PLEDGE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (as amended and modified, this “Pledge Agreement”), dated as of August
24, 2011, is by and among each party identified as a “Pledgor” on the signature pages hereto and
such other parties as may become Pledgors hereunder after the date hereof (individually a
“Pledgor”, and collectively the “Pledgors”) and REGIONS BANK, as collateral agent (in such
capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for the holders of the Secured Obligations.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, a senior secured credit facility has been established pursuant to the terms of that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended and modified, the “Credit
Agreement”) among Pike Electric Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), certain
Subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party hereto, as Guarantors, the Lenders identified
therein and Regions Bank, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent; and
WHEREAS, this Pledge Agreement is required under the terms of the Credit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions and Interpretive Provisions.
(a) Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement. In addition, the following terms, which are defined
in the UCC as in effect in the State of North Carolina on the date hereof, are used as defined
therein: Financial Asset, Proceeds and Security. As used herein:
“Administrative Agent” has the meaning provided in the introductory paragraph hereto,
together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.
“Borrower” has the meaning provided in the recitals hereto.
“Collateral Agent” has the meaning provided in the introductory paragraph hereto,
together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.
“Credit Agreement” has the meaning provided in the recitals hereof.
“Pledge Agreement” has the meaning provided in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Pledged Collateral” has the meaning provided in Section 2.
“Pledged Shares” has the meaning provided in Section 2.
“Pledgor” and “Pledgors” have the meanings provided in the introductory paragraph
hereto, together with their respective successors and assigns.
“Secured Obligations” means the Obligations and, without duplication, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the Secured Obligations,
including fees and expenses of counsel.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of
North Carolina unless application of the choice of law provisions of the North Carolina
Uniform Commercial Code would require application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
(b) Interpretive Provisions, etc. Each of the terms and provisions of Section 1.3 of
the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent and with the same
effect as if fully set forth herein.
2. Pledge and Grant of Security Interest. To secure the prompt payment and
performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration, mandatory prepayment or
otherwise, of the Secured Obligations, each Pledgor hereby grants, pledges and assigns to the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, a continuing security
interest in, and a right to set-off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Pledgor
in and to the following, whether now owned or existing or owned, acquired, or arising hereafter
(collectively, the “Pledged Collateral”):
(a) Pledged Shares. (i) One hundred percent (100%) (or, if less, the full amount
owned by such Pledgor) of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock owned by such Pledgor of each
Domestic Subsidiary as set forth on Schedule 2(a) attached hereto, and (ii) 65% (or, if
less, the full amount owned by such Pledgor) of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock
entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) (“Voting Equity”) owned
by the Pledgor of each First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary as set forth on Schedule 2(a) attached
hereto, in each case, together with the certificates (or other agreements or instruments), if any,
representing such Capital Stock, and all options and other rights, contractual or otherwise, with
respect thereto (collectively, together with the Capital Stock described in Section 2(b)
and Proceeds described in Section 2(c) below, the “Pledged Shares”), including the
following:
(A) all shares, securities, membership interests or other equity interests
representing a dividend on any of the Pledged Shares, or representing a distribution
or return of capital upon or in respect of the Pledged Shares, or resulting from a
stock split, revision, reclassification or other exchange therefor, and any
subscriptions, warrants, rights or options issued to the holder of, or otherwise in
respect of, the Pledged Shares; and
(B) without affecting the obligations of the Pledgors under any provision
prohibiting such action hereunder or under the Credit Agreement, in the event of any
consolidation or merger involving the issuer of any Pledged Shares and in which such
issuer is not the surviving entity, all Capital Stock of the successor entity formed
by or resulting from such consolidation or merger to the extent such Capital Stock
could be pledged under clause (a) above.
(b) Additional Shares. (i) one hundred percent (100%) (or, if less, the full amount
owned by such Pledgor) of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock owned by such Pledgor of any
Person that hereafter becomes a Domestic Subsidiary and (ii) 65% (or, if less, the full amount
owned by such Pledgor) of the Voting Equity owned by such Pledgor of any Person that hereafter
becomes a First-Tier
Foreign Subsidiary, including the certificates (or other agreements or instruments)
representing such Capital Stock.
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(c) Proceeds. All Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is hereby specifically understood and
agreed that a Pledgor may from time to time hereafter deliver additional Capital Stock to the
Collateral Agent as collateral security for the Secured Obligations. Upon delivery to the
Collateral Agent, such additional Capital Stock shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged
Collateral of such Pledgor and shall be subject to the terms of this Pledge Agreement whether or
not Schedule 2(a) is amended to refer to such additional Capital Stock.
3. Security for Secured Obligations. The security interest created hereby in the
Pledged Collateral of each Pledgor constitutes continuing collateral security for all of the
Secured Obligations.
4. Delivery of the Pledged Collateral. Each Pledgor hereby agrees that:
(a) Delivery. Such Pledgor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent (i) simultaneously
with or [prior to / promptly after] the execution and delivery of this Pledge Agreement, all
certificates, if any, representing the Pledged Shares of such Pledgor and (ii) promptly upon the
receipt thereof by or on behalf of a Pledgor, all other certificates and instruments constituting
Pledged Collateral of a Pledgor. Prior to delivery to the Collateral Agent, all such certificates
and instruments constituting Pledged Collateral of a Pledgor shall be held in trust by such Pledgor
for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the holders of the Secured Obligations pursuant hereto.
All such certificates shall be delivered in suitable form for transfer by delivery or shall be
accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, substantially in the
form provided in Exhibit 4(a) attached hereto.
(b) Additional Securities. If such Pledgor shall receive by virtue of its being or
having been the owner of any Pledged Collateral, any (i) certificate, including any certificate
representing a dividend or distribution in connection with any increase or reduction of capital,
reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale of assets, combination of shares or other equity
interests, stock splits, spin-off or split-off, promissory notes or other instruments; (ii) option
or right, whether as an addition to, substitution for, or an exchange for, any Pledged Collateral
or otherwise; (iii) dividends payable in securities; or (iv) distributions of securities in
connection with a partial or total liquidation, dissolution or reduction of capital, capital
surplus or paid-in surplus, then such Pledgor shall receive such certificate, instrument, option,
right or distribution in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the holders of the
Secured Obligations, shall segregate it from such Pledgor’s other property and shall deliver it
forthwith to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received together with any necessary
endorsement and/or appropriate stock power duly executed in blank, substantially in the form
provided in Exhibit 4(a), to be held by the Collateral Agent as Pledged Collateral and as
further collateral security for the Secured Obligations.
(c) Financing Statements. Each Pledgor authorizes the Collateral Agent to prepare and
file one or more UCC financing statements or other applicable financing statements disclosing the
Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Pledged Collateral. Each Pledgor shall execute and
deliver to the Collateral Agent such other filings as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral
Agent in order to perfect and protect the security interest created hereby in the Pledged
Collateral of such Pledgor.
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5. Representations and Warranties. Each Pledgor hereby represents and warrants to the
Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the holders of the Secured
Obligations, that so long as any Secured Obligation remains outstanding and until all of the
Revolving Commitments have been terminated:
(a) Authorization of Pledged Shares. The Pledged Shares are duly authorized and
validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to the preemptive rights of
any Person.
(b) Title. Each Pledgor has good and indefeasible title to the Pledged Collateral of
such Pledgor and is the legal and beneficial owner of such Pledged Collateral free and clear of any
Lien, other than Permitted Liens. There exists no “adverse claim” within the meaning of Section
8-102 of the UCC with respect to the Pledged Shares of such Pledgor.
(c) Pledgor’s Authority. No authorization, approval or action by, and no notice or
filing with any Governmental Authority or with the issuer of any Pledged Shares is required either
(i) for the pledge made by a Pledgor or for the granting of the security interest by a Pledgor
pursuant to this Pledge Agreement (except as have been already obtained or made) or (ii) for the
exercise by the Collateral Agent of its rights and remedies hereunder (except as may be required by
applicable law affecting the offering and sale of securities).
(d) Security Interest/Priority. This Pledge Agreement creates a valid security
interest in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Secured
Obligations, in the Pledged Collateral. The delivery to the Collateral Agent of certificates, if
any, evidencing the Pledged Collateral, together with duly executed stock powers in respect
thereof, will perfect and establish the first priority (subject only to Permitted Liens) of the
Collateral Agent’s security interest in any certificated Pledged Collateral that constitutes a
Security. The filing of appropriate UCC financing statements in the appropriate filing offices in
the jurisdiction of organization of the applicable Pledgor or obtaining “control” over such
interests in accordance with the provisions of Section 8-106 of the UCC will perfect and establish
the first priority (subject only to Permitted Liens) of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in
any uncertificated Pledged Collateral that constitutes a Security. The filing of appropriate UCC
financing statements in the appropriate filing offices in the jurisdiction of organization of the
applicable Pledgor will perfect and establish the first priority (subject only to Permitted Liens)
of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any Pledged Collateral that does not constitute a
Security. Except as set forth in this subsection (d) and except as may be required by
applicable foreign laws affecting the pledge of Capital Stock of the First-Tier Foreign
Subsidiaries, no action is necessary to perfect the security interests granted by the Pledgors
under this Pledge Agreement.
(e) Partnership and Membership Interests. Except as previously disclosed to the
Collateral Agent, none of the Pledged Shares consisting of partnership or limited liability company
interests (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its
terms expressly provides that it is a security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an
investment company security, (iv) is held in a securities account or (v) constitutes a “Security”
or a “Financial Asset” (as each such term is defined in the UCC).
(f) No Other Interests. No Domestic Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock in any
Subsidiary other than as set forth on Schedule 2(a) attached hereto.
6. Covenants. Each Pledgor hereby covenants that, so long as any of the Secured
Obligations remains outstanding and until all of the Revolving Commitments have been terminated,
such Pledgor shall:
(a) Defense of Title. Warrant and defend title to and ownership of the Pledged
Collateral of such Pledgor at its own expense against the claims and demands of all other parties
claiming an interest therein, keep the Pledged Collateral free from all Liens, except for Permitted
Liens, and not sell, exchange, transfer, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of Pledged Collateral
of such Pledgor or any interest therein, except as permitted under the Credit Agreement and the
other Credit Documents.
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(b) Further Assurances. Promptly authorize or execute and deliver at its expense all
further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Collateral Agent may deem
reasonably necessary and desirable to (i) perfect and protect its security interest in the Pledged
Collateral; (ii) enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies
hereunder in respect of the Pledged Collateral of such Pledgor; and (iii) otherwise effect the
purposes of this Pledge Agreement, including upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, if requested by the Collateral Agent, delivering to the Collateral Agent
irrevocable proxies in respect of the Pledged Collateral of such Pledgor.
(c) Amendments. Not make or consent to any amendment or other modification or waiver
with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral of such Pledgor or enter into any agreement or allow
to exist any restriction with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral of such Pledgor other than
pursuant hereto or as may be permitted under the Credit Agreement.
(d) Compliance with Securities Laws. File all reports and other information now or
hereafter required to be filed by such Pledgor with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission and any other state, federal or foreign agency in connection with such Pledgor’s
ownership of the Pledged Collateral.
(e) Issuance or Acquisition of Capital Stock. Not, without executing and delivering,
or causing to be executed and delivered, to the Collateral Agent such agreements, documents and
instruments as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of perfecting its
security interest therein, issue or acquire any Capital Stock constituting Pledged Collateral
consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company that (i) is dealt in or
traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides
that it is a security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an investment company security,
(iv) is held in a securities account or (v) constitutes a “Security” or a “Financial Asset” (as
each such term is defined in the UCC).
7. Advances and Performance by the Collateral Agent. On failure of any Pledgor to
perform any of the covenants and agreements contained herein, the Collateral Agent may, at its sole
option and in its sole discretion, upon notice to the Pledgors, perform the same and in so doing
may expend such sums as the Collateral Agent may reasonably deem advisable in the performance
thereof, including the payment of any insurance premiums, the payment of any taxes, a payment to
obtain a release of a Lien or potential Lien, expenditures made in defending against any adverse
claim and all other expenditures that the Collateral Agent may make for the protection of the
security hereof or may be compelled to make by operation of law. All such sums and amounts so
expended shall be repayable by the Pledgors on a joint and several basis (subject to Section
26) promptly upon timely notice thereof and demand therefor, shall constitute additional
Secured Obligations and shall bear interest from the date said amounts are expended at the Default
Rate for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans. No such performance of any covenant or
agreement by the Collateral Agent on behalf of any Pledgor, and no such advance or expenditure
therefor, shall relieve the Pledgors of any default under the terms of this Pledge Agreement, the
other Credit Documents or any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations. The Collateral
Agent may make any payment hereby authorized in accordance with any xxxx, statement or estimate
procured from the appropriate public office or holder of the claim to be discharged without inquiry
into the accuracy of such xxxx, statement or estimate or into the validity of any tax assessment,
sale, forfeiture, tax lien, title or claim except to the extent such payment is being contested in
good faith by a Pledgor in appropriate proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being
maintained in accordance with GAAP.
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8. Remedies.
(a) General Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, shall
have, in addition to the rights and remedies provided herein, in the Credit Documents, in any other
documents relating to the Secured Obligations, or by applicable law (including levy of attachment
and garnishment), the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC of the jurisdiction
applicable to the affected Pledged Collateral.
(b) Sale of Pledged Collateral. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an
Event of Default, without limiting the generality of this Section 8 and without notice, the
Collateral Agent may, in its sole discretion, sell or otherwise dispose of or realize upon the
Pledged Collateral, or any part thereof, in one or more parcels, at public or private sale, at any
exchange or broker’s board or elsewhere, at such price or prices and on such other terms as the
Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable, for cash, credit or for future delivery or
otherwise in accordance with applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, any holder
of the Secured Obligations may in such event, bid for the purchase of such securities. Each
Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by applicable law and has not
been waived by such Pledgor, any requirement of reasonable notice shall be met if notice,
specifying the place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made, is
personally served on or mailed, postage prepaid, to such Pledgor, in accordance with the notice
provisions of Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement at least ten (10) Business Days before the time
of such sale or other event giving rise to the requirement of such notice. The Collateral Agent
shall not be obligated to make any sale of Pledged Collateral of such Pledgor regardless of notice
of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time
to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further
notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.
(c) Private Sale. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, the Pledgors recognize that the Collateral Agent may deem it impracticable to effect a
public sale of all or any part of the Pledged Shares or any of the securities constituting Pledged
Collateral and that the Collateral Agent may, therefore, determine to make one or more private
sales of any such Pledged Collateral to a restricted group of purchasers who will be obligated to
agree, among other things, to acquire such Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment
and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Pledgor acknowledges that any such
private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable to the seller than the prices and other
terms that might have been obtained at a public sale and, notwithstanding the foregoing, agrees
that such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and
that the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to delay sale of any such Pledged Collateral for
the period of time necessary to permit the issuer of such Pledged Collateral to register such
Pledged Collateral for public sale under the Securities Act. Each Pledgor further acknowledges and
agrees that any offer to sell such Pledged Collateral that has been (i) publicly advertised on a
bona fide basis in a newspaper or other publication of general circulation in the financial
community of New York, New York (to the extent that such offer may be advertised without prior
registration under the Securities Act), or (ii) made privately in the manner described above shall
be deemed to involve a “public sale” under the UCC, notwithstanding that such sale may not
constitute a “public offering” under the Securities Act, and the Collateral Agent may, in such
event, bid for the purchase of such Pledged Collateral.
(d) Retention of Pledged Collateral. To the extent permitted under applicable law, in
addition to the rights and remedies hereunder, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may, after providing the notices required by Sections
9-620 and 9-621 of the UCC or otherwise complying with the requirements of applicable law of the
relevant jurisdiction, accept or retain all or any portion of the Pledged Collateral in satisfaction of the
Secured Obligations. Unless and until the Collateral Agent shall have provided such notices,
however, the Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have accepted or retained any Pledged
Collateral in satisfaction of any Secured Obligations for any reason.
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(e) Deficiency. In the event that the proceeds of any sale, collection or realization
are insufficient to pay all amounts to which the Collateral Agent or the holders of the Secured
Obligations are legally entitled, the Pledgors shall be jointly and severally liable for the
deficiency (subject to clause (e) immediately above and Section 26), together with
interest thereon at the Default Rate for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans, together with
the reasonable costs and expenses of collection and reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements.
Any surplus remaining after the full payment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations shall be
returned to the Pledgors or to whomsoever a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine to be
entitled thereto.
9. Rights of the Collateral Agent.
(a) Power of Attorney. In addition to other powers of attorney contained herein, each
Pledgor hereby designates and appoints the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the holders of the
Secured Obligations, and each of its designees or agents, as attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor,
irrevocably and with power of substitution, with authority to take any or all of the following
actions upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default to the extent
permitted by applicable law:
(i) to demand, collect, settle, compromise and adjust, and give discharges and releases
concerning the Pledged Collateral, all as the Collateral Agent may reasonably deem
appropriate;
(ii) to commence and prosecute any actions at any court for the purposes of collecting
any of the Pledged Collateral and enforcing any other right in respect thereof;
(iii) to defend, settle or compromise any action brought and, in connection therewith,
give such discharge or release as the Collateral Agent may reasonably deem appropriate;
(iv) to pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances levied
or placed on or threatened against the Pledged Collateral;
(v) to direct any parties liable for any payment in connection with any of the Pledged
Collateral to make payment of any and all monies due and to become due thereunder directly
to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent shall direct;
(vi) to receive payment of and receipt for any and all monies, claims, and other
amounts due and to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Pledged
Collateral;
(vii) to sign and endorse any drafts, assignments, proxies, stock powers,
verifications, notices and other documents relating to the Pledged Collateral;
(viii) to authorize or to execute and deliver all assignments, conveyances, statements,
financing statements, renewal financing statements, security and pledge agreements,
affidavits, notices and other agreements, instruments and documents that the Collateral
Agent may reasonably deem appropriate in order to perfect and maintain the security
interests and liens granted in this Pledge Agreement and in order to fully consummate all of
the transactions contemplated therein;
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(ix) to exchange any of the Pledged Collateral or other property upon any merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other readjustment of the issuer thereof
and, in connection therewith, deposit any of the Pledged Collateral with any committee,
depository, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms as the
Collateral Agent may reasonably deem appropriate;
(x) to vote for a shareholder resolution, or to sign an instrument in writing,
sanctioning the transfer of any or all of the Pledged Collateral into the name of the
Collateral Agent or one or more of the holders of the Secured Obligations or into the name
of any transferee to whom the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof may be sold pursuant to
Section 8; and
(xi) to do and perform all such other acts and things as the Collateral Agent may
reasonably deem appropriate or convenient in connection with the Pledged Collateral.
This power of attorney is a power coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable for
so long as any of the Secured Obligations shall remain outstanding and until all of the
Revolving Commitments shall have been terminated. The Collateral Agent shall be under no
duty to exercise or withhold the exercise of any of the rights, powers, privileges and
options expressly or implicitly granted to the Collateral Agent in this Pledge Agreement,
and shall not be liable for any failure to do so or any delay in doing so. The Collateral
Agent shall not be liable for any act or omission or for any error of judgment or any
mistake of fact or law in its individual capacity or its capacity as attorney-in-fact except
acts or omissions resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct. This power of
attorney is conferred on the Collateral Agent solely to protect, preserve and realize upon
its security interest in the Pledged Collateral.
(b) Assignment by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent may from assign the
Secured Obligations and its security interests in the Pledged Collateral in connection with its
resignation as Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 10.6 of the Credit Agreement, and the assignee
thereof shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent under this
Pledge Agreement in relation thereto.
(c) The Collateral Agent’s Duty of Care. Other than the exercise of reasonable care
to assure the safe custody of the Pledged Collateral while being held by the Collateral Agent
hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty or liability to preserve rights pertaining
thereto, it being understood and agreed that the Pledgors shall be responsible for preservation of
all rights in the Pledged Collateral, and the Collateral Agent shall be relieved of all
responsibility for the Pledged Collateral upon surrendering it or tendering the surrender of it to
the Pledgors. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the
custody and preservation of the Pledged Collateral in its possession if such Pledged Collateral is
accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own property,
of like value, which shall be no less than the treatment employed by a reasonable and prudent agent
in the industry, it being understood that the Collateral Agent shall not have responsibility for
(i) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities,
tenders or other matters relating to any Pledged Collateral, whether or not the Collateral Agent
has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or (ii) taking any necessary steps to preserve
rights against any parties with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral.
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(d) Voting Rights in Respect of the Pledged Collateral.
(i) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, each Pledgor may exercise any and all voting and other
consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Collateral; and
(ii) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and
following delivery to such Pledgor by the Collateral Agent of notice of its intent to
exercise such rights, all rights of a Pledgor to exercise the voting and other consensual
rights that it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (i) of
this subsection shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the
Collateral Agent, which shall then have the sole right to exercise such voting and other
consensual rights.
(e) Dividend Rights in Respect of the Pledged Collateral.
(i) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and subject to
Section 4(b), each Pledgor may receive and retain any and all dividends (other than
stock dividends and other dividends constituting Pledged Collateral addressed herein) or
interest paid in respect of the Pledged Collateral to the extent they are allowed under the
Credit Agreement.
(ii) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:
(A) all rights of a Pledgor to receive the dividends and interest payments that
it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to clause
(i) of this subsection shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon be
vested in the Collateral Agent, which shall then have the sole right to receive and
hold as Pledged Collateral such dividends and interest payments; and
(B) all dividends and interest payments that are received by a Pledgor contrary
to the provisions of clause (A) of this subsection shall be received in
trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the holders of the Secured
Obligations, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Pledgor, and
shall be forthwith paid over to the Collateral Agent as Pledged Collateral in the
exact form received, to be held by the Collateral Agent as Pledged Collateral and as
further collateral security for the Secured Obligations.
10. Rights of Required Lenders. All rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder, if not
exercised by the Collateral Agent, may be exercised by the holders of the Secured Obligations with
the consent of the Required Lenders, in which event the holders of the Secured Obligations shall
have all of the rights and obligations of, and the benefit of indemnities, waivers and releases in
favor of, the Collateral Agent hereunder.
11. Application of Proceeds. After the occurrence and during the continuation of an
Event of Default, any payments in respect of the Secured Obligations and any proceeds of the
Pledged Collateral, when received by the Collateral Agent or any of the holders of the Secured
Obligations in cash or its equivalent, will be applied in reduction of the Secured Obligations in
the order set forth in Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement, and each Pledgor irrevocably waives the
right to direct the application of such payments and proceeds and acknowledges and agrees that the
Collateral Agent shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reapply any and all
such payments and proceeds in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion, notwithstanding any entry to
the contrary upon any of its books and records.
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12. Release of Pledged Collateral. Upon request, the Collateral Agent shall promptly
deliver to the applicable Pledgor (at the Pledgor’s expense) appropriate release documentation and
any certificates or other documents delivered to the Collateral Agent by such Pledgor to the extent
the release or disposition of Pledged Collateral is permitted under, and on the terms and
conditions set forth in, the Credit Documents; provided that any such release, or the
substitution of any of the Pledged Collateral for other Collateral, will not alter, vary or
diminish in any way the force, effect, lien, pledge or security interest of this Pledge Agreement
as to any and all Pledged Collateral not expressly released or substituted, and this Pledge
Agreement shall continue as a first priority lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on any and all
Pledged Collateral not expressly released or substituted.
13. Costs and Expenses. At all times hereafter, whether or not upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default, the Pledgors agree to promptly pay upon demand any and all reasonable costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) of the Collateral Agent and
the holders of the Secured Obligations (a) as required under Section 11.2 of the Credit Agreement
and (b) as reasonably necessary to protect the Collateral or to exercise any rights or remedies
under this Pledge Agreement or with respect to any of the Collateral. All of the foregoing costs
and expenses shall constitute Secured Obligations hereunder.
14. Continuing Agreement.
(a) This Pledge Agreement shall be a continuing agreement in every respect and shall remain in
full force and effect so long as any of the Secured Obligations remains outstanding and until all
of the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, or the Collateral Agent may release or terminate
the security interests hereunder as may be provided under the Credit Agreement. Upon such payment
and termination, this Pledge Agreement shall be automatically terminated and the Collateral Agent
shall, upon the request and at the expense of the Pledgors, forthwith release all of its liens and
security interests hereunder and shall authorize or execute and deliver all UCC termination
statements and/or other documents reasonably requested by the Pledgors evidencing such termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all releases and indemnities provided hereunder shall survive
termination of this Pledge Agreement.
(b) This Pledge Agreement shall continue to be effective or be automatically reinstated, as
the case may be, if at any time payment, in whole or in part, of any of the Secured Obligations is
rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or any holder of the
Secured Obligations as a preference, fraudulent conveyance or otherwise under any Debtor Relief
Law, all as though such payment had not been made; provided that in the event payment of all or any
part of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must be restored or returned, all reasonable costs
and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by the Collateral
Agent or any holder of the Secured Obligations in defending and enforcing such reinstatement shall
be deemed to be included as a part of the Secured Obligations.
15. Amendments and Waivers. This Pledge Agreement and the provisions hereof may not
be amended, waived, modified, changed, discharged or terminated except by written agreement of (a)
the Pledgors and (b) the Collateral Agent (with the consent or at the direction of the requisite
Lenders under the Credit Agreement).
16. Successors in Interest. This Pledge Agreement shall create a continuing security
interest in the Collateral and shall be binding upon each Pledgor, its successors and assigns, and
shall inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent and the holders of the
Secured Obligations hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the holders of the
Secured Obligations and their successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that
none of the Pledgors may assign its rights or
delegate its duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the requisite Lenders under the
Credit Agreement or as expressly provided under the Credit Agreement.
10
17. Release. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Pledgor hereby
releases the Collateral Agent and each holder of the Secured Obligations, and their respective
successors, assigns, officers, attorneys, employees and agents, from any liability for any act or
omission or any error of judgment or mistake of fact or of law relating to this Pledge Agreement or
the Collateral, except for any liability arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Collateral Agent or such holder of the Secured Obligations.
18. Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Pledge
Agreement shall be given as provided in Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement.
19. Counterparts. This Pledge Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20. Headings. The headings of the sections and subsections herein are provided for
convenience of reference only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any
provision of the Pledge Agreement.
21. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
(b) CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY GUARANTOR
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN OR
WITH DIRECT OR INDIRECT JURISDICTION OVER THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA OR ANY STATE OR
SUPERIOR COURT SITTING IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS
PLEDGE AGREEMENT, EACH GUARANTOR, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (a)
ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS; (b)
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS; (c) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED,
TO THE APPLICABLE GUARANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 11.1 OF THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE GUARANTOR IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY
RESPECT; AND (d) AGREES THAT THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE HOLDERS OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS RETAIN
THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY
GUARANTOR IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
11
(c) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS
RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER
OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT
MATTER HEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES
THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, INCLUDING CONTRACT
CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH
PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS
RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT,
AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY
HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND
THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL
COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN
WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION AND EXECUTED
BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS
OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION,
THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
22. Severability. In case any provision in or obligation hereunder shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction,
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
23. Entirety. This Pledge Agreement and the other Credit Documents constitute the
entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.
24. Survival of Representations and Warranties and Indemnities. All representations
and warranties made hereunder or other document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith
shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties
have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each holder
of the Secured Obligations, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent, the
Collateral Agent or any such holder of a Secured Obligation or on their behalf and notwithstanding
that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any holder of a Secured Obligation may have
had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in
full force and effect so long as any of the Secured Obligations (other than any obligations with
respect to the indemnities and the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit
Documents) remains outstanding and until all of the Revolving Commitments have been terminated.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all releases and indemnities provided hereunder shall survive
termination of this Pledge Agreement.
25. Other Security. To the extent that any of the Secured Obligations are now or
hereafter secured by property other than the Pledged Collateral (including real and other personal
property owned by a Pledgor), or by a guarantee, endorsement or property of any other Person, then
the Collateral Agent shall have the right to proceed against such other property, guarantee or
endorsement upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, and the
Collateral Agent shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine which rights, security,
liens, security interests or remedies the Collateral Agent shall at any time pursue, relinquish,
subordinate, modify or take with respect thereto, without in any way modifying or affecting any of
them or the Secured Obligations or any of the rights of the
Collateral Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations under this Pledge Agreement, under any
of the other Credit Documents or under any other document relating to the Secured Obligations.
12
26. Joint and Several Obligations of Pledgors.
(a) Subject to subsection (c) of this Section 26, each of the Pledgors is
accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodation to
be provided by the holders of the Secured Obligations, for the mutual benefit, directly and
indirectly, of each of the Pledgors and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the
Pledgors to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them.
(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this Section 26, each of the Pledgors jointly
and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a
co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Pledgors with respect to the payment and
performance of all of the Secured Obligations arising under this Pledge Agreement, the other Credit
Documents and any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations, it being the intention of
the parties hereto that all the Secured Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of
each of the Pledgors without preferences or distinction among them.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, in any other of the Credit
Documents or in any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations, the obligations of each
Pledgor that is a Guarantor under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be
limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations
subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any other
applicable Debtor Relief Laws (including any comparable provisions of any applicable state laws).
27. Joinder. At any time after the date of this Pledge Agreement, one or more
additional Persons may become party hereto by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a
joinder agreement or other documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral
Agent. Immediately upon such execution and delivery of such joinder agreement or such other
documentation (and without any further action), each such additional Person will become a party to
this Pledge Agreement as a “Pledgor” and have all of the rights and obligations of a Pledgor
hereunder and this Pledge Agreement and the schedules hereto shall be deemed amended by such
joinder agreement or such other documentation.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
13
Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Pledge Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
PLEDGORS: | PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation |
|||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President | |||
PIKE ENTERPRISES, INC. a North Carolina corporation |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President | |||
PIKE ELECTRIC, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
PIKE ENERGY SOLUTIONS, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
PIKE ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC., a California corporation |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
KLONDYKE CONSTRUCTION LLC, an Arizona limited liability company |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President |
PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
ELEMENTAL ENERGY, INC., an Arizona corporation |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
PIKE TANZANIA, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
PINE VALLEY POWER, INC., a Utah corporation |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
PIKE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY COMPANY, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company |
||||
By: | /s/ J. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Name: | J. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President |
PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written.
REGIONS BANK,
as Collateral Agent
as Collateral Agent
By:
|
/s/ X.X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: SVP |
PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
Schedule 2(a) | Pledged Shares |
|
Exhibit 4(a) | Form of Stock Power |
SCHEDULE 2(a)
PLEDGED SHARES
2(a)(i): Domestic Subsidiaries:
Class of | Percentage | |||||||||
Stock or | Number | of | ||||||||
Owner of | Type of | Certificate | of Shares | Ownership | ||||||
Issuer of Capital Stock | Capital Stock | Interest | Number | Owned | Interest | |||||
1. Pike Enterprises, Inc. |
Pike Electric Corporation | Common | C-1 | 1,000 | 100% | |||||
2. Pike Electric, LLC |
Pike Enterprises, Inc. | Membership Interest | 2494 | N/A | 100% | |||||
3. Pike Equipment and Supply Company, LLC |
Pike Electric, LLC | Membership Interest | 2 | N/A | 100% | |||||
4. Pike Energy Solutions, LLC |
Pike Enterprises, Inc. | Membership Interest | 3 | N/A | 100% | |||||
5. Pike Energy Solutions, Inc. |
Pike Energy Solutions, LLC | Common | C-1 | 100 | 100% | |||||
6. Pike Tanzania, LLC |
Pike Enterprises, Inc. | Membership Interest | 1 | N/A | 100% | |||||
7. Klondyke Construction LLC |
Pike Enterprises, Inc. | Membership Interest | 2 | N/A | 100% | |||||
8. Elemental Energy, Inc. |
Klondyke Construction LLC | Common | 1 | 1,000 | 100% | |||||
9. Pine Valley Power, Inc. |
Pike Enterprises, Inc. | Common | 2 | 10,000 | 100% |
2(a)-1
2(a)(ii): First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries:
Class of | Number | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock or | of | of | ||||||||||||||||||
Owner of | Type of | Certificate | Shares | Ownership | ||||||||||||||||
Issuer of Capital Stock | Capital Stock | Interest | Number | Owned | Interest | |||||||||||||||
1. Pike Capital International S.à x.x. |
Xxxx Enterprises, Inc. | Registered Shares | 1 | 2,632 | 66 | % |
2(a)-2
EXHIBIT 4(a)
IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to
the following shares of capital stock of [ISSUER], a
corporation:
No. of Shares
|
Certificate No. |
and irrevocably appoints its agent and attorney-in-fact to transfer all or
any part of such capital stock and to take all necessary and appropriate action to effect any such
transfer. The agent and attorney-in-fact may substitute and appoint one or more persons to act for
him. The effectiveness of a transfer pursuant to this stock power shall be subject to any and all
transfer restrictions referenced on the face of the certificates evidencing such interest or in the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the subject corporation, to the extent they may from time
to time exist.
[HOLDER] |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |