EQUITY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.9
THIS
EQUITY PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of
October__, 2007 by and among LV ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, INC., as administrative
and collateral agent for the Creditor Parties (as defined below) (the
“Pledgee”), GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC., a Nevada corporation
(the “Company”), and each of the undersigned parties, other than the
Agent (the Company and each such other undersigned party, a “Pledgor” and
collectively, the “Pledgors”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of the date
hereof (as amended, modified, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time,
the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, the purchasers from
time to time party thereto (the “Purchasers”) and the Agent (the
Purchasers and the Agent, together, the “Creditor Parties”), the Related
Agreements (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and all other documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith (the Purchase
Agreement, Related Agreements and all such other documents, instruments and
agreements, collectively, the “Documents”), the Creditor Parties have
agreed to extend certain financial accommodations to the Company for its benefit
and the benefit of certain of its subsidiaries.
WHEREAS,
it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Purchase Agreement
and
the obligations of the Creditor Parties thereunder that each Pledgor shall
have
executed and delivered this Agreement to Agent in favor of the Creditor
Parties.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement and the Related Agreements,
as
applicable.
2. Pledge
and Grant of Security Interest. To secure the prompt payment and
performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time or otherwise, of the
Secured Obligations (as defined below), each Pledgor hereby pledges and assigns
to Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, and grants to Agent,
for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, a security interest (the
“Security Interest”) in any and all right, title and interest of such
Pledgor in and to the following, whether now owned or existing or owned,
acquired, or arising hereafter (collectively, the
“Collateral”):
(a) Equity
Interests. 100% of each class of the issued and outstanding stock
and/or membership interests, as applicable, owned by each Pledgor of each
Subsidiary set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto together with the
certificates or other agreements or instruments, if any, representing such
stock
and/or membership interests, and all options and other rights, contractual
or
otherwise, with respect thereto (together with the shares of stock and
membership interests and/or proceeds described in Sections 2(b) and 2(c) below,
the “Equity Interests”), including, but not limited to, the
following:
1
(i) all
shares or securities representing a dividend on any of the Equity Interests,
or
representing a distribution or return of capital upon or in respect of the
Equity Interests, or resulting from a stock split, revision, reclassification
or
other exchange therefor, and any subscriptions, warrants, rights or options
issued to the holder of, or otherwise in respect of, the Equity Interests;
and
(ii) without
affecting the obligations of the Pledgors under any provision prohibiting such
action hereunder or under any Document, in the event of any consolidation or
merger involving the issuer of any Equity Interests and in which such issuer
is
not the surviving entity, all shares of each class of the stock of the successor
entity formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger.
(b) Additional
Interests. 100% of each class of the issued and outstanding stock
and/or membership interests owned by each Pledgor of any Person which hereafter
becomes a Subsidiary, including, without limitation, the certificates, if any,
representing such stock and/or membership interests.
(c) Proceeds. All
proceeds and products of the foregoing, however and whenever acquired and in
whatever form.
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is hereby specifically understood
and agreed that each Pledgor may from time to time hereafter deliver additional
shares of stock and/or membership interests, as applicable, to Agent, for the
ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties as collateral security for the Secured
Obligations. Upon delivery to Agent, such additional shares of stock
and/or membership interests shall be deemed to be part of the Collateral and
shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement whether or not Schedule 1 is
amended to refer to such additional shares or membership interests.
3. Security
for Secured Obligations. The security interest created hereby in
the Collateral of each Pledgor constitutes continuing collateral security for
the Secured Obligations. The term “Secured Obligations” shall
mean: (a) the obligations owing to the Creditor Parties under the
Documents and (b) all other obligations and liabilities of each Pledgor to
the
Creditor Parties whether now existing or hereafter arising, direct or indirect,
liquidated or unliquidated, absolute or contingent, due or not due and whether
under, pursuant to or evidenced by a note, agreement, guaranty, instrument
or
otherwise (in each case, irrespective of the genuineness, validity, regularity
or enforceability of such Secured Obligations, or of any instrument evidencing
any of the Secured Obligations or of any collateral therefor or of the existence
or extent of such collateral, and irrespective of the allowability, allowance
or
disallowance of any or all of such in any case commenced by or against any
Pledgor under Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Code, including, without limitation,
obligations of a Pledgor for post-petition interest, fees, costs and charges
that would have accrued or been added to the Secured Obligations but for the
commencement of such case).
2
4. Delivery
of the Collateral. Each Pledgor hereby agrees that:
(a) Delivery
of Certificates. Each Pledgor shall deliver to Agent or its
designee (i) simultaneously with or prior to execution and delivery of this
Agreement, all certificates representing Equity Interests of GEM Mobile
Treatment Services, Inc. and (ii) promptly upon the receipt thereof by or on
behalf of each Pledgor, all other certificates and instruments constituting
the
Collateral. Prior to delivery to Agent or its designee, all such
certificates and instruments constituting the Collateral shall be held in trust
by each Pledgor for the benefit of the Creditor Parties pursuant
hereto. All such certificates shall be delivered in suitable form for
transfer by delivery or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of
transfer or assignment in blank, substantially in the form provided in Schedule
2 attached hereto.
(b) Additional
Securities. If any Pledgor shall receive by virtue of its being
or having been the owner of any Collateral, any (i) stock certificate,
membership certificate or other certificate representing stock or a membership
interest, including without limitation, any certificate representing a dividend
or distribution in connection with any increase or reduction of capital,
reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale of assets, combination of shares
or membership or equity interests, stock splits, spin-off or split-off,
promissory notes or other instrument; (ii) option or right, whether as an
addition to, substitution for, or an exchange for, any Collateral or otherwise;
(iii) dividends payable in securities; or (iv) distributions of securities
in
connection with a partial or total liquidation, dissolution or reduction of
capital, capital surplus or paid-in surplus, then such Pledgor shall receive
such certificate, instrument, option, right or distribution in trust for the
benefit of the Creditor Parties, shall segregate it from such Pledgor’s other
property and shall deliver it forthwith to Agent, for the ratable benefit of
the
Creditor Parties, or the Agent’s designee, in the exact form received together
with any necessary endorsement and/or appropriate stock power or membership
interest power, as applicable, duly executed in blank, substantially in the
form
provided in Schedule 2, to be held by Agent or its designee, as applicable,
as
Collateral and as further collateral security for the Secured
Obligations.
(c) Financing
Statements. Each Pledgor authorizes Agent to file such UCC (as
defined in Section 5(b) below) or other applicable financing statements as
may
be reasonably requested by Agent in order to perfect and protect the Security
Interest created hereby in the Collateral.
5. Representations
and Warranties. Each Pledgor hereby represents and warrants to
the Creditor Parties, that until such time as all of the Secured Obligations
shall be indefeasibly paid in full:
(a) Authorization
of the Equity Interests. The Equity Interests set forth on
Schedule 1 hereto are duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
nonassessable and are not subject to the preemptive rights of any
Person. All other shares of stock or membership interests
constituting Collateral will be duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable and not subject to the preemptive rights of any
Person.
(b) Title. Each
Pledgor has good and indefeasible title to the Collateral and will at all times
be the legal and beneficial owner of such Collateral free and clear of any
attachments, levies, taxes, liens, security interests and encumbrances of every
kind and nature (“Liens”), except Liens securing the Secured Obligations
and Liens securing obligations to Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (“Laurus”) and
Valens US SPV I, LLC (“Valens US” and together with Laurus, the “Prior
Secured Parties” and each, a “Prior Secured Party”). Other
than with respect to the Liens in favor of the Prior Secured Parties, there
exists no “adverse claim” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York (the “UCC”) with
respect to the Equity Interests.
3
(c) Exercising
of Rights. To the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, other than
with respect to agreements between any Pledgor and a Prior Secured Party, the
exercise by the Agent of its rights and remedies hereunder will not violate
any
law or governmental regulation or any material contractual restriction binding
on or affecting such Pledgor or any of its property.
(d) Pledgor’s
Authority. No authorization, approval or action by, and no notice
or filing with any governmental authority or with the issuer of any Equity
Interests is required either (i) for the pledges made by any Pledgor or for
the
granting of the security interests by any Pledgor pursuant to this Agreement
or
(ii) to the best of each Pledgor’s knowledge, for the exercise by the Agent of
its rights and remedies hereunder (except as may be required by laws affecting
the offering and sale of securities).
(e) Security
Interest/Priority. This Agreement creates a valid security
interest in favor of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties,
in
the Collateral. The taking possession by Agent of the certificates,
if any, representing the Equity Interests and all other certificates and
instruments constituting Collateral and/or the execution and delivery of a
Control Agreement (as defined in Section 6(d) below) with regard to such
uncertificated Equity Interests consisting of membership interests will perfect
and establish the first priority of Agent’s security interest, for the ratable
benefit of the Creditor Parties, in the Equity Interests and, when properly
perfected by filing or registration, in all other Collateral represented by
such
Equity Interests and instruments securing the Secured
Obligations. Except as set forth in this Section 5(e), no action is
necessary to perfect or otherwise protect such security interest.
6. Covenants. Each
Pledgor hereby covenants, that until such time as all of the Secured Obligations
shall be indefeasibly paid in full, such Pledgor, shall:
(a) Books
and Records. Xxxx its books and records (and shall cause each
issuer of the Equity Interests of such Pledgor to xxxx its books and records)
to
reflect the security interest granted to Agent, for the ratable benefit of
the
Creditor Parties, pursuant to this Agreement and the other
Documents.
(b) Defense
of Title. Warrant and defend title to and ownership of the
Collateral at its own expense against the claims and demands of all other
parties claiming an interest therein, keep the Collateral free from all Liens,
other than Liens in favor of the Prior Secured Parties, and not sell, exchange,
transfer, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any interest
therein nor create, incur or permit to exist any Lien whatsoever with respect
to
any of the Collateral or the proceeds thereof other than that created hereby
and
Liens in favor of the Prior Secured Parties.
(c) Additional
Equity Interests. Not consent to or approve the issuance of (i)
any additional shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests
of
any issuer of such Equity Interests; or (ii) any securities convertible either
voluntarily by the holder thereof or automatically upon the occurrence or
nonoccurrence of any event or condition into, or any securities exchangeable
for, any such shares, unless, in either case, such shares are pledged as
Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.
4
(d) Further
Assurances. Promptly execute and deliver at its expense all
further instruments and documents and take all further action that may be
reasonably necessary and desirable or that Agent may reasonably request in
order
to (i) perfect and protect the security interest created hereby in the
Collateral (including without limitation any and all action necessary to satisfy
Agent that Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, has obtained
a perfected Security Interest in any stock and/or membership interest); (ii)
enable Agent, as agent for the Creditor Parties, to exercise and enforce its
rights and remedies hereunder in respect of the Collateral; and (iii) otherwise
effect the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation and if
requested by Agent, (A) delivering to Agent irrevocable proxies in respect
of
the Collateral, which irrevocable proxies will be strictly and only for the
purpose of allowing Agent to perfect and protect the Security Interest granted
or purported to be granted hereby or to enable Agent, as agent for the Creditor
Parties, to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect
to the Collateral and (B) executing and delivering, and causing the issuer
of
such Equity Interests to execute and deliver, a limited liability company or
a
limited partnership control agreement (“Control Agreement”) in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent.
(e) Amendments. Not
make or consent to any amendment or other modification or waiver with respect
to
any of the Collateral or enter into any agreement or allow to exist any
restriction with respect to any of the Collateral other than pursuant hereto,
including, without limitation, any amendment that would (i) impair the
Collateral or adversely affect in any respect the rights, privileges, benefits
and security interests provided to or intended to be provided to Agent, for
the
ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, under this Agreement, other than Liens
in favor of the Prior Secured Parties, or (ii) that in any way adversely affects
the perfection of the Security Interest of Agent, for the ratable benefit of
the
Creditor Parties, in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any
amendment electing to no longer treat any membership interest as a security
under Section 8-103 of the UCC, or any election to turn any previously
certificated membership interest into an uncertificated membership
interest.
(f) Compliance
with Securities Laws. File all reports and other information now
or hereafter required to be filed by such Pledgor with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission and any other state, federal or foreign
agency in connection with the ownership of the Collateral.
7. Advances
by the Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default (as defined below), Agent may, at its sole option and in
its
sole discretion, perform the covenants and agreements of the Pledgors set forth
herein, and in so doing, may expend such sums as Agent may reasonably deem
advisable in the performance thereof, including, without limitation, the payment
of any insurance premiums, the payment of any taxes, a payment to obtain a
release of a Lien or potential Lien, expenditures made in defending against
any
adverse claim and all other expenditures which the Creditor Parties may make
for
the protection of the Collateral or which it may be compelled to make by
operation of law. All such sums and amounts so expended shall be
repayable by the applicable Pledgor(s) promptly upon timely notice thereof
and
demand therefor, shall constitute additional Secured Obligations and shall
bear
interest from the date said amounts are expended at the Contract Rate for the
Notes. No such performance of any covenant or agreement by the
Creditor Parties on behalf of any Pledgor, and no such advance or expenditure
therefor, shall relieve any Pledgor of any default under the terms of this
Agreement or the other Documents. The Creditor Parties may make any
payment hereby authorized in accordance with any xxxx, statement or estimate
procured from the appropriate public office or holder of the claim to be
discharged without inquiry into the accuracy of such xxxx, statement or estimate
or into the validity of any tax assessment, sale, forfeiture, tax lien, title
or
claim except to the extent such payment is being contested in good faith by
a
Pledgor in appropriate proceedings and against which adequate reserves are
being
maintained in accordance with GAAP.
5
8. Events
of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an event of
default (“Event of Default”) hereunder:
(a) An
“Event
of Default” under any Document or any agreement or note related to any Document
shall have occurred and be continuing beyond any applicable cure
period;
(b) Any
Pledgor shall default in the performance of any of its obligations under any
agreement between such Pledgor and Agent and/or the Creditor Parties, including,
without limitation, this Agreement, and such default shall not be cured during
any applicable cure period;
(c) Any
representation or warranty of any Pledgor made herein, in any Document or in
any
agreement, statement or certificate given in writing pursuant hereto or thereto
or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false or misleading in any
material respect;
(d) Any
portion of the Collateral is subjected to a levy of execution, attachment,
distraint or other judicial process or any portion of the Collateral is the
subject of a claim or a Lien (other than by Agent, for the ratable benefit
of
the Creditor Parties, or the Prior Secured Parties) or a Lien or other right
or
interest in or to the Collateral and such levy or claim shall not be cured,
disputed or stayed within a period of fifteen (15) business days after the
occurrence thereof; or
(e) Any
Pledgor shall (i) apply for, consent to, or suffer to exist the appointment
of,
or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee, liquidator
or
other fiduciary of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property,
(ii)
make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) commence a
voluntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter
in effect), (iv) be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, (v) file a petition
seeking to take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of debtors,
(vi) acquiesce to, or fail to have dismissed, within thirty (30) days, any
petition filed against it in any involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws,
or
(vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing.
9. Remedies.
(a) General
Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during
the continuation thereof, Agent shall have, in respect of the Collateral, in
addition to the rights and remedies provided herein, in the Documents or by
law,
the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or any other applicable
law.
6
(b) Transfer
and Sale of Collateral. Upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default and during the continuation thereof, without limiting the generality
of
this Section and without notice, Agent may, in its sole discretion, sell or
otherwise dispose of or realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, in
one
or more parcels, at public or private sale, at any exchange or broker’s board or
elsewhere, at such price or prices and on such other terms as Agent may deem
commercially reasonable, for cash, credit or for future delivery or otherwise
in
accordance with applicable law. To the extent permitted by law, Agent
may in such event, bid for the purchase of such securities. Each
Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law
and
has not been waived by such Pledgor, any requirement of reasonable notice shall
be met if notice, specifying the place of any public sale or the time after
which any private sale is to be made, is personally served on or mailed, postage
prepaid, to such Pledgor at the address set forth below such Pledgor’s signature
block hereto at least ten (10) days before the time of such
sale. Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of the Collateral
regardless of notice of sale having been given. Agent may adjourn any
public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place
fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time
and place to which it was so adjourned.
(c) Private
Sale. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the
continuation thereof, each Pledgor recognizes that Agent may deem it
impracticable to effect a public sale of all or any part of the Equity Interests
or any of the securities constituting the Collateral and that Agent may,
therefore, determine to make one or more private sales of any such securities
to
a restricted group of purchasers who will be obligated to agree, among other
things, to acquire such securities for their own account, for investment and
not
with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Pledgor
acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less
favorable to the seller than the prices and other terms which might have been
obtained at a public sale and, notwithstanding the foregoing, agrees that such
private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable
manner and that Agent shall have no obligation to delay sale of any such
securities for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer of such
securities to register such securities for public sale under the Securities
Act
of 1933, as amended. Each Pledgor further acknowledges and agrees
that any offer to sell such securities which has been made privately in the
manner described above shall be deemed to involve a “public sale” under the UCC,
notwithstanding that such sale may not constitute a “public offering” under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Agent may, in such event, bid for the
purchase of such securities.
(d) Retention
of Collateral. In addition to the rights and remedies hereunder,
upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent
may, after providing the notices required by Section 9-620 of the UCC or
otherwise complying with the requirements of applicable law of the relevant
jurisdiction, retain all or any portion of the Collateral in satisfaction of
the
Secured Obligations. Unless and until Agent shall have provided such
notices, however, Agent shall not be deemed to have retained the Collateral
in
satisfaction of any Secured Obligations for any reason.
7
(e) Deficiency. In
the event that the proceeds of any sale, collection or realization are
insufficient to pay all amounts to which Agent, for the ratable benefit of
the
Creditor Parties, is legally entitled, the Pledgors shall remain liable for
the
deficiency, together with interest thereon at the Contract Rate for the Notes,
together with the costs of collection and the reasonable fees of any attorneys
employed by Agent to collect such deficiency. Any surplus remaining
after the full payment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations shall be
returned to the appropriate party in accordance with Section 9-615 of the
UCC.
10. Rights
of Agent.
(a) Power
of Attorney. In addition to other powers of attorney contained
herein, each Pledgor hereby designates and appoints Agent, and each of its
designees or agents as attorney-in-fact of each such Pledgor, irrevocably and
with power of substitution, with authority to take any or all of the following
actions upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default:
(i) to
demand, collect, settle, compromise, adjust and give discharges and releases
concerning the Collateral, all as Agent may reasonably determine;
(ii) to
commence and prosecute any actions at any court for the purposes of collecting
any of the Collateral and enforcing any other right in respect
thereof;
(iii) to
defend, settle or compromise any action brought and, in connection therewith,
give such discharge or release as Agent may deem reasonably
appropriate;
(iv) to
pay or
discharge taxes, liens, security interests, or other encumbrances levied or
placed on or threatened against the Collateral;
(v) to
direct
any parties liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment
of any and all monies due and to become due thereunder directly to Agent or
as
Agent shall direct;
(vi) to
receive payment of and receipt for any and all monies, claims, and other amounts
due and to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any
Collateral;
(vii) to
sign
and endorse any drafts, assignments, proxies, stock powers, verifications,
notices and other documents relating to the Collateral;
(viii) to
settle, compromise or adjust any suit, action or proceeding described above
and,
in connection therewith, to give such discharges or releases as Agent may deem
reasonably appropriate;
8
(ix) to
execute and deliver all assignments, conveyances, statements, financing
statements, renewal financing statements, pledge agreements, affidavits, notices
and other agreements, instruments and documents that Agent may determine
necessary in order to perfect and maintain the security interests and liens
granted in this Agreement and in order to fully consummate all of the
transactions contemplated herein and therein;
(x) to
exchange any of the Collateral or other property upon any merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization or other readjustment of the issuer thereof
and, in connection therewith, deposit any of the Collateral with any committee,
depository, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such
terms
as Agent may determine;
(xi) to
vote
for a shareholder, partner or member resolution, or to sign an instrument in
writing, sanctioning the transfer of any or all of the Equity Interests into
the
name of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, or into the
name
of any transferee to whom the Equity Interests or any part thereof may be sold
pursuant to Section 9 hereof; and
(xii) to
do and
perform all such other acts and things as Agent may reasonably deem to be
necessary, proper or convenient in connection with the Collateral.
This
power of attorney is a power coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable
until such time as all of the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid
in
full. Agent shall be under no duty to exercise or withhold the
exercise of any of the rights, powers, privileges and options expressly or
implicitly granted to Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties,
in
this Agreement, and shall not be liable for any failure to do so or any delay
in
doing so. Agent shall not be liable for any act or omission or for
any error of judgment or any mistake of fact or law in its individual capacity
or its capacity as attorney-in-fact except acts or omissions resulting from
its
gross negligence or willful misconduct. This power of attorney is
conferred on Agent solely to protect, preserve and realize upon its security
interest in Collateral.
(b) Performance
by Agent of the Pledgors’ Obligations. If a Pledgor fails to
perform any agreement or obligation contained herein, Agent itself may perform,
or cause performance of, such agreement or obligation, and the expenses of
Agent
incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the applicable Pledgor
pursuant to Section 7 hereof.
(c) Assignment
by Creditor Parties. Any Creditor Party may, from time to time,
in accordance with the Purchase Agreement, assign the Secured Obligations and
any portion thereof and/or the Collateral and any portion thereof, and the
assignee shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies of such Creditor
Party under this Agreement in relation thereto.
(d) Agent’s
Duty of Care. Other than the exercise of reasonable care to
assure the safe custody of the Collateral while being held by Agent hereunder,
Agent shall have no duty or liability to preserve rights pertaining thereto,
it
being understood and agreed that each Pledgor, as applicable, shall be
responsible for preservation of all rights in the Collateral, and Agent shall
be
relieved of all responsibility for the Collateral upon surrendering it or
tendering the surrender of it to the applicable Pledgor. Agent shall
be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation
of
the Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment
substantially equal to that which Agent accords its own property, which shall
be
no less than the treatment employed by a reasonable and prudent Person in the
industry, it being understood that Agent shall not have responsibility for
(i)
ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges,
maturities, tenders or other matters relating to any Collateral, whether or
not
Agent has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters; or (ii) taking any
necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any
Collateral.
9
(e) Voting
Rights in Respect of the Collateral.
(i) So
long
as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, to the extent
permitted by law, each Pledgor may exercise any and all voting and other
consensual rights pertaining to the Collateral or any part thereof for any
purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or any Document;
and
(ii) Upon
the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all rights of
each
Pledgor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which they would
otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (i) of this subsection
(e)
shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in Agent, as
agent
for the Creditor Parties, or the Agent’s designee, which shall then have the
sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights.
(f) Dividend
Rights in Respect of the Collateral.
(i) So
long
as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and subject to
Section 4(b) hereof, each Pledgor may receive and retain any and all dividends
and other distributions (other than dividends and other distributions
constituting Collateral which are addressed hereinabove) or interest paid in
respect of the Collateral to the extent they are allowed under the
Documents.
(ii) Upon
the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(A) all
rights of each Pledgor to receive the dividends, other distributions and
interest payments which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain
pursuant to paragraph (i) of this subsection shall cease and all such rights
shall thereupon be vested in Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor
Parties, or Agent’s designee, which shall then have the sole right to receive
and hold such dividends, other distributions and interest payments as
Collateral; and
(B) all
dividends and interest payments which are received by a Pledgor contrary to
the
provisions of paragraph (A) of this clause shall be received in trust for the
benefit of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties, or the
Agent’s designee, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such
Pledgor and shall be forthwith paid over to Agent or its designee as Collateral
in the exact form received, to be held by Agent or its designee as Collateral
and as further collateral security for the Secured Obligations.
(g) Release
of Collateral. Agent may release any of the Collateral from this
Agreement or may substitute any of the Collateral for other Collateral without
altering, varying or diminishing in any way the force, effect, lien, pledge
or
security interest of this Agreement as to any Collateral not expressly released
or substituted, and this Agreement shall continue as a lien on all Collateral
not expressly released or substituted.
10
11. Application
of Proceeds. Upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of
an Event of Default, any payments in respect of the Secured Obligations and
any
proceeds of any Collateral, when received by Agent in cash or its equivalent,
will be applied as follows: first, to all reasonable costs and
expenses of Agent and the Creditor Parties (including without limitation
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the
implementation and/or enforcement of this Agreement and/or any of the other
Documents; second, to the principal amount of the Secured Obligations;
third, to such of the Secured Obligations consisting of accrued
but
unpaid interest and fees; fourth, to all other amounts payable with
respect to the Secured Obligations; and fifth, to the payment of the
surplus, if any, to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such
surplus. The Pledgors shall remain liable to the Creditor Parties for
any deficiency.
12. Costs
of Counsel. If at any time hereafter, whether upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default or not, Agent employs counsel to prepare or consider
amendments, waivers or consents with respect to this Agreement, or to take
action or make a response in or with respect to any legal or arbitral proceeding
relating to this Agreement or relating to the Collateral, or to protect the
Collateral or exercise any rights or remedies under this Agreement or with
respect to the Collateral, then each Pledgor agrees to promptly pay upon demand
any and all such reasonable documented costs and expenses incurred by Agent,
all
of which costs and expenses shall constitute Secured Obligations
hereunder.
13. Continuing
Agreement.
(a) This
Agreement shall be a continuing agreement in every respect and shall remain
in
full force and effect until such time as all Secured Obligations have been
indefeasibly paid in full. Upon such payment and termination, this
Agreement shall be automatically terminated, the security interest in the
Collateral shall be deemed released, and Agent shall, promptly (i) at the
expense of the applicable Pledgor, forthwith release all of its liens and
security interests hereunder and shall execute and deliver all UCC termination
statements and/or other documents reasonably requested by such Pledgor
evidencing such termination and (ii) return, or cause to be returned, all
certificates representing the Equity Interests to the
Pledgors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all releases and indemnities
provided hereunder shall survive termination of this Agreement.
(b) This
Agreement shall continue to be effective or be automatically reinstated, as
the
case may be, if at any time payment, in whole or in part, of any of the Secured
Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Agent
as a
preference, fraudulent conveyance or otherwise under any bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar law, all as though such payment had not been made; provided
that in the event payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations is
rescinded or must be restored or returned, all reasonable costs and expenses
(including without limitation any reasonable legal fees and disbursements)
incurred by Agent in defending and enforcing such reinstatement shall be deemed
to be included as a part of the Secured Obligations.
11
14. Amendments;
Waivers; Modifications. This Agreement and the provisions hereof
may not be amended, waived, modified, changed, discharged or terminated except
in writing by all parties hereto.
15. Successors
in Interest. This Agreement shall create a continuing security
interest in the Collateral and shall be binding upon each Pledgor, its
successors and assigns and shall inure, together with the rights and remedies
of
Agent hereunder, to the benefit of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
Creditor Parties, and its successors and permitted assigns; provided,
however, that no Pledgor may assign its rights or delegate its duties
hereunder without the prior written consent of Agent. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, each Pledgor hereby releases Agent, the Creditor
Parties and their successors and permitted assigns, from any liability for
any
act or omission relating to this Agreement or the Collateral, except for any
liability arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Agent,
or
its officers, employees or agents.
16. Notices. All
notices from the Agent to any Pledgor shall be sufficiently given if mailed
or
delivered to the address of such Pledgor set forth below such Pledgor’s
signature block hereto.
17. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which where
so
executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute
one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making
proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such
counterpart.
18. Headings. The
headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for convenience
only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any
provision of this Agreement
19. Governing
Law; Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process; Waiver of Jury
Trial.
(a) THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN
SUCH
STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. THE
REFERENCES TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA LAW CONTAINED HEREIN ARE MADE
ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT CALIFORNIA LAW IS REQUIRED TO BE APPLIED DESPITE THE
EXPRESSED INTENTION OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND CREDITOR PARTIES THAT NEW YORK LAW
GOVERNS THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. EACH
PLEDGOR HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED
IN
THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
TO
HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN ANY PLEDGOR, ON THE ONE HAND,
AND AGENT AND CREDITOR PARTIES, ON THE OTHER HAND, PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT; PROVIDED,
THAT AGENT AND EACH PLEDGOR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS
MAY
HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE
OF
NEW YORK; AND FURTHERPROVIDED, THAT, TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO
EXERCISE ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES THE HOLDER HAS WITH RESPECT TO COLLATERAL
LOCATED IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION, THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED
OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE AGENT AND/OR ANY CREDITOR PARTY FROM BRINGING SUIT OR
TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER SUCH JURISDICTION, TO REALIZE ON THE
COLLATERAL OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF AGENT
AND/OR SUCH CREDITOR PARTY. EACH PLEDGOR EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND
CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN
ANY
SUCH COURT, AND EACH PLEDGOR HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE BASED
UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON
CONVENIENS. EACH PLEDGOR HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE
SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT AND
AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS MAY BE MADE
BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO EACH PLEDGOR AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH
BELOW SUCH PLEDGOR’S SIGNATURE BLOCK HERETO, AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE
DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF PLEDGOR’S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR THREE
(3) DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID.
12
(b) THE
PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE APPLYING SUCH
APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE
BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE
ALL
RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE
ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN AGENT,
ANY
CREDITOR PARTY, AND/OR ANY PLEDGOR ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED
OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH
THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO.
20. Severability. If
any provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal, invalid or
unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining
provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without
giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.
21. Entirety. This
Agreement and the other Documents represent the entire agreement of the parties
hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings,
oral
or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating
to the Documents or the transactions contemplated herein and
therein.
22. Survival. All
representations and warranties of each Pledgor hereunder shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Documents.
23. Other
Security.
(a) To
the
extent that any of the Secured Obligations are now or hereafter secured by
property other than the Collateral (including, without limitation, real and
other personal property owned by any Pledgor), or are guaranteed, endorsed
or
secured by property of any other Person, then Agent shall have the right to
proceed against such other property, guarantee or endorsement upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, and Agent has
the
right, in its sole discretion, to determine which rights, security, liens,
security interests or remedies Agent shall at any time pursue, relinquish,
subordinate, modify or take with respect thereto, without in any way modifying
or affecting any of them or any of Agent’s rights, for the ratable benefit of
the Creditor Parties, or the Secured Obligations under this Agreement or under
any other of the Documents.
(b) To
the full extent permitted by applicable
law, each
Pledgor hereby waives (i) presentment, demand and protest, and notice of
presentment, dishonor, intent to accelerate, acceleration, protest, default,
nonpayment, maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal
of
any or all of this Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the Related Agreements
or any other notes, commercial paper, accounts, contracts, documents,
instruments, chattel paper and guaranties at any time held by the Agent on
which
such Pledgor may in any way be liable, and hereby ratifies and confirms whatever
the Agent may do in this regard; (ii) all rights to notice and a hearing
prior to the Agent’s taking possession or control of, or to the Agent’s replevy,
attachment or levy upon, any Collateral or any bond or security that might
be
required by any court prior to allowing the Agent to exercise any of its
remedies; and (iii) the benefit of all valuation, appraisal and exemption
laws. Each Pledgor acknowledges that it has been advised by counsel
of its choices and decisions with respect to this Agreement, the Purchase
Agreement, the Related Agreements and the transactions evidenced hereby and
thereby.
13
(c) Each
Pledgor consents and agrees that, without notice to or by such Pledgor and
without affecting or impairing in any way the obligations or liability of such
Pledgor hereunder, the Agent may, from time to time, exercise any right or
remedy it may have with respect to any or all of the Secured Obligations or
any
property securing any or all of the Secured Obligations or any guaranty thereof,
including without limitation, judicial foreclosure, nonjudicial foreclosure,
exercise of a power of sale, and taking a deed, assignment or transfer in lieu
of foreclosure as to any such property, and each Pledgor expressly waives any
defense based upon the exercise of any such right or remedy, notwithstanding
the
effect thereof upon any of such Pledgor's rights, including without limitation,
any destruction of such Pledgor's right of subrogation against the Company
and
any destruction of such Pledgor's right of contribution or other right against
any other Pledgor or guarantor of any or all of the Secured Obligations or
against any other person, whether by operation of Sections 580a, 580d or 726
of
the California Code of Civil Procedure, or any comparable provisions of the
laws
of any other jurisdiction, or any other statutes or rules of law now or
hereafter in effect, or otherwise. Each Pledgor hereby waives and
relinquishes all rights and remedies accorded by applicable law to sureties,
pledgors or guarantors including, without limitation: (i) any right
to require the Agent to proceed against any of the other Pledgors or guarantors
or any other person or to proceed against or exhaust any security held by the
Agent at any time or to pursue any other remedy in the Agent’s power before
proceeding against such Pledgor; (ii) the defense of the statute of limitations
in any action hereunder or in any action for the collection or performance
of
any of the Secured Obligations; (iii) demand, presentment, protest and notice
of
any kind including, without limitation, notice of the existence, creation or
incurring of any new or additional indebtedness or obligation or of any action
or non-action on the part of any of the undersigned, the Agent or on the part
of
any other person under this or any other instrument in connection with any
obligation or evidence of indebtedness held by the Agent as collateral or in
connection with the Secured Obligations; (iv) any defense based upon any statute
or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety or pledgor must
be
neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of
the
principal; and (v) any duty on the part of the Agent to disclose to the Pledgor
any facts the Agent may now or hereafter know about the Company or any other
Pledgor or guarantor, regardless of whether the Agent has reason to believe
that
any such facts materially increase the risk beyond that which any of the
undersigned intends to assume, or has reason to believe that such facts are
unknown to any of the undersigned, or has a reasonable opportunity to
communicate such facts to any of the undersigned, because the undersigned
acknowledges that they are fully responsible for being and keeping informed
of
the financial condition of the Company and of all circumstances bearing on
the
risk of nonpayment of any obligations of them. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, each Pledgor hereby expressly waives any and all
benefits which might otherwise be available to such Pledgor under California
Civil Code Sections 2809, 2810, 2819, 2839, 2845 through 2847, 2849, 2850,
2855
and 3433, and California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 580a, 580b, 580d
and
726. Further, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
including, but not limited to, Section 2856 of the California Civil Code, each
Pledgor hereby waives all of the following: (1) any and all rights of
subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution and any other
rights and defenses that are or may become available to such Pledgor by reason
of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, of the California Civil Code; (2) any
and
all rights or defenses such Pledgor may have in respect of its obligations
as a
pledgor or surety by reason of any election of remedies by the Agent; and (3)
any and all rights and defenses that it may have because the Secured Obligations
are secured by real property. This means, among other
things: (a) the Agent may collect from and/or pursue its rights
against any of the undersigned without first foreclosing on any real or personal
property collateral pledged by Company, any Pledgor or any guarantor; and (b)
if
the Agent forecloses on any real property collateral pledged by Company, any
Pledgor or any guarantor: (i) the amount of the Secured Obligations
may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the
foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price;
and
(ii) the Agent may collect from and/or pursue its rights against any of the
undersigned even if the Agent, by foreclosing on such real property collateral,
has destroyed any right any of the undersigned may have to collect from the
Company, any Pledgor or any guarantor. This is an unconditional and
irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses the undersigned may have because
the Secured Obligations are secured by real property. These rights
and defenses include, but are not limited to, any rights or defenses based
upon
Section 580a, 580b, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil
Procedure.
[Remainder
of page intentionally left blank.]
14
Each
of
the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
a Nevada
corporation
|
|||
|
By:
|
||
Name | |||
Title | |||
Address: 0000 Xxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 000 | |||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | |||
Attn: Chief Financial Officer | |||
Facsimile No.: 909-444-9900 |
a Delaware
corporation
|
|||
|
By:
|
||
Name | |||
Title | |||
Address: 0000 Xxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 000 | |||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | |||
Attn: Chief Financial Officer | |||
Facsimile No.: 909-444-9900 |
LV
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICS, INC., as
Agent
|
|||
|
By:
|
||
Name | |||
Title |
15
SCHEDULE
1
to
Dated
as
of October __, 2007
In
favor
of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties
Stock
/ Membership Interests Owned by Pledgor
Owner
|
Issuer
|
Number
of
Shares/Interests
|
Certificate
Number
|
Percentage
Ownership
|
a
Nevada corporation
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
1,000
|
120
|
100%
|
|
||||
a
Delaware corporation
|
General
Environmental Management
of
Rancho Xxxxxxx, LLC
|
1
|
1
|
100%
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
GEM
Mobile Treatment Services, Inc.
|
1,000,000
|
1
|
100%
|
16
SCHEDULE
2
to
Dated
as
of October __, 2007
In
favor
of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Creditor Parties
[Irrevocable
Stock Power] [Membership Interest Power]
FOR
VALUE
RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to the
following [shares of stock/membership interest] of ___________________, a
____________:
No.
of [Shares] [Units]
|
Certificate
No.
|
|
and
irrevocably appoints __________________________________ its agent and
attorney-in-fact to transfer all or any part of such [stock/membership
interests] and to take all necessary and appropriate action to effect any such
transfer. The agent and attorney-in-fact may substitute and appoint
one or more persons to act for him. The effectiveness of a transfer
pursuant to this stock power shall be subject to any and all transfer
restrictions referenced on the face of the certificates evidencing such interest
or in the [certificate of incorporation/articles of organization] or
[bylaws/operating agreement] of the subject [corporation/limited liability
company], to the extent they may from time to time exist.
a ______________
|
|||
|
By:
|
||
Name | |||
Title | |||