 15 |
6.18 | Β Β | Treasurer | Β Β | 15 |
6.19 | Β Β | Secretary | Β Β | 16 |
6.20 | Β Β | Removal of Officers | Β Β | 16 |
6.21 | Β Β | Vacancies | Β Β | 16 |
ARTICLE VII LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION | Β Β | Β | ||
7.1 | Β Β | Limitation of Liability; Indemnification | Β Β | 16 |
7.2 | Β Β | Limitation of Liability | Β Β | 17 |
7.3 | Β Β | Right to Indemnification | Β Β | 17 |
7.4 | Β Β | Enforcement of Indemnification | Β Β | 17 |
7.5 | Β Β | Advancement of Expenses | Β Β | 18 |
7.6 | Β Β | Non-Exclusivity | Β Β | 18 |
7.7 | Β Β | Insurance | Β Β | 18 |
7.8 | Β Β | Amendment and Vesting of Rights | Β Β | 18 |
7.9 | Β Β | Definitions | Β Β | 19 |
7.10 | Β Β | Severability | Β Β | 19 |
ARTICLE VIII TAXES, BOOKS AND BANK ACCOUNTS | Β Β | Β | ||
8.1 | Β Β | Tax Returns | Β Β | 20 |
8.2 | Β Β | Tax Characterization | Β Β | 20 |
8.3 | Β Β | Maintenance of Books | Β Β | 20 |
8.4 | Β Β | Bank Accounts | Β Β | 20 |
ARTICLE IX DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION | Β Β | Β | ||
9.1 | Β Β | Events Causing Dissolution | Β Β | 20 |
9.2 | Β Β | Effect of Dissolution | Β Β | 21 |
9.3 | Β Β | Application of Proceeds | Β Β | 21 |
9.4 | Β Β | Certificate of Cancellation | Β Β | 21 |
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS | Β Β | Β | ||
10.1 | Β Β | Title to the Property | Β Β | 21 |
10.2 | Β Β | Nature of Interest in the Company | Β Β | 21 |
10.3 | Β Β | Organizational Expenses | Β Β | 21 |
10.4 | Β Β | Notices | Β Β | 21 |
10.5 | Β Β | Waiver of Default | Β Β | 22 |
10.6 | Β Β | No Third Party Rights | Β Β | 22 |
Β
ii
10.7 | Β Β | Entire Agreement | Β Β | 22 |
10.8 | Β Β | Amendment | Β Β | 22 |
10.9 | Β Β | Severability | Β Β | 23 |
10.10 | Β Β | Binding Agreement | Β Β | 23 |
10.11 | Β Β | Headings | Β Β | 23 |
10.12 | Β Β | Counterparts | Β Β | 23 |
10.13 | Β Β | Governing Law | Β Β | 23 |
10.14 | Β Β | Remedies | Β Β | 23 |
Β
Schedule | AΒ Β Β Β Initial Schedule of Initial Capital and Percentage Interest |
Β
Schedule | BΒ Β Β Β Names of Officers |
Β
iii
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
ALLIANCE GP, LLC
a Delaware Limited Liability Company
Β
This Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (this βAgreementβ) of Alliance GP, LLC (the βCompanyβ), dated the date of the Initial Public Offering, is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by C-Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (βC-Holdingsβ), as the sole member (the βMemberβ).
Β
RECITALS
Β
1. The name of the Company is βAlliance GP, LLCβ (the βCompanyβ).
Β
2. The Company was originally formed as a Delaware limited liability company by (i)Β the filing of a Certificate of Formation (the βCertificateβ), dated as of NovemberΒ 10, 2005 (the βOriginal Filing Dateβ) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended from time to time (the βActβ), with C-Holdings as the sole member; and (ii)Β the executing of a limited liability company agreement dated NovemberΒ 10, 2005 (the βInitial Limited Liability Company Agreementβ) with C-Holdings as the sole member.
Β
3. C-Holdings desires to amend and restate the Initial Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company as set forth herein.
Β
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Β
1.1 Terms Defined Herein. In addition to terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or in the Sections referred to below:
Β
βActβ means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. SectionΒ 18-101, et seq., as amended from time to time.
Β
βAgreementβ means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alliance GP, LLC, dated the date of the Initial Public Offering, as amended from time to time.
Β
βAHGPβ means Alliance Holdings GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or any successors thereto.
Β
βApplicable Lawβ means (a)Β any United States Federal, state or local law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction, judgment, decree or permit of any Governmental Authority and (b)Β any rule or listing requirement of any applicable national stock exchange, quotation system, over-the-counter market or Commission recognized trading market on which securities issued by AHGP are listed or quoted.
βAssigneeβ means any Person that acquires a Membership Interest or any portion thereof through a Disposition; provided, however, that, an Assignee shall have no right to be admitted to the Company as a Member except in accordance with Article V. The Assignee of a dissolved Member is the shareholder, partner, member or other equity owner or owners of the dissolved Member to whom such Memberβs Membership Interest is assigned by the Person conducting the liquidation or winding up of such Member. The Assignee of a Bankrupt Member is (a)Β the Person or Persons (if any) to whom such Bankrupt Memberβs Membership Interest is assigned by order of the bankruptcy court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Bankruptcy, or (b)Β in the event of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, the creditor to which such Membership Interest assigned.
Β
βAudit Committeeβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 6.10(b).
Β
βBankruptcyβ or βBankruptβ, with respect to any Person, means the entry of an order for relief with respect to such Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code or the insolvency of such Person under any state insolvency act.
Β
βBoardβ and βBoard of Directorsβ have the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 6.1.
Β
βC-Holdingsβ has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.
Β
βCapital Contributionβ means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the Fair Value of any Property (other than money) contributed to the Company with respect to the interests purchased by such Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, in return for which the Member contributing such capital shall receive a Membership Interest.
Β
βCertificateβ means the Certificate of Formation of the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, as amended or restated from time to time.
Β
βCodeβ means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or the corresponding provisions of future laws.
Β
βCommissionβ means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Β
βCompanyβ means Alliance GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, except, for purposes of Article VII, as modified pursuant to SectionΒ 7.9(a).
Β
βCompensation Committeeβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 6.10(d).
Β
βConflicts Committeeβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 6.10(c).
Β
βdefenseβ, for purposes of Article VII, has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 7.9(d).
Β
βDirectorβ means each of the individuals selected pursuant to Article VI to serve on the Board of Directors.
Β
βDispose,β βDisposingβ or βDispositionβ means with respect to any asset (including a Membership Interest or any portion thereof), a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, gift, exchange or other disposition of such asset, whether such disposition be voluntary, involuntary or by operation of Applicable Law.
Β
2
βDisposing Memberβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 5.6.
Β
βDistributionsβ means any distributions by the Company to the Members in respect of Membership Interests held by the Members.
Β
βelectronic transmissionβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 10.4.
Β
βERISA excise taxesβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 7.9(c).
Β
βFair Valueβ of an asset means its fair market value.
Β
βGovernmental Authorityβ means any United States Federal, state or local court or governmental or regulatory agency or authority or any arbitration board, tribunal or mediator having jurisdiction over the Company or its assets or Members.
Β
βHoldings Common Unitsβ means common units representing limited partner interests in AHGP.
Β
βIndependent Directorβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 6.10(b).
Β
βInitial Limited Liability Company Agreementβ has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Β
βInitial Public Offeringβ means the initial public offering of Holdings Common Units by AHGP.
Β
βLiquidation Proceedsβ means all Property at the time of liquidation of the Company and all proceeds thereof.
Β
βMajority in Interestβ means, with respect to the Members or to any specified group or class of Members, Members owning more than fifty percent (50%)Β of the total Percentage Interests held by all Members or such specified group or class of Members, as applicable.
Β
βMemberβ means each Person executing this Agreement and each Person who is subsequently admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to this Agreement, so long as such Person continues to own, beneficially and of record, a Membership Interest.
Β
βMembership Interestβ means a Memberβs limited liability company interest in the Company which refers to all of a Memberβs rights and interests in the Company in such Memberβs capacity as a Member, all as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate and the Act, including, but not limited to, the Memberβs interest in the capital, income, gain, deductions, Distributions, losses and credits of the Company.
Β
βNASDβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 6.10(b).
Β
βNASDAQβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 6.10(b).
Β
3
βNoticeβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 10.4.
Β
βofficerβ, for purposes of Article VII, has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 7.9(f).
Β
βOriginal Filing Dateβ has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
Β
βOther Enterpriseβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 7.9(b).
Β
βPercentage Interestβ of each Member means the aggregate percentage of Membership Interests of such Member in the Company, as such percentage may be amended from time to time pursuant to this Agreement. The initial Percentage Interest of each Member is set forth on Schedule A. Each Percentage Interest will be adjusted as and when required by this Agreement. The Company will maintain a record of the Percentage Interest held by each Member, and such Percentage Interest reflected in such records of the Company will be the conclusive evidence of the Percentage Interest held by each Member, absent manifest error; provided, however, that the total of all Percentage Interests shall always equal 100%.
Β
βPersonβ means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, corporation, cooperative, estate, trust, association, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization, joint venture, court, governmental agency or any political subdivision thereof, firm or any other entity.
Β
βPropertyβ means all properties and assets, real or intangible, that the Company may own or otherwise have an interest in from time to time.
Β
βserving at the request of the Companyβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 7.9(e).
Β
βSubsidiaryβ means, with respect to a Person, any corporation, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i)Β if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii)Β if a partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of either (x)Β the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof or (y)Β the stock or equity interest of such partnership, association or other business entityβs general partner, managing member or other similar controlling Person, is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof.
Β
βSuper Majority in Interestβ means Members owning Membership Interests with Percentage Interests aggregating at least 662/3%.
Β
βTermβ has the meaning set forth in SectionΒ 2.11.
Β
βTransferβ or βTransferredβ means to give, sell, exchange, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, bequeath, devise or otherwise dispose of or encumber, voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise. When referring to a Membership Interest, βTransferβ shall mean the Transfer of such Membership Interest whether of record, beneficially, by participation or otherwise.
Β
4
βTreasury Regulationsβ means the regulations, including temporary regulations, promulgated by the United States Department of Treasury with respect to the Code, as such regulations are amended from time to time, or the corresponding provisions of future regulations.
Β
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions.
Β
(a) As used in this Agreement, accounting terms not defined in this Agreement, and accounting terms partly defined to the extent not defined, have the respective meanings given to them under generally accepted accounting principles.
Β
(b) The words βhereof,β βherein,β βhereunderβ and βhereinafterβ and words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.
Β
(c) Words of the singular number are deemed to include the plural number, and vice versa, where applicable, unless the context otherwise requires.
Β
(d) The word βincludesβ and its derivatives means βincludes, but is not limited toβ and corresponding derivative expressions.
Β
(e) When verbs are used as nouns, the nouns correspond to such verbs and vice versa.
Β
(f) All references to Articles, Sections, Subsections, Schedules and Exhibits refer to articles, sections, subsections, schedules and exhibits in this Agreement, unless otherwise specified, each of which is made a part for all purposes.
Β
(g) The gender of all words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter.
Β
ARTICLE II
GENERAL
Β
2.1 Formation. C-Holdings formed the Company as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of the Certificate, dated as of the Original Filing Date, with the Secretary of State of Delaware pursuant to the Act. The rights and liabilities of the Members shall be as provided in the Act for Members except as provided herein. To the extent that the rights or obligations of any Member are different by reason of any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such provision, to the extent permitted by the Act, this Agreement shall control.
Β
2.2 Name. The name of the Company is as stated in the Certificate, and all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with Applicable Law as the Board may select.
Β
5
2.3 Purpose of the Company. The purposes of the Company are to carry on any lawful business, purpose or activity permitted by the Act. The Company shall be authorized to engage in any and all other activities, whether or not related to the foregoing, which in the judgment of the Board may be beneficial or desirable. Subject to the limitations expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall have the power and authority to do any and all acts and things deemed necessary or desirable by the Board to further the Companyβs purposes and carry on its business.
Β
2.4 Powers. In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Company by law and those incidental thereto, the Company will have the same powers as a natural person to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs.
Β
2.5 Principal Office. The principal office of the Company shall be located at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 or such other place(s) as the Board may determine from time to time.
Β
2.6 Registered Office and Registered Agent. The location of the registered office and the name of the registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be as stated in the Certificate or as determined from time to time by the Board.
Β
2.7 Effective Date. This Agreement will be effective on the date of the Initial Public Offering. If the Initial Public Offering does not occur on or before DecemberΒ 31, 2006, this Agreement will terminate on such date.
Β
2.8 Liability of Members, Directors and Officers. No Member, Director or officer, solely by reason of being a Member, Director or officer, will be liable, under a judgment, decree or order of a court, or in any other manner, for a debt, obligation or liability of the Company or AHGP, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, or for the acts or omissions of any other Member, Director, officer, agent or employee of the Company. The failure of the Company (acting in its own capacity or as the general partner of AHGP) to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its (or AHGPβs) business or affairs will not be grounds for imposing liability on any Member, Director or officer for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company or AHGP.
Β
2.9 Qualification and Authorization; Membership Interest Not Acquired for Resale. Each Member hereby represents and warrants to the Company and to each other Member that: (a)Β in the case of a Member that is not a natural person, that the Member is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the law of its state of organization and that it has the requisite power and authority to execute this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; (b)Β the Member is acquiring a Membership Interest for such Memberβs own account as an investment and without an intent to distribute such Membership Interest; and (c)Β the Member acknowledges that the Membership Interests have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws, and such Memberβs Membership Interest may not be resold or Transferred by the Member without appropriate registration or the availability of an exemption from such requirements.
Β
6
2.10 Foreign Qualification. Prior to the Companyβs conducting business in any jurisdiction other than Delaware, the proper officers shall cause the Company to comply, to the extent procedures are available and those matters are reasonably within the control of such officers, with all requirements necessary to qualify the Company as a foreign limited liability company in that jurisdiction. At the request of the proper officers, a Member shall execute, acknowledge, swear to, and deliver all certificates and other instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, continue, and terminate the Company as a foreign limited liability company in all such jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business.
Β
2.11 Term. The period of existence of the Company (the βTermβ) commenced on the Original Filing Date and shall end at such time as a certificate of cancellation is filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in accordance with Section 9.4.
Β
2.12 Members.
Β
(a) Powers of Members. The Members shall have the power to exercise any and all rights or powers granted to the Members pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement.
Β
(b) Partition. Each Member waives any and all rights that it may have to maintain an action for partition of the Companyβs Property.
Β
(c) Resignation. Except upon a Transfer of all of its Membership Interests in accordance with this Agreement, a Member may not resign from the Company prior to the dissolution and winding up of the Company. A Member ceases to be a Member only upon: (i)Β a Disposition of such Memberβs Membership Interest and the Assigneeβs admission as a Member, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (ii)Β completion of dissolution and winding up of the Company pursuant to Article IX.
Β
2.13 No State Law Partnership. Each Member intends that the Company not be a partnership (including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that no Member be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member, for any purposes other than Federal and state income tax purposes, and this Agreement may not be construed to suggest otherwise.
Β
ARTICLE III
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS
Β
3.1 Initial Capital Contributions. Contemporaneously with the execution by such Member of this Agreement, the Member shall make the Capital Contributions described in ScheduleΒ A.
Β
3.2 Subsequent Capital Contributions. The Member may make additional Capital Contributions, but no Member shall have any obligation to make any additional Capital Contributions.
Β
3.3 Return of Contributions. Except as expressly provided herein, a Member is not entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions. A Member is not entitled to be paid interest in respect of its Capital Contributions. An unrepaid Capital Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member. A Member is not required to contribute or to lend any cash or assets to the Company to enable the Company to return any Memberβs Capital Contributions.
Β
7
ARTICLE IV
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Β
4.1 Distributions. Distributions to the Member shall be made in such aggregate amounts and at such time as shall be determined by the Board.
Β
4.2 Liquidation Distributions. Liquidation Proceeds will be distributed in the following order of priority:
Β
(a) To the payment of debts and liabilities of the Company (including to each Member to the extent permitted by law) and the expenses of liquidation.
Β
(b) Next, to the setting up of such reserves as the Person required or authorized by law to wind up the Companyβs affairs may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate for any disputed, contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company, provided that any such reserves will be paid over by such Person to an independent escrow agent, to be held by such agent or its successor for such period as such Person deems advisable for the purpose of applying such reserves to the payment of such liabilities or obligations and, at the expiration of such period, the balance of such reserves, if any, will be distributed as hereinafter provided.
Β
(c) The remainder to the Member.
Β
4.3 Limitations on Distributions.
Β
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Distributions shall be made except pursuant to this Article IV or Article IX.
Β
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Distribution hereunder shall be permitted if such Distribution would violate SectionΒ 18-607 of the Act or other Applicable Law.
Β
ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIP
Β
5.1 Membership Interests; Additional Members.
Β
(a) Each Member owns Membership Interests in the Company as reflected in Schedule A attached hereto, as the same may be amended, modified or adjusted from time to time as provided herein. Each Member shall be entitled to receive a Membership Interest in exchange for a Capital Contribution with such Membership Interest and Capital Contribution set forth in Schedule A attached hereto, as the same may be amended, modified or adjusted from time to time as provided herein. Each Membership Interest shall correspond to a βlimited liability company interestβ as is provided in the Act. The Company shall be the owner of the Property. No Member shall have any ownership interest or right in the Property, including Property conveyed by a Member to the Company, except indirectly by virtue of a Memberβs ownership of a Membership Interest.
Β
8
(b) Persons may be admitted to the Company as Members on such terms and conditions as the Board determines at the time of admission. The terms of admission or issuance must specify the Membership Interest applicable thereto and may provide for the creation of different classes or groups of Members having different rights, powers, and duties. The Board may reflect the creation of any new class or group of Members in an amendment to this Agreement indicating the different rights, powers, and duties, and such an amendment shall be approved by the Board and executed by the proper officers. Any such admission is effective only after such new Member has executed and delivered to the Members and the Company an instrument containing the Notice address of the new Member, the Memberβs ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it.
Β
5.2 Voting Rights of Members.
Β
(a) The Members shall have the right to vote on such matters as:
Β
Β | (i) | set forth in the Act; |
Β
Β | (ii) | set forth in this Agreement; and |
Β
Β | (iii) | determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. |
Β
(b) For matters on which the Members have the right or are required to vote, each Member shall have the number of votes equal to their respective Percentage Interests.
Β
(c) The presence, in person or by proxy, of a Majority in Interest of the Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the Members. The affirmative vote of a Majority in Interest shall constitute a valid decision of the Members, except where a different vote is required by the Act or this Agreement. At any meeting of the Members, every Member having the right to vote thereat shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing signed by such Member and bearing a date not more than one year prior to the date of such meeting.
Β
(d) Without the prior written consent of a Super Majority in Interest, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, effect any:
Β
(i) merger, consolidation or share exchange into or with any other Person, or any other similar business combination transaction (other than any such transaction entered into solely between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or among any of them) involving the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission, as amended) or financial restructuring of the Company or AHGP; provided, however, that in the event not all Members receive identical consideration, whether in their capacity as a Member or as a limited partner of AHGP, both in form and amount (in proportion to their Membership Interests or limited partner interests in AHGP, as the case may be) in such transaction, such transaction shall require the prior written consent of any Member receiving consideration that differs from the consideration to be received by a Majority in Interest;
Β
9
(ii) voluntary filing for Bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any event that would cause a dissolution or winding up of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any consent by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any action brought by any other Person relating to any of the foregoing;
Β
(iii) amendment or repeal of the Certificate;
Β
(iv) sale, lease, transfer, pledge or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or the Company and any of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, other than sales, leases, transfers, pledges or other dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business.
Β
(e) Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of Members of the Company may be taken without a meeting, without prior Notice and without a vote if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Members having not less than the minimum Percentage Interest that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting of the Members. Prompt Notice of the taking of any action taken pursuant to this SectionΒ 5.2(e) by less than the unanimous written consent of the Members shall be given to those Members who have not consented in writing.
Β
5.3 Access to Information. Each Member shall be entitled to receive any information that it may request concerning the Company; provided, however, that this SectionΒ 5.3 shall not obligate the Company to create any information that does not already exist at the time of such request (other than to convert existing information from one medium to another, such as providing a printout of information that is stored in a computer database). Each Member shall also have the right, upon reasonable Notice, and at all reasonable times during usual business hours to inspect the properties of the Company and to audit, examine and make copies of the books of account and other records of the Company. Such right may be exercised through any agent or employee of such Member designated in writing by it or by an independent public accountant, engineer, attorney or other consultant so designated. All costs and expenses incurred in any inspection, examination or audit made on such Memberβs behalf shall be borne by such Member.
Β
5.4 Liability.
Β
(a) No Member shall be liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company.
Β
(b) The Company and the Members agree that the rights, duties and obligations of the Members in their capacities as members of the Company are only as set forth in this Agreement and as otherwise arise under the Act. Furthermore, the Members agree that the existence of any rights of a Member, or the exercise or forbearance from exercise of any such rights shall not create any duties or obligations of the Member in their capacities as members of the Company, nor shall such rights be construed to enlarge or otherwise alter in any manner the duties and obligations of the Members.
Β
10
5.5 General Disposition Restriction. A Member may not Dispose of all or any portion of its Membership Interests except in strict accordance with this Article V. References in this Article V to Dispositions of a Membership Interest shall also refer to Dispositions of a portion of a Membership Interest. Any attempted Disposition of a Membership Interest, other than in strict accordance with this Article V, shall be, and is hereby declared, null and void ab initio. Each Member agrees that a breach of the provisions of this Article V may cause irreparable injury to the Company and to the other Members for which monetary damages (or other remedy at law) are inadequate in view of (a)Β the complexities and uncertainties in measuring the actual damages that would be sustained by reason of the failure of a Member to comply with such provision and (b)Β the uniqueness of the business and the relationship among the Members. Accordingly, each Member agrees that the provisions of this Article V may be enforced by specific performance.
Β
5.6 Admission of Assignee as a Member. An Assignee has the right to be admitted to the Company as a Member, with the Membership Interests (and attendant Percentage Interest) so Transferred to such Assignee, only if (a)Β the Member making the Disposition (a βDisposing Memberβ) has granted the Assignee either (i)Β all, but not less than all, of such Disposing Memberβs Membership Interests or (ii)Β the express right to be so admitted; and (b)Β such Disposition is effected in strict compliance with this Article V.
Β
5.7 Requirements Applicable to All Dispositions and Admissions. Any Disposition of Membership Interests and any admission of an Assignee as a Member shall also be subject to the following requirements, and such Disposition (and admission, if applicable) shall not be effective unless such requirements are complied with; provided, however, that the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, may waive any of the following requirements:
Β
(a) Disposition Documents. The following documents must be delivered to the Board and must be satisfactory, in form and substance, to the Board:
Β
(i) Disposition Instrument. A copy of the instrument pursuant to which the Disposition is effected.
Β
(ii) Ratification of this Agreement. With respect to any Disposition, an instrument, executed by the Disposing Member and its Assignee, containing the following information and agreements, to the extent they are not contained in the instrument described in SectionΒ 5.7(a)(i): (A)Β the Notice address of the Assignee; (B)Β the Percentage Interests after the Disposition of the Disposing Member and its Assignee (which together must total the Percentage Interest of the Disposing Member before the Disposition); (C)Β the Assigneeβs ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it; and (D)Β representations and warranties by the Disposing Member and its Assignee (1)Β that the Disposition and admission is being made in accordance with Applicable Laws, and (2)Β that the matters set forth in SectionΒ 5.7(a)(i) and this SectionΒ 5.7(a)(ii) are true and correct.
Β
(iii) Opinions. With respect to any Disposition, such opinions of counsel regarding tax and securities law matters as the Board, in its sole discretion, may require.
Β
11
(b) Payment of Expenses. The Disposing Member and its Assignee shall pay, or reimburse the Company for, all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Disposition and admission of the Assignee as a Member, including the legal fees incurred in connection with the legal opinions referred to in SectionΒ 5.7(a)(iii).
Β
(c) No Release. No Disposition of Membership Interest shall effect a release of the Disposing Member from any liabilities to the Company or the other Members arising from events occurring prior to the Disposition.
Β
ARTICLE VI
MANAGEMENT
Β
6.1 Management by Board of Directors and Executive Officers. The business and affairs of the Company shall be fully vested in, and managed by, a Board of Directors (the βBoardβ or the βBoard of Directorsβ), subject to the executive officers elected pursuant to Article VI hereof. The Directors and executive officers shall collectively constitute βmanagersβ of the Company within the meaning of the Act. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the authority and functions of the Board, on the one hand, and the executive officers, on the other hand, shall be identical to the authority and functions of the board of directors and officers, respectively, of a corporation organized under the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware. The executive officers shall be vested with such powers and duties as are set forth in Article VI hereof and as are specified by the Board. Accordingly, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of the Board, and the day-to-day activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Companyβs behalf by the executive officers who shall be agents of the Company.
Β
In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred on the Board by this Agreement, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such acts and things as are not restricted by the Act or Applicable Law.
Β
6.2 Number; Qualification; Tenure. The number of Directors constituting the Board shall be four (each a βDirectorβ and collectively, the βDirectorsβ), unless otherwise fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors. A Director need not be a Member. The Directors shall be elected or approved by the Members and shall serve as Directors of the Company until their death or removal from office or until their successors are elected and qualified.
Β
The initial Directors of the Company shall be Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx III, [Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx], [Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx] and [Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β ].
Β
6.3 Regular Meetings. The Board shall provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
Β
6.4 Special Meetings. A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time by or at the request of (a)Β the Chairman of the Board or (b)Β any three Directors. The Person or Persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
Β
12
6.5 Notice. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors will be given not less than three days nor more than 60 days prior thereto. Any Director may waive Notice of any meeting. The attendance of a Director at any meeting will constitute a waiver of Notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business presented because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the Notice or waiver of Notice of such meeting. A meeting may be held at any time without Notice if all the Directors are present or if those not present waive Notice of the meeting either before or after such meeting.
Β
6.6 Action by Consent of Board. Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law, all decisions of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum, as described in SectionΒ 6.8, is present. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board may act without a meeting so long as all Directors shall have executed a written consent with respect to any Board action taken in lieu of a meeting.
Β
6.7 Conference Telephone Meetings. Directors or members of any committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Β
6.8 Quorum. A majority of Directors, present in person or participating in accordance with SectionΒ 6.7, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. Any act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. The Directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Directors to leave less than a quorum.
Β
6.9 Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors may be filled by a majority of the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or a sole remaining Director; and any Director so chosen shall hold office until his successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced.
Β
6.10 Committees.
Β
(a) The Board may establish committees of the Board and may delegate certain of its responsibilities to such committees.
Β
(b) The Board shall have an audit committee comprised of three Directors, all of whom shall be Independent Directors (the βAudit Committeeβ). Such Audit Committee shall establish a written audit committee charter in accordance with the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (the βNASDAQβ), as amended from time to time, the National Association of Securities Dealers (the βNASDβ), as amended from time to time, and the rules of the Commission, as amended from time to time, as applicable. βIndependent Directorβ shall mean Directors meeting the independence, financial literacy and experience requirements as set forth most recently by the NASDAQ and NASD, or any successor provisions.
Β
13
(c) The Board shall have a conflicts committee comprised of two Directors, all of whom shall be Independent Directors (the βConflicts Committeeβ). The Conflicts Committee shall review all that may involve conflicts of interest. The Conflicts Committee will determine if the resolution of any conflicts of interest submitted to it is fair and reasonable to the Company and AHGP.
Β
(d) The Board shall have a compensation committee comprised of the Directors (the βCompensation Committeeβ). The Compensation Committee shall be charged with setting and overseeing compensation for officers of the Company and AHGP, as well as administering any incentive plans put in place by the Company.
Β
(e) A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in SectionΒ 10.4. The Board shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not Directors; provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board.
Β
6.11 Removal of Directors. Any Director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a Majority in Interest then entitled to vote at an election of Directors.
Β
6.12 Elected Officers. The executive officers of the Company shall serve at the pleasure of, the Board. Such officers shall have the authority and duties delegated to each of them, respectively, by the Board from time to time. The elected officers of the Company shall be a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers (including, without limitation, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents) as the Board from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the Directors. All officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. The Board or any committee thereof may from time to time elect such other officers (including one or more Vice Presidents, Controllers, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Company. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in this Agreement or as may be prescribed by the Board or such committee, as the case may be.
Β
6.13 Election and Term of Office. The names and titles of the initial officers of the Company are set forth on Schedule B hereto. Thereafter, the officers of the Company shall be elected by the Board. Each officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall hold office until such personβs successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until such officerβs death, resignation or removal pursuant to SectionΒ 6.20.
Β
14
6.14. Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Members and of the Board and shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Company and shall perform all duties incidental to such personβs office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall act as the principal executive officer of the Company (in its capacity as general partner of AHGP). The Chairman of the Board shall make reports to the Board and the Members and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Directors also may elect a Vice-Chairman to act in the place of the Chairman upon his or her absence or inability to act.
Β
6.15 President. The President shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the administration and operation of the Companyβs business and general supervision of its policies and affairs and shall perform all duties incidental to such personβs office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board. The President, if he is also a Director, shall, in the absence of or because of the inability to act of the Chairman of the Board, perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board and preside at all meetings of Members and of the Board.
Β
6.16 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall act as the principal financial officer of the Company (in its capacity as general partner of AHGP) and shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of the Companyβs funds and AHGPβs funds. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties incidental to such personβs office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board.
Β
6.17 Vice Presidents. Each Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President and any Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.
Β
6.18 Treasurer.
Β
(a) The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Company to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board, or in such banks as may be designated as depositories in the manner provided by resolution of the Board. The Treasurer shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of the Treasurer and shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed from time to time by the Board.
Β
(b) Assistant Treasurers shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of the Treasurer as may be provided in this Agreement or assigned to them by the Board or the Treasurer. Assistant Treasurers shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of the duties assigned to the Treasurer, and in assisting the Treasurer, each Assistant Treasurer shall for such purpose have the powers of the Treasurer. During the Treasurerβs absence or inability, the Secretaryβs authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Treasurers as the Board may designate.
Β
15
6.19 Secretary.
Β
(a) The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the Members. The Secretary shall see that all Notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as required by law; shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Company and affix and attest the seal to all documents to be executed on behalf of the Company under its seal; and shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Secretary by the Board.
Β
(b) Assistant Secretaries shall have such of the authority and perform such of the duties of the Secretary as may be provided in this Agreement or assigned to them by the Board or the Secretary. Assistant Secretaries shall assist the Secretary in the performance of the duties assigned to the Secretary, and in assisting the Secretary, each Assistant Secretary shall for such purpose have the powers of the Secretary. During the Secretaryβs absence or inability, the Secretaryβs authority and duties shall be possessed by such Assistant Secretary or Assistant Secretaries as the Board may designate.
Β
6.20 Removal of Officers. Any officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board may be removed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board whenever, in their judgment, the best interests of the Company would be served thereby. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Company for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of such personβs successor, such personβs death, such personβs resignation or such personβs removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.
Β
6.21 Vacancies. A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation or removal may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board.
Β
ARTICLE VII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Β
7.1 Limitation of Liability; Indemnification. None of the Members, Directors or officers of the Company will be liable to the Members, the Company or AHGP for (a)Β any action or inaction except to the extent such Person acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct in the performance of such Personβs duties to the Company, the Members or AHGP, (b)Β any action or inaction arising from reliance upon the opinion or advice as to legal matters of legal counsel or as to accounting matters of accountants selected by any of them in good faith or (c)Β any action or inaction of any agent, contractor or consultant selected by any of them in good faith.
Β
16
7.2 Limitation of Liability. No Person will be liable to the Company, its Members or AHGP for any loss, damage, liability or expense suffered by the Company, its Members or AHGP on account of any action taken or omitted to be taken by such Person as a Director or an officer of the Company or by such Person while serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, if such Person discharges such Personβs duties in good faith, and in a manner such Person reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or AHGP. The liability of a Director or an officer hereunder will be limited only for those actions taken or omitted to be taken by such Person in the discharge of such Personβs obligations in connection with the management of the business and affairs of the Company or any Other Enterprise. The foregoing limitation of liability will apply to all Directors and officers of the Company.
Β
7.3 Right to Indemnification. The Company will indemnify each Person who has been or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate (regardless of whether such action, suit or proceeding is by or in the right of the Company or by third parties) by reason of the fact that such Person is or was a Member, Director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, against all liabilities and expenses, including judgments, amounts paid in settlement, attorneysβ fees, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, fines and other expenses, actually and reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding (including the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such action, suit or proceeding); provided, however, that the Company will not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to any Person on account of such Personβs conduct that was finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct; provided, further, that the Company will not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to any Person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding initiated by such Person unless the initiation of such action, suit or proceeding was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors; provided, further, that a Director or officer will be indemnified hereunder only for those actions taken or omitted to be taken by such Director or officer in the discharge of such Directorβs or officerβs obligations in connection with the management of the business and affairs of the Company, AHGP or any Other Enterprise. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or under a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not, of itself, create a presumption that such Personβs conduct was finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately dishonest or willful misconduct. The foregoing right to indemnification will apply to all Persons serving as Directors or officers and to all Persons who serve as a representatives of the Company at any time or who serve at any time at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise. Nothing herein prevents one or more of the Members or AHGP from indemnifying their respective representatives or directors or officers under such Memberβs or AHGPβs organizational documents or other agreements. If any Person is entitled to indemnification both from the Company, from a Member or from AHGP, then indemnification would come first from AHGP, then the Company and thereafter from the Member.
Β
7.4 Enforcement of Indemnification. If the Company refuses to indemnify any Person who may be entitled to be indemnified or to have expenses advanced under this Article VII, such Person may maintain an action in any court of competent jurisdiction against the Company to
Β
17
determine whether or not such Person is entitled to such indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder. If such court action is successful and the Person is determined to be entitled to such indemnification or advancement of expenses, such Person will be reimbursed by the Company for all fees and expenses (including attorneysβ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any such action (including the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such action).
Β
7.5 Advancement of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneysβ fees) reasonably incurred in defending an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate, will be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person to repay such amount if it is ultimately be determined that such Person is not entitled to indemnification by the Company. No advance will be made in instances where the Board of Directors acting on the advice of the Companyβs General Counsel or independent legal counsel, or alternatively, independent legal counsel, for the Company reasonably determines in good faith that such Person would not be entitled to indemnification hereunder.
Β
7.6 Non-Exclusivity. The indemnification and the advancement of expenses provided by this Article VII is not exclusive of any other rights to which those Persons seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any statute, or any agreement, vote of the Board of Directors, policy of insurance or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding their respective offices, and will not limit in any way any right that the Company may have to make additional indemnifications with respect to the same or different Persons or classes of Persons. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VII will continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a Member, Director, officer or representative of the Company or AHGP, and as to a Person who has ceased serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise and will inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Person.
Β
7.7 Insurance. The Board of Directors may cause the Company to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a Member, Director, officer, agent, employee or representative of the Company or AHGP, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, against any liability asserted against such Person and incurred by such Person in any such capacity, or arising out of such Personβs status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power, or the obligation, to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VII.
Β
7.8 Amendment and Vesting of Rights. The rights granted or created hereby will be vested in each Person entitled to indemnification hereunder as a bargained-for, contractual condition of such Personβs being or serving or having served as a Director, officer or representative of the Company or serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise and, while this Article VII may be amended or repealed, no such amendment or repeal will release, terminate or adversely affect the rights of such Person under this Article VII with respect to any (a)Β act taken or the failure to take any act by such Person prior to such amendment or repeal or (b)Β action, suit or proceeding concerning such act or failure to act filed after such amendment or repeal.
Β
18
7.9 Definitions. For purposes of this Article VII, references to:
Β
(a) The βCompanyβ includes, in addition to the resulting or surviving limited liability company, any constituent limited liability company (or other entity) (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger so that any Person who is or was a member, manager, director or officer of such constituent limited liability company (or other entity), or is or was serving at the request of such constituent limited liability company (or other entity) as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise will stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VII with respect to the resulting or surviving limited liability company (or other entity) as such Person would if such Person had served the resulting or surviving limited liability company (or other entity) in the same capacity;
Β
(b) βOther Enterprisesβ or βOther Enterpriseβ includes any other limited liability company, limited partnership, partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity, in which a Person is serving at the request of the Company;
Β
(c) βERISA excise taxesβ include any excise taxes assessed against a Person with respect to an employee benefit plan;
Β
(d) βdefenseβ includes investigations of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding as well as appeals thereof and also includes any defensive assertion of a cross-claim or counterclaim;
Β
(e) βserving at the request of the Companyβ includes any service as a director, officer, representative, agent or in any other comparable position that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a Person with respect to any Other Enterprise; and a Person who acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the interest of any Other Enterprise will be deemed to have acted βin the best interest of the Companyβ as referred to in this Article VII; and
Β
(f) βofficerβ includes an βauthorized personβ who is authorized to act on behalf of the Company pursuant to the terms hereof, whether or not such Person has been designated an officer of the Company.
Β
7.10 Severability. If any provision of this Article VII or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, the remaining provisions of this Article VII and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances will not be affected thereby and, to the fullest extent possible, the court finding such provision invalid, illegal or unenforceable must modify and construe the provision so as to render it valid and enforceable as against all Persons and to give the maximum possible protection to Persons subject to indemnification hereby within the bounds of validity, legality and enforceability. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Member, Director, officer or representative of the Company or any Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer or in any other comparable position of any Other Enterprise, is entitled under any provision of this Article VII to indemnification by the Company
Β
19
for some or a portion of the judgments, amounts paid in settlement, attorneysβ fees, penalties, ERISA excise taxes, fines or other expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any such Person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (including the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such action, suit or proceeding), whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate, but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company will nevertheless indemnify such Person for the portion thereof to which such Person is entitled.
Β
ARTICLE VIII
TAXES, BOOKS AND BANK ACCOUNTS
Β
8.1 Tax Returns. The Company shall prepare and timely file (on behalf of the Company) all state and local tax returns required to be filed by the Company. The Member shall bear the costs of the preparation and filing of its returns.
Β
8.2 Tax Characterization. The Company and the Member acknowledge that for United States federal income tax purposes the Company will be disregarded as an entity separate from the Member pursuant to Treasury Regulation Β§301.7701-3 as long as all the Membership Interests of the Company are owned by the Member.
Β
8.3 Maintenance of Books. The Board shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Company or at such other location the Board deems appropriate complete and accurate books and records of the Company, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Companyβs business and minutes of the proceedings of its Board and Members, and any other books and records that are required to be maintained by Applicable Law.
Β
8.4 Bank Accounts. Funds of the Company shall be deposited in such banks or other depositories as shall be designated from time to time by the Board or Member. All withdrawals from any such depository shall be made only as authorized by the Board or Member and shall be made only by check, wire transfer, debit memorandum or other written instruction.
Β
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION AND TERMINATION
Β
9.1 Events Causing Dissolution.
Β
(a) The Company shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following events:
Β
(i) The affirmative vote of a Super Majority in Interest to dissolve;
Β
(ii) The Transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the receipt and distribution of all the proceeds therefrom; or
Β
(iii) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under SectionΒ 18-802 of the Act.
Β
20
(b) No other event shall cause a dissolution of the Company.
Β
9.2 Effect of Dissolution. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, upon the dissolution of the Company, the Board of Directors will take such actions as may be required pursuant to the Act and will proceed to wind up, liquidate and terminate the business and affairs of the Company. In connection with such winding up, the Board of Directors will have the authority to liquidate and reduce to cash (to the extent necessary or appropriate) the assets of the Company as promptly as is consistent with obtaining Fair Value therefor, to apply and distribute the proceeds of such liquidation and any remaining assets in accordance with the provisions of SectionΒ 9.3, and to do any and all acts and things authorized by, and in accordance with, the Act and other Applicable Laws for the purpose of winding up and liquidating.
Β
9.3 Application of Proceeds. Upon dissolution and liquidation of the Company, the assets of the Company will be applied and distributed in the order of priority set forth in SectionΒ 4.2.
Β
9.4 Certificate of Cancellation. On completion of the distribution of Company assets as provided herein, a Member (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to SectionΒ 2.10, and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, the existence of the Company shall terminate (and the Term shall end), except as may be otherwise provided by the Act or by Applicable Law.
Β
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Β
10.1 Title to the Property. Title to the Property will be held in the name of the Company. No Member will individually have any ownership interest or rights in the Property, except indirectly by virtue of such Memberβs ownership of a Membership Interest. The Members agree that the Property is not and will not be suitable for partition. Accordingly, each of the Members hereby irrevocably waives any and all right such Member may have to maintain any action for partition of any of the Property. No Member will have any right to seek or obtain a partition of the Property, nor will any Member have the right to any specific assets of the Company upon the liquidation of or any Distribution from the Company.
Β
10.2 Nature of Interest in the Company. A Memberβs Membership Interest shall be personal property for all purposes.
Β
10.3 Organizational Expenses. Each Member will pay such Memberβs own expenses incurred in connection with the creation and formation of the Company and review and negotiation of this Agreement.
Β
10.4 Notices. Any notice, demand, request or other communication (each a βNoticeβ) required or permitted to be given by this Agreement or the Act to the Company, any Member, any Director, any officer or any other Person must be (i)Β hand delivered, (ii)Β mailed by registered or certified mail, (iii)Β sent via overnight delivery service, or (iv)Β sent via electronic transmission, in each case to the Company at its principal office or to a Member, Director, officer or any other
Β
21
Person at the address of such Member or such other Person as it appears on the records of the Company. All Notices that are hand delivered are deemed to be given upon delivery. All Notices that are mailed are deemed to be given on the third day after having been deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid. All Notices that are sent via overnight deliver service are deemed to be given on the next day after having been deposited with such delivery service, postage or freight prepaid. All Notices that are sent via electronic transmission are deemed to be given on the day on which they were transmitted. The term βelectronic transmissionβ means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such recipient through an automated process.
Β
10.5 Waiver of Default. No consent or waiver, express or implied, by the Company or a Member with respect to any breach or default by another Member hereunder will be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver with respect to any other breach or default by such Member of the same provision or any other provision of this Agreement. Failure on the part of the Company or a Member to complain of any act or failure to act of another Member or to declare such other Member in default will not be deemed or constitute a waiver by the Company or the Member of any rights hereunder.
Β
10.6 No Third Party Rights. None of the provisions contained in this Agreement are for the benefit of or enforceable by any third parties, including creditors of the Company; provided, however, the Company may enforce any rights granted to the Company under the Act, the Certificate or this Agreement.
Β
10.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and thereto and supersedes all prior writings or agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Β
10.8 Amendment.
Β
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be altered, modified or changed except by an amendment approved by a Super Majority in Interest; provided, however, that no modification of the terms of this Agreement that (i)Β increases or extends any financial obligation or liability of a Member, (ii)Β alters the method of division of profits and losses or a method of Distributions made to a Member, (iii)Β adversely affects a Memberβs ability to designate Directors or (iv)Β otherwise adversely affects the obligations or rights of a Member (as a Member under this Agreement) in a manner different than a Majority in Interest shall be effective without the prior written consent of such Member; provided, further, that no amendment of SectionΒ 5.2(d)(iii) or this SectionΒ 10.8 that adversely affects the obligations or rights of a Member shall be effective as to any Member without the prior written consent of that Member.
Β
(b) In addition to any amendments otherwise authorized herein, the Board may make any amendments to any of the Schedules to this Agreement from time to time to reflect transfers of Membership Interests and issuances of additional Membership Interests. Copies of such amendments shall be delivered to the Members upon execution thereof.
Β
22
(c) The Board shall cause to be prepared and filed any amendment to the Certificate that may be required to be filed under the Act as a consequence of any amendment to this Agreement.
Β
(d) Any modification or amendment to this Agreement or the Certificate made in accordance with this SectionΒ 10.8 shall be binding on all Members and the Board.
Β
10.9 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected thereby and will remain in full force and effect and will be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.
Β
10.10 Binding Agreement. Subject to the restrictions on the Disposition of Membership Interests herein contained, the provisions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.
Β
10.11 Headings. The headings of the articles and sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and may not be considered in construing or interpreting any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Β
10.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one agreement that is binding upon all of the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all parties are not signatories to the same counterpart.
Β
10.13 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws, with all rights and remedies being governed by said laws.
Β
10.14 Remedies. In the event of a default by any party in the performance of any obligation undertaken in this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy available to the non-defaulting parties, the defaulting party will pay to each of the non-defaulting parties all costs, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneysβ fees, incurred by the non-defaulting parties as a result of such default. If any dispute arises with respect to the enforcement, interpretation or application of this Agreement and court proceedings are instituted to resolve such dispute, the prevailing party in such court proceedings will be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneysβ fees, incurred by the prevailing party in such court proceedings.
Β
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
Β
23
The parties hereto have executed this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement on the date set forth in the introductory paragraph.
Β
MEMBER: Β C-Holdings, LLC | ||
By: |
Β | Β |
Β | Β | Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx III Title: Β Β Sole Member |
Β
Signature Page to Amended and Restated
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alliance GP, LLC
Β
24
SCHEDULE A
Β
Initial Schedule of Capital Contributions, Membership Interest
and Percentage Interest
Β
Name and Address of Member |
Β Β | Capital Contribution |
Β Β | Membership Interest |
Β | Β | Percentage Interest |
Β | |
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx III |
Β Β | $ | 1,000.00 | Β Β | 100 | % | Β | 100 | % |
Totals: |
Β Β | $ | 1,000.00 | Β Β | 100 | % | Β | 100 | % |
Β
A-1
SCHEDULE B
Β
Initial Slate of Officers
Β
Name |
Β Β | Title |
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx III |
Β Β | Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Β Β | Senior Vice President β Law and Administration, General Counsel and Secretary |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
Β Β | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Β
B-1