CARDO MEDICAL, INC. 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EXHIBIT 10.1
CARDO MEDICAL,
INC.
2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. DEFINITIONS
The following terms
shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:
1.1.
"Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the
respective meanings given to such terms under Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange
Act.
1.2.
"Award" shall mean either a Stock Option, an SAR, a Stock Award, a
Stock Unit, a Performance Share, a Performance Unit, or a Cash Award.
1.3.
"Award Agreement " shall mean a written agreement between the
Company and the Participant that establishes the terms, conditions, restrictions
and/or limitations applicable to an Award in addition to those established by
the Plan and by the Committee's exercise of its administrative powers.
1.4.
"Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning given to such term under
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
1.5.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.6.
"Cash Award" shall mean the grant by the Committee to a
Participant of an award of cash as described in Section 11 below.
1.7.
"Cause" shall mean (i) willful malfeasance or willful
misconduct by the Employee in connection with his/her employment,
(ii) continuing failure to perform such duties as are requested by the
Company and/or its subsidiaries, (iii) failure by the Employee to observe
material policies of the Company and/or its subsidiaries applicable to the
Employee, (iv) material breach of any agreement with or duty owed to the
Company and/or its subsidiaries applicable to the Employee, or (v) the
commission by the Employee of (x) any felony or (y) any misdemeanor
involving moral turpitude.
1.8.
"Change in Control of the Company" or "Change in Control
" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) any Person, as such term is used for purposes of Section
13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any successor section thereto, other than
(i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, (iii) any
Subsidiaries of the Company, (iv) any company owned, directly or
indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, or (v) the Frost
Group, LLC or any of its Affiliates becomes, either alone or together with such
Person's Affiliates and Associates, the Beneficial Owner, directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then-outstanding securities.
(b) during any period of twenty-four months, individuals who at
the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new directors whose
election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders
was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in
office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;
(c) the effective date or date of consummation of any
transaction or series of transactions (other than a transaction to which only
the Company and one or more of its subsidiaries are parties) under which the
Company is merged or consolidated with any other company, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after
such merger or consolidation; or
(d) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
1.9.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time.
1.10.
"Committee" shall mean the Board's Compensation Committee or any
other committee of the Board appointed to administer this Plan.
1.11.
"Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company.
1.12.
"Company" shall mean Cardo Medical, Inc., a Delaware Corporation.
1.13.
"Disability" shall mean the inability to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental
impairment which constitutes a permanent and total disability, as defined in
Section 22(e) (3) of the Code (or any successor section thereto) and has
applied for and been granted Long Term Disability under the Company's Long Term
Disability Plan. The determination whether a Participant has suffered a
Disability shall be made by the Committee, in its sole discretion, based upon
such evidence as it deems necessary and appropriate, and shall be conclusive and
binding on the Participant. A Participant shall not be considered disabled
unless he or she furnishes such medical or other evidence of the existence of
the Disability as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may require.
1.14.
"Dividend Equivalent Right" shall mean the right to receive an
amount equal to the amount of any dividend paid with respect to a share of
Common Stock multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock underlying or
with respect to a Stock Option, a SAR, a Stock Unit or a Performance Unit, and
which shall be payable in cash, in Common Stock, in the form of Stock Units or
Performance Units, or a combination of any or all of the foregoing.
1.15.
"Effective Date" shall mean the date on which the Board adopts the
Plan.
1.16.
"Employee" shall mean an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary
as described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-7(h).
1.17.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time, including applicable regulations thereunder.
1.18.
"Fair Market Value " shall, unless otherwise required by any
applicable provision of the Code or any Treasury Regulations, mean:
(a) if a security is listed or trading on a national securities
exchange or other market system, the closing price of such security on the date
of calculation (or on the last preceding trading date if such security was not
traded on such date), or
(b) if such security is not listed or trading on a national
securities exchange or other market system, as determined in good faith by the
Board or the Committee.
1.19.
"Family Members" shall mean a Participant's spouse, parents,
children, and siblings, whether by blood, marriage or adoption.
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1.20.
"Independent Contractor" shall mean a Person (other than a Person
who is an Employee or a Nonemployee Director) or an entity that renders services
to the Company or any Subsidiary.
1.21.
"ISO" shall mean an "incentive stock option" as such term is used
in Code Section 422.
1.22.
"Nonemployee Director" shall mean a member of the Board or the
board of directors of a Subsidiary who is not an Employee.
1.23.
"Nonqualified Stock Option" shall mean a Stock Option that is not
an ISO.
1.24.
"Participant" shall mean any Employee, Nonemployee Director or
Independent Contractor to whom an Award has been granted by the Committee under
the Plan.
1.25.
"Performance-Based Award" shall mean an Award subject to the
achievement of certain performance goal or goals as described in Section 12
below.
1.26.
"Performance Share" shall mean the grant by the Committee to a
Participant of an Award as described in Section 10.1 below.
1.27.
"Performance Unit" shall mean the grant by the Committee to a
Participant of an Award as described in Section 10.2 below.
1.28.
"Person" shall mean any person, entity or "group" (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).
1.29.
"Plan" shall mean the Cardo Medical, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive
Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
1.30.
"Retirement" shall mean the termination of the employment, other
than for Cause or due to death or Disability, of a Participant who; (i) has
reached the age of 65; (ii) has reached the age of 62 and has completed
5 years of service with the Company; or (iii) has reached the age of
60 and has completed 10 years of service with the Company.
1.31.
"SAR" shall mean the grant by the Committee to a Participant of a
stock appreciation right as described in Section 8 below.
1.32.
"Stock Award" shall mean the grant by the Committee to a
Participant of an Award of Common Stock as described in Section 9.1 below.
1.33.
"Stock Option" shall mean the grant by the Committee to a
Participant of an option to purchase Common Stock as described in Section 7
below.
1.34.
"Stock Unit" shall mean the grant by the Committee to a
Participant of an Award as described in Section 9.2 below.
1.35.
"Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation of which the Company is the
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock
or any other business entity in which the Company is the Beneficial Owner,
directly or indirectly, of more than 50% or any other business venture
designated by the Committee in which the Company has a significant interest, as
determined in the discretion of the Committee.
1.36.
"Treasury Regulations" shall mean the regulations promulgated
under the Code by the United States Department of the Treasury, as amended from
time to time.
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1.37.
"Vest " shall mean:
(a) with respect to Stock Options and SARs, when the Stock
Option or SAR (or a portion of such Stock Option or SAR) first becomes
exercisable and remains exercisable subject to the terms and conditions of such
Stock Option or SAR; or
(b) with respect to Awards other than Stock Options and SARs,
when the Participant has:
(i) an unrestricted right to receive the compensation (whether
payable in Common Stock, cash or a combination of both) attributable to such
Award (or a portion of such Award) or to otherwise enjoy the benefits underlying
such Award; and
(ii) a right to transfer an Award subject to no Company-imposed
restrictions or limitations other than restrictions and/or limitations imposed
by Section 14 below
1.38.
"Vesting Date" shall mean the date or dates on which an Award
Vests.
1.39.
"Voting Stock" shall mean the capital stock of any class or
classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the absence
of contingencies, to elect the directors of a corporation.
2. PURPOSE AND
TERM OF PLAN
2.1.
Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to motivate certain Employees,
Nonemployee Directors and Independent Contractors to put forth maximum efforts
toward the growth, profitability, and success of the Company and Subsidiaries by
providing incentives to such Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Independent
Contractors either through cash payments and/or through the ownership and
performance of the Common Stock. In addition, the Plan is intended to provide
incentives which will help the Company attract and retain highly qualified
individuals as Employees and Nonemployee Directors and to assist in aligning the
interests of such Employees and Nonemployee Directors with those of its
shareholders.
2.2.
Term. The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date; provided,
however, that the Plan shall be approved by the shareholders of the Company at
an annual meeting or any special meeting of shareholders of the Company within
12 months before or after the Effective Date, and such approval by the
shareholders of the Company shall be a condition to the right of each
Participant to receive Awards hereunder. Any Award granted under the Plan prior
to the approval by the shareholders of the Company shall be effective as of the
date of grant (unless the Committee specifies otherwise at the time of grant),
but no such Award may Vest, be paid out, or otherwise be disposed of prior to
such shareholder approval. If the shareholders of the Company fail to approve
the Plan in accordance with this Section 2.2, any Award granted under the
Plan shall be automatically cancelled without payment of any consideration to
the recipient of such Award. The Plan shall remain in effect for ten years or
until earlier terminated by the Board and no Award may be granted under the Plan
on a date that is more than ten years from the Effective Date; provided,
however, that in the event of Plan termination or expiration, the provisions of
the Plan shall remain in effect as to any Awards which remain outstanding until
all such Awards have been satisfied or are terminated under the terms of this
Plan or under the applicable Award Agreement.
3. ELIGIBILITY AND
PARTICIPATION
3.1.
Eligibility. All Employees, all Nonemployee Directors and all Independent
Contractors shall be eligible to participate in the Plan and to receive Awards.
An individual's status as a member of the Committee will not affect his
eligibility to participate in the Plan.
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3.2.
Participation. Participants shall consist of such Employees, Nonemployee
Directors and Independent Contractors as the Committee in its sole discretion
designates to receive Awards under the Plan. Subject to Section 7.1, an
Award may also be granted to an Employee, in connection with hiring, retention
or otherwise prior to the date the Employee first performs services for the
Company or any Subsidiary, provided that such Awards shall not become Vested
prior to the date the Employee first performs such services. Designation of a
Participant in any year shall not require the Committee to designate such Person
to receive an Award in any other year or, once designated, to receive the same
type or amount of Award as granted to the Participant in any other year. The
Committee shall consider such factors as it deems pertinent in selecting
Participants and in determining the type and amount of their respective Awards.
4.
ADMINISTRATION
4.1.
Responsibility. The Committee shall have the responsibility, in its sole
discretion, to control, operate, manage and administer the Plan in accordance
with its terms; provided, however, that the Board may in any instance perform
any of the functions of the Committee hereunder.
4.2.
Award Agreement. Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by
an Award Agreement which shall be signed by the Company and the Participant;
provided, however, that in the event of any conflict between a provision of the
Plan and any provision of an Award Agreement, the provision of the Plan shall
prevail.
4.3.
Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have all the
discretionary authority that may be necessary or helpful to enable it to
discharge its responsibilities with respect to the Plan, including but not
limited to the following:
(a) to determine eligibility for participation in the Plan and
to select Participants;
(b) to determine eligibility for and the type and size of an
Award granted under the Plan;
(c) to make Awards in accordance with the terms of the Plan and
to determine the terms and conditions of each Award;
(d) to supply any omission, correct any defect, or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan in such manner and to such extent as it shall deem
appropriate in its sole discretion to carry the same into effect;
(e) to issue administrative guidelines as an aid to administer
the Plan and make changes in such guidelines as it from time to time deems
proper;
(f) to make rules for carrying out and administering the Plan
and make changes in such rules as it from time to time deems proper;
(g) to the extent permitted under the Plan, grant waivers of
Plan terms, conditions, restrictions, and limitations and to vary the terms of
Awards
(h) to take account of tax, securities law and other regulatory
requirements of foreign jurisdictions;
(i) to accelerate the Vesting of any Award when such action or
actions would be in the best interest of the Company;
(j) to grant Awards in replacement of Awards previously granted
under this Plan or any other executive compensation plan of the Company; and
(k) to take any and all other actions it deems necessary or
advisable for the proper operation or administration of the Plan.
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4.4.
Action by the Committee. The Committee may act only by a majority of its
members. Any determination of the Committee may be made, without a meeting, by a
writing or writings signed by all of the members of the Committee. In addition,
the Committee may authorize any one or more of its members or, subject to
Section 4.5 below, one or more agents to execute and deliver documents on
behalf of the Committee.
4.5.
Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the
Committee may delegate to one or more of its members, or to one or more officers
of the Company, such administrative duties as it may deem advisable; provided,
however, that any such delegation shall be in writing and, provided, further,
that the Committee may not delegate its authority (a) to make Awards to
Participants or (b) under Sections 4.3 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f),
(g), (h), (i) or (j) or Section 16 of the Plan. Any action
undertaken by any such member or agent in accordance with the Committee's
delegation of authority shall have the same force and effect as if undertaken
directly by the Committee, and any reference in the Plan to the Committee shall,
to the extent consistent with the terms and limitations of such delegation, be
deemed to include a reference to such members or agents. In addition, the
Committee, or any Person to whom it has delegated duties under this
Section 4.5, may employ one or more Persons to render advice with respect
to any responsibility the Committee or such Person may have under the Plan. The
Committee may employ such legal or other counsel, consultants and agents as it
may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan. Expenses incurred by the
Committee in the engagement of such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid
by the Company, or the Subsidiary whose employees have benefited from the Plan,
as determined by the Committee. In the performance of its functions, the
Committee shall be entitled to rely upon information, opinions, computations and
advice furnished by the Company's officers, any counsel, consultant or agent
retained by the Committee, and any other party the Committee deems necessary,
and no member of the Committee shall be liable for any action taken or not taken
in reliance upon any such advice.
4.6.
Determinations and Interpretations by the Committee. All determinations
and interpretations made by the Committee shall be binding and conclusive on all
Participants and their heirs, successors, and legal representatives.
4.7.
Liability. No member of the Board, no member of the Committee and no
Employee shall be liable for any act or failure to act hereunder, except in
circumstances involving his or her willful misconduct, or for any act or failure
to act hereunder by any other member or Employee or by any agent to whom duties
in connection with the administration of the Plan have been delegated.
4.8.
Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify members of the Board,
members of the Committee and any agent of the Committee who is an Employee,
against any and all liabilities or expenses to which they may be subjected
(including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) by
reason of any act or failure to act with respect to their duties on behalf of
the Plan, except in circumstances involving such Person's willful misconduct.
5. SHARES SUBJECT
TO PLAN
5.1.
Available Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 below,
the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which shall be available for
grants or payments of Awards under the Plan during its term shall be 23,000,000
shares (the "Total Plan Shares"). In the event that (i) an
Award (or portion thereof) lapses, expires or is otherwise terminated without
the issuance of the shares subject to such Award or is settled by the delivery
of consideration other than shares, (ii) shares are tendered to pay the
exercise price of a Stock Option or other Award or (iii) shares are
withheld from any award to satisfy a Participant's tax withholding obligations
or, if applicable, to pay the exercise price of a Stock Option or other Award,
such shares shall again become available for grants or Awards hereunder. Such
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be either
authorized but unissued shares, shares of issued stock held in the Company's
treasury, or both, at the discretion of the Company. Awards that are payable
only in cash are not subject to this Section 5.1.
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5.2.
Adjustment to Shares. The existence of the Plan, the Award Agreements and
the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right
or power of the Company or the shareholders of the Company to make or authorize
any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the
Company's capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the
Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock
or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are
superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its
assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a
similar character or otherwise. If there is any change in the Common Stock of
the Company, through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization,
stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off,
combination of shares, exchange of shares, dividend in kind or other like change
in capital structure or distribution to shareholders of the Company in the
nature of a liquidating distribution or a distribution pursuant to a plan of
dissolution, the Committee may, in its discretion, make a proportionate
adjustment to each outstanding Award that the Committee considers appropriate so
that thereafter each such Award shall be with respect to or exercisable for such
securities, cash and/or other property as would have been received in respect of
the Common Stock subject to such Award had such Award been paid, distributed or
exercised in full immediately prior to such change or distribution. In addition,
in the event of any such change or distribution, in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of Participants' rights under the Plan, the Committee shall have the
authority to adjust, in an equitable manner as it deems appropriate, the number
and kind of shares that may be received in respect of any Award, the number and
kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards, the exercise price applicable to
outstanding Stock Options, and the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock and
other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards. Appropriate
adjustments may also be made by the Committee in the terms of any Awards granted
under the Plan to reflect such changes or distributions and to modify any other
terms of outstanding Awards on an equitable basis, including modifications of
performance goals and changes in the length of performance periods; provided,
however, that with respect to Performance-Based Awards, such modifications
and/or changes do not disqualify compensation attributable to such Awards as
"performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m). In addition,
the Committee is authorized to make adjustments to the terms and conditions of,
and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring
events affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company, or in
response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.
The Committee's determination of what, if any, adjustments shall be made shall
be final and binding on the Company and all Participants.
5.3.
No Repricing. Absent shareholder approval, neither the Committee nor the
Board shall have the authority, with or without the consent of the affected
holders of the Awards, to "reprice" an Award after the date of its initial grant
with a lower exercise price in substitution for the original exercise price.
Adjustments in accordance with Section 5.2 above shall not be deemed
"repricings" for purposes of this Section 5.3. This Section 5.3 may
not be amended, altered or repealed by the Committee or the Board without the
approval of the shareholders of the Company.
6. MAXIMUM
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
6.1.
Maximum Aggregate Number of Shares Underlying Stock-Based Awards Granted
Under the Plan to Any Single Participant. The maximum aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock underlying all Awards measured in shares of Common Stock
(whether payable in Common Stock, cash or a combination of both) that may be
granted to any single Participant in respect of any fiscal year of the Company
shall be 1,500,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.2
above.
6.2.
Maximum Dollar Amount Underlying Cash-Based Awards Granted Under the Plan to
Any Single Participant. The maximum dollar amount that may be paid to any
single Participant with respect to all Awards measured in cash (whether payable
in Common Stock, cash or a combination of both) in respect of any fiscal year of
the Company shall be $1,500,000.
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7. STOCK
OPTIONS
7.1.
In General. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Stock
Options to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Independent Contractors on or
after the Effective Date, subject, in all cases to Section 2.2 of the Plan.
The Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine the Employees, the
Nonemployee Directors and Independent Contractors who will receive Stock Options
and the number of shares of Common Stock underlying each Stock Option. Each
Stock Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions consistent with the
Plan set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and such other terms and
conditions consistent with the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement as the
Committee may impose from time to time. In addition, each Stock Option shall be
subject to the following terms and conditions set forth in Sections 7.2
through 7.8 below.
7.2.
Exercise Price. The Committee shall specify the exercise price of each
Stock Option in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the exercise price
of any Nonqualified Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
7.3.
Term of Stock Option. The Committee shall specify the term of each Stock
Option in the Award Agreement shall terminate as set forth in Section 14
below or at such earlier times and upon such conditions or circumstances as the
Committee shall, in its sole discretion, set forth in the Award Agreement.
7.4.
Vesting Date. The Committee shall specify the Vesting Date with respect
to each Stock Option in the Award Agreement; provided, that the Committee may
provide in the applicable Award Agreement that any Stock Option shall Vest in
such portions or installments as the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
determine. The Committee may grant Stock Options that are Vested, either in
whole or in part, on the date of grant. If the Committee fails to specify a
Vesting Date in the Award Agreement, 25% of such Stock Option shall become
exercisable on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant and
shall remain exercisable following such anniversary date until the Stock Option
expires in accordance with its terms under the Award Agreement or under the
terms of the Plan. The Vesting of a Stock Option may be subject to such other
terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee, including, without
limitation, accelerating the Vesting if certain performance goals are achieved.
7.5.
Exercise of Stock Options. The Stock Option exercise price may be paid in
cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, by the delivery of shares of
Common Stock or other securities of the Company then owned by the Participant,
by the withholding of shares of Common Stock for which a Stock Option is
exercisable, or by a combination of these methods. In the sole discretion of the
Committee, and subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, payment
may also be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the
Company together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver
promptly to the Company the amount of sale proceeds to pay the exercise price.
To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may enter into agreements for
coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms. The Committee may
prescribe any other method of paying the exercise price that it determines to be
consistent with applicable law and the purpose of the Plan, including, without
limitation, in lieu of the exercise of a Stock Option by delivery of shares of
Common Stock then owned by a Participant, providing the Company with a notarized
statement attesting to the number of shares owned by the Participant, where upon
verification by the Company, the Company would issue to the Participant only the
number of incremental shares to which the Participant is entitled upon exercise
of the Stock Option. In determining which methods a Participant may utilize to
pay the exercise price, the Committee may consider such factors as it determines
are appropriate; provided, however, that any method approved by the Committee
shall comply with applicable securities laws. When payment of the exercise price
for a Stock Option consists of shares of the Company's capital stock or other
securities of the Company, such securities will not be accepted as payment
unless the Participant has held such shares for the requisite period necessary
to avoid a charge to the Company's earnings for financial reporting purposes.
7.6.
Additional Terms and Conditions. The Committee may, by way of the Award
Agreements or otherwise, establish such other terms, conditions, restrictions
and/or limitations, if any, of any Stock Option, as they may determine in their
sole discretion; provided, they are not inconsistent with the Plan, including,
without limitation, any requirement that the Participant not engage in
competition with the Company or any Subsidiary.
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7.7.
Conversion Stock Options. The Committee may, in its sole discretion and
upon such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, grant a Stock Option to
any holder of an option (hereinafter referred to as an "Original Option") to
purchase shares of the stock of any corporation:
(a) the stock or all or substantially all of the assets of which
were acquired, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any Subsidiary, or
(b) which was merged with and into the Company or a Subsidiary,
so that the Original Option is converted into a Stock Option (hereinafter
referred to as a "Conversion Stock Option"); provided, however, that such
Conversion Stock Option as of the date of its grant (the "Conversion Stock
Option Grant Date ") shall have substantially the same economic value as
the Original Option as of the Conversion Stock Option Grant Date.
8. STOCK
APPRECIATION RIGHTS
8.1.
In General. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant SARs to
Employees, Nonemployee Directors, and/or Independent Contractors. An SAR is a
right to receive a payment in cash, Common Stock or a combination of both, in an
amount equal to the excess of (x) the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock, or other specified valuation, of a specified number of shares of Common
Stock on the date the SAR is exercised over (y) the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock, or other specified valuation (which shall be no less than the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock), of such shares of Common Stock on the
date the SAR is granted, all as determined by the Committee. If a SAR is granted
retroactively in tandem with or in substitution for a Stock Option, the
designated Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in the Award Agreement shall be
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date such Stock Option was
granted, the SAR shall cover the same number of shares of Common Stock as
covered by the Stock Option (or such lesser number of shares as the Committee
may determine) and the SAR shall be exercisable only at such time or times and
to the extent the related Stock Option shall be exercisable, and shall have the
same term and exercise price as the related Stock Option. Upon exercise of a
Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with a Stock Option, the related
Stock Option shall be cancelled automatically to the extent of the number of
shares covered by such exercise; conversely, if the related Stock Option is
exercised as to some or all of the shares covered by the tandem grant, the
tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be cancelled automatically to the extent
of the number of shares covered by the Stock Option exercised. Each SAR shall be
subject to such terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, a provision
that automatically converts a SAR into a Stock Option on a conversion date
specified at the time of grant, as the Committee shall impose from time to time
in its sole discretion and subject to the terms of the Plan.
9. STOCK AWARDS AND
STOCK UNITS
9.1.
Stock Awards. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Stock
Awards to Employees, Nonemployee Directors, and/or Independent Contractors as
additional compensation or in lieu of other compensation for services to the
Company. A Stock Award shall consist of shares of Common Stock which shall be
subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee in its sole discretion
determines appropriate, including, without limitation, restrictions on the sale
or other disposition of such shares, the Vesting Date with respect to such
shares, and the right of the Company to reacquire such shares for no
consideration upon termination of the Participant's employment within specified
periods. With respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award,
the Participant shall have all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common
Stock, including the right to receive dividends and to vote the shares, unless
the Committee determines otherwise on the date of grant. The Committee may
require the Participant to deliver a duly signed stock power, endorsed in blank,
relating to the Common Stock covered by such Stock Award. As a condition to any
Stock Award, the Participant may be required to deliver to the Company a share
power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such Award. Any
share certificate issued in connection with a Stock Award may be held in the
custody of the Company and will bear the following legend and/or any other
legend required by this Plan, the applicable Award Agreement or applicable law:
9
THE TRANSFERABILITY OF
THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE CARDO MEDICAL, INC. 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AND AN
AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE PARTICIPANT AND CARDO MEDICAL, INC. (WHICH
TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CERTAIN TRANSFER
RESTRICTIONS AND FORFEITURE CONDITIONS). COPIES OF THAT PLAN AND AGREEMENT ARE
ON FILE IN THE PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF CARDO MEDICAL, INC. AND WILL BE MADE
AVAILABLE TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO THE
SECRETARY OF CARDO MEDICAL, INC.
9.2.
Stock Units. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Stock Units
to Employees, Nonemployee Directors, and/or Independent Contractors as
additional compensation or in lieu of other compensation for services to the
Company. A Stock Unit is a hypothetical share of Common Stock represented by a
notional account established and maintained (or caused to be established or
maintained) by the Company for such Participant who receives a grant of Stock
Units. Stock Units shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate including, without
limitation, determinations of the Vesting Date with respect to such Stock Units
and the criteria for the Vesting of such Stock Units. A Stock Unit granted by
the Committee shall provide for payment in shares of Common Stock at such time
or times as the Award Agreement shall specify. The Committee shall determine
whether a Participant who has been granted a Stock Unit shall also be entitled
to a Dividend Equivalent Right.
9.3.
Payout of Stock Units. Subject to a Participant's election to defer in
accordance with Section 17.3 below, upon the Vesting of a Stock Unit, the
shares of Common Stock representing the Stock Unit shall be distributed to the
Participant, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, provides for the
payment of the Stock Unit in cash (or partly in cash and partly in shares of
Common Stock) equal to the value of the shares of Common Stock which would
otherwise be distributed to the Participant.
10. PERFORMANCE
SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS
10.1.
Performance Shares. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant
Performance Shares to Employees, Nonemployee Directors, and/or Independent
Contractors as additional compensation or in lieu of other compensation for
services to the Company. A Performance Share shall consist of a share or shares
of Common Stock which shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate, including, without
limitation, determining the performance goal or goals which, depending on the
extent to which such goals are met, will determine the number and/or value of
the Performance Shares that will be paid out or distributed to the Participant
who has been granted Performance Shares. Performance goals may be based on,
without limitation, Company-wide, divisional and/or individual performance, as
the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine, and may be based on the
performance measures listed in Section 12.3 below. With respect to the
Performance Shares, the Participant shall have none of the rights of a holder of
shares of Common Stock, including the right to receive dividends and to vote the
shares, unless and until such Performance Shares shall have been Vested and
distributed to the Participant.
10.2.
Performance Units. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant
Performance Units to Employees, Nonemployee Directors, and/or Independent
Contractors as additional compensation or in lieu of other compensation for
services to the Company. A Performance Unit is a hypothetical share or shares of
Common Stock represented by a notional account which shall be established and
maintained (or caused to be established or maintained) by the Company for such
Participant who receives a grant of Performance Units. Performance Units shall
be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole
discretion, determines appropriate, including, without limitation, determining
the performance goal or goals which, depending on the extent to which such goals
are met, will determine the number and/or value of the Performance Units that
will be accrued with respect to the Participant who has been granted Performance
Units. Performance goals may be based on, without limitation, Company-wide,
divisional and/or individual performance, as the Committee, in its sole
discretion, may determine, and may be based on the performance measures listed
in Section 12.3 below.
10
10.3.
Payout of Performance Shares or Performance Units. Subject to a
Participant's election to defer in accordance with Section 17.3 below, upon
the Vesting of a Performance Share or a Performance Unit, the shares of Common
Stock representing the Performance Share or the Performance Unit shall be
distributed to the Participant, unless the Committee, in its sole discretion,
provides for the payment of the Performance Share or a Performance Unit in cash
(or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock) equal to the value of
the shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be distributed to the
Participant.
11. CASH
AWARDS
11.1.
In General. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Cash Awards
to Employees, Nonemployee Directors, and/or Independent Contractors as
additional compensation or in lieu of other compensation for services to the
Company. A Cash Award shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate, including, without
limitation, determining the Vesting Date with respect to such Cash Award, the
criteria for the Vesting of such Cash Award, and the right of the Company to
require the Participant to repay the Cash Award (with or without interest) upon
termination of the Participant's employment within specified periods.
12.
PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS
12.1.
In General. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may designate Awards
granted under the Plan as Performance-Based Awards (as defined below) if it
determines that such compensation might not be tax deductible by the Company due
to the deduction limitation imposed by Code Section 162(m). Accordingly, an
Award granted under the Plan may be granted in such a manner that the
compensation attributable to such Award is intended by the Committee to qualify
as "qualified performance-based compensation" (as such term is used in Code
Section 162(m) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) and thus be exempt from
the deduction limitation imposed by Code Section 162(m) ("Performance-Based
Awards").
12.2.
Qualification of Performance-Based Awards. Awards shall only qualify as
Performance-Based Awards under the Plan if:
(a) at the time of grant the Committee is comprised solely of
two or more "outside directors" (as such term is used in Code Section 162(m) and
the Treasury Regulations thereunder);
(b) with respect to either the granting or Vesting of an Award
(other than (i) a Nonqualified Stock Option or (ii) a SAR, which are
granted with an exercise price at or above the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock on the date of grant), such Award is subject to the achievement of a
performance goal or goals based on one or more of the performance measures
specified in Section 12.3 below;
(c) the Committee establishes in writing (i) the objective
performance-based goals applicable to a given performance period and
(ii) the individual employees or class of employees to which such
performance-based goals apply no later than 90 days after the commencement
of such performance period (but in no event after 25 percent of such
performance period has elapsed);
(d) no compensation attributable to a Performance-Based Award
will be paid to or otherwise received by a Participant until the Committee
certifies in writing that the performance goal or goals (and any other material
terms) applicable to such performance period have been satisfied; and
(e) after the establishment of a performance goal, the Committee
shall not revise such performance goal (unless such revision will not disqualify
compensation attributable to the Award as "performance-based compensation" under
Code Section 162(m)) or increase the amount of compensation payable with
respect to such Award upon the attainment of such performance goal.
11
12.3.
Performance Measures. The Committee shall use the following performance
measures (either individually or in any combination) to set performance goals
with respect to Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Awards: net
sales; pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and bonus; budget;
cash flow; earnings per share; net income; financial goals; return on
shareholders' equity; return on assets; attainment of strategic and operational
initiatives; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the Common Stock
or any other publicly-traded securities of the Company; market share; gross
profits; earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization; economic value-added models; comparisons with
various stock market indices; and/or reductions in costs.
13. CHANGE IN
CONTROL
13.1.
Accelerated Vesting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to
the contrary, and without limiting the powers of the Committee under
Section 4.3 of the Plan, if there is a Change in Control of the Company,
the Vesting Date and/or payout of each outstanding Award shall be accelerated so
that each such Award shall, immediately prior to the effective date of the
Change in Control, become fully vested with respect to the total number of
shares of Common stock subject to such Award. Upon the consummation of any
Change of Control, all outstanding Awards under the Plan shall, to the extent
not previously exercised, either be assumed by any successor corporation or
parent thereof or be replaced with a comparable Award with respect to shares of
common stock of such successor corporation or parent thereof.
13.2.
Cashout. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that, upon
the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, all or a portion of
certain outstanding Awards shall terminate within a specified number of days
after notice to the holders, and each such holder shall receive an amount equal
to the value of such Award on the date of the Change in Control, and with
respect to each share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option or SAR, an
amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common
Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control (or such
other greater amount as the Committee may determine in its sole and absolute
discretion to be equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants'
rights under the Plan) over the exercise price per share of such Stock Option or
SAR. Such amount shall be payable in cash, in one or more kinds of property
(including the property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination
thereof, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
13.3.
Assumption or Substitution of Awards. Notwithstanding anything contained
in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide
that an Award may be assumed by any entity which acquires control of the Company
or may be substituted by a similar award under such entity's compensation plans.
14. TERMINATION OF
EMPLOYMENT IF PARTICIPANT IS AN EMPLOYEE
14.1.
Termination of Employment Due to Death. Subject to the terms of the Plan,
any written agreement between the Participant and the Company, and the
applicable Award Agreement, if a Participant's employment is terminated due to
death:
(a) all non-Vested portions of Awards held by the Participant on
the date of the Participant's death shall immediately be forfeited by such
Participant as of such date; and
(b) all Vested portions of Stock Options and SARs held by the
Participant on the date of the Participant's death shall remain exercisable
until the earlier of:
(i) the end of the 12-month period following the date of the
Participant's death, or
(ii) the date the Stock Option or SAR would otherwise expire.
12
14.2.
Termination of Employment for Cause. Subject to the terms of the Plan,
any written agreement between the Participant and the Company, and the
applicable Award Agreement, if a Participant's employment is terminated by the
Company for Cause, all Awards held by a Participant on the date of the
termination of his or her employment for Cause, whether Vested or non-Vested,
shall immediately be forfeited by such Participant as of such date. If a
Participant's employment is terminated for Cause during the six months following
any exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award, such exercise, payment
or delivery may be rescinded within two years thereafter. In the event of any
such rescission, the Participant shall pay to the Company the amount of any gain
realized or payment received as a result of the rescinded exercise, payment or
delivery, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be required,
and the Company shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain
any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.
14.3.
Termination of Employment Due to Retirement or Disability. Subject to the
terms of the Plan, any written agreement between the Participant and the
Company, and the applicable Award Agreement, if a Participant's employment is
terminated due to Retirement or Disability of the Participant:
(a) all non-Vested portions of Awards held by the Participant on
the date of the Participant's Retirement or the date of the termination of his
or her employment, as the case may be, shall immediately be forfeited by such
Participant as of such date; and
(b) all Vested portions of Stock Options and SARs held by the
Participant on the date of the Participant's Retirement or the date of the
termination of his or her employment, as the case may be, shall remain
exercisable until the earlier of:
(i) the end of the 36-month period following the date of the
Participant's Retirement or the date of the termination of his or her
employment, as the case may be, or
(ii) the date the Stock Option or SAR would otherwise expire.
14.4.
Other Terminations of Employment. Subject to the terms of the Plan, any
written agreement between the Participant and the Company, and the applicable
Award Agreement, if a Participant's employment is terminated for any reason
other than for Cause, retirement or due to death or Disability:
(a) all non-Vested portions of Awards held by the Participant on
the date of the termination of his or her employment shall immediately be
forfeited by such Participant as of such date; and all Vested portions of Stock
Options and/or SARs held by the Participant on the date of the termination of
his or her employment shall remain exercisable until the earlier of;
(i) the end of the 12-month period following the date of the
termination of the Participant's employment, or
(ii) the date the Stock Option or SAR would otherwise expire.
14.5.
Change in Status. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
the Plan, if any Employee ceases for any reason to be an Employee but continues
to perform services for the Company (whether as a Nonemployee Director,
consultant, agent, Independent Contractor or otherwise), such Participant shall
retain his or her Awards upon the original terms and conditions thereof;
provided, however, that if such Participant thereafter ceases to perform
services for the Company then the provisions of this Section 14.4 shall no
longer apply and such Award shall thereafter be subject to the provisions of
Section 14.1, 14.2 or 14.3, as applicable.
13
14.6.
Committee Discretion. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to
the contrary, and without limiting the powers of the Committee under
Section 4.3 of the Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide
that:
(a) any or all non-Vested portions of Stock Options and/or SARs
held by the Participant on the date of the Participant's death and/or the date
of the termination of his or her employment shall immediately become exercisable
as of such date and shall remain exercisable until a date that occurs on or
prior to the date the Stock Option or SAR is scheduled to expire;
(b) any or all Vested portions of Nonqualified Stock Options
and/or SARs held by the Participant on the date of the Participant's death
and/or the date of the termination of his or her employment shall remain
exercisable until a date that occurs on or prior to the date the Stock Option or
SAR is scheduled to expire; and/or
(c) any or all non-Vested portions of Stock Awards, Stock Units,
Performance Shares, Performance Units, and/or Cash Awards held by the
Participant on the date of the Participant's death and/or the date of the
termination of his or her employment shall immediately Vest or shall become
Vested on a date that occurs on or prior to the date the Award is scheduled to
vest.
(d) Cancellation and Rescission of Awards Due to Detrimental
Activity. Unless the Award Agreement specifies otherwise, and regardless of
whether the Participant's employment or engagement with the Company is
terminated (whether for Cause or otherwise), the Committee may cancel, rescind,
or otherwise withhold any Awards held by a Participant, whether Vested or
non-Vested, and any such Awards shall immediately be forfeited by such
Participant at any time that the Participant is not in compliance with all
applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, or if the Participant
engages in any "Detrimental Activity." For purposes of this Section 14.6,
"Detrimental Activity" shall include: (i) the rendering of services,
directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of any organization or engaging
directly or indirectly in any business which is competitive with the Company, or
which organization or business, or the rendering of services to or for the
benefit of such organization, is prejudicial to or in conflict with the
interests of the Company; (ii) the disclosure to anyone outside the
Company, or the use in other than the Company's business, without prior written
authorization from the Company, of any "confidential information," as defined in
the Company's Employee Handbook, acquired by the Participant either during or
after employment with the Company; (iii) the failure or refusal to disclose
promptly and to assign exclusively to the Company, all right title and interest
in any invention or idea, patentable or not, made or conceived by the
Participant during employment with the Company, relating in any manner to the
actual or anticipated business, research or development work of the Company or
the failure or refusal to do anything reasonably necessary to enable the Company
to secure a patent where appropriate in the United States and in other
countries; (iv) a violation of any rule, policy, procedure or guideline of
the Company, including but not limited to the Company's Code of Conduct;
(v) any attempt, directly or indirectly, to induce any employee of the
Company to be employed or render services other than for the Company, or any
attempt directly or indirectly to solicit the trade or business of any current
or prospective customer, supplier, or partner of the Company, other than in
connection with the Company's business; (vi) the Participant being
convicted of, or entering a guilty plea with respect to a crime, whether or not
connected with the Company; (vii) any other conduct or act determined to be
injurious, detrimental or prejudicial to any interest of the Company or
(viii) any agreement, whether or not in writing, to do any of the
foregoing. Upon exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award, the
Participant may be required to certify, in a manner acceptable to the Committee,
that he or she is in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of the Plan
and is not and has not engaged in any Detrimental Activity. In the event a
Participant fails to comply with the provisions of this Section 14.6 after
the grant of the Award and prior to, or during the six months after any
exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award, such exercise, payment or
delivery may be rescinded within two years thereafter. In the event of any such
rescission, the Participant shall pay to the Company the amount of any gain
realized or payment received as a result of the rescinded exercise, payment or
delivery, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be required,
and the Company shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain
any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.
14
15. TAXES
15.1.
Withholding Taxes. With respect to Employees, the Company, or the
applicable Subsidiary, may require a Participant whose Stock Award, Stock Unit,
Performance Share or Performance Unit granted hereunder has Vested, or who
exercises a Stock Option or SAR granted hereunder to reimburse the Company or
the Subsidiary which employs such Participant for any taxes required by any
governmental regulatory authority to be withheld or otherwise deducted and paid
by such corporation or entity in respect of the issuance or disposition of such
shares or the payment of any amounts. In lieu thereof, the Company or the
Subsidiary which employs such Participant, shall have the right to withhold the
amount of such taxes from any other sums due or to become due from the Company
or the Subsidiary, as applicable, to the Participant upon such terms and
conditions as the Committee shall in its sole discretion prescribe. The Company
or the Subsidiary that employs such Participant may, in its discretion, hold the
stock certificate to which such Participant is entitled upon the Vesting of a
Stock Award, Stock Unit, Performance Share or Performance Unit or the exercise
of a Stock Option or SAR as security for the payment of such withholding tax
liability, until cash sufficient to pay that liability has been accumulated by
or paid to the Company or such Subsidiary.
15.2.
Use of Common Stock to Satisfy Withholding Obligation. With respect to
Employees, at any time that the Company, Subsidiary or other entity that employs
such Participant becomes subject to a withholding obligation under applicable
law with respect to the vesting of a Stock Award, Stock Unit, Performance Share
or Performance Unit or the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option (the "Tax
Date"), except as set forth below, a holder of such Award may, subject to the
approval of the Committee, elect to satisfy, in whole or in part, the holder's
related personal tax liabilities (an "Election") by (i) directing the
Company, Subsidiary or other entity that employs such Participant to withhold
from shares issuable in the related vesting or exercise either a specified
number of shares or shares of Common Stock having a specified value (in each
case equal to the related minimum statutory personal withholding tax liabilities
with respect to the applicable taxing jurisdiction in order to comply with the
requirements for a "fixed plan" under Accounting Principals Board Opinion
No. 25), (ii) tendering shares of Common Stock or other securities of
the Company previously issued pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option or
other shares of the Common Stock owned by the holder, or (iii) combining
any or all of the foregoing Elections in any fashion. The foregoing
notwithstanding, however, when previously issued shares of Common Stock or other
securities of the Company are tendered pursuant to an Election, such tender of
shares will not be accepted unless the Participant has held such shares for the
requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company's earnings for
financial reporting purposes. An Election shall be irrevocable. The withheld
shares and other shares of Common Stock or other securities tendered in payment
shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the Tax Date. The Committee may in
its sole discretion disapprove of any Election, suspend or terminate the right
to make Elections or provide that the right to make Elections shall not apply to
particular shares or exercises. The Committee may impose any additional
conditions or restrictions on the right to make an Election as it shall deem
appropriate, including conditions or restrictions with respect to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
15.3.
No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. No Person connected with the Plan in
any capacity, including, but not limited to, the Company and any Subsidiary and
their respective directors, officers, agents and employees makes any
representation, commitment, or guarantee that any tax treatment, including, but
not limited to, federal, state and local income, estate and gift tax treatment,
will be applicable with respect to amounts deferred under the Plan, or paid to
or for the benefit of a Participant under the Plan, or that such tax treatment
will apply to or be available to a Participant on account of participation in
the Plan.
16. AMENDMENT AND
TERMINATION
16.1.
Termination of Plan. The Board or the Committee may suspend or terminate
the Plan at any time with or without prior notice; provided, however, that no
action authorized by this Section 16.1 shall reduce the amount of any
outstanding Award or adversely change the terms and conditions thereof without
the Participant's consent.
15
16.2.
Amendment of Plan. Provided that no amendment may adversely affect the
rights of any Participant under any outstanding Award without the Participant's
consent; and, provided further, that no such amendment shall be effective
without shareholder approval if such approval is required to comply with any
applicable law or the rules of any national securities exchange or other market
system on which the Company's securities are then listed or traded; and,
provided further, that the Board or the Committee may not, without shareholder
approval, increase the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan, the
Board or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time with or without prior
notice. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Board or the
Committee shall have broad authority to amend the Plan or any Award to take into
account changes in applicable tax laws, securities laws, accounting rules and
other applicable state and federal laws.
16.3.
Amendment or Cancellation of Award Agreements. Without limitation to the
rights of the Committee under Sections 4.3 and 14.6 of the Plan, the
Committee may amend or modify any Award Agreement at any time by mutual
agreement between the Committee and the Participant or such other Persons as may
then have an interest therein. In addition, by mutual agreement between the
Committee and a Participant or such other Persons as may then have an interest
therein, Awards may be granted to an Employee, Nonemployee Director or
Independent Contractor in substitution and exchange for, and in cancellation of,
any Awards previously granted to such Employee, Nonemployee Director or
Independent Contractor under the Plan, or any award previously granted to such
Employee, Nonemployee Director or Independent Contractor under any other present
or future plan of the Company or any present or future plan of an entity which
(i) is purchased by the Company, (ii) purchases the Company, or
(iii) merges into or with the Company.
17.
MISCELLANEOUS
17.1.
Other Provisions. Awards granted under the Plan may also be subject to
such other provisions (whether or not applicable to the Award granted to any
other Participant) as the Committee determines in its sole discretion on the
date of grant to be appropriate, including, without limitation, for the
installment purchase of Common Stock under Stock Options, to assist the
Participant in financing the acquisition of Common Stock, for the forfeiture of,
or restrictions on resale or other disposition of, Common Stock acquired under
any Stock Option, for the acceleration of Vesting of Awards in the event of a
Change in Control of the Company, for the payment of the value of Awards to
Participants in the event of a Change in Control of the Company, or to comply
with federal and state securities laws, or understandings or conditions as to
the Participant's employment in addition to those specifically provided for
under the Plan.
17.2.
Transferability. Each Award granted under the Plan to a Participant shall
not be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution or pursuant to a "qualified domestic relations order" as defined in
the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder and Stock Options and
SARs shall be exercisable, during the Participant's lifetime, only by the
Participant; provided, however, that the Committee may in its sole discretion
permit the transfer of an Award to a Participant's Family Members or to one or
more trusts established in whole or in part for the benefit of one or more such
Family Members In the event of the death of a Participant, each Stock Option or
SAR theretofore granted to him or her shall be exercisable during such period
after his or her death as the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, set forth
in the Award Agreement on the date of grant and then only by the executor or
administrator of the estate of the deceased Participant or the Person or Persons
to whom the deceased Participant's rights under the Stock Option or SAR shall
pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
17.3.
Election to Defer Compensation Attributable to Award. The Committee may,
in its sole discretion, allow a Participant to elect to defer the receipt of any
compensation attributable to an Award under guidelines and procedures to be
established by the Committee after taking into account the advice of the
Company's tax counsel.
16
17.4.
Listing of Shares and Related Matters. If at any time the Committee shall
determine that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of
Common Stock subject to any Award on any securities exchange or under any
applicable law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory
authority, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with,
the granting of an Award or the issuance of shares of Common Stock thereunder,
such Award may not be exercised, distributed or paid out, as the case may be, in
whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or
approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
acceptable to the Committee. The Committee may require each Participant
purchasing or acquiring shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option or
other Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing
that such Participant is acquiring the shares for investment and not with a view
to the distribution thereof. All certificates for shares of Common Stock
delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock-transfer orders and
other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules,
regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission or
any national securities exchange or other market system on which the Company's
securities are listed or traded, and any applicable federal or state securities
law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such
certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
17.5.
No Right, Title, or Interest in Company Assets. Participants shall have
no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments which the
Company may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing
contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall
create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary
relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal
representative or any other Person. The Plan is intended to constitute an
unfunded plan for incentive compensation. To the extent that any Person acquires
a right to receive payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be
no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. All
payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the
Company and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation
of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly
set forth in the Plan. The Plan is not intended to be subject to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
17.6.
No Right to Continued Employment or Service or to Grants. The
Participant's rights, if any, to continue to serve the Company as a director,
officer, employee, independent contractor or otherwise, shall not be enlarged or
otherwise affected by his or her designation as a Participant under the Plan,
and the Company or the applicable Subsidiary reserves the right to terminate the
employment of any Employee or the services of any Independent Contractor or
director at any time. The adoption of the Plan shall not be deemed to give any
Employee, Nonemployee Director, Independent Contractor or any other individual
any right to be selected as a Participant or to be granted an Award.
17.7.
Awards Subject to Foreign Laws. The Committee may grant Awards to
individual Participants who are subject to the tax laws of nations other than
the United States, and such Awards may have terms and conditions as determined
by the Committee as necessary to comply with applicable foreign laws. The
Committee may take any action, which it deems advisable to obtain approval of
such Awards by the appropriate foreign governmental entity; provided, however,
that no such Awards may be granted pursuant to this Section 17.7 and no
action may be taken which would result in a violation of the Exchange Act or any
other applicable law.
17.8.
Governing Law. The Plan, all Awards granted hereunder, and all actions
taken in connection herewith shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Florida without reference to principles of
conflict of laws, except as superseded by applicable federal law or as otherwise
provided in any Award Agreement.
17.9.
Other Benefits. No Award granted under the Plan shall be considered
compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the
Company or any Subsidiary nor affect any benefits or compensation under any
other benefit or compensation plan of the Company or any Subsidiary now or
subsequently in effect.
17.10. No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common
Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The
Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether cash, Common Stock,
Stock Options, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional
shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be
forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
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17.11. Authority of the Company and Shareholders. The
existence of the Plan, the Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder
shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the
shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment,
recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's capital
structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue
of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds,
debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or
affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or
exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company,
or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any
other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
17.12. Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan
shall not affect any other stock option, incentive or other compensation plans
in effect for the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall the plan preclude the
Company from establishing any other forms of incentive or other compensation for
Employees and Nonemployee Directors of the Company or any Subsidiary.
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