PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT pursuant to the CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
Exhibit 10.24
pursuant to the
CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
On 20_____, (the “Grant Date”), Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”), has granted (the “Grantee”), who resides at
, a Performance Share Award on the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Performance Share Agreement.
Recitals
WHEREAS, the Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) has been duly
adopted by action of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) on February 24, 2005, and
approved by the Shareholders of the Company at a meeting held on May 5, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Plan is effective January 1, 2006; and
WHEREAS, the Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company referred to in the Plan (the
“Committee”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to grant the
Performance Share Award described herein pursuant to the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the shares of the Common Stock of the Company (“Shares”) that are subject to this
Agreement, when added to the other shares of Common Stock that are subject to awards granted under
the Plan, do not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which awards are
authorized to be granted under the Plan.
Agreement
It is hereby covenanted and agreed by and between the Company and the Grantee as follows:
Section 1. Performance Share Award and Performance Period
The Company hereby grants to the Grantee a Performance Share Award as of the Grant Date. As more
fully described herein, the Grantee may earn up to
_____
Shares upon the Company’s achievement of
the performance criteria set forth in Section 2 (the “Performance Shares”) over the performance
period from January 1,
_____
to December 31,
_____
(the “Performance Period”). This Award has been
granted pursuant to the Plan; capitalized terms used in this agreement which are not specifically
defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
Section 2. Performance Criteria and Terms of Share Award
(a) The Committee selected and established in writing performance criteria for the Performance
Period, which, if met, may entitle the Grantee to some or all of the Performance
Shares under this Award. If this Award is intended by the Committee to comply with the
exception from Code Section 162(m) for qualified performance-based compensation for Grantees who
are “Covered Employees” as defined in Code Section 162(m), the performance criteria established
shall be based on one or more Performance Goals selected by the Committee in writing within 90 days
following the first day of the Performance Period (or, if earlier, before 25% of that period has
elapsed), and at a time when the outcome relative to the attainment of the performance criteria is
not substantially certain. As soon as practicable after the Company’s independent auditors have
certified the Company’s financial statements for each fiscal year of the Company in the Performance
Period, the Committee shall determine for purposes of this Agreement the Company’s (1) total
shareholder return, defined as the cumulative total return to shareholders (“Shareholder Value”),
(2) growth in long-term earnings, defined as the growth in total capital expenditures as a
percentage of total capitalization (“Growth”) and (3) earnings performance, defined as average
return on equity (“XxX”), in accordance with procedures established by the Committee. The
Shareholder Value, Growth and XxX (each a “Performance Metric” and collectively, the “Performance
Metrics”) shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this
Agreement based on financial results reported to shareholders in the Company’s annual reports and
shall be subject to adjustment by the Committee for extraordinary events during the Performance
Period, as applicable. Both the Shareholder Value and the Growth Performance Metrics will be
compared to those of the peer group consisting of gas utility companies listed in the Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Natural Gas Distribution Group (the “Peer Group”) for the Performance Period and Awards will be
determined according to the schedule in subsection (b) below. For the average XxX Performance
Metric, the Company’s performance will be compared to pre-determined XxX thresholds established by
the Committee. At the end of the Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing the
extent to which the Performance Goals were met during the Performance Period for Awards for Covered
Employees. If the Performance Goals for the Performance Period are met, Covered Employees shall be
entitled to the Award, subject to the Committee’s exercise of discretion to reduce any Award to a
Covered Employee based on business objectives established for that Covered Employee or other
factors as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee shall promptly notify
the Grantee of its determination.
(b) The Grantee may earn 15 percent or more of the target award of
_____
Performance Shares
(the “Target Award”) up to a maximum number of Performance Shares set forth in Section 1 above (the
“Maximum Award”) based upon achievement of threshold and target levels of performance against the
Performance Metrics established for the Performance Period. The Committee shall confirm the level
of Award attained for the Performance Period after the Company’s independent auditors have
certified the Company’s financial statements for each fiscal year of the Company in the Performance
Period.
(c) Once established, the performance criteria identified above normally shall not be changed
during the Performance Period. However, if the Committee determines that external changes or other
unanticipated business conditions have materially affected the fairness of the goals, or that a
change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, or the
manner in which it conducts its business, or acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries or
business units, or other events or circumstances materially affect the performance criteria or
render the performance criteria unsuitable, then the Committee may approve appropriate adjustments
to the performance criteria (either up or down) during the Performance Period. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no changes shall be made to an Award intended to satisfy the requirements of Code
Section 162(m) if such
changes would affect the qualification of the Award as performance-based compensation within
the meaning of Code Section 162(m).
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(d) Performance Shares that are earned by the Grantee pursuant to this Section 2 shall be
issued promptly, without payment of consideration by the Grantee, within 2 1/2 months of the end of
the Performance Period. The Grantee shall have the right to vote the Performance Shares and to
receive the dividends distributable with respect to such Shares on and after, but not before, the
date on which the Grantee is recorded on the Company’s ledger as holder of record of the
Performance Shares (the “Issue Date”). If, however, the Grantee receives Shares as part of any
dividend or other distribution with respect to the Performance Shares, such Shares shall be treated
as if they are Performance Shares, and such Shares shall be subject to all of the terms and
conditions imposed by this Section 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee shall be entitled
to receive an amount in cash, equivalent to the dividends that would have been paid on the awarded
Performance Shares from the Grant Date to the Issue Date for those Performance Shares actually
earned by the Grantee during the applicable Performance Period. Such dividend equivalents shall be
payable at the time such Performance Shares are issued.
(e) The Performance Shares will not be registered for resale under the Securities Act of 1933
or the laws of any state except when and to the extent determined by the Board pursuant to a
resolution. Until a registration statement is filed and becomes effective, however, transfer of
the Performance Shares shall require the availability of an exemption from such registration, and
prior to the issuance of new certificates, the Company shall be entitled to take such measures as
it deems appropriate (including but not limited to obtaining from the Grantee an investment
representation letter and/or further legending the new certificates) to ensure that the Performance
Shares are not transferred in the absence of such exemption.
(f) In the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the Plan, during the Performance
Period, the Grantee shall earn the Maximum Award of Performance Shares set forth in this Section 2,
as if all performance criteria were satisfied, without any pro ration based on the proportion of
the Performance Period that has expired as of the date of such Change in Control.
(g) If, during the Performance Period, the Grantee is separated from employment, Performance
Shares shall be deemed earned or forfeited as follows:
(1) Upon voluntary termination by the Grantee or termination by the Company for failure
of job performance or other just cause as determined by the Committee, all unearned
Performance Shares shall be forfeited immediately;
(2) If the Grantee separates from employment by reason of death or total and permanent
disability (as determined by the Committee), the number of Performance Shares that would
otherwise have been earned at the end of the Performance Period shall be reduced by pro
rating such Performance Shares based on the proportion of the Performance Period during
which the Grantee was employed by the Company, unless the Committee determines that the
Performance Shares shall not be so reduced;
(3) Upon retirement by the Grantee at age 55 or thereafter, all unearned Performance
Shares shall be forfeited immediately.
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(h) The Grantee shall be solely responsible for any federal, state and local taxes of any kind
imposed in connection with the vesting or delivery of the Performance Shares. Prior to the
transfer of any Performance Shares to the Grantee, the Grantee shall remit to the Company an amount
sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and other withholding tax requirements.
The
Grantee may elect to have all or part of any withholding tax obligation satisfied by having the
Company withhold Shares otherwise deliverable to the Grantee as Performance Shares, unless the
Committee determines otherwise by resolution. If the Grantee fails to make such payments or
election, the Company and its subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to
deduct from any payments of any kind otherwise due to the Grantee any taxes required by law to be
withheld with respect to the Performance Shares. In the case of any amounts withheld for taxes
pursuant to this provision in the form of Shares, the amount withheld shall not exceed the minimum
required by applicable law and regulations.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any payment or distribution (a
“Payment”) by the Company or any other person or entity to or for the benefit of the Grantee is
determined to be an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(1) or
any successor provision of similar effect), whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, then the Grantee’s benefits under this Agreement may,
unless the Grantee elects otherwise pursuant to his employment agreement, be reduced by the amount
necessary so that the Grantee’s total “parachute payment” as defined in Code Section 280G(b)(2)(A)
under this and all other agreements will be $1.00 less than the amount that would be a “parachute
payment”. The payment of any “excess parachute payment” pursuant to this paragraph shall also
comply with the terms of the Grantee’s employment agreement.
Section 3. Additional Conditions to Issuance of Shares
Each transfer of Performance Shares shall be subject to the condition that if at any time the
Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, that it is necessary or desirable as a condition
of, or in connection with, transfer of Performance Shares (i) to satisfy withholding tax or other
withholding liabilities, (ii) to effect the listing, registration or qualification on any
securities exchange or under any state or federal law of any Shares deliverable in connection with
such exercise, or (iii) to obtain the consent or approval of any regulatory body, then in any such
event such transfer shall not be effective unless such withholding, listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
acceptable to the Company.
Section 4. Adjustment of Shares
(a) If the Company shall become involved in a merger, consolidation or other reorganization,
whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation, any right to earn Performance Shares shall
be deemed a right to earn or to elect to receive the consideration into which the Shares
represented by the Performance Shares would have been converted under the terms of the merger,
consolidation or other reorganization. If the Company is not the surviving corporation, the
surviving corporation (the “Successor”) shall succeed to the rights and obligations of the Company
under this Agreement.
(b) If any subdivision or combination of Shares or any stock dividend, capital reorganization
or recapitalization occurs after the adoption of the Plan, the Committee shall make such
proportionate adjustments as are appropriate to the number of Performance Shares to be earned in
order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Grantee.
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Section 5. No Right to Employment
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed by implication or otherwise to confer upon the
Grantee any right to continued employment by the Company or any affiliate of the Company.
Section 6. Notice
Any notice to be given hereunder by the Grantee shall be sent by mail addressed to Chesapeake
Utilities Corporation, 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, for the attention of the
Committee, c/o the Corporate Secretary, and any notice by the Company to the Grantee shall be sent
by mail addressed to the Grantee at the address of the Grantee shown on the first page hereof.
Either party may, by notice given to the other in accordance with the provisions of this Section,
change the address to which subsequent notices shall be sent.
Section 7. Beneficiary Designation
Grantee may designate a beneficiary to receive any Performance Shares to which Grantee is entitled
which vest as a result of Grantee’s death. Grantee acknowledges that the Company may exercise all
rights under this Agreement and the Plan against Grantee and Grantee’s estate, heirs, lineal
descendants and personal representatives and shall not be limited to exercising its rights against
Grantee’s beneficiary.
Section 8. Assumption of Risk
It is expressly understood and agreed that the Grantee assumes all risks incident to any change
hereafter in the applicable laws or regulations or incident to any change in the market value of
the Performance Shares.
Section 9. Terms of Plan
This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the Plan (a copy of which has been delivered to the
Grantee). This Agreement is subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan, which are
incorporated into this Agreement by reference, and the actions taken by the Committee pursuant to
the Plan. In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the provisions of the
Plan shall govern. All determinations by the Committee shall be in its sole discretion and shall
be binding on the Company and the Grantee.
Section 10. Governing Law; Amendment
This Agreement shall be governed by, and shall be construed and administered in accordance with,
the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to its choice of law rules) and the requirements
of any applicable federal law. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by a writing signed
by the parties hereto.
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Section 11. Action by the Committee
The parties agree that the interpretation of this Agreement shall rest exclusively and completely
within the sole discretion of the Committee. The parties agree to be bound by the decisions of the
Committee with regard to the interpretation of this Agreement and with regard to any and all
matters set forth in this Agreement. The Committee may delegate its functions under this Agreement
to an officer of the Company designated by the Committee (hereinafter the “Designee”). In
fulfilling its responsibilities hereunder, the Committee or its Designee may rely upon documents,
written statements of the parties or such other material as the Committee or its Designee deems
appropriate. The parties agree that there is no right to be heard or to appear before the
Committee or its Designee and that any decision of the Committee or its Designee relating to this
Agreement shall be final and binding unless such decision is arbitrary and capricious.
Section 12. Terms of Agreement
This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding on the parties hereto for
so long as any Performance Shares issued to the Grantee under this Agreement continue to be held by
the Grantee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its corporate name, and
the Grantee has executed the same in evidence of the Grantee’s acceptance hereof, upon the terms
and conditions herein set forth, as of the day and year first above written.
| CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION | ||||
| By: | ||||
| Its: | ||||
| Grantee: | ||||
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