EXHIBIT B
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of July 12, 2005, among Able Energy, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), and the purchasers signatory hereto (each such
purchaser is a "PURCHASER" and collectively, the "PURCHASERS").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement,
dated as of the date hereof among the Company and the Purchasers (the "PURCHASE
AGREEMENT").
The Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
CAPITALIZED TERMS USED AND NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED HEREIN THAT ARE DEFINED
IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN SUCH TERMS IN THE
PURCHASE AGREEMENT. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
"ADVICE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
"EFFECTIVENESS DATE" means, with respect to the initial Registration
Statement required to be filed hereunder, October 15, 2005 (November 15, 2005 in
the case of a "full review" by the Commission), and with respect to any
additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section
3(c), the 60th calendar day following the date on which the Company first knows,
or reasonably should have known, that such additional Registration Statement is
required hereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in the event the Company is notified by
the Commission that one of the above Registration Statements will not be
reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the
Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement shall be the fifth Trading
Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes
the dates required above.
"EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
"EVENT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
"EVENT DATE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
"FILING DATE" means, with respect to the initial Registration Statement
required hereunder, August 15, 2005 and, with respect to any additional
Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 3(c), the 15th
day following the date on which the Company first knows, or reasonably should
have known that such additional Registration Statement is required hereunder.
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"HOLDER" or "HOLDERS" means the holder or holders, as the case may be,
from time to time of Registrable Securities.
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
"INDEMNIFYING PARTY" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
"LOSSES" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
"PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
"PROCEEDING" means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding
(including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as
a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
"PROSPECTUS" means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms
of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
"REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (i) all of the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion in full of the Debentures, (ii) all shares issuable as
interest on the Debentures assuming all permissible interest payments are made
in shares of Common Stock and the Debentures are held until maturity, (iii) all
Warrant Shares, (iv) any securities issued or issuable upon any stock split,
dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect
to the foregoing, (v) any additional shares issuable in connection with any
anti-dilution provisions in the Debentures or the Warrants (in each case,
without giving effect to any limitations on conversion set forth in the
Debenture or limitations on exercise set forth in the Warrant) and (vi) shares
issuable in lieu of cash payments of liquidated damages pursuant to Section
2(b).
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means the registration statements required to
be filed hereunder and any additional registration statements contemplated by
Section 3(c), including (in each case) the Prospectus, amendments and
supplements to such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and
post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.
"RULE 415" means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the
same purpose and effect as such Rule.
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"RULE 424" means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the
same purpose and effect as such Rule.
"SELLING SHAREHOLDER QUESTIONNAIRE" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a).
2. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) On or prior to each Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and
file with the Commission a "Shelf" Registration Statement covering the resale of
130% of the Registrable Securities on such Filing Date for an offering to be
made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415. The Registration Statement
shall be on Form S-3 (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for
resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, in which case such registration
shall be on another appropriate form in accordance herewith) and shall contain
(unless otherwise directed by the Holders) substantially the "PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION" attached hereto as ANNEX A. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause a Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as
possible after the filing thereof, but in any event prior to the applicable
Effectiveness Date, and shall use its best efforts to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until all Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold or may be sold
without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(k) as determined by the counsel
to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed
and acceptable to the Company's transfer agent and the affected Holders (the
"EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD"). The Company shall telephonically request effectiveness
of a Registration Statement as of 5:00 pm Eastern Time on a Trading Day. The
Company shall immediately notify the Holders via facsimile of the effectiveness
of a Registration Statement on the same Trading Day that the Company
telephonically confirms effectiveness with the Commission, which shall be the
date requested for effectiveness of a Registration Statement. The Company shall,
by 9:30 am Eastern Time on the Trading Day after the Effective Date (as defined
in the Purchase Agreement), file a Form 424(b)(5) with the Commission. Failure
to so notify the Holder within 1 Trading Day of such notification shall be
deemed an Event under Section 2(b).
(b) If: (i) a Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to its
Filing Date (if the Company files a Registration Statement without affording the
Holders the opportunity to review and comment on the same as required by Section
3(a), the Company shall not be deemed to have satisfied this clause (i)), or
(ii) the Company fails to file with the Commission a request for acceleration in
accordance with Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act, within five
Trading Days of the date that the Company is notified (orally or in writing,
whichever is earlier) by the Commission that a Registration Statement will not
be "reviewed," or not subject to further review, or (iii) prior to its
Effectiveness Date, the Company fails to file a pre-effective amendment and
otherwise respond in writing to comments made by the Commission in respect of
such Registration Statement within 10 calendar days after the receipt of
comments by or notice from the Commission that such amendment is required in
order for a Registration
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Statement to be declared effective, or (iv) a Registration Statement filed or
required to be filed hereunder is not declared effective by the Commission by
its Effectiveness Date, or (v) after the Effectiveness Date, a Registration
Statement ceases for any reason to remain continuously effective as to all
Registrable Securities for which it is required to be effective, or the Holders
are not permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein to resell such Registrable
Securities for 20 consecutive calendar days but no more than an aggregate of 30
calendar days during any 12-month period (which need not be consecutive Trading
Days and provided that, if such suspension of the use of the Prospectus is in
connection with the acquisition of All American Plazas, such period shall be 60
consecutive calendar days) (any such failure or breach being referred to as an
"EVENT", and for purposes of clause (i) or (iv) the date on which such Event
occurs, or for purposes of clause (ii) the date on which such five Trading Day
period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (iii) the date which such 10
calendar day period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (v) the date on which
such 20 or 30 calendar day period (or 60 if in connection with the acquisition
of All American Plazas Inc.), as applicable, is exceeded being referred to as
"EVENT DATE"), then in addition to any other rights the Holders may have
hereunder or under applicable law, on each such Event Date and on each monthly
anniversary of each such Event Date (if the applicable Event shall not have been
cured by such date) until the applicable Event is cured, the Company shall pay
to each Holder an amount in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a
penalty, equal to 2.0% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement for any Registrable Securities then held by
such Holder (except that, if the Event is caused solely as a result of the
acquisition of All American Plazas, Inc., the rate shall be 1% for the first two
months such Event has occurred and 2% thereafter). If the Company fails to pay
any partial liquidated damages pursuant to this Section in full within seven
days after the date payable, the Company will pay interest thereon at a rate of
18% per annum (or such lesser maximum amount that is permitted to be paid by
applicable law) to the Holder, accruing daily from the date such partial
liquidated damages are due until such amounts, plus all such interest thereon,
are paid in full. The partial liquidated damages pursuant to the terms hereof
shall apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any portion of a month prior to the
cure of an Event.
3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
In connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder, the
Company shall:
(a) Not less than three Trading Days prior to the filing of each
Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto (including any document that would be incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference), the Company shall, (i) furnish to each
Holder copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other
than those incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be
subject to the review of such Holders, and (ii) cause its officers and
directors, counsel and independent certified public accountants to respond to
such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of respective
counsel to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the
Securities Act. The Company shall not file a Registration Statement or any such
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto to which the Holders of a
majority of the Registrable Securities shall reasonably object in good faith,
provided that, the Company is notified of such
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objection in writing no later than 3 Trading Days after the Holders have been so
furnished copies of such documents. Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company
a completed Questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement as Annex B (a
"SELLING SHAREHOLDER QUESTIONNAIRE") not less than two Trading Days prior to the
Filing Date or by the end of the fourth Trading Day following the date on which
such Holder receives draft materials in accordance with this Section.
(b) (i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to a Registration Statement and the
Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep a
Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable
Securities for the Effectiveness Period and prepare and file with the Commission
such additional Registration Statements in order to register for resale under
the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related
Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement
(subject to the terms of this Agreement), and as so supplemented or amended to
be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (iii) respond as promptly as reasonably possible
to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto and as promptly as reasonably possible
provide the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to
the Commission relating to a Registration Statement; and (iv) comply in all
material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance (subject to
the terms of this Agreement) with the intended methods of disposition by the
Holders thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in
such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) If during the Effectiveness Period, the number of Registrable
Securities at any time exceeds 90% of the number of shares of Common Stock then
registered in a Registration Statement, then the Company shall file as soon as
reasonably practicable but in any case prior to the applicable Filing Date, an
additional Registration Statement covering the resale by the Holders of not less
than 130% of the number of such Registrable Securities.
(d) Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which
notice shall, pursuant to clauses (ii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an
instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes
have been made) as promptly as reasonably possible (and, in the case of (i)(A)
below, not less than five Trading Days prior to such filing) and (if requested
by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than one Trading Day
following the day (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement is proposed to be filed;
(B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a "review" of
such Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on
such Registration Statement (the Company shall provide true and complete copies
thereof and all written responses thereto to each of the Holders); and (C) with
respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other
Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a
Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (iii) of the
issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority
of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement
covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any
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Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption
from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the
financial statements included in a Registration Statement ineligible for
inclusion therein or any statement made in a Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to a
Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of a
Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
(vi) the occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with
respect to the Company that the Company believes may be material and that, in
the determination of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the
Company to allow continued availability of a Registration Statement or
Prospectus; provided that any and all of such information shall remain
confidential to each Holder until such information otherwise becomes public,
unless disclosure by a Holder is required by law; PROVIDED, FURTHER,
notwithstanding each Holder's agreement to keep such information confidential,
the Holders make no acknowledgement that any such information is material,
non-public information.
(e) Use its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued,
obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or
exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in
any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(f) Furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one conformed
copy of each such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested by such Person, and
all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including those previously
furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such
documents with the Commission.
(g) Promptly deliver to each Holder, without charge, as many copies
of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each
amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in
connection with resales by the Holder of Registrable Securities. Subject to the
terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby consents to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, except after
the giving on any notice pursuant to Section 3(d).
(h) If NASDR Rule 2710 requires any broker-dealer to make a filing
prior to executing a sale by a Holder, the Company shall, upon request of such
broker-dealer, (i) make an Issuer Filing with the NASDR, Inc. Corporate
Financing Department pursuant to NASDR Rule 2710(b)(10)(A)(i), (ii) respond
within five Trading Days to any comments received from NASDR in connection
therewith, and (iii) pay the filing fee required in connection therewith.
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(i) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use
its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the
selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or
exemption from the Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities
for the resale by the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in
writing, to keep each registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom)
effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or
things reasonably necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of
the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement; provided,
that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in
any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any
material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a
general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(j) If requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a
Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free, to the extent
permitted by the Purchase Agreement, of all restrictive legends, and to enable
such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such
names as any such Holders may request.
(k) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by this Section 3,
as promptly as reasonably possible under the circumstances taking into account
the Company's good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company
and its stockholders of the premature disclosure of such event, prepare a
supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to a Registration
Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered, neither a Registration Statement nor
such Prospectus will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses
(ii) through (vi) of Section 3(d) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus
until the requisite changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders
shall suspend use of such Prospectus. The Company will use its best efforts to
ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is
practicable. The Company shall be entitled to exercise its right under this
Section 3(k) to suspend the availability of a Registration Statement and
Prospectus, subject to the payment of partial liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 2(b), for a period not to exceed 90 days (which need not be consecutive
days) in any 12 month period.
(l) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission.
(m) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the
Company a certified statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by such Holder and, if required by the Commission, the person
thereof that has voting and dispositive control over the Shares. During any
periods that the Company is unable to meet its obligations hereunder with
respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities solely because any
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Holder fails to furnish such information within three Trading Days of the
Company's request, any liquidated damages that are accruing at such time as to
such Holder only shall be tolled and any Event that may otherwise occur solely
because of such delay shall be suspended as to such Holder only, until such
information is delivered to the Company.
4. REGISTRATION EXPENSES. All fees and expenses incident to the performance
of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the
Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing
sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees
(including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings
required to be made with the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then
listed for trading, (B) in compliance with applicable state securities or Blue
Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company in writing (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company in connection with
Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the Registrable Securities and
determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment
under the laws of such jurisdictions as requested by the Holders) and (C) if not
previously paid by the Company in connection with an Issuer Filing, with respect
to any filing that may be required to be made by any broker through which a
Holder intends to make sales of Registrable Securities with NASD Regulation,
Inc. pursuant to the NASD Rule 2710, so long as the broker is receiving no more
than a customary brokerage commission in connection with such sale, (ii)
printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing
certificates for Registrable Securities and of printing prospectuses if the
printing of prospectuses is reasonably requested by the holders of a majority of
the Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement), (iii)
messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company
so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons
retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company shall be responsible
for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation,
all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or
accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any
securities exchange as required hereunder. In no event shall the Company be
responsible for any broker or similar commissions or, except to the extent
provided for in the Transaction Documents, any legal fees or other costs of the
Holders.
5. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall,
notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless
each Holder, the officers, directors, agents, brokers (including brokers who
offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result of a pledge or
any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock), investment advisors
and employees of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act) and the officers, directors, agents and employees of each such controlling
Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) and expenses (collectively, "LOSSES"),
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as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any
Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission
or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form
of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made) not misleading, except to the extent, but only to the extent,
that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information
regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder
expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to
such Holder or such Holder's proposed method of distribution of Registrable
Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that
the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose) or (ii) in the case of
an occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the
use by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has
notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective and
prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d).
The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or
assertion of any Proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION BY HOLDERS. Each Holder shall, severally and not
jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers,
agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning
of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the
directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as
incurred, to the extent arising out of or based solely upon: (x) such Holder's
failure to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act or (y) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, or any form of prospectus, or in
any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising
out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement
or omission is contained in any information so furnished in writing by such
Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion in such Registration Statement
or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent that (1) such untrue statements or
omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in
writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein, or to the
extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder's proposed
method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and expressly
approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration Statement
(it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this
purpose), such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or (2) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the type
specified in Section 3(d)(ii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an outdated or
defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing that
the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder
of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d). In no event shall the liability of
any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the
net proceeds
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received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise
to such indemnification obligation.
(c) CONDUCT OF INDEMNIFICATION PROCEEDINGS. If any Proceeding shall
be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person
from whom indemnity is sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in writing, and the
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and
the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense
thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice
shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities
pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be
finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is
not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have prejudiced
the Indemnifying Party.
An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in
any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or
Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such
fees and expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to
assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named
parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both
such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party
shall reasonably believe that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist
if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the
Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the
right to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of one
separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding
effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of
which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses
of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent
incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding
in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified
Party, as incurred, within ten Trading Days of written notice thereof to the
Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnified Party shall promptly
reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses
applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is not entitled to
indemnification hereunder, determined based upon the relative faults of the
parties.
(d) CONTRIBUTION. If the indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b)
is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified
Party harmless for any Losses, then
10
each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the
actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying
Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact,
has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such
Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result
of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys' or other reasonable fees or
expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent
such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the
indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party in
accordance with its terms.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no Holder shall be required
to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the
proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable
Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that such
Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, except in the case of fraud by
such Holder.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are
in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the
Indemnified Parties.
6. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) REMEDIES. In the event of a breach by the Company or by a
Holder, of any of their obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the
Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all
rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages,
will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The
Company and each Holder agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate
compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the
provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any
action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the
defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) NO PIGGYBACK ON REGISTRATIONS. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE
6(B) attached hereto, neither the Company nor any of its security holders (other
than the Holders in such capacity pursuant hereto) may include securities of the
Company in the initial Registration Statement other than the Registrable
Securities. The Company shall not file any other registration statements until
the initial Registration Statement required hereunder is declared
11
effective by the Commission, provided that this Section 6(b) shall not prohibit
the Company from filing amendments to registration statements already filed.
(c) COMPLIANCE. Each Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply
with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to
it in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement.
(d) DISCONTINUED DISPOSITION. Each Holder agrees by its acquisition
of such Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company
of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in Section 3(d), such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities
under a Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement, or until it is
advised in writing (the "ADVICE") by the Company that the use of the applicable
Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any
additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or Registration Statement. The
Company will use its best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may
be resumed as promptly as it practicable. The Company agrees and acknowledges
that any periods during which the Holder is required to discontinue the
disposition of the Registrable Securities hereunder shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 2(b).
(e) PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATIONS. If at any time during the
Effectiveness Period there is not an effective Registration Statement covering
all of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall determine to prepare and
file with the Commission a registration statement relating to an offering for
its own account or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its
equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under
the Securities Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to
be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or
equity securities issuable in connection with the stock option or other employee
benefit plans, then the Company shall send to each Holder a written notice of
such determination and, if within fifteen days after the date of such notice,
any such Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such
registration statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities such
Holder requests to be registered; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, the Company shall not
be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 6(e)
that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated under the
Securities Act or that are the subject of a then effective Registration
Statement; provided further that the Company shall not be required to include
only such Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering solely of Company
securities if the managing underwriter(s) advises the Company that inclusion of
such Registrable Securities would adversely affect the offering
(f) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company
and Holders holding at least 66% of the then outstanding Registrable Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other
Holders may be given by Holders of all of
12
the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or
supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately
preceding sentence.
(g) NOTICES. Any and all notices or other communications or
deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be delivered as
set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
(h) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of
the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder. The Company may not
assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of
all of the Holders of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities. Each Holder
may assign their respective rights hereunder in the manner and to the Persons as
permitted under the Purchase Agreement.
(i) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any
agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of
impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise
conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 6(i),
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has previously entered into any
agreement granting any registration rights with respect to any of its securities
to any Person that have not been satisfied in full.
(j) EXECUTION AND COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be
an original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the
party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with
the same force and effect as if such facsimile signature were the original
thereof.
(k) GOVERNING LAW. All questions concerning the construction,
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined
with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
(l) CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. The remedies provided herein are cumulative
and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
(m) SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an
alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that
contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby
stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have
executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without
including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or
unenforceable.
13
(n) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(o) INDEPENDENT NATURE OF HOLDERS' OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS. The
obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the
obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible in
any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder.
Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any
closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be
deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint
venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Holders
are in any way acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled to
protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising
out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be
joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
********************
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights
Agreement as of the date first written above.
ABLE ENERGY, INC.
By:_________________________________________
Name:
Title:
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]
15
[SIGNATURE PAGE OF HOLDERS TO ABLE RRA]
Name of Holder: __________________________
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY OF HOLDER: __________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: _________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: __________________________
[SIGNATURE PAGES CONTINUE]
16
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each Selling Stockholder (the "SELLING STOCKHOLDERS") of the common
stock ("COMMON STOCK") of Able Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY") and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest may,
from time to time, sell any or all of their shares of Common Stock on the
Trading Market or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility on which
the shares are traded or in private transactions. These sales may be at fixed or
negotiated prices. A Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of the
following methods when selling shares:
o ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the
broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
o block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the
shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the
block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
o purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the
broker-dealer for its account;
o an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the
applicable exchange;
o privately negotiated transactions;
o settlement of short sales entered into after the effective date
of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a
part;
o broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a
specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;
o a combination of any such methods of sale;
o through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging
transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
or
o any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.
The Selling Stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), if available, rather
than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other
brokers-dealers to participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions
or discounts from the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as
agent for the purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be
negotiated, but, except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the
case of an agency transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission
in compliance with NASDR Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a
markup or markdown in compliance with NASDR IM-2440.
17
In connection with the sale of the Common Stock or interests therein,
the Selling Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers
or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the
Common Stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling
Stockholders may also sell shares of the Common Stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the Common
Stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling
Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The Selling Stockholders and any broker~dealers or agents that are
involved in selling the shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any
commissions received by such broker~dealers or agents and any profit on the
resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder has
informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or
understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Common
Stock. In no event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups
which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8%).
The Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the
Company incident to the registration of the shares. The Company has agreed to
indemnify the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Because Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the meaning of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered
by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus.
Each Selling Stockholder has advised us that they have not entered into any
written or oral agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriter
or broker-dealer regarding the sale of the resale shares. There is no
underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale
of the resale shares by the Selling Stockholders.
We agreed to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the
date on which the shares may be resold by the Selling Stockholders without
registration and without regard to any volume limitations by reason of Rule
144(e) under the Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all
of the shares have been sold pursuant to the prospectus or Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect. The resale shares will be
sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under
applicable state securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale
shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in
the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification
requirement is available and is complied with.
18
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any
person engaged in the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously
engage in market making activities with respect to the Common Stock for the
applicable restricted period, as defined in Regulation M prior to the
commencement of the distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be
subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of
purchases and sales of shares of the Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders or
any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the
Selling Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of
this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale.
19
ANNEX B
ABLE ENERGY, INC.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE
The undersigned beneficial owner of common stock, par value $0.001 per
share (the "COMMON STOCK"), of Able Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), (the "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES") understands that the Company has
filed or intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"COMMISSION") a registration statement on Form S-3 (the "REGISTRATION
STATEMENT") for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), of the Registrable Securities, in
accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July
12, 2005 (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS Agreement"), among the Company and the
Purchasers named therein. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is
available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All
capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling
securityholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised
to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being
named or not being named as a selling securityholder in the Registration
Statement and the related prospectus.
NOTICE
The undersigned beneficial owner (the "SELLING SECURITYHOLDER") of
Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities owned
by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under such Item 3)
in the Registration Statement.
20
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and
represents and warrants that such information is accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. NAME.
(a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder
________________________________________________________________
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a)
above) through which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3
below are held:
________________________________________________________________
(c) Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural
person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power
to vote or dispose of the securities covered by the
questionnaire):
________________________________________________________________
2. ADDRESS FOR NOTICES TO SELLING SECURITYHOLDER:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________________________________________
Fax: __________________________________________________________________________
Contact Person: _______________________________________________________________
3. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES:
(a) Type and Principal Amount of Registrable Securities beneficially
owned:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
21
4. BROKER-DEALER STATUS:
(a) Are you a broker-dealer?
Yes [ ] No [ ]
(b) If "yes" to Section 4(a), did you receive your Registrable
Securities as compensation for investment banking services to
the Company.
Yes [ ] No [ ]
Note If no, the Commission's staff has indicated that you should be
identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
(c) Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?
Yes [ ] No [ ]
(d) If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that
you bought the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of
business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable
Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or
understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to
distribute the Registrable Securities?
Yes [ ] No [ ]
Note: If no, the Commission's staff has indicated that you should be
identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.
5. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF OTHER SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY OWNED BY THE
SELLING SECURITYHOLDER.
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW IN THIS ITEM 5, THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT THE
BENEFICIAL OR REGISTERED OWNER OF ANY SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY OTHER
THAN THE REGISTRABLE SECURITIES LISTED ABOVE IN ITEM 3.
(a) Type and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the
Selling Securityholder:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
22
6. RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMPANY:
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NEITHER THE UNDERSIGNED NOR ANY OF ITS
AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL EQUITY HOLDERS (OWNERS OF
5% OF MORE OF THE EQUITY SECURITIES OF THE UNDERSIGNED) HAS HELD ANY
POSITION OR OFFICE OR HAS HAD ANY OTHER MATERIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
COMPANY (OR ITS PREDECESSORS OR AFFILIATES) DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS.
State any exceptions here:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any
inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur
subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Registration Statement
remains effective.
By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the
information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 6 and the
inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related
prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto. The undersigned
understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in
connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and
the related prospectus.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused
this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or
by its duly authorized agent.
Dated: _________________________ Beneficial Owner: ________________________
By: ______________________________________
Name:
Title:
PLEASE FAX A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE, AND
RETURN THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:
23
