EXHIBIT 4.3
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
COMMAND SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
AGREEMENT made as of this 5th day of March, 1997 (the "Effective Date"),
between COMMAND SYSTEMS INCORPORATED, a Connecticut corporation having a
principal place of business in Farmington, Connecticut (the "Company"), and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx (the "Optionee").
WHEREAS, the Company has previously granted Optionee 10,000 units of the
Company's Shadow Stock ("Shadow Grants") pursuant to its Shadow Stock Incentive
Plan;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to exchange the Shadow Grants for an option
to purchase shares of its common stock $.01 par value (the "Shares"); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Optionee each intend that the Option granted
herein shall be a Non-Qualified Option.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set
forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION
The Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and option (the
"Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of 10,000 Shares on the
terms and conditions and subject to all the limitations set forth herein.
The Optionee understands and agrees that any and all other prior grants by
the Company, of rights to purchase or otherwise obtain an equity interest in the
Company pursuant to the Shadow Grants are hereby terminated effective as of the
date hereof and shall be of no further force or effect. The Optionee releases
and holds harmless the Company and any Affiliate and their respective officers,
directors, agents, advisors and employees from any claims related to the Shadow
Grants.
2. PURCHASE PRICE
The purchase price of the Shares covered by the Option shall be $2.00 per
Share, subject to adjustment as provided herein.
3. TERM OF OPTION
The Option shall terminate on March 5, 2007, but shall be subject to
earlier termination as provided herein.
4. EXERCISABILITY OF OPTION
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Option granted hereby shall be exercisable as to 8,000 Shares immediately and
the remaining Shares shall become exercisable as follows:
On September 28, 1997 an additional 2,000 Shares
The foregoing rights are cumulative and are subject to the other terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
5. EXERCISE OF OPTION
The Option granted hereby shall be exercisable, subject to the provisions
of the preceding Paragraphs 3 and 4, in whole or in part, at any time and from
time to time during the term of the Option, provided such exercise is for a
whole number of Shares. The Option shall be exercised by signing and returning
to the Company, at the office of the Company at the address set forth in
Paragraph 11 hereof, to the attention of the President of the Company, the
"Notice of Exercise" which is set forth as Exhibit A hereto, together with the
tender of the purchase price which shall be payable in United States dollars.
Such Notice of Exercise shall be signed by the person exercising the Option,
shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being
exercised and shall otherwise comply with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. The Company shall deliver a certificate or certificates representing
such Shares as soon as practicable after the Notice of Exercise is received. The
certificate or certificates for the Shares as to which the Option shall have
been exercised shall be registered in the name of the person or persons
exercising the Option (or if the Optionee requests in the Notice of Exercise,
shall be registered in the name of the Optionee and another person jointly with
right of survivorship). In the event of the death of the Optionee, the Option,
to the extent exercisable but not exercised as of the date of death, may be
exercised by the estate of the Optionee or by any person or person who acquired
the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance from the Optionee or
by reason of the death of such Optionee. In such event, the Option must be
exercised, if at all, within the originally prescribed term of the Option. In
the event that the Option shall be exercised by any person or persons other than
the Optionee, such Notice of Exercise shall be accompanied by appropriate proof
of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option. All Shares that
shall be purchased upon the exercise of the Option as provided herein shall be
fully paid and nonassessable.
6. ISSUE OF STOCK UPON EXERCISE OF OPTION
The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option reserve and
keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Option, shall pay all original issue taxes with respect to
the issue of Shares pursuant hereto, and all other fees and expenses necessarily
incurred by the Company in connection therewith. The holder of this Option shall
have the rights of a stockholder only in respect of those Shares
2
covered by the Option for which certificates have in fact been delivered to him
upon the due exercise of the Option.
7. NON-ASSIGNABILITY
The Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable, during
the Optionee's lifetime, only by the Optionee. The Option shall not be assigned,
pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise)
and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any
attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of
the Option or of any rights granted hereunder contrary to the provisions of this
Paragraph 7, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon the Option or
such rights, shall be null and void.
8. TAXES
The Optionee acknowledges that upon exercise of the Option the Optionee
will be deemed to have taxable income measured by the difference between the
then fair market value of the Shares received upon exercise and the price paid
for such Shares pursuant to this Agreement. The Optionee acknowledges that any
income or other taxes due from him or her with respect to this Option or the
Shares issuable pursuant to this Option shall be the Optionee's responsibility.
The Optionee agrees that the Company may withhold from the Optionee's
renumeration, if any, the appropriate amount of federal, state and local
withholding taxes attributable to such amount that is considered compensation
includable in such person's gross income. At the Company's discretion, the
amount required to be withheld may be withheld in cash from such renumeration,
or in kind from the Shares otherwise deliverable to the Optionee on exercise of
the Option. The Optionee further agrees that, if the Company does not withhold
an amount from the Optionee's renumeration sufficient to satisfy the Company's
income tax withholding obligation, the Optionee will reimburse the Company on
demand, in cash, for the amount under-withheld.
9. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT
Unless the offering and sale of the Shares to be issued upon the
particular exercise of the Option shall have been effectively registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as now in force or hereafter amended, or any
successor legislation (the "Securities Act"), the Company shall be under no
obligation to issue the Shares covered by such exercise unless and until the
following conditions have been fulfilled:
(a) The person(s) who exercises the Option shall warrant to the Company,
at the time of such exercise, that such person(s) is acquiring such
Shares for his or her own account, for investment and not with a
view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any
such Shares, in which event the person(s) acquiring such Shares
shall be bound by the
3
provisions of the following legend or a legend in substantially
similar form which shall be endorsed upon the certificate(s)
evidencing the Shares issued pursuant to such exercise:
"The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for
investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by any
person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a Registration
Statement with respect to such shares shall be effective under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the Company shall have
received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it that an exemption
from registration under such Act is then available, and (2) there
shall have been compliance with all applicable state securities
laws;" and
(b) The Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the
Shares may be issued upon such particular exercise in compliance
with the Securities Act without registration thereunder.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company may delay issuance
of the Shares until completion of any action or obtaining of any consent, which
the Company deems necessary under any applicable law (including without
limitation state securities or "blue sky" laws).
10. ADJUSTMENTS
A. If (i) the shares of the Company's common stock shall be subdivided or
combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall
issue any shares of common stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding common
stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities
of the Company or non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of
common stock, the number of Shares of common stock deliverable upon the exercise
of such Option may be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and
appropriate adjustments may be made in the purchase price per share to reflect
such events.
B. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity
in a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or
otherwise (an "Acquisition"), the board of directors of the Company or of any
entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the "Successor Board")
shall, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of the Option
by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to the Option
either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of
common stock in connection with the Acquisition or securities of any successor
or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Optionee, provide that
the Option must be exercised within a specified number of days of the date of
such notice, at the end of which period the Option shall terminate; or (iii)
terminate the Option in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess of the
fair market value of the Shares subject to the Option, as determined in good
faith by the Company's board of
4
directors or the Successor Board, over the exercise price thereof. For purposes
of this Subparagraph, in the event of an Acquisition, the Option shall be made
fully exercisable.
C. In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company
(other than a transaction described in Subparagraph B above) pursuant to which
securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to
the outstanding shares of common stock, the Optionee upon exercising the Option
shall be entitled to receive for the purchase price paid upon such exercise the
securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised
prior to such recapitalization or reorganization. In addition, in the event that
the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company are surrendered and
extinguished in connection with the merger of the Company into a parent
corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware in order to effectuate a
reincorporation of the Company from Connecticut to Delaware ("Reincorporation"),
this option shall automatically become exercisable for an equal number of shares
of common stock of the Delaware corporation.
11. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES
11.1 The Shares acquired by the Optionee pursuant to the exercise of the
Option granted hereby shall not be transferred by the Optionee except as
permitted herein.
11.2 It shall be a condition precedent to the validity of any sale or
other transfer of any Shares by the Optionee that the following restrictions be
complied with (except as hereinafter otherwise provided):
(i) No Shares owned by the Optionee may be sold, pledged or otherwise
transferred (including by gift or devise) to any person or entity,
voluntarily, or by operation of law, except in accordance with the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
(ii) Before selling or otherwise transferring all or part of the Shares,
the Optionee shall give written notice of such intention to the
Company, which notice shall include the name of the proposed
transferee, the proposed purchase price per share, the terms of
payment of such purchase price and all other matters relating to
such sale or transfer and shall be accompanied by a copy of the
binding written agreement of the proposed transferee to purchase the
Shares of the Optionee. Such notice shall constitute a binding offer
by the Optionee to sell to the Company such number of the Shares
then held by the Optionee as are proposed to be sold in the notice
at the monetary price per share designated in such notice, payable
on the terms offered to the Optionee by the proposed transferee
(provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to meet
any non-monetary terms of the proposed transfer, including, without
limitation, delivery of other securities in exchange for the Shares
proposed to be sold). The Company shall give written notice to the
Optionee as to whether such offer has been accepted in whole by the
Company within sixty (60) days after its receipt of written notice
from the Optionee. The Company may only accept
5
such offer in whole and may not accept such offer in part. Such
acceptance notice shall fix a time, location and date for the
closing on such purchase ("Closing Date") which shall not be less
than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days after the giving of the
acceptance notice. The place for such closing shall be at the
Company's principal office. At such closing, the Optionee shall
accept payment as set forth herein and shall deliver to the Company
in exchange therefor certificates for the number of Shares stated in
the notice accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer.
(iii) If the Company shall fail to accept any such offer, the Optionee
shall be free to sell all, but not less than all, of the Shares set
forth in his or her notice to the designated transferee at the price
and terms designated in the Optionee's notice, provided that (i)
such sale is consummated within six (6) months after the giving of
notice by the Optionee to the Company as aforesaid, and (ii) the
transferee first agrees in writing to be bound by the provisions of
this Section 11 so that such transferee (and all subsequent
transferees) shall thereafter only be permitted to sell or transfer
the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. After the expiration
of such six (6) months, the provisions of this Section 11.2 shall
again apply with respect to any proposed voluntary transfer of the
Optionee's Shares.
(iv) The restrictions on transfer contained in this Section 11.2 shall
not apply to (a) transfers by the Optionee to his or her spouse,
children, guardian or conservator, (b) transfers by the Optionee to
the trustee or trustees of a trust for the benefit of himself or
herself or of a spouse or child, and (c) transfers by the Optionee,
in the event of his or her death, to his or her executor(s) or
administrator(s) or to trustee(s) under his or her will
(collectively, "Permitted Transferees"); provided however, that in
any such event the Shares so transferred in the hands of each such
Permitted Transferee shall remain subject to this Agreement, and
each such Permitted Transferee shall so acknowledge in writing as a
condition precedent to the effectiveness of such transfer.
(v) The provisions of this Section 11.2 may be waived by the Company.
Any such waiver may be unconditional or based upon such conditions
as the Company may impose.
11.3 In the event that the Optionee or his or her successor in interest
fails to deliver the Shares to be purchased by the Company under this Agreement,
the Company may elect (a) to establish a segregated account in the amount of the
repurchase price, such account to be turned over to the Optionee or his or her
successor in interest upon delivery of such Shares, and (b) immediately to take
such action as is appropriate to transfer record title of such Shares from the
Optionee to the Company and to treat the Optionee and such Shares in all
respects as if delivery of such Shares had been made as required by this
Agreement. The Optionee hereby irrevocably grants the Company a power of
attorney which shall be coupled with an interest for the purpose of effectuating
the preceding sentence.
6
11.4 If the Company shall pay a stock dividend or declare a stock split on
or with respect to any of its common stock, or otherwise distribute securities
of the Company to the holders of its common stock, the number of Shares of stock
or other securities of Company issued with respect to the Shares then subject to
the restrictions contained in this Agreement shall be added to the Shares
subject to the Company's rights to purchase pursuant to this Agreement. If the
Company shall distribute to its stockholders shares of stock of another
corporation, the shares of stock of such other corporation, distributed with
respect to the Shares then subject to the restrictions contained in this
Agreement, shall be added to the Shares subject to the Company's rights to
repurchase pursuant to this Agreement.
11.5 If the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company shall be
subdivided into a greater number of shares or combined into a smaller number of
shares, or in the event of a reclassification of the outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company, or if the Company shall be a party to a merger,
consolidation or capital reorganization, there shall be substituted for the
Shares then subject to the restrictions contained in this Agreement such amount
and kind of securities as are issued in such subdivision, combination,
reclassification, merger, consolidation or capital reorganization in respect of
the Shares subject immediately prior thereto to the Company's rights to
repurchase pursuant to this Agreement.
11.6 The Company shall not be required to transfer any Shares on its books
which shall have been sold, assigned or otherwise transferred in violation of
this Agreement, or to treat as owner of such Shares, or to accord the right to
vote as such owner or to pay dividends to, any person or organization to which
any such Shares shall have been so sold, assigned or otherwise transferred, in
violation of this Agreement.
11.7 The provisions of Sections 10.1 and 10.2 shall terminate upon the
effective date of the registration of the Shares pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
11.8 If, in connection with a registration statement filed by the Company
pursuant to the Securities Act, the Company or its underwriter so requests, the
Optionee will agree not to sell any Shares for a period not to exceed 180 days
following the effectiveness of such registration.
11.9 The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company, its
shareholders nor its directors and officers, has any duty or obligation to
disclose to the Optionee any material information regarding the business of the
Company or affecting the value of the Shares before, at the time of, or
following a termination of the employment of the Optionee by the Company,
including, without limitation, any information concerning plans for the Company
to make a public offering of its securities or to be acquired by or merged with
or into another firm or entity.
11.10 All certificates representing the Shares to be issued to the
Optionee pursuant to this Agreement shall have endorsed thereon a legend
substantially as follows: "The shares represented by this certificate are
subject to restrictions set forth in an Option Agreement dated
7
March 5, 1997 with this Company, a copy of which Agreement is available for
inspection at the offices of the Company or will be made available upon
request."
12. NOTICES
Any notices required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement shall be
given by recognized courier service, facsimile, registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, addressed as follows:
To the Company: Command Systems Incorporated
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: President
To the Optionee: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
1C The Hamlet
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
or to such other address or addresses of which notice in the same manner has
previously been given. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the
earlier of receipt, one business day following delivery to a recognized courier
service or three business days following mailing by registered or certified
mail.
13. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law
of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to the conflict of law
principles thereof. However, if the Option granted hereunder is automatically
converted into an option for common stock of a Delaware corporation pursuant to
a Reincorporation as set forth in Paragraph 9.C herein, this Agreement shall be
construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware,
without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof.
14. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT
Subject to the other provisions hereof, this Agreement shall be for the
benefit of and shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject
matter hereof, including any agreement made pursuant to the Company's Shadow
Stock Incentive Plan. No statement, representation,
8
warranty, covenant or agreement not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall
affect or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and
provisions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed
and the Optionee has hereunto set his hand, all as of the day and year first
above written.
COMMAND SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
9
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTION
Command Systems Incorporated
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: President
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I hereby exercise my Stock Option to purchase ___________ shares of the
common stock, $.01 par value (the "Shares"), of Command Systems Incorporated
(the "Company"), at the option exercise price of $2.00 per Share as provided in
the Stock Option Agreement dated March 5, 1997 (the "Option Agreement") granting
such Option.
I am aware that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws. I
understand that the reliance by the Company on exemptions under the 1933 Act is
predicated in part upon the truth and accuracy of the statements by me in this
Notice of Exercise.
I hereby represent and warrant that (1) I have been furnished with all
information which I deem necessary to evaluate the merits and risks of the
purchase of the Shares; (2) I have had the opportunity to ask questions
concerning the Shares and the Company and all questions posed have been answered
to my satisfaction; (3) I have been given the opportunity to obtain any
additional information I deem necessary to verify the accuracy of any
information obtained concerning the Shares and the Company; and (4) I have such
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that I am able to
evaluate the merits and risks of purchasing the Shares and to make an informed
investment decision relating thereto.
I hereby represent and warrant that I am purchasing the Shares for my own
personal account for investment and not with a view to the sale or distribution
of all or any part of the Shares.
I understand that because the Shares have not been registered under the
1933 Act, I must continue to bear the economic risk of the investment for an
indefinite time and the Shares cannot be sold unless the Shares are subsequently
registered under applicable federal and state securities laws or an exemption
from such registration requirements is available.
I agree that I will in no event sell or distribute or otherwise dispose of
all or any part of the Shares unless (1) there is an effective registration
statement under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws covering any
such transaction involving the Shares or (2) the Company receives an opinion of
my legal counsel (concurred in by legal counsel for the
Company) stating that such transaction is exempt from registration or the
Company otherwise satisfies itself that such transaction is exempt from
registration.
I consent to the placing of a legend on my certificate for the Shares
stating that the Shares have not been registered and setting forth the
restriction on transfer contemplated hereby and to the placing of a stop
transfer order on the books of the Company and with any transfer agents against
the Shares until the Shares may be legally resold or distributed without
restriction.
I understand that at the present time Rule 144 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") may not be relied on for the resale or
distribution of the Shares by me. I understand that the Company has no
obligation to me to register the sale of the Shares with the SEC and has not
represented to me that it will register the sale of the Shares.
I understand the terms and restrictions on the right to dispose of the
Shares set forth in the Option Agreement, which I have carefully reviewed. I
consent to the placing of a legend on my certificate for the Shares referring to
the restrictions on transfer set forth in the Option Agreement and the placing
of stop transfer orders until the Shares may be transferred in accordance with
the terms of such restrictions.
I have considered the Federal, state and local income tax implications of
the exercise of my Option and the purchase and subsequent sale of the Shares.
I am paying the option exercise price for the Shares as follows:
__________________________________________________
Please issue the stock certificate for the Shares (check one):
|_| to me; or
|_| to me and _________________, as joint tenants with right of
survivorship and mail the certificate to me at the following address:
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
2
My mailing address for shareholder communications, if different from the
address listed above is:
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
Very truly yours,
________________________________________
Optionee (signature)
________________________________________
Print Name
________________________________________
Date
________________________________________
Social Security Number
3
