FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONVERSION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 2.1
FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONVERSION AGREEMENT
This FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONVERSION AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), by and among CALUMET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“CLMT”), CALUMET, INC., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CLMT (“NewCo”), CALUMET MERGER SUB I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of NewCo (“Merger Sub I”), CALUMET MERGER SUB II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of NewCo (“Merger Sub II”), CALUMET GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of CLMT (the “General Partner”), and each Person set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (collectively, the “Sponsor Parties,” and together with CLMT, NewCo, Merger Sub I, Merger Sub II and the General Partner, the “Parties”), is dated and effective as of April 17, 2024, and amends that certain Conversion Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of February 9, 2024, by and among the Parties. Unless otherwise provided, capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Amendment to amend the Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, Section 8.9 of the Agreement provides that any amendment to the Agreement requires (i) written agreement of the Parties and (ii) approval by the Conflicts Committee;
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 8.9 of the Agreement, the Conflicts Committee has unanimously approved this Amendment; and
WHEREAS, upon the Conflicts Committee’s approval, the CLMT Board has unanimously approved this Amendment.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Amendments to the Agreement.
(a) | Exhibit C (NewCo Bylaws) to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the form of NewCo Bylaws attached hereto as Annex 1. |
(b) | Exhibit D (NewCo Charter) to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the form of NewCo Charter attached hereto as Annex 2. |
(c) | Exhibit F (Stockholders Agreement) to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the form of Stockholders Agreement attached hereto as Annex 3. |
2. No Other Amendments. Except as amended hereby, the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed in all respects in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.7 of the Agreement.
4. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed one agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic image scan shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart to this Amendment.
5. Miscellaneous. Sections 8.2 (Expenses), 8.3 (Notices), 8.4 (Successors and Assigns), 8.5 (No Third-Party Rights), 8.8 (Severability), 8.9 (Amendment or Modification; Waiver), and 8.10 (Specific Performance) of the Agreement are incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Amendment to Partnership Restructuring Agreement as of the date first written above.
CALUMET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS PARTNERS, L.P. | ||
By: | Calumet GP, LLC, its general partner | |
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
CALUMET GP, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
CALUMET, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Title: | President & Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
CALUMET MERGER SUB I LLC | ||
By: | Calumet, Inc., its sole member | |
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Title: | President & Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
CALUMET MERGER SUB II LLC | ||
By: | Calumet, Inc., its sole member | |
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxx | |
Title: | President & Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
THE HERITAGE GROUP | ||
By: | /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Name: |
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
|
/s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |
|
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xx. | |
|
XXXXXXX XXXXX XX. |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
IRREVOCABLE INTERVIVOS TRUST NUMBER 12.27.73 FOR THE BENEFIT OF XXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX, XX. AND HIS ISSUE U/A DATED DECEMBER 18, 2012 | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. | |
Name: | Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. | |
Title: | Trustee |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX TRUST NUMBER 000 00.00.00 FOR THE BENEFIT OF XXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX, XX. AND HIS ISSUE U/A DATED DECEMBER 18, 2012 | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. | |
Name: | Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. | |
Title: | Trustee |
[Signature page to Amendment to Conversion Agreement]
SCHEDULE A
Sponsor Parties
The Heritage Group
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xx.
Irrevocable Intervivos Trust Number 12.27.73 for the Benefit of Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. and His Issue U/A Dated December 18, 2012
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Trust Number 000 00.00.00 for the Benefit of Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. and His Issue U/A Dated December 18, 2012
Annex 1
Exhibit C
NewCo Bylaws
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
CALUMET, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE OFFICES
Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of Calumet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), shall be fixed from time to time in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
Section 1.2 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or offices, and keep the books and records of the Corporation, except as otherwise required by law, at such other place or places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Corporation may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) shall fix. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.2 Special Meeting.
Except as otherwise required by law, and except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock (each hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”), a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called at any time only by the Board of Directors and may not be called by any other person or persons. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2.3 Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings.
(a) Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting of stockholders shall specify the place, if any, date and time of the meeting of stockholders, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for determining the stockholders
entitled to notice of the meeting), and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting. The notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or these Bylaws. In the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called also shall be set forth in the notice. Business transacted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the matters set forth in the notice of such meeting.
(b) Except as otherwise required by law, notice may be given in writing directed to a stockholder’s mailing address as it appears on the records of the Corporation and shall be given: (i) if mailed, when notice is deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid; and (ii) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address.
(c) So long as the Corporation is subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proxy rules set forth in Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), notice shall be given in the manner required by such rules. To the extent permitted by such rules, notice may be given by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, and if so given, shall be given when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or such notice is prohibited by Section 232(e) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as the same exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, the “DGCL”). If notice is given by electronic mail, such notice shall comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 232(a) and 232(d) of the DGCL.
(d) Notice may be given by other forms of electronic transmission with the consent of a stockholder in the manner permitted by Section 232(b) of the DGCL and shall be deemed given as provided therein.
(e) An affidavit that notice has been given, executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) or any transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the notice in the absence of fraud. Notice shall be deemed to have been given to all stockholders who share an address if notice is given in accordance with the “householding” rules set forth in Rule 14a-3(e) under the Exchange Act and Section 233 of the DGCL.
(f) When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (including an adjournment taken to address a technical failure to convene or continue a meeting using remote communication), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, if any, date and time thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are: (i) announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; (ii) displayed, during the time scheduled for the meeting, on the same electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxyholders to participate in the meeting by means of remote communication; or (iii) set forth
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in the notice of meeting given in accordance with Section 2.3(a); provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 7.6(a), and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 2.4 Organization.
(a) Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, or in his or her absence, by the Chief Executive Officer (if separate) or another person designated by or in the manner provided by the Board of Directors. The Secretary, or in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, a person whom the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep a record of the proceedings thereof.
(b) The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders shall vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be announced at the meeting. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the authority to adopt and enforce such rules and regulations for the conduct of any meeting of stockholders and the safety of those in attendance as, in the judgment of the chairperson, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the conduct of the meeting. Rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or by the chairperson of the meeting, may include, without limitation, establishing: (i) an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies, qualified representatives (including rules around who qualifies as such) and such other persons as the chairperson of the meeting shall permit; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (v) limitations on the time allotted for consideration of each agenda item and for questions and comments by participants; (vi) regulations for the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot (if any); and (vii) procedures (if any) requiring attendees to provide the Corporation advance notice of their intent to attend the meeting. Subject to any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the meeting may convene and, for any or no reason, from time to time, adjourn and/or recess any meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 2.7. The chairperson of the meeting, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall declare that a nomination or other business was not properly brought before the meeting if the facts warrant (including if a determination is made that a nomination or other business was not made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 2.10 of these Bylaws), and if such chairperson should so declare, such nomination shall be disregarded or such other business shall not be transacted.
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Section 2.5 List of Stockholders. The Corporation shall prepare, no later than the 10th day before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting date. Such list shall be arranged in alphabetical order and shall show the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing in this Section 2.5 shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for 10 days ending on the day before the meeting date: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting; or (b) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. Except as otherwise required by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.5 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
Section 2.6 Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or these Bylaws, at any meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, however, that where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of such class or series or classes or series outstanding and entitled to vote on that matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to such matter. If a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of stockholders, then the chairperson of the meeting, or the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, shall have power to adjourn or recess the meeting from time to time in accordance with Section 2.7, until a quorum is present or represented. Subject to applicable law, if a quorum initially is present at any meeting of stockholders, the stockholders may continue to transact business until adjournment or recess, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum, but if a quorum is not present at least initially, no business other than adjournment or recess may be transacted.
Section 2.7 Adjourned or Recessed Meeting. Any annual or special meeting of stockholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned or recessed for any or no reason from time to time by the chairperson of the meeting, subject to any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 2.4(b). Any such meeting may be adjourned for any or no reason (and may be recessed if a quorum is not present or represented) from time to time by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. At any such adjourned or recessed meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
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Section 2.8 Voting; Proxies.
(a) Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), each holder of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such stock held of record by such holder that has voting power upon the subject matter in question.
(b) Unless a different or minimum vote is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), these Bylaws or any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the applicable vote on such matter, at each meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, all corporate actions to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter, and where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, if a quorum of such class or series or classes or series is present, such act shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.
(c) Every stockholder entitled to vote for directors, or on any other matter, shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more persons authorized to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) a revocation of the proxy or an executed new proxy bearing a later date.
Section 2.9 Submission of Information Regarding Director Nominees.
(a) As to each person whom a stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation pursuant to Section 2.10, the stockholder must deliver to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) at the principal executive offices of the Corporation the following information:
(i) a written representation and agreement, which shall be signed by the person proposed to be nominated and pursuant to which such person shall represent and agree that such person: (A) consents to being named as a nominee in a proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the meeting at which directors are to be elected and to serving as a director if elected, and currently intends to serve as a director for the full term for which such person is standing for election; (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity: (1) as to how the person, if elected as a director, will act or vote on any issue or question, except as disclosed in such representation and agreement; or (2) that could limit or interfere with the
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person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; (C) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director or nominee, except as disclosed in such representation and agreement; and (D) if elected as a director, will comply with all of the Corporation’s corporate governance policies and guidelines related to conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines, and any other policies and guidelines applicable to directors (which will be provided within five business days following a request therefor);
(ii) all fully completed and signed questionnaires in the same form(s) required of the Corporation’s nominees (the “Questionnaires”). The Questionnaires will be provided by the Corporation within five business days following a request therefor; and
(iii) a representation that each person whom a stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation pursuant to Section 2.10 will provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may reasonably request to determine whether such person can be considered an independent director.
(b) If a stockholder has submitted notice of an intent to nominate a candidate for election or re-election as a director pursuant to Section 2.10, all written and signed representations and agreements and all fully completed and signed Questionnaires described in Section 2.9(a) above shall be provided to the Corporation at the same time as such notice, and the additional information described in Section 2.9(a)(iii) above shall be provided to the Corporation promptly upon request by the Corporation, but in any event within five business days after such request (or by the day prior to the day of the annual meeting of stockholders, if earlier). All information provided pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be deemed part of the stockholder’s notice submitted pursuant to Section 2.10.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any information or communication submitted pursuant to this Section 2.9 is inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect (as determined by the Board of Directors (or any authorized committee thereof)) such information shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 2.9. Upon written request of the Secretary, the stockholder giving notice of an intent to nominate a candidate for election shall provide, within five business days after delivery of such request (or such longer period as may be specified in such request), (i) written verification, reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted and (ii) a written affirmation of any information submitted as of an earlier date. If such stockholder fails to provide such written verification or affirmation within such time period, the information as to which written verification or affirmation was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 2.9.
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Section 2.10 Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a) Annual Meeting.
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business other than nominations to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only: (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto); (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any authorized committee thereof); or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.10(a) is delivered to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board), who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.10(a). For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (C) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than a proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.9 or this Section 2.10, for as long as the THG Investor (as defined in Certificate of Incorporation) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, its Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) has nomination rights under the Certificate of Incorporation, the THG Investor (including, for the avoidance of doubt, its Permitted Transferees) shall not be subject to the notice procedures set forth in Section 2.9 or this Section 2.10 with respect to any THG Designee (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) nominated by the THG Investor at any annual or special meeting of stockholders pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 5.2(c) of the Certificate of Incorporation.
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of the foregoing paragraph, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) and, in the case of business other than nominations, such business must be a proper subject for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business (as defined in Section 2.10(c)(iii) below) on the 90th day nor earlier than 5:00 pm Eastern Time the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held or deemed to have been held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement (as defined in Section 2.10(c)(iii) below) of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall an adjournment or recess of an annual meeting, or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice of the meeting has already been given to stockholders or a public announcement of the meeting date has already been made, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. A stockholder’s notice given in accordance with this Section 2.10 must contain the names of only the nominees for whom such stockholder (or beneficial owner, if any) intends to solicit proxies. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of nominees a
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stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting on its own behalf (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the annual meeting on behalf of the beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.10(a), the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders shall be deemed to have been held on [June 15, 2024]. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:
(A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (1) a written statement, not to exceed 500 words, in support of such person; (2) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; and (3) the information required to be submitted regarding nominees pursuant to Section 2.9 above, including, within the time period specified in Section 2.9(b) above, all fully completed and signed Questionnaires described in Section 2.9(a)(ii) above;
(B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and if such stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, any related person (as defined below);
(C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed:
(1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner;
(2) the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record by the stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting; and
(3) a representation that the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) intends to appear at the meeting to make such nomination or propose such business; and
(D) as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed, as to such beneficial owner, and if such stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, as to each individual who is a director, executive officer, general partner or managing member of such entity or of any other entity that has or shares control of such entity (any such individual or entity, a “related person”):
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(1) the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned (as defined in Section 2.10(c)(iii)below) by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any related person as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any related person as of the record date for the meeting;
(2) a description (which description shall include, in addition to all other information described in this clause (2), information identifying all parties thereto) of (x) any plans or proposals which such stockholder, beneficial owner, if any, or related person may have with respect to securities of the Corporation that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 4 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D and (y) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or other business between or among such stockholder, beneficial owner, if any, or related person and any other person, including, without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (in the case of either clause (x) or (y), regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable) and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such plans or proposals with respect to securities of the Corporation or any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting;
(3) a description (which description shall include, in addition to all other information described in this clause (3), information identifying all parties thereto) of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, without limitation, any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of sale, or other derivative or similar agreement or short positions, profit interests, hedging or pledging transactions, voting rights, dividend rights, and/or borrowed or loaned shares), whether the instrument or agreement is to be settled with shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of outstanding shares of stock, that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, beneficial owner, if any, or related person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class or series of the Corporation’s stock or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of the stockholder, beneficial owner, if any, or related person with respect to securities of the Corporation, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting;
(4) a representation as to whether the stockholder, beneficial owner, if any, related person or any other participant (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) will engage in a solicitation with respect to such nomination or proposal and, if so, whether such solicitation will be conducted as an exempt solicitation under Rule 14a-2(b) of the Exchange Act, the name of each participant in such solicitation and (x) in the case of a proposal of business other than nominations, whether such person or group intends
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to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal, (y) in the case of any solicitation that is subject to Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act, confirming that such person or group will deliver, through means satisfying each of the conditions that would be applicable to the Corporation under either Exchange Act Rule 14a-16(a) or Exchange Act Rule 14a-16(n), a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least 67% of the voting power of the Corporation’s stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; and
(5) a representation that promptly after soliciting the holders of the Corporation’s stock referred to in the representation required under clause (a)(ii)(D)(4) of this Section 2.10, and in any event no later than the 10th day before such meeting of stockholders, such stockholder or beneficial owner will provide the Corporation with documents, which may take the form of a certified statement and documentation from a proxy solicitor, specifically demonstrating that the necessary steps have been taken to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of such percentage of the Corporation’s stock.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.10(a)(ii) above or Section 2.10(b) below to the contrary, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders is different from the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.10 shall set forth a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, or by the opening of business on the date of the meeting (whichever is earlier), of the information required under this Section 2.10(a), and such information when provided to the Corporation shall be current as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
(iv) This Section 2.10(a) shall not apply to a proposal proposed to be made by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present the proposal at an annual or special meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and such proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such meeting.
(v) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.10(a) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the Corporation at least 10 days prior to the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice in accordance with Section 2.10(a)(ii) above, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.10(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) Special Meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected
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pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any authorized committee thereof); or (ii) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that one or more directors are to be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.10(b) is delivered to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board), who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who delivers notice thereof in writing setting forth the information required by Section 2.10(a) above and provides the additional information required by Section 2.9 above. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the notice required by this Section 2.10(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting is first made by the Corporation. A stockholder’s notice given in accordance with this Section 2.10(b) must contain the names of only the nominees for whom such stockholder (or beneficial owner, if any) intends to solicit proxies. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the special meeting on its own behalf (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at the special meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such special meeting. In no event shall an adjournment, recess or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
(c) General.
(i) Except as otherwise required by law, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 shall be eligible to be elected at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such other business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, a stockholder (and any beneficial owner on whose behalf a nomination is made or other business is proposed, and if such stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, any related person) shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.10; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 2.10. The Chairperson of the Board, the chairperson of the meeting, or any other person designated by the Board shall determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 (including whether a stockholder or beneficial owner provided all information and complied with all representations required under Section 2.9 or this Section 2.10 or complied with the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under
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the Exchange Act). If any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with this Section 2.10, including due to a failure to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, then except as otherwise required by law, the chairperson of the meeting shall declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or such other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies and votes in respect of any such nomination or other business may have been received by the Corporation. In furtherance and not by way of limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10, unless otherwise required by law, or otherwise determined by the Chairperson of the Board, the chairperson of the meeting or any other person designated by the Board, (A) if the stockholder does not provide the information required under Section 2.9 or Section 2.10 to the Corporation within the time frames specified herein or (B) if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or other business, any such nomination shall be disregarded or such other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies and votes in respect of any such nomination or other business may have been received by the Corporation.
(ii) To be considered a qualified representative of a stockholder for purposes of these Bylaws, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder (or a reliable reproduction of the writing) delivered to the Corporation prior to the making of such nomination or proposal at such meeting (and in any event not fewer than five business days before the meeting) stating that such person is authorized to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders.
(iii) For purposes of this Section 2.10, the “close of business” shall mean 6:00 p.m. local time at the principal executive offices of the Corporation on any calendar day, whether or not the day is a business day, and a “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Xxxxx News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes of clause (a)(ii)(D)(1) of this Section 2.10, shares shall be treated as “beneficially owned” by a person if the person beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing): (A) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both); (B) the right to vote such shares, alone or in concert with others; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed to beneficially own such shares if the right to vote such shares arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; and/or (C) investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares. For the purposes of Section 2.10(a)(ii)(D), “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.
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(iv) Nothing in this Section 2.10 shall be deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act or (B) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation).
(v) Any stockholder directly or indirectly soliciting proxies from other stockholders must use a proxy card color other than white, which shall be reserved for the exclusive use for solicitation by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.11 No Action by Written Consent. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders duly called and may not be taken by consent of the stockholders in lieu of such a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one of more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable Preferred Stock Designation related to such series of Preferred Stock.
Section 2.12 Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation may, and shall if required by law, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. Inspectors may be employees of the Corporation. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairperson of the meeting may, and shall if required by law, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Inspectors need not be stockholders. No director or nominee for the office of director at an election shall be appointed as an inspector at such election.
Such inspectors shall:
(a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity of proxies and ballots;
(b) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors;
(c) count and tabulate all votes and ballots; and
(d) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots.
Section 2.13 Meetings by Remote Communications. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may
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instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the DGCL. If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication: (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that: (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
Section 2.14 Delivery to the Corporation. Whenever this Article II requires one or more persons (including a record or beneficial owner of stock) to deliver a document or information (other than a document authorizing another person to act for a stockholder by proxy at a meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 212 of the DGCL) to the Corporation or any officer, employee or agent thereof (including any notice, request, questionnaire, revocation, representation or other document or agreement), the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of such document or information unless the document or information is in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation expressly opts out of Section 116 of the DGCL with respect to the delivery of information and documents (other than a document authorizing another person to act for a stockholder by proxy at a meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 212 of the DGCL) to the Corporation required by this Article II.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 Powers. Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities these Bylaws expressly confer upon it, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 3.2 Number and Election. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the Board of Directors shall consist of such number of directors as shall be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized. At any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or these Bylaws, wherein other qualifications for directors may be prescribed.
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Section 3.3 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, and unless otherwise required by law, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled only in the manner provided in and to the extent permitted under the Certificate of Incorporation and that certain Stockholders Agreement dated [ ].
Section 3.4 Resignations and Removal.
(a) Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect upon delivery, unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or time or an effective date or time determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
(b) Directors of the Corporation may only be removed from office in the manner provided in and to the extent permitted in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.5 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, on such date or dates and at such time or times, as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.
Section 3.6 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if separate) or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place, within or without the State of Delaware, date and time of such meetings. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, notice of each such meeting shall be given to each director, if by mail, addressed to such director at his or her residence or usual place of business, at least five days before the day on which such meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to such director by electronic transmission, or be delivered personally or by telephone, in each case at least 24 hours prior to the time set for such meeting. A notice of special meeting need not state the purpose of such meeting, and, unless indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
Section 3.7 Remote Participation in Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
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Section 3.8 Quorum and Voting. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the of the total number of directors then authorized shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. The chairperson of the meeting or a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to another time and place whether or not a quorum is present. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, at any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section 3.9 Board of Directors Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, provided that all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained. Any person (whether or not then a director) may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action shall be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time. Any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.
Section 3.10 Chairperson of the Board. The Chairperson of the Board shall preside at meetings of stockholders in accordance with Section 2.4(a) above and at meetings of directors and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. If the Chairperson of the Board is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (if separate and serving as a director) or another director chosen by or in the manner provided by the Board of Directors shall preside.
Section 3.11 Rules and Regulations. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws for the conduct of its meetings and management of the affairs of the Corporation as the Board of Directors shall deem proper.
Section 3.12 Fees and Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, directors may receive such compensation, if any, for their services on the Board of Directors and its committees, and such reimbursement of expenses, as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 3.13 Emergency Bylaws. This Section 3.13 shall be operative during any emergency condition as contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL (an “Emergency”), notwithstanding any different or conflicting provisions in these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL. In the event of any Emergency, or other similar emergency condition, the director or directors in attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a standing committee thereof shall constitute a quorum. Such director or directors in attendance
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may further take action to appoint one or more of themselves or other directors to membership on any standing or temporary committees of the Board of Directors as they shall deem necessary and appropriate. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, during any Emergency, the Corporation and its directors and officers, may exercise any authority and take any action or measure contemplated by Section 110 of the DGCL.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 4.1 Committees of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation, subject to the limitations set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval; or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation. All committees of the Board of Directors shall keep minutes of their meetings and shall report their proceedings to the Board of Directors when requested or required by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.2 Meetings and Action of Committees. Unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise by resolution, any committee of the Board of Directors may adopt, alter and repeal such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws for the conduct of its meetings as such committee may deem proper. Subject to the limitations set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the directors then serving on a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the committee except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws and except as otherwise provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that in no case shall a quorum be less than one-third of the directors then serving on the committee. Unless the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or a resolution of the Board of Directors requires a greater number, the vote of a majority of the members of a committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 5.1 Officers. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the officers of the Corporation shall include a Chief Executive Officer and a Secretary, who shall be
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elected by the Board of Directors. The Corporation may have such other officers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer or another authorized officer may determine and appoint from time to time. Officers shall have such authority, functions or duties as set forth in these Bylaws or as determined by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer or another authorized officer. To the extent not so set forth or determined, each such officer shall have such authority, functions or duties as those that generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until such person’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such person’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person; provided, however, that no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers (other than stock certificates). The Board of Directors may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties. The Board of Directors may determine to leave any office vacant.
Section 5.2 Additional Positions and Titles. The Corporation may have assistants to officers, with such powers and duties as the Board of Directors, or the Chief Executive Officer or another authorized officer, may from time to time determine. Any officer or employee may be assigned any additional title, with such powers and duties, as the Board of Directors or an authorized officer may from time to time determine. Any persons appointed as assistant officers, and any persons upon whom such titles are conferred, shall not be deemed officers of the Corporation unless appointed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 5.1.
Section 5.3 Compensation. The salaries of the officers of the Corporation and the manner and time of the payment of such salaries shall be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors or by a duly authorized officer and may be altered by the Board of Directors from time to time as it deems appropriate, subject to the rights, if any, of such officers under any contract of employment.
Section 5.4 Removal, Resignation and Vacancies. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, any officer of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or by a duly authorized officer, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of such officer under any contract to which he or she is a party. Any officer may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation, without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which such officer is a party. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors or in accordance with Section 5.1 or Section 5.2, as applicable, by the Chief Executive Officer or another authorized officer or such office may be left vacant.
Section 5.5 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation, shall be responsible for corporate policy and strategy, and shall report directly to the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws or determined by the Board of Directors, all other officers of the Corporation shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or as otherwise determined by the Chief Executive Officer.
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Section 5.6 Secretary. The powers and duties of the Secretary shall include acting as Secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors, of the committees of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders, and performing all other duties incident to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or another authorized officer may from time to time determine. In the absence or disability of Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (if any) or another person appointed by the Board shall fill the role of Secretary.
Section 5.7 Checks; Drafts; Evidences of Indebtedness. From time to time, the Board of Directors shall determine the method, and designate (or authorize officers of the Corporation to designate) the person or persons who shall have authority, to sign or endorse all checks, drafts, other orders for payment of money and notes, bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness that are issued in the name of or payable by the Corporation, and only the persons so authorized shall sign or endorse such instruments.
Section 5.8 Corporate Contracts and Instruments; How Executed. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may determine the method, and designate (or authorize officers of the Corporation to designate) the person or persons who shall have authority to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, or within the power incident to a person’s office or other position with the Corporation, no person shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 5.9 Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations or Entities. The Chief Executive Officer, or any other person or persons the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer has delegated such authority, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or other equity interests of any other corporation or entity or corporations or entities, standing in the name of the Corporation. The authority herein granted may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by the person having such authority.
Section 5.10 Delegation. The Board of Directors or an authorized officer may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article V.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
Section 6.1 Right to Indemnification.
(a) Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, judicial, administrative or legislative hearing, or any other
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threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise, including any and all appeals, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or while a director or an officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), or by reason of anything done or not done by him or her in any such capacity, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes, penalties and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of the indemnitee) actually and reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection therewith, all on the terms and conditions set forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law or provided in Section 6.4 with respect to suits to enforce rights under this Article VI, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding, or part thereof, voluntarily initiated by such indemnitee (including claims and counterclaims, whether such counterclaims are asserted by such indemnitee or the Corporation in a proceeding initiated by such indemnitee) only if such proceeding, or part thereof, was authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or the Board of Directors otherwise determines that indemnification or advancement of expenses is appropriate.
(b) To receive indemnification under this Article VI, an indemnitee shall submit a written request to the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) of the Corporation. Such request shall include documentation or information that is necessary to determine the entitlement of the indemnitee to indemnification and that is reasonably available to the indemnitee. Upon receipt by the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) of the Corporation of such a written request, unless indemnification is required by Section 6.3, the entitlement of the indemnitee to indemnification shall be determined by the following person or persons who shall be empowered to make such determination, as selected by the Board of Directors (except with respect to clause (v) of this Section 6.1(b)): (i) the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such proceeding, whether or not such majority constitutes a quorum; (ii) a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, whether or not such majority constitutes a quorum; (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the indemnitee; (iv) the stockholders of the Corporation; or (v) in the event that a change of control (as defined below) has occurred, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the indemnitee. The determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made and, unless a contrary determination is made, such indemnification shall be paid in full by the Corporation not later than 60 days after receipt by the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) of the Corporation of a written request for indemnification. For purposes of this Section 6.1(b), a “change of control” will be deemed to have occurred if, with respect to any particular 24-month period, the individuals who, at the beginning of such 24-month period, constituted the Board of Directors (the “incumbent board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the beginning of such 24-month period whose election, or nomination for election by the stockholders of the Corporation, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
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the directors then comprising the incumbent board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the incumbent board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board of Directors.
(c) Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article VI shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary and any officer of the Corporation (1) appointed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 5.1 or (2) designated by the Board of Directors as such for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and any reference to an officer of any other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such other enterprise pursuant to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such other enterprise. The fact that any person who is or was an employee of the Corporation or an employee of any other enterprise has been given or has used the title of “Vice President” or any other title that could be construed to suggest or imply that such person is or may be an officer of the Corporation or of such other enterprise shall not, by itself, result in such person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, an officer of the Corporation or of such other enterprise for purposes of this Article VI.
Section 6.2 Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 6.1, an indemnitee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that an advancement of expenses shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision of a court of competent jurisdiction from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article VI or otherwise.
Section 6.3 Indemnification for Successful Defense. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to the extent that an indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding (or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein), such indemnitee shall be indemnified under this Section 6.3 against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such defense. Indemnification under this Section 6.3 shall not be subject to satisfaction of a standard of conduct, and the Corporation may not assert the failure to satisfy a standard of conduct as a basis to deny indemnification or recover amounts advanced, including in a suit brought pursuant to Section 6.4 (notwithstanding anything to the contrary therein).
Section 6.4 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a request for indemnification under Section 6.1 or Section 6.3 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days, or if a request for an advancement of expenses under Section 6.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 20 days, after a written request has been received by the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board), the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware seeking an adjudication of entitlement to
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such indemnification or advancement of expenses. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for indemnification set forth in Section 145(a) or Section 145(b) of the DGCL. Further, in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for indemnification set forth in Section 145(a) or Section 145(b) of the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met such applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under applicable law, this Article VI or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Section 6.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, provisions of a certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or otherwise.
Section 6.6 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 6.7 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation; Services at Subsidiaries. The Corporation may, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, and to the extent authorized from time to time, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation. Any person serving as a director or officer of a subsidiary of the Corporation shall be entitled to the rights to indemnification conferred in this Article VI, and to the advancement of expenses, as defined in Section 6.2, with respect to his or her service at such subsidiary; provided, however, that the advancement of expenses to any person who is not an indemnitee as defined in Section 6.1(a) shall be at the discretion of the Corporation. Any director or officer of a subsidiary is deemed to be serving such subsidiary at the request of the Corporation, and the Corporation is deemed to be requesting
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such service. This Article VI shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, supersede any conflicting provisions contained in the corporate governance documents of any other subsidiary of the Corporation. In addition, the Corporation may, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, and to the extent authorized from time to time, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to individuals with respect to their service as an employee or agent of subsidiaries of the Corporation.
Section 6.8 Nature of Rights. The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article VI shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VI that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.
Section 6.9 Settlement of Claims. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI to the contrary, the Corporation shall not be liable to indemnify any indemnitee under this Article VI for any amounts paid in settlement of any proceeding effected without the Corporation’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Section 6.10 Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Article VI, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee (excluding insurance obtained on the indemnitee’s own behalf), and the indemnitee shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 6.11 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not by themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, all portions of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent of the parties that the Corporation provide protection to the indemnitee to the fullest extent set forth in this Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 7.1 Certificates of Stock. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated. Any certificates shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and shall be numbered and entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued.
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Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation, which shall include, without limitation, the Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation. Any or all such signatures may be facsimiles or otherwise electronic signatures. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile or otherwise electronic signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 7.2 Special Designation on Certificates. If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 7.2 or Section 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 7.2 and Section 151 of the DGCL a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
Section 7.3 Transfers of Stock. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon authorization by the registered holder thereof or by such holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board) or a transfer agent for such stock, and if such shares are represented by a certificate, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power and the payment of any taxes thereon; provided, however, that the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize and enforce any lawful restriction on transfer. Transfers may also be made in any manner authorized by the Corporation (or its authorized transfer agent) and permitted by Section 224 of the DGCL.
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Section 7.4 Lost Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new share certificate or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or the owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond (or other adequate security) sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it (including any expense or liability) on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares. The Board of Directors may adopt such other provisions and restrictions with reference to lost certificates, not inconsistent with applicable law, as it shall in its discretion deem appropriate.
Section 7.5 Registered Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise required by law.
Section 7.6 Record Date for Determining Stockholders.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business (as defined in Section 2.10(c)(iii) above) on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjourned meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
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Section 7.7 Regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board of Directors may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation.
Section 7.8 Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business 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 stockholders, the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL MATTERS
Section 8.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January of each year and end on the last day of December of the same year, or shall extend for such other 12 consecutive months as the Board of Directors may designate.
Section 8.2 Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary (or other officer designated by the Board). If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer, if any.
Section 8.3 Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 8.4 Subject to Law and Certificate of Incorporation. All powers, duties and responsibilities provided for in these Bylaws, whether or not explicitly so qualified, are qualified by the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and applicable law.
Section 8.5 Electronic Signatures, etc. Except as otherwise required by the Certificate of Incorporation (including as otherwise required by any Preferred Stock Designation) or these Bylaws (including, without limitation, as otherwise required by Section 2.14), any document, including, without limitation, any consent, agreement, certificate or instrument, required by the
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DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or these Bylaws to be executed by any officer, director, stockholder, employee or agent of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. All other contracts, agreements, certificates or instruments to be executed on behalf of the Corporation may be executed using a facsimile or other form of electronic signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The terms “electronic mail,” “electronic mail address,” “electronic signature” and “electronic transmission” as used herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the DGCL.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Section 9.1 Amendments. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, but subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation (including the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation that require an additional vote) or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of at least 662⁄3% of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, any provision of these Bylaws; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.
The foregoing Amended and Restated Bylaws were adopted by the Board of Directors on [●].
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Annex 2
Exhibit D
NewCo Charter
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
CALUMET, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Calumet, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:
1. | The name of the Corporation is Calumet, Inc. |
2. | The original certificate of incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 8, 2024, under the name “Calumet, Inc.”. |
3. | This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate of Incorporation”) restates and amends the original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation. This Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). |
4. | The text of the original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows: |
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the Corporation is Calumet, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II
AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
ARTICLE IV
STOCK
Section 4.1 Authorized Stock. The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is [●], which shall be divided into two classes as follows: [●] shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and [●] shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 4.2 Common Stock.
(a) Voting. Each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation, including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock (each hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”), that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation).
(b) Dividends. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive any dividends to the extent permitted by applicable law when, as and if declared by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”).
(c) Liquidation. Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.
Section 4.3 Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Subject to limitations prescribed by applicable law and the provisions of this Article IV (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the Board of Directors is hereby authorized to provide by resolution and by causing the filing of a Preferred Stock Designation for the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, of the shares of each such series.
Section 4.4 No Class Vote on Changes in Authorized Number of Shares of Stock. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.
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Section 4.5 Reservation of Shares of Common Stock for Warrants. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock the number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable in connection with the exercise of any and all outstanding warrants issued by the Corporation.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Number. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and subject to Section 5.3(c), the Board of Directors shall solely consist of such number of directors as shall be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized.
Section 5.2 Classification; Designation; Nomination; Vacancies.
(a) Except as may be otherwise provided with respect to directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV (including any Preferred Stock Designation (the “Preferred Stock Directors”)), the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I directors shall initially serve until the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Section 5.2; Class II directors shall initially serve until the Corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Section 5.2; and Class III directors shall initially serve until the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Section 5.2. Upon the expiration of the initial term of each class of directors set forth in the preceding sentence of this Section 5.2(a), respectively, directors of such class shall be elected to hold office for a three-year term and until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation, removal (in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation), retirement or disqualification. In the case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of directors (other than Preferred Stock Directors), the number of directors in each class shall be fixed solely by the Board of Directors (as determined solely by the Board of Directors); provided, further, that the Board of Directors shall not change the class designation of the THG Designees (as defined below) without the prior written approval of the THG Stockholders (as defined below). Subject to the immediately preceding sentence and Section 5.2(c), the Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to fix the number of directors in each class and is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II or Class III.
(b) Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and subject to Section 5.2(c) and Section 5.2(e), unless otherwise required by applicable law, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal (in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation) or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by the sole remaining director. Any director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been
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xxxx elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier death, resignation, removal (in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation), retirement or disqualification. No decrease in the authorized number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) In connection with the election of directors at each annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which directors are to be elected, the THG Stockholders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate for nomination by the Corporation to the Board of Directors a number of designees equal to (in no case less than zero): (i) two directors so long as the THG Stockholders and their respective Affiliates collectively beneficially own 16.7% or more of the outstanding shares of Equity Securities (within the meaning of clause (i) of the definition of Equity Securities); and (ii) one director in the event that the THG Stockholders and their respective Affiliates collectively beneficially own less than 16.7% but more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Equity Securities (within the meaning of clause (i) of the definition Equity Securities), in each case of clause (i) and (ii), the directors to be nominated at such meeting shall be reduced by the number of THG Designees serving on the Board of Directors at such time who are not members of the class subject to election at such meeting of stockholders of the Corporation; provided, that the THG Stockholders shall permanently, and despite any later increase in their beneficial ownership, no longer be entitled to designate a director nominee at such time as the THG Stockholders and their respective Affiliates collectively beneficially own Common Stock representing less than 5% of the outstanding shares of Equity Securities (within the meaning of clause (i) of the definition of Equity Securities).
(d) With respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation at which directors are to be elected, to the extent that the THG Stockholders have the right to designate a THG Designee pursuant to Section 5.2(c) at such annual or special meeting and subject to the laws of the State of Delaware (including with respect to fiduciary duties under Delaware law), each THG Designee (i) will be nominated and recommended by the Board of Directors to be elected as a director at such annual or special meeting of stockholders and included in the Corporation’s slate of nominees to be elected or appointed to the Board of Directors at such annual or special meeting of stockholders, (ii) will be recommended by the Board of Directors to the stockholders of the Corporation for a vote in favor of any such THG Designee, (iii) will be included in any proxy or consent solicitation statement of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in favor of any nominees for election or appointment to the Board of Directors and (iv) without limiting the foregoing, will receive the Corporation’s best efforts to cause such nominees who are THG Designees to be elected to the Board of Directors, including the Corporation providing at least as high a level of support for the election of such nominees as it provides to any other individual standing for election as a director.
(e) For so long as the THG Stockholders have the right to designate a THG Designee pursuant to Section 5.2(c), in the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, resignation, removal (in accordance with this Certificate of Incorporation), retirement or disqualification of any member of the Board of Directors designated by the THG Stockholders pursuant to Section 5.2(c), the vacancy so created shall be filled solely with a designee of the THG Stockholders (subject to the laws of the State of Delaware (including with respect to fiduciary duties under Delaware law)), and may not be filled with any other Person.
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(f) In the event that the THG Stockholders shall cease to have the right to designate one or more director(s) pursuant to Section 5.2(c), the THG Designee(s) selected by the THG Stockholders shall continue to serve until his or her term expires at the next applicable annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or until his earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification. In the event such THG Designee resigns, is removed or is not renominated for election (due to THG Stockholder ceasing to have the right to designate such THG Designee) in accordance with this Section 5.2(f), the directors remaining in office shall be entitled to decrease the size of the Board of Directors to eliminate such vacancy and no consent under Section 5.3(c)(ii) shall be required in connection with such decrease.
(g) Any director, or the entire Board of Directors (other than any Preferred Stock Director), may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least 662⁄3% of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any class or series are entitled to elect one or more directors by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), with respect to the removal without cause of a director or directors so elected, the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class or series, and not the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole, shall apply.
(h) During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect additional directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be increased by such number of directors that the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have a right to elect, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to said provisions; and (ii) each Preferred Stock Director shall serve until such Preferred Stock Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV (including any Preferred Stock Designation), whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors cease to have or are otherwise divested of such right pursuant to said provisions, the terms of office of all such Preferred Stock Directors elected by the holders of such Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, removal, retirement or disqualification of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such Preferred Stock Director shall cease to be qualified as a director and shall cease to be a director) and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be automatically reduced accordingly.
Section 5.3 Powers.
(a) Except as otherwise required by the DGCL or as provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation, Section 5.2 and this Section 5.3) the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.
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(b) Except as required by applicable law, for so long as the THG Stockholders and their respective Affiliates collectively beneficially own 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Equity Securities (within the meaning of clause (i) of the definition Equity Securities), the attendance of at least one THG Designee shall be required to constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors (or any committee of the Board of Directors on which a THG Designee serves) for the transaction of business with respect to such action or decision unless each THG Designee provides notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the remaining members of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Secretary of the Corporation waiving his or her right to be included in the quorum at such meeting; provided, however, that this Section 5.3(b) shall not apply to any Board of Directors meeting or committee meeting necessary to address any catastrophe or other similar emergency condition for the Corporation or in the case of any other emergency (as defined in Section 110 of the DGCL). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there is less than a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors (or any committee thereof on which any of the THG Designees serves), a majority of the directors of the Corporation present may adjourn the meeting to a time no earlier than five business days after written notice of such adjournment has been given to each director of the Corporation not then in attendance. If a THG Designee is not present at the next meeting following an adjournment, then the presence of a number of directors of the Corporation exceeding 50% of the entire Board of Directors (or exceeding 50% of the entire committee, as applicable) entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the next meeting.
(c) Until the earlier of (i) the THG Stockholders and their respective Affiliates first ceasing to collectively beneficially own at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Equity Securities (within the meaning of clause (i) of the definition Equities Securities), (ii) [●], 20271 and (iii) the termination of the Stockholders’ Agreement (as defined below), the following actions by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries shall require the approval of the THG Stockholders, in addition to any approval by the stockholders of the Corporation or by the Board of Directors (or by the required governing body of any subsidiary of the Corporation as required by such subsidiary’s organizational documents) required by applicable law, this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended and/or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and Section 10.2, the “Bylaws”):
(i) any amendment, modification or restatement of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or the organizational documents of any subsidiary of the Corporation that is a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act (as defined below);
(ii) any increase or decrease in the size of the Board of Directors;
(iii) terminating the employment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or hiring a new Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or removing the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or appointing a new Chairperson of the Board of Directors; and
1 | To be the third anniversary of the Closing Date. |
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(iv) initiating a voluntary liquidation, dissolution, receivership, bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding involving the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation that is a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.
(d) For so long as the THG Stockholders have the right to designate a THG Designee pursuant to Section 5.2(c) and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including with respect to fiduciary duties under Delaware law), each committee of the Board of Directors shall include at least one THG Designee; provided that the ability of any THG Designee to serve on a committee shall be subject to the Corporation’s obligation to comply with any applicable independence requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (or such other securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which shares of Common Stock are then listed or quoted), the Securities and Exchange Commission and state law (including with respect to fiduciary duties under Delaware law) as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.4 Election; Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(a) Written Ballot Not Required. The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
(b) Notice. Advance notice of nominations for the election of directors, and of business other than nominations, to be proposed by stockholders for consideration at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in or contemplated by the Bylaws.
(c) Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
STOCKHOLDER ACTION
Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and subject to the Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders duly called and may not be taken by consent of the stockholders in lieu of such a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable Preferred Stock Designation related to such series of Preferred Stock.
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ARTICLE VII
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Except as otherwise required by applicable law, and except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV (including any Preferred Stock Designation), a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called at any time only by the Board of Directors, and may not be called by any other Person or Persons. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS WITH INTERESTED STOCKHOLDERS
Section 8.1 Opt Out. The Corporation hereby expressly elects that it shall not be governed by, or otherwise subject to, Section 203 of the DGCL.
Section 8.2 Applicable Restrictions to Business Combinations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.1, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which any class of Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
(a) prior to such time such stockholder became an interested stockholder, the Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
(b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
(c) at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 662⁄3% of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Section 8.3 Certain Definitions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 14.1 and solely for purposes of this Article VIII:
(a) “affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.
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(b) “associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial ownership or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.
(c) “business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:
(i) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (A) with the interested stockholder, or (B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation this Article VIII is not applicable to the surviving entity;
(ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;
(iii) any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata, to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (E) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (C) through (E) of this subsection (iii) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);
(iv) any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or
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(v) any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (i) through (iv) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.
(d) “control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this Article VIII, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect as of the date of this Certificate of Incorporation) have control of such entity.
(e) “interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that either (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder; and the affiliates and associates of such person; provided, however, that the term “interested stockholder” shall not include (A) any Principal Holder or Principal Holder Direct Transferee, (B) a stockholder that becomes an interested stockholder inadvertently and (x) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that such stockholder ceases to be an interested stockholder and (y) would not, at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to a business combination between the Corporation and such stockholder, have been an interested stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership or (C) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided, however, that such person specified in this clause (C) shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Article VIII, the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether a stockholder became an interested stockholder inadvertently.
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(f) “owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its affiliates or associates:
(i) beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder;
(ii) has (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or
(iii) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in clause (B) of subsection (ii) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.
(g) “Principal Holder Direct Transferee” means any person that acquires (other than in a registered public offering), directly from one or more of the Principal Holders, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then-outstanding voting stock of the Corporation.
(h) “Principal Holders” means (A) the THG Investor and its current and future affiliates (so long as any such respective affiliate remains an affiliate), (B) its and their related trusts, trustees and family members, (C) its and their respective successors and assigns and (D) any “group” of which any such person referred to in the foregoing clauses (A) through (C) is part under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the term “Principal Holders” shall not include the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s direct or indirect subsidiaries.
(i) “stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.
(j) “voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference in this Article VIII to a percentage or proportion of voting stock shall refer to such percentage or other proportion of the votes of such voting stock.
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ARTICLE IX
EXISTENCE
The Corporation shall have perpetual existence.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT
Section 10.1 Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, Section 5.3(c) and any provision of a Preferred Stock Designation that provides for a greater or lesser vote), the Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all powers, preferences and rights of any nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including, Section 5.3(c) and any provision of a Preferred Stock Designation that provides for a greater or lesser vote) and in addition to any other vote required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of at least 662⁄3% of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article X, Article XI, Article XII, Article XIII and Section 14.1 of this Certificate of Incorporation. For the avoidance of doubt, but subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding Preferred Stock and subject to Section 5.3(c), Section 242(d) of the DGCL shall apply to amendments to this Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 10.2 Amendment of Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, but subject Section 5.3(c), the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including Section 5.3(c) and the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation that require an additional vote), the affirmative vote of at least 662⁄3% of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, any provision of the Bylaws; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board of Directors that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.
ARTICLE XI
COMPETITION AND CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES
Section 11.1 General. In recognition and anticipation that (a) certain directors, principals, members, officers, associated funds, employees and/or other representatives of the
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THG Investor and its Affiliates may serve as directors, officers or agents of the Corporation, (b) the THG Investor and its Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (c) members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Corporation (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article XI are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve the THG Investor or its Affiliates, the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.
Section 11.2 Renunciation of Certain Corporate Opportunities; No Duty to Refrain. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for (a) the THG Investor or any of its Affiliates or (b) any Non-Employee Director or his or her Affiliates (such Persons (as defined below) identified in (a) and (b) above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of the Identified Persons shall have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (i) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (ii) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. In the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, or offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything in this Section 11.2 to the contrary, the Corporation does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director if such opportunity is expressly offered in writing to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation, and the provisions of Section 11.1 shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.
Section 11.3 Opportunities Not Deemed Corporate Opportunities. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article XI, a corporate opportunity shall not be
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deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (a) the Corporation is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted, to undertake, (b) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation or (c) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy.
Section 11.4 Notice and Consent. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article XI.
ARTICLE XII
LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 12.1 No Personal Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, as applicable. All references in this Article XII to a director shall also be deemed to refer to such other person or persons, if any, who, pursuant to a provision set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation in accordance with Section 141(a) of the DGCL, exercise or perform any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon the Board of Directors by the DGCL.
Section 12.2 Amendment or Repeal. Any amendment, repeal or elimination of this Article XII, or the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article XII, shall not affect its application with respect to an act or omission by a director or officer occurring before such amendment, adoption, repeal or elimination.
ARTICLE XIII
FORUM FOR ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES; ENFORCEABILITY
Section 13.1 Forum. Unless the Corporation, in writing, selects or consents to the selection of an alternative forum: (a) the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting any internal corporate claims (as defined below), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have, or declines to accept, jurisdiction, another state court or a federal court located within the State of Delaware); and (b) the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall be the federal district courts of the United States of America. For purposes of this Article XIII, “internal corporate claims” means claims, including claims in the right of the Corporation that are based upon a violation of a duty by a current or former director, officer, employee or stockholder in such capacity, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction upon the Court of Chancery. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XIII.
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Section 13.2 Enforceability. If any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including each portion of any sentence of this Article XIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
ARTICLE XIV
ADDITIONAL DEFINED TERMS
Section 14.1 Except as otherwise set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation, the following terms used in this Certificate of Incorporation shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” shall mean, (i) with respect to any Person (other than the THG Investor or Non-Employee Director), an “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 of the regulations promulgated under the Securities Act; (ii) in respect of a Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (iii) with respect to the THG Investor, an “affiliate” as defined in Rule 405 of the regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, and its and their respective related trusts (including charitable trusts), trustees, family members, successors, and assigns and any investment fund, vehicle or holding company of which the THG Investor or an Affiliate of the THG Investor serves as the general partner, managing member or discretionary manager or advisor. For the avoidance of doubt, each of the following Persons shall constitute an Affiliate of the THG Investor for purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation: Calumet, Incorporated; Irrevocable Intervivos Trust Number 12.27.73 for the Benefit of Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. and His Issue U/A Dated December 18, 2012: 989,902; Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx Trust Number 000 00.00.00 for the Benefit of Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xx. and His Issue U/A Dated December 18, 2012: 989,902; The Heritage Group Investment Company, LLC; Xxxxx X Xxxxxxxxxx Revocable Trust, Xxxx X Xxxxxxxxxx Revocable Trust U/A 01/28/20; Xxxxxxx X Xxxxxxxxxx Revocable Trust U/A 01/28/20, and Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxx Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Joint Account; and Kobe Foundation Inc.
“beneficial owner” means, with respect to any security, any Person who directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The terms “beneficially own” and “beneficial ownership” shall have correlative meanings.
“control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or otherwise.
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“Equity Securities” shall mean any and all shares of (i) Common Stock and any securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or other similar reorganization, (ii) Preferred Stock, and (iii) any equity securities (including Preferred Stock) convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, any of the foregoing shares, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire any of the foregoing shares or other securities.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
“Permitted Transferee” shall mean any Person that is an Affiliate of the THG Investor to whom the THG Investor or another Affiliate of the THG Investor Transfers Equity Securities of the Corporation in accordance with the terms hereof; provided, however, that such transferee shall agree in a writing to be bound by and to comply with all applicable provisions of the Stockholders’ Agreement.
“Person” or “person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, joint stock company, business trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity of any nature whatsoever.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
“Stockholders’ Agreement” shall mean the Stockholders’ Agreement, dated [●], by and among the Corporation and the THG Investor (as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time).
“THG Designee” shall mean any director designated by the THG Stockholders pursuant to Section 5.2(c).
“THG Investor” shall mean The Heritage Group.
“THG Stockholder” or “THG Stockholders” shall mean the THG Investor and its Permitted Transferees; provided that any reference to this Certificate of Incorporation to any action to be taken or consented to by the THG Stockholders under this Agreement (including any amendments or waivers of this Certificate of Incorporation under Article X) shall require only the approval of THG Stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding Common Stock held by the THG Stockholders in the aggregate.
“Transfer” shall mean, directly or indirectly, to sell, transfer, assign, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or to enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar disposition of, any shares of Equity Securities beneficially owned by a Person or any interest in any shares of Equity Securities beneficially owned by a Person.
Section 14.2 Construction. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in this Certificate of Incorporation includes the masculine, feminine and neuter forms and the
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singular form of words shall include the plural and vice versa. All references to Articles, Sections and subsections refer to articles, sections and subsections of this Certificate of Incorporation. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Certificate of Incorporation, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation on this [●] day of [●], [●].
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Annex 3
Exhibit F
Stockholders Agreement
STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
of
CALUMET, INC.
Dated as of [●]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||||
SECTION 1.1. |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
SECTION 1.2. |
Construction | 3 | ||||
ARTICLE II CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
3 | |||||
SECTION 2.1. |
Board of Directors | 3 | ||||
SECTION 2.2. |
Permitted Disclosure | 4 | ||||
ARTICLE III MISCELLANEOUS |
4 | |||||
SECTION 3.1. |
Action of the Stockholders | 4 | ||||
SECTION 3.2. |
Termination | 4 | ||||
SECTION 3.3. |
Amendments and Waivers | 4 | ||||
SECTION 3.4. |
Successors, Assigns and Transferees | 5 | ||||
SECTION 3.5. |
Rights of Third Parties | 5 | ||||
SECTION 3.6. |
Notices | 5 | ||||
SECTION 3.7. |
Further Assurances | 6 | ||||
SECTION 3.8. |
Entire Agreement | 6 | ||||
SECTION 3.9. |
Restrictions on Other Agreements; Bylaws | 6 | ||||
SECTION 3.10. |
Delays or Omissions | 6 | ||||
SECTION 3.11. |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial | 6 | ||||
SECTION 3.12. |
Severability | 7 | ||||
SECTION 3.13. |
Enforcement | 7 | ||||
SECTION 3.14. |
Titles and Subtitles | 7 | ||||
SECTION 3.15. |
No Recourse | 7 | ||||
SECTION 3.16. |
Counterparts; Electronic Signatures | 7 | ||||
SECTION 3.17. |
Effectiveness | 7 | ||||
Exhibits |
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Exhibit A — Assignment and Assumption Agreement |
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STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
THIS STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Agreement”) is entered into as of [●], by and among Calumet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and The Heritage Group (the “THG Investor”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company entered into that certain Conversion Agreement, dated February 9, 2024 (the “Conversion Agreement”), by and among Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“CLMT”), the Company, Calumet Merger Sub I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub I”), Calumet Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub II”), Calumet GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of CLMT (the “General Partner”), and the other parties to the Conversion Agreement;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Conversion Agreement, (i) Merger Sub II shall merge with and into CLMT, with CLMT continuing as the surviving entity and as a subsidiary of the General Partner and the Company (the “CLMT Merger”), and (ii) immediately after the CLMT Merger, Merger Sub I shall merge with and into the General Partner, with the General Partner continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (together with the CLMT Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Conversion Agreement, the “Conversion”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the Conversion, (i) each CLMT Common Unit (as defined in the Conversion Agreement) issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the CLMT Merger will be exchanged into the right to receive one share of Common Stock (as defined below) and (ii) each member of the General Partner will exchange its equity interests in the General Partner for Common Stock and warrants to purchase Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, in connection with, and effective upon, the date of completion of the Conversion (the “Closing Date”), the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to govern certain of the THG Investor’s rights, duties and obligations with respect to its ownership of Common Stock after consummation of the Conversion.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Article XIV of the Charter (but without reference to clause (ii) of the definition set forth therein).
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Applicable Law” means any applicable statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, judgment, rule of law (including common law), decree, permit, requirement, or other governmental restriction or any similar form of decision of, or any provision or condition issued under any of the foregoing by, or any determination by any Governmental Authority having or asserting jurisdiction over the matter or matters in question, whether now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended (including all of the terms and provisions of the common law of such Governmental Authority), as interpreted and enforced at the time in question.
“beneficial owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Article XIV of the Charter.
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“Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or where federal banks are closed in the States of Delaware, Texas and New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
“Bylaws” shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and the terms of the Charter.
“Charter” shall mean the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
“CLMT” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“CLMT Merger” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company and any securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or other similar reorganization.
“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“control” shall have the meaning set forth in Article XIV of the Charter.
“Conversion” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Conversion Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in SECTION 2.1.
“Director” shall mean any member of the Board.
“Equity Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Article XIV of the Charter.
“General Partner” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Governmental Authority” means any applicable multinational, foreign, federal, state, local or other governmental statutory or administrative authority, regulatory body or commission or any court, tribunal or judicial or arbitral authority which has any jurisdiction over a matter.
“Merger Sub I” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Merger Sub II” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Necessary Action” means, with respect to a specified result, all actions (to the extent such actions are permitted by Applicable Law and, in the case of any action by the Company that requires a vote or other action on the part of the Board, to the extent such action is consistent with the fiduciary duties that the Company’s directors have in such capacity) necessary to cause such result, including (a) voting or providing a written consent or proxy with respect to shares of Common Stock or other securities entitled to vote with respect to such specified result, (b) causing the adoption of stockholders’ resolutions and amendments to the organizational documents of the Company,
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(c) causing members of the Board (to the extent such members were designated by the Person obligated to undertake the Necessary Action) to act (subject to any applicable fiduciary duties) in a certain manner or causing them to be removed in the event they do not act in such a manner, (d) executing agreements and instruments and (e) making or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result.
“Permitted Transferee” shall have the meaning set forth in Article XIV of the Charter.
“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, joint stock company, business trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity of any nature whatsoever.
“Registration Rights Agreement” shall mean the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [•], by and among the Company and the holders party thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“Stockholder” or “Stockholders” shall mean the THG Investor and its Permitted Transferees.
“Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to an entity, (i) any corporation of which a majority of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors thereof, at the time as of which any determination is being made, are owned by such entity, either directly or indirectly, and (ii) any joint venture, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity in which the entity is the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the voting interests or the general partner.
“THG Designee” shall have the meaning set forth in Article XIV of the Charter.
“THG Investor” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Transfer” shall mean, directly or indirectly, to sell, transfer, assign, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or to enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar disposition of, any shares of Equity Securities beneficially owned by a Person or any interest in any shares of Equity Securities beneficially owned by a Person.
SECTION 1.2. Construction. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter forms and the singular form of words shall include the plural and vice versa. All references to Articles and Sections refer to articles and sections of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted. Any percentage set forth herein shall be deemed to be automatically adjusted without any action on the part of any party hereto to take into account any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date of this Agreement so that the rights provided to the Stockholders shall continue to apply to the same extent such rights would have applied absent such stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
ARTICLE II
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
SECTION 2.1. Board of Directors.
(a) The Company and the Stockholders agree that the Directors, including the THG Designees, will be appointed in a way that does not result in a Change of Control (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), dated as of February 23, 2018, by and among Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. and certain of its subsidiaries as Borrowers, certain of its subsidiaries as Guarantors, the Lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A and Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, as amended from time to time.
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(b) Effective as of the Closing Date, the THG Designees shall initially be [●] and [●].
(c) In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, resignation, removal (in accordance with the Charter), retirement or disqualification of any Director designated by the Stockholders pursuant to the Charter, the remaining Directors and the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to fiduciary duties under Delaware law), take all Necessary Action to cause the vacancy created thereby to be filled in accordance with Article V, Section 5.2(e) of the Charter as soon as possible unless the Stockholders have ceased to have the right under this Agreement to fill such vacancy, and the Company hereby agrees to take, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to fiduciary duties under Delaware law), at any time and from time to time, all Necessary Action to accomplish the same, including calling a special meeting of the Board or the stockholders of the Company.
(d) The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to fiduciary duties under Delaware law), to take, or cause to be taken, all Necessary Action to cause the election of each THG Designee to the Board, which such Necessary Action shall include the items set forth in Article V, Section 5.2(d) of the Charter. For the avoidance of doubt, the rights granted to the Stockholders to designate members of the Board are additive to, and not intended to limit in any way, the rights that the Stockholders may otherwise have to nominate, elect or remove directors under the Charter, the Bylaws or the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(e) The Company shall reimburse the THG Designee(s) for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with performing his or her duties as a member of the Board (or any committee thereof), including the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such person for attending meetings of the Board (or any committee thereof), or in connection with their service on the board or other similar governing body of any Subsidiary of the Company (or any committee thereof). In addition, the THG Designee(s) shall be entitled to compensation consistent with the Director compensation received by other Directors, including any committee fees and equity awards. If the Company adopts a policy that Directors own a minimum amount of equity in the Company, the THG Designee(s) shall not be subject to such policy.
SECTION 2.2. Permitted Disclosure. Each THG Designee is permitted to disclose to the Stockholders information about the Company and its Affiliates that he or she receives as a result of being a Director, subject to his or her fiduciary duties under Delaware law and compliance with Applicable Law.
ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 3.1. Action of the Stockholders. The Stockholders agree that any action to be taken or consented to by the Stockholders under this Agreement (including any amendments or waivers of this Agreement under Section 3.3) shall require only the approval of Stockholders holding at least a majority of the outstanding Common Stock held by the Stockholders in the aggregate.
SECTION 3.2. Termination. Subject to the early termination of any provision as a result of an amendment to this Agreement agreed to by the Board and the Stockholders as provided under Section 3.3, (i) the provisions of Article II shall, with respect to each Stockholder, terminate as provided in the applicable Section of Article II, and (ii) this Article III shall not terminate. Nothing herein shall relieve any party from any liability for the breach of any of the agreements set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 3.3. Amendments and Waivers. Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective without the approval of the Board and the Stockholders; provided, however, that any Stockholder may waive (in writing) the benefit of any provision of this Agreement with respect to itself for any purpose; provided, further, that any such modification, amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement or waiver that would disproportionately and adversely affect the rights of any Stockholder hereunder (in its capacity as a Stockholder) without similarly affecting the rights hereunder of all Stockholders (in their capacities as Stockholders) having the same rights or obligations under this Agreement to which such modification, amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement or waiver relates, as the case may be, shall not be effective as to such Stockholder without such
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Xxxxxxxxxxx’s prior written consent. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. Any written amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement, or waiver to this Agreement that receives the vote or consent of the Stockholders provided herein need not be signed by all Stockholders, but shall be effective in accordance with its terms and shall be binding upon all Stockholders.
SECTION 3.4. Successors, Assigns and Transferees. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement may not be assigned without the express prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment, without such consents, will be null and void; provided, however, that the THG Investor shall be entitled to assign, in whole or in part, any of its rights hereunder to any of its Permitted Transferees without such prior written consent.
SECTION 3.5. Rights of Third Parties. The rights of the Stockholders pursuant to this Agreement are personal to the Stockholders and shall not be exercised by any Person. Except as may otherwise be expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement does not create any rights, claims or benefits inuring to any person that is not a party hereto nor create or establish any third party beneficiary hereto.
SECTION 3.6. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) when delivered personally by hand to the party to be notified (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) when sent by e-mail (with written confirmation of transmission or if no failure to deliver message is generated), (c) when received or rejected by the addressee if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (d) one Business Day following the day sent by reputable overnight courier (with written confirmation of receipt), in each case at the following addresses (or to such other address as a party may have specified by notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):
(i) | if to the Company, to: |
Calumet, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Indianapolis, Indiana 46214
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Email: xxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx, Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx 0000
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Email: XXxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
(ii) | if to the Stockholders, to: |
The Heritage Group
0000 X. 00xx Xxxxxx
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
Attention: Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx; Xxxxx Xxxxx
Email: xxx@xxxxx.xxx; xxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, P.C.; Xxxxxx Xxx, P.C.
Email: Xxxx.Xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx; xxxxxx.xxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
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SECTION 3.7. Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and to otherwise carry out the intent of the parties hereunder.
SECTION 3.8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. There are no agreements, representations, warranties, covenants or understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof or thereof other than those expressly set forth herein and therein. This Agreement supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
SECTION 3.9. Restrictions on Other Agreements; Bylaws.
(a) Following the date hereof, no Stockholder shall enter into or agree to be bound by any stockholder agreements or arrangements of any kind with any Person with respect to any Equity Securities except pursuant to the agreements specifically contemplated herein and in the Conversion Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as defined in the Conversion Agreement), and each of the other documents and agreements contemplated hereby and thereby.
(b) The Stockholder covenants and agrees to vote their Equity Securities and to cause its affiliates to vote any Equity Securities then owned by them to take any other action reasonably requested by the Company to amend the Company’s Bylaws so as to avoid any conflict with the provisions hereof.
SECTION 3.10. Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party, upon any breach, default or noncompliance by another party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party hereto of any breach, default or noncompliance under this Agreement or any waiver on such party’s part of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
SECTION 3.11. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) This Agreement and any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed entirely within that State, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws.
(b) In any judicial proceeding involving any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties unconditionally accepts the jurisdiction and venue of the Delaware Court of Chancery or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over this matter, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division) or, if jurisdiction over the matter is vested exclusively in federal courts, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and the appellate courts to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed. In any such judicial proceeding, the parties agree that in addition to any method for the service of process permitted or required by such courts, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, service of process may be made by delivery provided pursuant to the directions in Section 3.6.
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(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
SECTION 3.12. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under Applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any Applicable Law in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
SECTION 3.13. Enforcement. Each party hereto acknowledges that money damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the covenants or agreements in this Agreement are not performed in accordance with its terms, and it is therefore agreed that in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, the non-breaching party will have the right to an injunction, temporary restraining order or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining any such breach and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof.
SECTION 3.14. Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
SECTION 3.15. No Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement, may be made only against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto, and no past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.16. Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.
SECTION 3.17. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the Closing Date.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signatures follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Stockholders’ Agreement as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.
CALUMET, INC. | ||||
By: |
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Name: | ||||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Calumet, Inc. Stockholders’ Agreement]
THE HERITAGE GROUP | ||||
By: |
| |||
Name: | Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Calumet, Inc. Stockholders’ Agreement]
Exhibit A
Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Pursuant to the Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of [●] (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), among Calumet, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and The Heritage Group, , (the “Transferor”) hereby assigns to the undersigned the rights that may be assigned thereunder, and the undersigned hereby agrees that, having acquired Equity Securities as permitted by the terms of the Stockholders’ Agreement, the undersigned shall assume the obligations of the Transferor under the Stockholders’ Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Stockholders’ Agreement.
Listed below is information regarding the Equity Securities:
Number of Shares of |
Common Stock |
|
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Exhibit A – Assignment and Assumption Agreement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Assumption Agreement as of , .
[NAME OF TRANSFEROR] |
Name: |
Title: |
[NAME OF TRANSFEREE] |
Name: |
Title: |
Acknowledged by: | ||||
CALUMET, INC. | ||||
By: |
| |||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Assignment and Assumption Agreement]