Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.
Exhibit
10.24
2005
Long-Term Incentive Plan
(For
EMPLOYEES)
This
Restricted Stock Agreement set forth below (this “Agreement”)
is dated as of the issue date (the “Issue
Date”) set forth on the applicable Summary of Restricted Stock Grant, and
is between Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Alpha”),
and the individual named as Stockholder on the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant
(the “Stockholder”). The
Stockholder may view or obtain a copy of the Stockholder's Summary of Restricted
Stock Grant document by accessing Xxxxx Xxxxxx Benefit Access at xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.
Alpha has
established its 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to
advance the interests of Alpha and its stockholders by providing incentives to
certain eligible persons who contribute significantly to the strategic and
long-term performance objectives and growth of Alpha and any parent, subsidiary
or affiliate of Alpha. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in
this Agreement have the same meaning given such capitalized terms in the
Plan.
Pursuant
to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee or its Designated Administrator has
full power and authority to direct the execution and delivery of this Agreement
in the name and on behalf of Alpha, and has authorized the execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
Agreement
The
parties agree as follows:
Section 1. Issuance of
Stock. Subject and
pursuant to all terms and conditions stated in this Agreement and in the Plan,
as of the Issue Date, Alpha hereby grants to Stockholder the number of shares of
Alpha’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common
Stock”), set forth on the Summary of Restricted Stock
Grant. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Shares”
shall include all of the shares of Common Stock issued to Stockholder pursuant
to this Agreement or issued with respect to such shares of Common Stock,
including, but not limited to, shares of Alpha’s capital stock issued by way of
stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.
Section 2. Vesting;
Restriction on Transfer and Forfeiture of Unvested Shares.
(a) None
of the Shares may be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise
encumbered or disposed of until they have vested in accordance with the terms of
this Section 2 and the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant. Except as
set forth in this Section 2 or as otherwise provided in a Company plan
applicable to Stockholder or an agreement between the Stockholder and the
Company, if any, effective at the close of business on the date Stockholder
ceases to be employed by the Company or, if earlier, the date Stockholder
breaches the confidentiality covenant as described in Section 8 hereof, any
Shares that are not vested in accordance with this Section 2 shall be
automatically forfeited to Alpha without any further obligation on the part
of
Alpha. Stockholder
hereby assigns and transfers any forfeited Shares and the stock certificate(s)
or other evidence of ownership representing such shares to Alpha.
(b) The
Shares will vest according to the vesting schedule set forth on the Summary of
Restricted Stock Grant. Unless otherwise provided in a Company plan
applicable to Stockholder or an agreement between the Stockholder and the
Company, if any, if: (i) a Change of Control (as defined below)
occurs, any unvested Shares shall vest immediately prior to the consummation of
the Change of Control; (ii) Stockholder ceases to be employed by the Company as
a result of Stockholder’s Permanent Disability (as defined below), death or
Retirement (as defined below), any unvested Shares shall become vested as of
such termination of employment; or (iii) Stockholder’s employment is terminated
by the Company other than for Cause (as defined below), then the number of
Shares that are vested at the close of business on the date Stockholder ceases
to be employed by the Company shall be calculated as if Stockholder had been
continuously employed by the Company for an additional three
months.
Vesting
shall be tolled during any period in which Stockholder is on an approved leave
of absence from employment with the Company.
(c) For
purposes of this Agreement and unless otherwise defined in a Company plan
applicable to Stockholder or an agreement between the Stockholder and the
Company, if any, the following terms shall have the following
meanings: (i) a “Change of
Control” shall mean (A) any merger, consolidation or business
combination in which the stockholders of Alpha immediately prior to the merger,
consolidation or business combination do not own at least a majority of the
outstanding equity interests of the surviving parent entity, (B) the sale
of all or substantially all of Alpha’s assets in a single transaction or
a series of related transactions, (C) the acquisition of beneficial
ownership or control of (including, without limitation, power to vote) a
majority of the outstanding Common Shares by any person or entity (including a
“group” as defined by or under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act),
(D) the stockholders of Alpha approve any plan for the dissolution or
liquidation of Alpha, or (E) a contested election of directors, as a result
of which or in connection with which the persons who were directors of Alpha
before such election or their nominees cease to constitute a majority of the
Board; (ii) the term “Permanent
Disability” shall mean Stockholder’s physical or mental incapacity to
perform his or her usual duties with such condition likely to remain
continuously and permanently as determined by the Company; (iii) the term “Retirement” shall mean retirement under
circumstances approved by the Committee; and (iv) the term “Cause”
shall mean “Employer Cause” as set forth in any employment agreement between the
Stockholder and the Company or, in the absence of such an agreement, "Cause" as
defined by the Company’s plans applicable to the Stockholder or employment
policies in effect at the time of termination.
(d) The
certificates, if any, representing unvested Shares will bear the following
legend:
“The
securities represented by this certificate are subject to forfeiture and
restrictions on transfer as set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement
(including the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the applicable Summary of
Restricted Stock Grant incorporated therein) between the issuer and the initial
holder of these shares. A copy of any such documents may be obtained
by the holder without charge at the issuer’s principal place of business or upon
written request.”
Section 3. Investment
Representation. Stockholder hereby acknowledges that the
Shares shall not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in the
absence of an effective registration
statement
for the shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable
state securities laws or as otherwise provided herein or in the
Plan. Stockholder also agrees that the Shares which Stockholder
acquires pursuant to this Agreement will not be sold or otherwise disposed of in
any manner which would constitute a violation of any applicable securities laws,
whether federal or state.
Section 4. Issuance and
Delivery of Shares; Rights as a
Stockholder. The parties agree that, subject to satisfaction
of the applicable tax withholding requirements set forth in Section 5,
certificate(s) or other evidence of ownership representing the Shares shall be
delivered to Stockholder at the end of the vesting period set forth in the
Summary of Restricted Stock Grant. Promptly following the end of the vesting
period set forth in the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant, Alpha or its
designated agent shall (a) deliver to Stockholder certificates or other evidence
of ownership representing vested Shares, provided, however, that Stockholder has
complied with any withholding tax requirements as set forth in Section 5, and
(b) cancel any Shares that have been forfeited by Stockholder pursuant to
Section 2. Alpha shall not issue stock certificate(s) or other
evidence of ownership representing Shares if the Committee or Designated
Administrator or other authorized agent determines, in its or his sole
discretion, that the issuance of such certificate(s) or other evidence of
ownership would violate the terms of the Plan, this Agreement or applicable
law. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, no person shall be, or
have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of Alpha with respect to
any of the Shares unless and until certificates or other evidence of ownership
representing such Shares shall have been issued or reflected in such person’s
name.
Section 5. Income
Taxes. Stockholder acknowledges that any income for federal,
state or local income tax purposes that Stockholder is required to recognize on
account of the vesting and issuance of the Shares to Stockholder shall be
subject to withholding of tax by the Company. In accordance with
administrative procedures established by the Company, Stockholder may elect to
satisfy Stockholder’s minimum statutory withholding tax obligations, if any, on
account of the vesting and/or issuance of Shares, in one or a combination of the
following methods: in cash or by separate check made payable to the
Company and/or by authorizing the Company to withhold from the Shares to be
issued to the Stockholder a sufficient number of whole Shares distributable in
connection with such Award equal to the applicable minimum statutory withholding
tax obligation. In the event Stockholder does not make such payment
when requested, the Company may refuse to issue or cause to be delivered any
Shares under this Agreement or any other incentive plan agreement entered into
by Stockholder and the Company until such payment has been made or arrangements
for such payment satisfactory to the Company have been
made. Stockholder agrees further to notify the Company promptly if
Stockholder files an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), with respect to any
Shares.
Section 6. Rights as a
Stockholder. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall be
deemed to give Stockholder any right to continue to be employed by the Company,
nor shall the Plan or the Agreement be deemed to limit in any way the Company’s
right to terminate the employment of the Stockholder at any time.
Section 7. Further
Assistance. Stockholder will
provide assistance reasonably requested by the Company in connection with
actions taken by Stockholder while employed by the Company, including but not
limited to assistance in connection with any lawsuits or other claims against
the Company arising from events during the period in which Stockholder was
employed by the Company.
Section 8. Confidentiality. Stockholder
acknowledges that the business of the Company is highly competitive and that the
Company’s strategies, methods, books, records, and documents,
technical
information
concerning their products, equipment, services, and processes, procurement
procedures and pricing techniques, the names of and other information (such as
credit and financial data) concerning former, present or prospective customers
and business affiliates, all comprise confidential business information and
trade secrets which are valuable, special, and unique assets which the Company
uses in their business to obtain a competitive advantage over
competitors. Stockholder further acknowledges that protection of such
confidential business information and trade secrets against unauthorized
disclosure and use is of critical importance to the Company in maintaining its
competitive position. Stockholder acknowledges that by reason of
Stockholder’s duties to and association with the Company, Stockholder has had
and will have access to and has and will become informed of confidential
business information which is a competitive asset of the
Company. Stockholder hereby agrees that Stockholder will not, at any
time, make any unauthorized disclosure of any confidential business information
or trade secrets of the Company, or make any use thereof, except in the carrying
out of employment responsibilities. Stockholder shall take all
necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard confidential business information
and protect it against disclosure, misappropriation, misuse, loss and
theft. Confidential business information shall not include
information in the public domain (but only if the same becomes part of the
public domain through a means other than a disclosure prohibited
hereunder). The above notwithstanding, a disclosure shall not be
unauthorized if (i) it is required by law or by a court of competent
jurisdiction or (ii) it is in connection with any judicial, arbitration, dispute
resolution or other legal proceeding in which Stockholder’s legal rights and
obligations as an employee or under this Agreement are at issue; provided,
however, that Stockholder shall, to the extent practicable and lawful in any
such events, give prior notice to the Company of Stockholder’s intent to
disclose any such confidential business information in such context so as to
allow the Company an opportunity (which Stockholder will not oppose) to obtain
such protective orders or similar relief with respect thereto as may be deemed
appropriate. Any information not specifically related to the Company would not
be considered confidential to the Company. In addition to any other
remedy available at law or in equity, in the event of any breach by Stockholder
of the provisions of this Section 8 which is not waived in writing by the
Company, all vesting of the Shares shall cease effective upon the occurrence of
the actions or inactions by Stockholder constituting a breach by Stockholder of
the provisions of this Section 8.
Section 9. Binding Effect;
No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and Stockholder and their
respective heirs, representatives, successors and permitted
assigns. This Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon
any person other than the Company and the Stockholder and their respective
heirs, representatives, successors and permitted assigns. The parties
agree that this Agreement shall survive the issuance of the Shares.
Section 10. Agreement to
Abide by Plan; Conflict between Plan and Agreement. The Plan
is hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement and the Plan and Summary
of Restricted Stock Grant are made a part hereof as though fully set forth in
this Agreement. Stockholder hereby (i) represents that he or she is
familiar with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the Summary of Restricted
Stock Grant, and (ii) agrees to abide by all of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant and the
Plan. Stockholder accepts as binding, conclusive and final all
decisions or interpretations of the Designated Administrator of the Plan upon
any question arising under the Plan, this Agreement (including, without
limitation, the date of any termination of Stockholder’s employment with the
Company) and the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant. In the event of
any conflict between the Plan and this Agreement and/or the Summary of
Restricted Stock Grant, the Plan shall control and this Agreement and/or the
Summary of Restricted Stock Grant shall be deemed to be modified accordingly,
except to the extent that the Plan gives the Designated Administrator the
express authority to vary the terms of the Plan by means of this Agreement
and/or the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant, in which case, this Agreement
and/or the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant shall govern.
Section 11. Entire
Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, in any Company
plan applicable to the Stockholder, or in any other agreement between
Stockholder and the Company, this Agreement, the Plan and the Summary of
Restricted Stock Grant, which Stockholder has reviewed and accepted in
connection with the grant of the Shares reflected by this Agreement, constitute
the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any prior understandings,
agreements, or representations by or between the parties, written or oral, to
the extent they related in any way to the subject matter of this
Agreement.
Section 12. Choice of
Law. To the extent not superseded by federal law, the laws of
the state of Delaware (without regard to the conflicts laws of Delaware) shall
control in all matters relating to this Agreement and any action relating to
this Agreement must be brought in State and Federal Courts located in the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
Section 13. Notice. All
notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim, or
other communication under this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if (and then
two business days after) it is sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the intended recipient at
the address set forth in the Summary of Restricted Stock
Grant. Either party to this Agreement may send any notice, request,
demand, claim, or other communication under this Agreement to the intended
recipient at such address using any other means (including personal delivery,
expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy, ordinary mail, or electronic
mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication shall
be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by
the intended recipient. Either party to this Agreement may change the address to
which notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder are
to be delivered by giving the other party notice in the manner set forth in this
section.
Section 14. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
Section 15. Amendments. This
Agreement may be amended or modified at any time by an instrument in writing
signed by the parties hereto, or as otherwise provided under the
Plan. Notwithstanding, Alpha may, in its sole discretion and without
the Stockholder's consent, modify or amend the terms of this Agreement, impose
conditions on the timing and effectiveness of the issuance of the Shares, or
take any other action it deems necessary or advisable, to cause this Award to be
excepted from Section 409A of the Code (or to comply therewith to the extent
Alpha determines it is not excepted).
Section 16. Acknowledgments.
(a) By
accepting the Shares, the Stockholder acknowledges receipt of a copy of the
Plan, the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant, and the prospectus relating to the
Shares, and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the
Plan, the Summary of Restricted Stock Grant, and this Agreement, as in effect
and/or amended from time to time.
|
(b)
|
The
Plan and related documents, which may include but do not necessarily
include the Plan prospectus, this Agreement and financial reports of the
Company, may be delivered to you electronically. Such means of
delivery may include but do not necessarily include the delivery of a link
to a Company intranet site or the internet site of a third party involved
in administering the Plan, the delivery of the documents via e-mail or
CD-ROM or such other delivery determined at the Designated Administrator’s
discretion. Both Internet Email and the World Wide Web are
required in order to access documents
electronically.
|
(c) This
Award is intended to be excepted from coverage under Section 409A of the Code
and the regulations promulgated thereunder and shall be interpreted and
construed accordingly. Notwithstanding, Stockholder recognizes and
acknowledges that Section 409A of the Code may impose upon the Stockholder
certain taxes or interest charges for which the Stockholder is and shall remain
solely responsible.
(d) Stockholder
acknowledges that, by receipt of this Award, Stockholder has read this Section
16 and consents to the electronic delivery of the Plan and related documents, as
described in this Section 16. Stockholder acknowledges that
Stockholder may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered
electronically at no cost if Stockholder contacts the Vice President of Human
Resources of the Company by telephone at (000) 000-0000 or by mail to Xxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx, X.X. Xxx 0000, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000. Stockholder further acknowledges
that Stockholder will be provided with a paper copy of any documents delivered
electronically if electronic delivery fails.
Revised: 2/__/2009
