NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. 2005 INCENTIVE PLAN
Exhibit 10.14
This Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”), is entered into as of between
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and (the
“Optionee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated August 5, 2006 (the “Plan”) to encourage officers, employees, outside
directors and consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries to acquire or increase their
ownership interest in the Company and to provide a means whereby they may develop a sense of
proprietorship and personal involvement in the development and financial success of the Company,
and to encourage them to remain with and devote their best efforts to the business of the Company
thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its stockholders; and
WHEREAS, the Plan provides that such selected individuals may be granted a certain number of
Options (as defined in the Plan) to purchase shares of the Common Stock, par value $.0l per share
(“Common Stock”), of the Company to provide them with an ownership interest in the growth of the
Company; and
WHEREAS, the Optionee has been selected to receive such award;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and conditions set forth herein,
the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. Pursuant to the Plan, the Company grants Optionee an option (the
“Option” or “Stock Option”) to purchase ___full shares (the “Optioned Shares”) of Common
Stock at an Option Price equal to
$ per share. The Date of Grant of this Stock Option is
___. The “Option Period” shall commence on the Date of Grant and shall expire on the date
immediately preceding the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Date of Grant. The Stock Option
is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
2. Subject to Plan. The Stock Option and its exercise are subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall control to the extent not otherwise
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. The capitalized terms used herein that are
defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan. The Stock Option is
subject to any rules promulgated pursuant to the Plan by the Committee.
3. Vesting: Time of Exercise. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement and
subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Stock Option shall be
vested and exercisable as follows (it being understood that the right to purchase Option Shares
shall be cumulative so that the Optionee may purchase on or after any such anniversary and
during the remainder of the Option Period those quantifies of Option Shares which the Optionee
was entitled to purchase but did not purchase during any preceding period or periods):
| a. | With respect to 20% (___) of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on the Date of Grant provided the Optionee is employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date. | ||
| b. | With respect to 20% (___) of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant provided the Optionee is employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date. | ||
| c. | With respect to 20% (___) of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on the second anniversary of the Date of Grant provided the Optionee is employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date. | ||
| d. | With respect to 20% (___) of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant provided the Optionee is employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date. | ||
| e. | With respect to 20% (___) of the total Optioned Shares, the Stock Option shall vest and become exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the Date of Grant provided the Optionee is employed by (or, if the Optionee is a consultant or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date. | ||
| f. | An Optionee shall become 100% vested in the total Optioned Shares hereunder on the day preceding an event which constitutes a Change in Control as defined in the Plan. |
4. Term; Forfeiture. In the event of Optionee’s termination of employment (or
consulting agreement in the event Optionee is a consultant) with the Company the options granted
hereunder will be managed in accordance with the terms on the Optionee’s Employment Agreement
hereby incorporated by reference into this Agreement.
5. Who May Exercise. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 3 and 4
above, during the lifetime of the Optionee, the Stock Option may be exercised only by the Optionee,
or by the Optionee’s guardian or personal or legal representative (in the event of his or her
disability or by a broker dealer subject to Section 2.3 of the Plan).
6. No Fractional Shares. The Stock Option may be exercised only with respect to full
shares, and no fractional share of stock shall be issued.
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7. Manner of Exercise. Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee may
from time to time adopt, the Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the
Committee or designated Company representative setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock
with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise
Date”) which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an earlier time shall
have been mutually agreed upon. On the Exercise Date, the Optionee shall deliver to the Company
consideration with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be purchased, payable
to the Company in full in either: (i) in cash, or (ii) subject to prior approval by the Committee
in its discretion, by withholding Shares which otherwise would be acquired on exercise having an
aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, or (iv)
subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by a combination of (i), and (ii)
above.
The Committee, in its discretion, also may allow the Option Price to be paid with such other
consideration as shall constitute lawful consideration for the issuance of Shares (including,
without limitation, effecting a “cashless exercise” with a broker of the Option), subject to
applicable securities law restrictions and tax withholdings, or by any other means which the
Committee determines to be consistent with the Plan’s purpose and applicable law. A “cashless
exercise” of an Option is a procedure by which a broker provides the funds to the Optionee to
effect an Option exercise, to the extent consented to by the Committee in its discretion. At the
direction of the Optionee, the broker will either (i) sell all of the Shares received when the
Option is exercised and pay the Optionee the proceeds of the sale (minus the Option Price,
withholding taxes and any fees due to the broker) or (ii) sell enough of the Shares received upon
exercise of the Option to cover the Option Price, withholding taxes and any fees due the broker and
deliver to the Optionee (either directly or through the Company) a stock certificate for the
remaining Shares.
As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment,
the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to or on behalf of the Optionee, in the name
of the Optionee or other appropriate recipient, Share certificates for the number of Shares
purchased under the Option. Such delivery shall be effected for all purposes when the Company or a
stock transfer agent of the Company shall have deposited such certificates in the United States
mail, addressed to Optionee or other appropriate recipient.
If the Optionee fails to pay for any of the Shares specified in such notice or fails to accept
delivery thereof, then the Option, and right to purchase such Shares may be forfeited by the
Company.
8. Nonassignability. The Stock Option is not assignable or transferable by the
Optionee except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic
relations order that would qualify as a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Section
414(p) of the Code, if such provision were applicable to the Stock Option and as otherwise
permitted under Section 4.2 of the Plan.
9. Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee will have no rights as a stockholder with
respect to any shares covered by the Stock Option until the issuance of a certificate or
certificates to the Optionee for the Optioned Shares. The Optioned Shares shall be subject to the
terms and
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conditions of this Agreement and Plan regarding such Shares. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 10 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the issuance of such certificate or certificates.
10. Adjustment of Number of Optioned Shares and Related Matters. The number of shares
of Common Stock covered by the Stock Option, and the Option Prices thereof, shall be subject to
adjustment in accordance with Section 4.5 of the Plan.
11. Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Stock Option shall not be treated as an Incentive
Stock Option.
12. Community Property. Each spouse individually is bound by, and such spouse’s
interest, if any, in any Shares is subject to, the terms of this Agreement. Nothing in this
Agreement shall create a community property interest where none otherwise exists.
13. Optionee’s Representations. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the
Optionee hereby agrees that he will not exercise the Stock Option granted hereby, and that the
Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to the Optionee hereunder, if the exercise
thereof or the issuance of such shares shall constitute a violation by the Optionee or the Company
of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority or Company policies, or the
rules of the stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed. Optionee acknowledges and agrees
that if he or she is an officer, director or key employee of the Company, Optionee will be subject
to the Company’s securities trading policy as it may be in effect from time to time and which may
“black out” periods of time during which the Stock Option may not be exercised or which may also
limit the amount of Shares that may be purchased or sold to a number that is less than requested by
the Optionee. Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and
conclusive. The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Optionee are subject to all
applicable laws, rules, and regulations, rules of the stock exchange on which the Common Stock is
listed and policies of the Company.
14. Investment Representation. The Optionee represents and warrants to the Company
that all Common Stock which may be purchased hereunder will be acquired by the Optionee for
investment purposes for his own account and not with any intent for resale or distribution in
violation of federal or state securities laws.
15. Optionee’s Acknowledgments. The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the
Plan, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby
accepts this Option subject to all the terms and provisions thereof. The Optionee hereby agrees to
accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee, the
Company or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.
16. Law Governing. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding any conflict of laws rule or principle
of Nevada law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this agreement to
the laws of another state).
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17. No Right to Continue Service or Employment. Nothing herein shall be construed to
confer upon the Optionee the right to continue in the employ or to provide services to the Company,
its Affiliates or any Parent or Subsidiary or their Affiliates, whether as an employee or as a
consultant or as an Outside Director, or interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the
Company or any of the other foregoing entities to discharge the Optionee as an employee, consultant
or Outside Director at any time.
18. Legal Construction. In the event that any one or more of the terms, provisions, or
agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall be held by a Court of competent jurisdiction
to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable term, provision, or agreement shall not affect any other term, provision, or
agreement that is contained in this Agreement and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects
as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement had never been contained
herein.
19. Covenants and Agreements as Independent Agreements. Each of the covenants and
agreements that is set forth in this Agreement shall be construed as a covenant and agreement
independent of any other provision of this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action
of the Optionee against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not
constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements that are set
forth in this Agreement.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Plan supersede any and all
other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the
parties with respect to the said subject matter. All prior negotiations and agreements between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement. Each party to
this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally
or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not
embodied in this Agreement or the Plan and that any agreement, statement or promise that is not
contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.
21. Parties Bound. The terms, provisions, and agreements that are contained in this
Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and permitted successors and
assigns, subject to the limitation on assignment expressly set forth herein. No person or entity
shall be permitted to acquire any Optioned Shares without first executing and delivering an
agreement in the form satisfactory to the Company making such person or entity subject to the
restrictions on transfer contained herein.
22. Modification. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or
binding upon the parties unless the change or modification is in writing and signed by the parties.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company may amend the Plan or revoke this Stock Option
to the extent permitted by the Plan.
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23. Headings. The headings that are used in this Agreement are used for reference and
convenience purposes only and do not constitute substantive matters to be considered in construing
the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
24. Gender, Number and Term Optionee. Words of any gender used in this Agreement shall
be held and construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held
to include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise. Whenever the term
“Optionee” is used herein under circumstances applicable to any other person or persons to whom
this award may be assigned in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 8, the term “Optionee”
shall be deemed to include such person or persons.
25. Independent Legal and Tax Advice. Optionee acknowledges that the Company has
advised Optionee to obtain independent legal and tax advice regarding the grant and exercise of the
Option and the disposition of any Shares acquired thereby.
26. Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be deemed
to be delivered only when actually received by the Company or by the Optionee, as the case may be,
at the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as they have theretofore specified by
written notice delivered in accordance herewith:
| a. | Notice to the Company shall be addressed and delivered as follows: |
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (000) 000-0000
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (000) 000-0000
| b. | Notice to the Optionee shall be addressed and delivered to Optionee’s address as set forth in the Company’s records. | ||
| 27. | Tax Requirements. | ||
| a. | Tax Withholding. This Option is subject to and the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Optionee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan and this Option. | ||
| b. | Share Withholding. With respect to tax withholding required upon the exercise of Stock Options or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of the Stock Option, Optionee may elect, subject to the approval of the Committee in its discretion, to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax which could be imposed on the transaction. All such elections shall be made in writing, signed by the Optionee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its discretion, deems appropriate. Any fraction of a Share required |
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to satisfy such obligation shall be disregarded and the amount due shall instead be
paid in cash by the Optionee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized
officer, and the Optionee, to evidence his consent and approval of all the terms hereof, has duly
executed this Agreement, as of the date specified in Section 1 hereof.
COMPANY:
SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
Name:
Title:
OPTIONEE:
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