STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
Execution
Copy
THIS
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”)
is
made as of August 17, 2007, by and among Advanced Communications
Technologies, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”),
ACT-DE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HIG”),
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, an individual resident of the State of Florida (“Baldwin”), Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, an individual resident of the State of Florida (“Xxxxxxxx”)
and
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, an individual resident of the State of Florida (“Cameron”)
(Baldwin, Coolidge and Cameron each, a “VB
Investor”
and
collectively, the “VB
Investors”),
and
any party who from time to time becomes party to this Agreement as a VB
Shareholder or HIG Shareholder by execution of a Joinder Agreement in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
WHEREAS,
on the date hereof, (i) the VB Shareholders are acquiring an aggregate of 1,000
shares of the Company’s Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01
per share (the “Series
D Preferred Stock”),
and
(ii) Xxxxxxx is acquiring a Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note convertible
into up to 1,666,666,667 shares of Common Stock (the “Note”),
pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof
(the “VB
Stock Purchase Agreement”)
by and
among the Company, Xxxxxxx and Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc.;
WHEREAS,
on the date hereof, HIG is purchasing an aggregate of 913.79 shares of the
Company’s Series C Senior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
“Series C
Preferred Stock”),
pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof
by
and among the Company and HIG (the “HIG
Stock Purchase Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
in connection with the obligations of the Company under the VB Stock Purchase
Agreement and a condition to the obligations of HIG under the HIG Stock Purchase
Agreement that this Agreement be executed and delivered by the parties hereto,
and the parties are willing to execute and deliver this Agreement and be bound
by the provisions hereof; and
WHEREAS,
the parties hereto desire to agree upon the terms on which the securities of
the
Company, now or hereafter outstanding and held by them, will be held,
transferred and voted, as the case may be.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
SECTION
I - DEFINITIONS
SECTION
1.1. Construction
of Terms.
As used
herein, the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, and the singular or plural
number, shall be deemed to be or to include the other genders or number, as
the
case may be, whenever the context so indicates or requires.
SECTION
1.2. Defined
Terms.
The
following capitalized terms, as used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings
set forth below.
An
“Affiliate”
of
any
Person means a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
the
first mentioned Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person
if
such first Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct, or
cause the direction of, the management and policies of the second Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.
“Board
of Directors”
means
the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Charter”
means
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, in effect as of the date
hereof.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common
Stock”
means
the
Company’s common stock, no par value per share, and any shares of any other
class of capital stock of the Company hereafter issued which are (i) not
preferred as to dividends or assets over any class of stock of the Company,
(ii)
not subject to redemption pursuant to the terms thereof, or (iii) issued to
the
holders of shares of Common Stock upon any reclassification
thereof.
“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“HIG
Securities”
means
the (a) all Shares purchased by, issued to or otherwise acquired by HIG and
(b)
all Shares issued with respect thereto by way of stock dividend or stock split
or in connection with any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other
reorganization affecting the Company’s capital stock. HIG Securities will
continue to be HIG Securities in the hands of any holder and each transferee
thereof will succeed to the rights and obligations of a holder of HIG Securities
hereunder, provided that shares of HIG Securities will cease to be HIG
Securities when transferred (i) to the Company, (ii) a VB Shareholder, (iii)
pursuant to Rule 144 or (iv) in connection with any sale registered under the
Securities Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the term “HIG
Securities” include shares of Common Stock purchased in the public
market.
“HIG
Shareholder”
means
any
Person who holds HIG
Securities and any other Person to whom HIG Securities are issued or transferred
for so long as such Person holds any HIG
Securities.
“Major D Shareholder”
means
any VB Shareholder initially a party to this Agreement for as long as such
VB
Shareholder continues to hold at least 50% of the Series D Preferred Stock
held
by such VB Shareholder on the date hereof.
“Person”
means
an individual, a corporation, an association, a joint venture, a partnership,
a
limited liability company, an estate, a trust, an unincorporated organization
and any other entity or organization, governmental or otherwise.
“Preferred
Stock”
means
(a) the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the
“Series C Preferred Stock”), (b) the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock, $0.01
par value per share, (c) the Company’s Series A-2 Preferred Stock, $0.001 par
value per share and (d) any capital stock of the Company which is (i) preferred
as to distributions upon a liquidation of the Company or dividends over any
other class of stock of the Company, (ii) subject to redemption pursuant to
the
terms thereof or (iii) issued to the holders of Preferred Stock upon any
reclassification thereof.
2
“Public Sale”
means
any sale of Common Stock pursuant to a sale registered under the Securities
Act
or to the public through a broker or market-maker pursuant to the provisions
of
Rule 144 (or any successor rule) adopted under the Securities Act.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Shares”
means,
at any time, shares of (i) Common Stock, (ii) Preferred Stock, and
(iii) any other equity securities now or hereafter issued by the Company,
including pursuant to the Note, together with any other shares of stock issued
or issuable with respect thereto (whether by way of a stock dividend, stock
split or in exchange for or upon conversion of such shares or otherwise in
connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation
or other corporate reorganization).
“Shareholders”
means,
collectively, the HIG Shareholders and the VB Shareholders.
“Transfer”
means
any direct or indirect transfer, donation, sale, assignment, pledge,
hypothecation, grant of a security interest in or other disposal or attempted
disposal of all or any portion of a security, any interest or rights in a
security, or any rights under this Agreement. “Transferred”
means
the accomplishment of a Transfer, and “Transferee”
means
the recipient of a Transfer.
“VB
Securities”
means
(a) the Note and all shares of Common Stock issued thereunder, (b) the Series
D
Preferred Stock purchased by, issued to or otherwise acquired by any of the
VB
Investors and all shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion thereof and
(C)
all Shares issued with respect thereto by way of stock dividend or stock split
or in connection with any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other
reorganization affecting the Company’s capital stock. VB Securities will
continue to be VB Securities in the hands of any holder and each transferee
thereof will succeed to the rights and obligations of a holder of VB Securities
hereunder, provided that shares of VB Securities will cease to be VB Securities
when transferred (i) to the Company, (ii) an HIG Shareholder or (iii) pursuant
to a Public Sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the term
“VB
Securities” include Common Stock purchased in the public market.
“VB
Shareholder”
means
any
Person who holds VB Securities and any other Person to whom VB Securities are
issued or transferred for so long as such Person holds any VB
Securities.
3
SECTION
II - REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
SECTION
2.1. Representations
and Warranties of the Shareholders
Each
of
the Shareholders, individually and not jointly, hereby represents, warrants
and
covenants to the Company and each other Shareholder as follows: (a) such
Shareholder has full authority and power under its charter, by-laws, governing
partnership agreement or comparable document (if applicable) to enter into
this
Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder; (b) this Agreement constitutes
the valid and binding obligation of such Shareholder enforceable against it
in
accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application
affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws
relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or
other equitable remedies, and (iii) to the extent the indemnification provisions
may be limited by applicable federal or state securities laws; and (c) the
execution, delivery and performance by such Shareholder of this Agreement:
(1) does not and will not violate any laws, rules or regulations of the
United States or any state or other jurisdiction applicable to such Shareholder,
(2) does not and will not require such Shareholder to obtain any approval,
consent or waiver of, or to make any filing with, any person that has not been
obtained or made, and (3) does not and will not result in a breach of,
constitute a default under, accelerate any obligation under or give rise to
a
right of termination of any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other
agreement, contract, instrument, mortgage, lien, lease, permit, authorization,
order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or arbitration award
to
which such Shareholder is a party or by which the property of such Shareholder
is bound or affected, or result in the creation or imposition of any mortgage,
pledge, lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance on any of the
assets or properties of such Shareholder.
SECTION
2.2. Representations
and Warranties of the Company
The
Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each of the Shareholders
as
follows: (a) the Company has full corporate authority and power to enter
into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder; (b) this
Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited
by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws
of
general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii)
as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance,
injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies, and (iii) to the extent the
indemnification provisions may be limited by applicable federal or state
securities laws; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement: (1) does not and will not violate any laws,
rules or regulations of the United States or any state or other jurisdiction
applicable to the Company, (2) does not and will not require the Company to
obtain any approval, consent or waiver of, or to make any filing with, any
Person that has not been obtained or made other than filings pursuant to
applicable federal and state securities laws which have been or will be made
on
a timely basis, and (3) does not and will not result in a breach of, constitute
a default under, accelerate any obligation under or give rise to a right of
termination of any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other material
agreement, contract, instrument, mortgage, lien, lease, permit, authorization,
order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or arbitration award
to
which the Company is a party or by which the property of the Company is bound
or
affected, or result in the creation or imposition of any mortgage, pledge,
lien,
security interest or other charge or encumbrance on any of the assets or
properties of the Company.
4
SECTION
III - RESTRICTIONS
ON TRANSFER; RIGHT OF REFUSAL; TAG ALONG; DRAG ALONG;
PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS
SECTION
3.1. Restrictions
on Transfer
Each
VB
Shareholder agrees that such VB Shareholder will not Transfer all or any portion
of his, her or its VB Securities now owned or hereafter acquired by such VB
Shareholder, except in connection with, and strictly in compliance with, the
conditions of this Article III.
SECTION
3.2. Permitted
Transfers
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the provisions of Section
3
shall
not apply to the Transfers listed below, provided
that in
the case of items (a) and (b) below the Transferee shall have entered into
a
Joinder Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A
providing that all VB Securities so Transferred shall continue to be subject
to
all provisions of this Agreement as if such VB Securities were still held by
the
VB Shareholder, except that (other than in the case of item (c) below) no
further Transfer shall thereafter be permitted hereunder except in compliance
with this Article III:
(a) Transfers
by any VB Shareholder to the spouse, children or siblings of such VB Shareholder
or to a trust, a family limited liability company or family limited partnership
for the sole benefit of any of them (including such VB
Shareholder);
(b) Transfers
upon the death of a VB Shareholder to such VB Shareholder’s heirs, executors or
administrators or to a living or testamentary trust created by such VB
Shareholder, or Transfers between such VB Shareholder and such VB Shareholder’s
guardian or conservator;
(c) Transfers
to any other VB Shareholder;
(d) Transfers
permitted by Section 4.1; and
(e) Transfers
pursuant to a Public Sale.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any failure by a Transferee under
this Section
3.2
to
execute a Joinder Agreement, such Transferee shall take any VB Securities so
Transferred subject to all provisions of this Agreement as if such VB Securities
were still held by the VB Shareholder making such Transfer, whether or not
they
so agree in writing.
SECTION
3.3. Tag
Along Right of VB Shareholders
(a) If
the
HIG Shareholders desire to effect any sale of more than 20% of the original
number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to any Person other than an
Affiliate of any HIG Shareholder at a price per share in excess of the Series
C
Preference Amount (as defined in the Charter) plus all accrued and unpaid
dividends thereon (a “Tag
Along Transaction”),
the
HIG Shareholders shall give written notice to each VB Shareholder offering
the
VB Shareholders the option to participate in such Tag Along Transaction, which
shall set forth the material terms of the proposed Tag Along Transaction and
identify the contemplated transferee.
5
(b) Each
VB
Shareholder may, by written notice to the HIG Shareholders (a “Tag
Along Notice”),
delivered within ten (10) business days after the date notice of the Tag Along
Transaction was delivered to such VB Shareholder (the “Tag
Along Election Period”),
elect
to sell in such Tag Along Transaction, pursuant to the terms thereof, shares
of
Series D Preferred Stock held by such VB Shareholder that are then convertible
into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the total number of shares
of Common Stock then issuable upon conversion of all of the shares of Series
D
Preferred Stock held by the VB Shareholder multiplied by (ii) a fraction (A)
the
numerator of which is the total number of share of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock being sold in the Tag
Along
Transaction and (B) the denominator of which is the total number of share of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all of the shares of Series C Preferred
Stock then outstanding. The price per share of Series D Preferred Stock to
be
paid to each such electing VB Shareholder shall be equal to the total number
of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such share multiplied by
the
Series C Converted Price. The “Series
C Converted Price”
means
the price per share of Series C Preferred Stock to be paid in such transaction
divided by the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Series C
Preferred Stock is then convertible.
(c) If
a VB
Shareholder does not deliver a Tag Along Notice in a timely manner, the HIG
Shareholders may thereafter consummate the Tag Along Transaction without the
participation of such VB Shareholder on terms and conditions not materially
more
favorable to the sellers than those set forth in the notice described in
subsection (a) above. If the Tag Along Transaction is not consummated on or
before 180 calendar days after the later of (i) the expiration of the
Tag Along Election Period and (ii) the satisfaction of related all
governmental approval or filing requirements, the offer described in subsection
(a) above shall be deemed to lapse, and the HIG Shareholders shall be obligated
to once again comply with the provisions of this Section 3.3.
(d) In
the
event any VB Shareholder exercises its right to participate in a Tag Along
Transaction in accordance with this Section 3.3,
it
shall be liable to the transferee in such Tag Along Transaction only to same
extent as the transferring HIG Shareholders with respect to representations
and
warranties regarding the Company or its business, on a several basis for such
VB
Shareholder’s pro
rata
portion
of the total sale proceeds; provided,
however,
that
such VB Shareholder’s liability with respect to such representations and
warranties shall not exceed the value of the proceeds received by the VB
Shareholder upon the consummation of the Tag Along Transaction and, provided further
that the
VB Shareholder shall not be required to make any other representations or
warranties or to provide any indemnities in connection therewith (other
than with respect to representations and warranties with respect to
enforceability of such Shareholder’s obligations and title to
Shares).
6
SECTION
3.4. Drag-Along
(a) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, with respect to any Approved Sale, each
VB Shareholder hereby agrees to (i) vote for and/or consent to and raise no
objection to such Approved Sale (and hereby waives, to the extent permitted
by
law, all rights to object to or dissent from such Approved Sale), (ii) otherwise
cooperate fully in such Approved Sale and not take any action prejudicial to
or
inconsistent with such Approved Sale. The
obligations of the VB Shareholders with respect to any Approved Sale are subject
to the satisfaction of the conditions that (A) upon the consummation of such
Approved Sale, all of the sellers of Common Stock and of each series of
Preferred Stock, respectively, will receive (I) the amount of consideration
to
which such sellers are entitled pursuant to a Liquidation under the Charter
and
(II) the same form and amount of consideration per share of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock of such series, as applicable, or if any such sellers are given
an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received per share
of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock of such series, all holders of Common Stock
and
Preferred Stock of such series, as applicable, will be given the same option,
(B) the representations and warranties to be made by any VB Shareholder shall
be
limited to enforceability of its obligations and title to its Shares, (C) any
indemnification obligations of a VB Shareholder shall be several, not joint,
and
shall (other than with respect to representations and warranties with respect
to
enforceability of such Shareholder’s obligations and title to Shares) be pro
rata based on the value of the proceeds received by the sellers in connection
with such Approved Sale, and (D) the aggregate liability of a VB Shareholder
with respect to indemnification obligations in connection with such Approved
Sale shall be limited to the proceeds paid to such VB Shareholder in connection
with such Approved Sale.
(b) Each
VB
Shareholder hereby appoints the Company as such VB Shareholder’s true and lawful
proxy and attorney in connection with any Approved Sale satisfying the
conditions set forth in this Section 3.4 herein, with full power of
substitution, to vote all Shares owned by such VB Shareholder or over which
such
VB Shareholder has voting control to effectuate the agreements set forth in
this
Section 3.4 in the event of any breach by such VB Shareholder of its obligations
under this Section 3.4. The proxies and powers granted by each VB Shareholder
pursuant to this Section 3.4 are coupled with an interest and are given to
secure the performance of such VB Shareholder’s duties under this Section 3.4.
Such proxies are irrevocable for so long as this Section 3.4 remains in effect
and will survive the death, incompetence or disability of any VB Shareholder
who
is an individual and the merger, liquidation or dissolution of any Shareholder
that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other
entity.
(c) The
term
“Approved
Sale”
means
any of the following transactions that are approved by the Board of Directors:
(i) a consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other person(s),
entity or entities in which less than a majority of the outstanding voting
power
of the surviving person(s), entity or entities is held by persons or entities
who were stockholders of the Company prior to such event or (ii) a sale, lease,
exchange or disposition of all, or substantially all, of the property (with
or
without the good will) of the Company otherwise than in its usual and regular
course of business.
7
SECTION
3.5. Limited
First Refusal Rights
(a) Pre-emptive
Rights.
If the
Company authorizes the issuance and sale of any Preferred Stock, except to
the
extent such Preferred Stock is issued (a) pursuant to a Public Sale, (b) as
part
of the consideration paid for the acquisition of all or any substantial portion
of the assets or all or any portion of the capital stock of any Person, (c)
upon
conversion or exercise of any instrument convertible into Preferred Stock,
(d)
as compensation to any employee, director, officer or consultant of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, (e) as partial consideration for any debt financing
extended to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (f) in connection with
any
joint venture or strategic relationship approved by the Board of Directors
(and
not issued for cash in connection therewith) or (g) pursuant to any right of
first refusal or right of first offer granted by the Company to any of its
credit financing sources or their affiliates, the Company will first offer
to
sell to each Major D Shareholder a pro rata portion of such securities equal
to
the percentage determined by dividing (i) the number of shares of Common Stock
held by such Major D Shareholder (determined on a fully diluted basis), by
(ii)
the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding (determined on a fully
diluted basis). Each such Major D Shareholder will be entitled to purchase
all
or part of such stock or securities at the same price and on the same terms
as
such stock or securities are to be offered to any other Persons.
(b) Major
D Shareholders’ Exercise of Right.
Each
Major D Shareholder entitled to purchase securities under this Section 5 must
exercise such Major D Shareholder’s purchase rights hereunder within 10 business
days after receipt of written notice from the Company describing in reasonable
detail the stock or securities being offered, the purchase price thereof, the
payment terms and such Major D Shareholder’s percentage allotment.
(c) Company’s
Exercise of Right.
Upon
expiration of the offering period described above, the Company will be free
to
sell such stock or securities which the Major D Shareholders entitled to
purchase such stock or securities have not elected to purchase during the 180
days following such expiration on terms and conditions no more favorable to
the
purchasers thereof, in the aggregate, than those offered to such Major D
Shareholders. Any stock or securities offered or sold by the Company after
such
180-day period must be re-offered to the Major D Shareholders entitled to
purchase such stock or securities pursuant to the terms of this Section
5.
(d) Fully
Diluted Basis.
All
references herein to calculations of the Company’s equity or any type, class or
series thereof “on a fully diluted basis” or as “fully diluted” or similar terms
shall mean such equity or type, class or series thereof at any date as diluted
by the issuance of all shares of such equity or type, class or series thereof
then issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all then outstanding and
exercisable warrants, options or convertible securities pursuant to which the
Company is then obligated to issue such equity or type, class or series thereof
(in all cases, determined assuming that the Company has sufficient authorized
but unissued shares of Common Stock for the exercise or conversion of all such
securities), but specifically excluding all shares issuable under warrants,
options or convertible securities (other than Series D Preferred Stock) which
are not then exercisable or convertible unless the inability to convert arises
solely from the lack of authorized shares of common stock.
8
SECTION
3.6. Effect
of Prohibited Transfers
If
any
Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement,
such
purported Transfer shall be void ab
initio;
the
Company and the other parties hereto shall have, in addition to any other legal
or equitable remedies which they may have, the right to enforce the provisions
of this Agreement by actions for specific performance (to the extent permitted
by law), and the Company shall have the right to refuse to recognize any
Transferee as one of its stockholders for any purpose. In the event of any
such
breach of this Agreement, commencing immediately upon the date of such attempted
Transfer (a) such Transfer shall be void and of no effect, (b) no dividend
of
any kind or any distribution pursuant to any liquidation, redemption or
otherwise shall be paid by the Company to the purported transferee in respect
of
such Shares (all such rights to payment by the transferring stockholder and/or
the purported transferee being deemed waived), (c) the voting rights of such
Shares, if any, shall terminate, and (d) neither the transferring stockholder
nor the purported transferee shall be entitled to exercise any rights with
respect to such Shares until such Transfer in breach of this Agreement has
been
rescinded.
SECTION
IV - Option
to Purchase
SECTION
4.1. Option
to Purchase Upon Conversion
(a) In
the
event
that the
VB Shareholder(s) (the “Converting Shareholder(s)”) exercise the right to
convert the shares of Series D Preferred Stock to Common Stock pursuant to
the
Charter, except in the case of automatic conversion pursuant to Section
4.2(a)(ii) of the Certificate of Designation of the Series D Preferred Stock,
the Converting Shareholder(s) shall give written notice to the Company and
HIG
of such conversion (such notice, the “Company Offer Notice”). The Company or, in
accordance herewith, HIG (or its designees) shall have the option to purchase
all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion
(the “Conversion Shares”) at a price per share equal to the
Purchase Price (as defined below).
At any
time within 15 days after receipt by the Company of the Company Offer Notice
(the “Company Option Period”), the Company may elect to purchase any or all of
the Conversion Shares and shall give written notice of such election (the
“Company Acceptance Notice”) to the Converting Shareholder and HIG within the
Company Option Period, which notice shall indicate the maximum number of shares
of Common Stock that the Company desires to purchase. The Company Acceptance
Notice shall constitute a valid, legally binding and enforceable agreement
for
the sale and purchase of the Conversion Shares covered by the Company Acceptance
Notice. If no Company Acceptance Notice has been delivered, or a Company
Acceptance Notice has been delivered for less than all of the Conversion Shares,
then HIG may, at any time within 15 days after the end of the Company Option
Period (the “HIG Option Period”), elect (on behalf of itself and/or any other
HIG Shareholders) to purchase some or all of the Conversion Shares that were
not
so purchased by the Company and shall give written notice of such election
(the
“HIG Acceptance Notice”) to the Converting Shareholder within the HIG Option
Period, which notice shall indicate the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock
that HIG (and/or any designated HIG Shareholders) desire to purchase. The HIG
Acceptance Notice shall constitute a valid, legally binding and enforceable
agreement for the sale and purchase of the Conversion Shares covered by the
HIG
Acceptance Notice.
9
(b) For
purposes hereof, the term “Purchase Price” means (i) average
final closing price per share for the ten (10) trading days immediately
preceding the date of the conversion (as reported by Bloomberg L.P., or any
organization succeeding to its function of reporting prices)
or (ii)
if the Converting Shareholder has received from a third party a bona fide
written offer to purchase all of the Conversion Shares for cash, (in which
case
the Company Offer Notice shall include a copy of such written offer) the price
at which such third party has offered to pay for the Conversion
Shares.
(c) In
the
case of a Company Offer Notice for which the Purchase Price is determined
pursuant to subpart (ii) in the immediately preceding sentence, if neither
the
Company nor HIG exercise their purchase rights hereunder in respect of such
Company Offer Notice, the Converting Shareholder may sell such Conversion Shares
to the third party offeror (a “Third Party Sale”) for a price equal to or more
than such Purchase Price at any time within sixty (60) days after the end of
the
HIG Option Period. If the Third Party Sale is not completed on or prior to
the
end of such sixty day period, the Converting Shareholder shall be deemed to
have
issued a new Company Offer Notice on such date and the Company and HIG shall
have the right to purchase such Conversion Shares at the Purchase Price
determined pursuant to subpart (i) of the definition thereof in accordance
with
the provisions of Section 4.1(a) above.
SECTION
V - MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
SECTION
5.1. Survival
of Covenants
Each
of
the parties hereto agrees that each covenant and agreement made by it in this
Agreement or in any certificate, instrument or other document delivered pursuant
to this Agreement is material, shall be deemed to have been relied upon by
the
other parties and shall remain operative and in full force and effect after
the
date hereof, regardless of any investigation, without limitation unless
otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement. This Agreement shall not
be
construed so as to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the
parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns to the
extent contemplated herein.
SECTION
5.2. Legend
on Securities
The
VB
Shareholders acknowledge and agree that in addition to any other legend on
the
certificates representing VB Securities held by them, substantially the
following legend shall be typed on each certificate evidencing any of the VB
Securities:
THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF A CERTAIN
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF AUGUST 17, 2007, INCLUDING CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH THEREIN. A COMPLETE AND CORRECT COPY OF
SUCH
AGREEMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY
AND
WILL BE FURNISHED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE.
10
SECTION
5.3. Amendment
and Waiver
Any
party
may waive any provision hereof intended for its benefit in writing. No failure
or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, power or
remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. The remedies provided for
herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be
available to any party hereto at law or in equity or otherwise. This Agreement
or any provisions hereof may be amended or waived with the prior written
approval of the Company, Xxxxxxx (for as long as he owns VB Securities), the
holders of a majority of the Shares held by the VB Shareholders (taken
together), and the holders of a majority of the Shares held by the HIG
Shareholders. Any approval given as provided in the preceding sentence shall
be
binding on all VB Shareholders and HIG Shareholders; provided that,
any
amendment or waiver that would materially and adversely affect any VB
Shareholder or any HIG Shareholder disproportionately more than any other VB
Shareholder or HIG Shareholder shall not be effective against such VB
Shareholder or HIG Shareholder, as the case may be, without the consent of
such
VB Shareholder or HIG Shareholder, as the case may be, with respect
thereto.
SECTION
5.4. Notices
All
notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given, delivered and received (a) if delivered
personally or (b) if sent by facsimile, registered or certified mail (return
receipt requested) postage prepaid, or by courier guaranteeing next day
delivery, in each case to the party to whom it is directed, which if to the
Company, shall be at:
Advanced
Communication Advanced Communications Technologies, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile:
646.227.1666
and
if to
any HIG Shareholder, at the addresses set forth below such party’s signature
hereto and with respect to any VB Shareholder, at the address set forth below
such parties’ signature hereto (or at such other address for any party as shall
be specified by notice given in accordance with the provisions hereof,
provided
that
notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof).
Notices delivered personally or sent by facsimile shall be effective on the
day
so delivered, notices sent by registered or certified mail shall be effective
three days after mailing, and notices sent by courier guaranteeing next day
delivery shall be effective on the earlier of the second business day after
timely delivery to the courier or the day of actual delivery by the
courier.
11
SECTION
5.5. Headings
The
Article and Section headings used or contained in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this
Agreement. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting
of this Agreement and the other agreements, documents and instruments executed
and delivered in connection herewith with counsel sophisticated in investment
transactions. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation
arises, this Agreement and the agreements, documents and instruments executed
and delivered in connection herewith shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by
the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or
disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this
Agreement and the agreements, documents and instruments executed and delivered
in connection herewith.
SECTION
5.6. Counterparts
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by the parties hereto
in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to
be
an original and all of which together shall be deemed to constitute one and
the
same agreement.
SECTION
5.7. Remedies;
Severability
It
is
specifically understood and agreed that any breach of the provisions of this
Agreement by any Person subject hereto will result in irreparable injury to
the
other parties hereto, that the remedy at law alone will be an inadequate remedy
for such breach, and that, in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies
which they may have, such other parties may enforce their respective rights
by
actions for specific performance (to the extent permitted by law) and the
Company may refuse to recognize any unauthorized Transferee as one of its
stockholders for any purpose, including, without limitation, for purposes of
dividend and voting rights, until the relevant party or parties have complied
with all applicable provisions of this Agreement.
In
the
event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the
application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be in any way impaired thereby, it being
intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties hereto shall
be
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
SECTION
5.8. Entire
Agreement
This
Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement
and intended to be complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained
herein.
SECTION
5.9. Adjustments
All
references to share prices and amounts herein shall be equitably adjusted to
reflect stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and similar changes
affecting the capital stock of the Company.
12
SECTION
5.10. Law
Governing
(a) THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN AND IN ALL RESPECTS SHALL BE
INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED AND GOVERNED BY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF FLORIDA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
The
parties hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the Federal courts
of
the United States of America and the state courts located in Miami-Dade County
in the State of Florida solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement
of the provisions of this Agreement and of the documents referred to in this
Agreement, and in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby, and hereby
waive, and agree not to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding
for the interpretation or enforcement hereof or of any such document, that
it is
not subject thereto or that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought
or is not maintainable in said courts or that the venue thereof may not be
appropriate or that this Agreement or any such document may not be enforced
in
or by such courts, and the parties hereto irrevocably agree that all claims
with
respect to such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such
a
Federal or state court. The parties hereby consent to and grant any such court
jurisdiction over the Person of such parties and over the subject matter of
such
dispute and agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with
any
such action or proceeding in the manner provided in this Agreement or in such
other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service
thereof.
(b) EACH
PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE
EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH
PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
(i)
NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,
EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) EACH SUCH PARTY
UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) EACH
SUCH
PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED
TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION
SECTION
5.11. Successors
and Assigns
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective
successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto as contemplated herein,
and any successor to the Company by way of merger or otherwise shall
specifically agree to be bound by the terms hereof as a condition of such
successor. The rights of the Shareholders hereunder shall be assignable to
Transferees of their Shares as contemplated herein. This Agreement may not
be
assigned by any Shareholder except as provided herein (including Section 3.2
hereof) without the prior written consent of the Company, Xxxxxxx (for as long
as he owns VB Securities), the holders of a majority of the Shares held by
the
VB Shareholders (taken together), and the holders of a majority of the Shares
held by the HIG Shareholders, and without such prior written consent any
attempted Transfer shall be null and void.
13
SECTION
5.12. Vote
to Increase Authorized Shares
(a) The
HIG
Shareholder hereby covenants and agrees that it will vote all of the HIG
Securities held by it in favor of the Charter Amendments referenced in the
Certificates of Designation for the Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred
Stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock at any shareholder meeting, or pursuant
to
any written consent, pursuant to which such Charter Amendments have been
submitted for approval.
(b) The
Company agrees to file a proxy or information statement relating to shareholder
approval of the Charter Amendments within 90 days after the date of this
Agreement. In the event the proxy or information statement is reviewed by the
SEC, the Company agrees to effect the Charter Amendments within 30 days after
completion of SEC review of an information statement or within 50 days after
completion of SEC review of a proxy statement. In the event the proxy statement
or information statement is not reviewed by the SEC, the Company agrees to
effect the Charter Amendments within 75 days after filing.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS]
14
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Stockholder Agreement
to be
duly executed as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY:
|
||
ADVANCED
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
a
Delaware corporation
|
||
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
|
||
Title:
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
HIG
SHAREHOLDER:
|
ACT-DE,
LLC
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
||
Title:
Executive Vice President
|
*The
address for each HIG Shareholder is:
VB
SHAREHOLDERS:
/s/
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxx X.
Xxxxxxx
Address:
/s/
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Address:
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Address:
SCHEDULE
A
List
of HIG Shareholders, VB Shareholders
HIG
Shareholders
|
Number
of Shares of Series C Preferred Stock
|
Number
of Shares of Series D Preferred Stock
|
Number
of Shares of Common Stock
|
|||
ACT-DE,
LLC
|
913.79
|
—
|
—
|
|||
VB
Shareholders
|
—
|
1,000
|
—
|
|||
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Tel:
Fax:
|
—
|
312.5
|
—
|
|||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Tel:
Fax:
|
—
|
562.5
|
—
|
|||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Tel:
Fax:
|
—
|
125
|
—
|
EXHIBIT
A
Form
of Joinder Agreement
The
undersigned hereby agrees, effective as of the later date indicated below,
to
become a party to that certain Shareholders Agreement (the “Agreement”)
dated
as of July __, 2007, by and among Advanced Communications Technologies, Inc.
(the “Company”)
and
the parties named therein; and for all purposes of the Agreement, the
undersigned shall be included within the term [“HIG Shareholder”] [“VB
Shareholder”]. The undersigned further confirms that the representations and
warranties contained in Section II of the Agreement are true and correct as
to
the undersigned as of the date hereof. The address and facsimile number to
which
notices may be sent to the undersigned is as set forth below the undersigned’s
signature.
__________________________________________
Name:
Date:_____________________
Address
for Notices:
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Facsimile
No.______________________
ACCEPTED
AND AGREED:
ADVANCED
COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
Date:_____________________________