DELSTAFF, LLC A Delaware Limited Liability Company AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT Dated as of June 29, 2007
Exhibit 99.9
Execution
Copy
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 29, 2007
THE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED OR UNDER ANY OTHER APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED
OF AT ANY TIME WITHOUT EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT AND LAWS OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM, AND
COMPLIANCE WITH THE OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY SET FORTH
HEREIN.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
Page | ||||||
Article I DEFINITIONS | 1 | |||||
1.1 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
1.2 |
Construction | 8 | ||||
Article II ORGANIZATION | 9 | |||||
2.1 |
Formation | 9 | ||||
2.2 |
Name | 9 | ||||
2.3 |
Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices | 9 | ||||
2.4 |
Purposes | 9 | ||||
2.5 |
Term | 9 | ||||
2.6 |
No State-Law Partnership | 9 | ||||
Article III MEMBERSHIP; MEMBER UNITS | 9 | |||||
3.1 |
Members | 9 | ||||
3.2 |
Liability of Members | 10 | ||||
3.3 |
Lack of Authority | 10 | ||||
3.4 |
Units | 10 | ||||
3.5 |
Issuance of Additional Units and Interests | 11 | ||||
3.6 |
Issuance of Units on the Date Hereof | 12 | ||||
3.7 |
Equity Cure Contributions by the Class A Holders | 14 | ||||
Article IV CAPITAL ACCOUNTS | 14 | |||||
4.1 |
Establishment and Determination of Capital Accounts | 14 | ||||
4.2 |
Computation of Amounts | 14 | ||||
4.3 |
Negative Capital Accounts | 15 | ||||
4.4 |
Company Capital | 15 | ||||
4.5 |
Adjustments to Book Value | 15 | ||||
Article V DISTRIBUTIONS; ALLOCATIONS OF | 15 | |||||
5.1 |
Generally | 15 | ||||
5.2 |
Distributions | 16 | ||||
5.3 |
Allocation of Profits and Losses | 18 | ||||
5.4 |
Special Allocations | 18 | ||||
5.5 |
Amounts Withheld | 19 | ||||
5.6 |
Tax Distributions | 19 | ||||
5.7 |
Tax Allocations | 20 | ||||
5.8 |
Election for Profits Interest | 20 | ||||
5.9 |
Xxxxxx SPA | 21 |
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Page | ||||||
Article VI BOARD OF MANAGERS | 21 | |||||
6.1 |
Management by the Managers | 21 | ||||
6.2 |
Actions by the Managers; Committees; Delegation of Authority and Duties | 24 | ||||
6.3 |
Board Meetings | 25 | ||||
6.4 |
Action by Written Consent or Telephone Conference | 25 | ||||
6.5 |
Number and Term of Office | 26 | ||||
6.6 |
Vacancies; Resignation | 26 | ||||
6.7 |
Approval or Ratification of Acts or Contracts by Members | 26 | ||||
6.8 |
Officers | 26 | ||||
Article VII MEETINGS OF MEMBERS; ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS | 27 | |||||
7.1 |
Member Meetings | 27 | ||||
7.2 |
Voting List | 28 | ||||
7.3 |
Proxies | 28 | ||||
7.4 |
Conduct of Meetings | 29 | ||||
7.5 |
Action by Written Consent or Telephone Conference | 29 | ||||
7.6 |
Investment Opportunities and Conflicts of Interest | 29 | ||||
7.7 |
Confidentiality | 31 | ||||
Article VIII EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION | 31 | |||||
8.1 |
Exculpation | 31 | ||||
8.2 |
Right to Indemnification | 32 | ||||
8.3 |
Advance Payment | 32 | ||||
8.4 |
Indemnification of Employees and Agents | 32 | ||||
8.5 |
Nonexclusivity of Rights | 33 | ||||
8.6 |
Insurance | 33 | ||||
8.7 |
Savings Clause | 33 | ||||
Article IX TAXES | 33 | |||||
9.1 |
Tax Returns | 33 | ||||
9.2 |
Tax Matters Member | 33 | ||||
9.3 |
Tax Reports | 34 | ||||
Article X BOOKS, REPORTS AND COMPANY FUNDS | 34 | |||||
10.1 |
Maintenance of Books | 34 | ||||
10.2 |
Reports | 34 | ||||
Article XI TRANSFERS | 35 | |||||
11.1 |
Assignment by Members | 35 | ||||
11.2 |
Void Assignment | 36 | ||||
11.3 |
Sale of the Company | 36 | ||||
11.4 |
Initial Public Offering | 37 | ||||
11.5 |
Participation/Co-Sale Rights | 37 | ||||
11.6 |
Substituted Member | 38 | ||||
11.7 |
Effect of Assignment | 38 | ||||
11.8 |
Effect of Incapacity | 39 | ||||
11.9 |
Redemption Right | 39 |
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Page | ||||||
Article XII DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION | 39 | |||||
12.1 |
Dissolution | 39 | ||||
12.2 |
Liquidation and Termination | 39 | ||||
12.3 |
Deficit Capital Accounts | 41 | ||||
12.4 |
Cancellation of Certificate | 41 | ||||
Article XIII VALUATION | 41 | |||||
13.1 |
Valuation of Units or Other Assets | 41 | ||||
Article XIV GENERAL PROVISIONS | 41 | |||||
14.1 |
Offset | 41 | ||||
14.2 |
Notices | 41 | ||||
14.3 |
Entire Agreement | 42 | ||||
14.4 |
Effect of Waiver or Consent | 42 | ||||
14.5 |
Amendment or Modification | 42 | ||||
14.6 |
Binding Effect | 42 | ||||
14.7 |
Governing Law; Severability | 42 | ||||
14.8 |
Further Assurances | 43 | ||||
14.9 |
Waiver of Certain Rights | 43 | ||||
14.10 |
Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member | 43 | ||||
14.11 |
Power of Attorney | 43 | ||||
14.12 |
Notice to Members of Provisions | 44 | ||||
14.13 |
Counterparts | 44 | ||||
14.14 |
Facsimile | 44 | ||||
14.15 |
No Effect Upon Lending Relationship | 44 |
iii
Execution
Copy
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
a Delaware Limited Liability Company
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT of DelStaff, LLC (this
“Agreement”), dated as of June 29, 2007, originally adopted February 28, 2007, is being amended
and adopted by, and executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by the Members
and DelStaff, LLC.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following
meanings:
“Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and any successor statute, as amended
from time to time.
“Additional Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5.2.
“Affiliate” of any Person means (i) any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with the Person in question or (ii) in the case of any
Person that is a limited partnership, the partners of such Person shall be deemed, for purposes of
Section 11.1 only, to be Affiliates of such Person.
“Control” means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
Person, whether through ownership of the voting securities of such Person, by contract or
otherwise.
“Agreement” has the meaning given that term in the introductory paragraph.
“Alarian Carry Percentage” means 0.50%, until HIG has achieved a 70% IRR after
February 28, 2010 or received Distributions equal to at least five times HIG’s aggregate Capital
Contributions prior to February 28, 2010, at which point such percentage shall equal 0.75% with
respect to HIG’s Distributions thereafter. The Alarian Carry Percentage will not be diluted by any
issuances of additional Units to HIG after the date hereof.
“Approved Sale” has the meaning given that term in Section 11.3.
“Board” means the Board of Managers of the Company.
“Book Value” means, with respect to any Company property, the Company’s adjusted basis for
federal income tax purposes, adjusted from time to time to reflect the adjustments required or
permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)-(g).
“Capital Account” has the meaning given that term in Section 4.1 hereof.
“Capital Contribution” means the aggregate contribution by a Member to the capital of
the Company specified on Schedule A hereto, as amended from time to time in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.
“Cash Inflows to HIG” means the aggregate distributions of cash, property or
securities received by HIG with respect to its Member Interest.
“Cash Outflows from HIG” means the sum of all cash payments made by HIG with respect
to its Member Interest.
“Certificate” has the meaning given that term in Section 2.1.
“Class A Holder” means a Member holding Class A Units.
“Class A Percentage Interest” means, with respect to a Class A Holder at any time and
from time to time, a percentage equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Class
A Units owned by such Class A Holder and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Class
A Units owned by all Members.
“Class A Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Member Interests of the
Members and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class A Units in this
Agreement.
“Class A Yield” means the yield accrued on the Class A Units equal to 10% of the Unreturned
Capital of the Class A Units, compounded quarterly.
“Class B Holder” means a Member holding Class B Units.
“Class B Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Member Interests of the
Members and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class B Units in this
Agreement. Unless otherwise provided herein, all Class B Units including Unvested Class B Units
(as defined in the Executive Securities Agreements) shall be treated as issued and outstanding
for purposes of this Agreement, including without limitation, all federal, state and local income
tax purposes, unless and until any such Class B Units are repurchased by the Company or HIG.
“Class C Holder” means a Member holding Class C Units.
“Class C Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Member Interests of the
Members and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class C Units in this
Agreement.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any successor statute, as amended from
time to time.
“Common Units” means, in the aggregate, the Class A Units, Class B Units and Class C Units.
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“Company” means DelStaff, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth for “partnership minimum gain” in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).
“Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7.
“Credit Agreement” means that Credit Agreement, dated June 29, 2007, by and among the
Company, Laminar Direct Capital L.P. and certain other parties named therein, as amended from time
to time.
“Deemed Liquidation Event” means (i) the common stock of WSTF owned by the Company is
diluted in any manner (other than pursuant to a disposition of such common stock for cash proceeds
permitted under Section 8.05 of the Credit Agreement in effect as of the Closing Date (as defined
in the Credit Agreement)) such that the percentage of the aggregate common stock of WSTF that is
owned by the Company is less than thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate outstanding common stock of
WSTF, (ii) any sale or transfer by WSTF of all or substantially all of its assets, or any sale or
transfer by WSTF and/or any of its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the assets of WSTF
determined with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (iii) HIG failing to own legally and
beneficially (directly or indirectly) free and clear of all Liens more than ninety percent (90%),
on a fully-diluted basis, of the equity interests of the Company that it owns as of the date of
this Agreement; (iv) the Company failing to own legally and beneficially (directly or indirectly)
free and clear of all liens (except for liens permitted under the Credit Agreement) at least twenty
percent (20%) of the common stock of WSTF; (v) (A) HIG failing to Control the majority of the board
of directors (or similar governing body) of the Company or (B) the Company failing to have the
right to appoint the majority of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of WSTF; or
(vi) the Company, or WSTF and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, selling all or substantially all
of their assets.
“Dispose”,
“Disposed”, “Disposing” or
“Disposition” means a sale, assignment, transfer,
exchange, mortgage, pledge, grant of a security interest or other disposition (including, without
limitation, by operation of law).
“Distribution” means a distribution made by the Company to a Member, whether in cash,
property or securities of the Company and whether by liquidating distribution or otherwise;
provided that none of the following shall be a Distribution: (a) any redemption or
repurchase by the Company of any Units, (b) any recapitalization or exchange of Units of the
Company, (c) any subdivision (by Unit split or otherwise) or any combination (by reverse Unit
split or otherwise) of any outstanding Units, or (d) any fees or remuneration paid to any Member
in such Member’s capacity as an employee, officer, consultant or other provider of services to the
Company.
“Employment Event” means the employment of Xxxxxx as the chief executive officer of
WSTF or another position reasonably acceptable to the Company and Xxxxxx.
“Equity Cure Contributions” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7
“Executive” means a Key Person who is a natural person and who is a party to an Executive
Securities Agreement with the Company.
3
“Executive Securities Agreement” means each of the Executive Securities Agreements,
dated as of various dates, by and between the Company and an Executive, as amended, modified and
waived from time to time in accordance with its terms, and including any agreements entered into
pursuant to Section 3.4.2.
“Exempt Transfers” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.1.
“Event of Default” means an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.
“Event of Noncompliance” means a breach or violation of Section 6.1.2 of this
Agreement which, in each case, the Company shall provide written notice to the holders of the
Senior Preferred Units within 5 days after discovery or knowledge of any such breach or violation.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset, its fair market value
determined according to ARTICLE XIII.
“Family Group” means, with respect to any individual, such individual’s spouse and descendants
(whether natural or adopted) and any trust, partnership, limited liability company or similar
vehicle established and maintained solely for the benefit of (or the sole members or partners of
which are) such individual, such individual’s spouse and/or such individual’s descendants.
“Fiscal Year” of the Company means the calendar year.
“HIG” means H.I.G. Staffing 2007, Ltd., a Cayman Islands company.
“HIG Management Agreements” means (i) the Investment Advisory Services Agreement,
dated February 27, 2007, between the Company and H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C. and (ii) the Management
Services Agreement, dated February 27, 2007, between the Company and H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C.
“Incapacity” or “Incapacitated” means (a) with respect to a natural person, the bankruptcy,
death, incompetency or insanity of such person and (b) with respect to any other Person, the
bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or termination of such Person.
“Indemnifying Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.10.
“Independent Third Party” means any Person who, immediately before the contemplated
transaction, does not own in excess of 10% of the Units on a
fully-diluted basis (a “10% Owner”),
who is not an Affiliate of any such 10% Owner, and who is not a member of any such 10% Owner’s
Family Group and who is not a Person who through contract or other arrangements (other than
arrangements entered into in connection with the contemplated transactions) would be an Affiliate
immediately after the contemplated transaction.
“Investor Member” means HIG and LamPort and any of their respective Permitted
Transferees.
4
“IRR” means the annual interest rate (compounded annually) which, when used to calculate the
net present value as of the date hereof of all Cash Inflows to HIG and all Cash Outflows from HIG,
causes such net amount to equal zero.
“IRS
Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.
“Junior Preferred Holder” means a Member holding Junior Preferred Units.
“Junior Preferred Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Member
Interests of the Members and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Junior
Preferred Units in this Agreement.
“Junior Preferred Yield” means the yield accrued on the Junior Preferred Units equal
to 13.5% of the Unreturned Capital of the Junior Preferred Units, compounded monthly.
“Key
Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.2.
“LamPort” means D. E. Shaw Laminar Portfolios, L.L.C. and its Permitted Transferees.
“Laminar Designee” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.
“Liquidation Value” with respect to the Senior Preferred Units, means the amount
distributable to the Senior Preferred Holders pursuant to Section 5.2.1 and Section 5.2.2
plus the Special Liquidation Premium; provided that on and after the one-year
anniversary of the date hereof the Liquidation Value shall not include the Special Liquidation
Premium.
“Losses” for any period means all items of Company loss, deduction and expense for such period
determined according to Section 4.2.
“Manager” means any Member or other Person hereafter elected as a manager of the Company as
provided in this Agreement, who as of the date hereof are Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx and the Laminar Designee, but does not include any Person who has ceased to
be a manager of the Company.
“Member” means any Person executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement as a
member or hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, but does
not include any Person who has ceased to be a member of the Company.
“Member
Interest” means the interest of a Member in Profits, Losses and Distributions.
“Member
Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth for “partner nonrecourse debt minimum
gain” in Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-2(i).
1.704-2(i).
“Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth for “partner
nonrecourse debt minimum gain” in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(i).
“Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth for “partner nonrecourse
deductions” in Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-2(i).
1.704-2(i).
5
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(l).
“Offering Period” has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.5.2.
“Other
Members” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.
“Permitted
Transferees” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.2.
“Person” means a natural person, partnership (whether general or limited), limited liability
company, trust, estate, association, corporation, custodian, nominee or any other individual or
entity in its own or any representative capacity.
“Proceeding” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2.
“Profits” for any period means all items of Company income and gain for such period
determined according to Section 4.2.
“Promissory Notes” has the meaning set forth in the Xxxxxx SPA.
“Public Offering” means a sale of Units (or capital stock exchanged for Units) to the public
pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act.
“Public Sale” means a sale of Units (or capital stock exchange for Units) to the public
pursuant to a Public Offering or to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker pursuant
to the provisions of Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act.
“Redemption Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.9.
“Regulatory Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.
“Representation Event” has the meaning set forth in the Xxxxxx SPA.
“Sale Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.
“Sale of the Company” means the sale of the Company to an Independent Third Party or
group of Independent Third Parties pursuant to which such party or parties acquire (i) Common
Units of the Company possessing a majority of the voting power of all the Common Units outstanding
(whether by merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of the Company’s equity interests) or (ii)
more than 50% of the Fair Market Value of the Company’s assets in one transaction or series of
related transactions determined on a consolidated basis. A Public Offering shall not constitute a
Sale of the Company.
“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable
rules and regulations thereunder, and any successor to such statute, rules or regulations. Any
reference herein to a specific section, rule or regulation under the Securities Act shall be
deemed to include any corresponding provisions of future law.
“Senior Preferred Holder” means a Member holding Senior Preferred Units.
6
“Senior Preferred Unit” means a Unit representing a fractional part of the Member
Interests of the Members and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the
Senior Preferred Units in this Agreement.
“Senior Preferred Yield” means the yield accrued on the Senior Preferred Units equal
to 16.25% of the Unreturned Capital of the Senior Preferred Units, compounded monthly;
provided, however, that on and after the earlier of: (i) the seventh anniversary of the
date hereof or (ii) an Event of Noncompliance; such rate shall be increased to 25% from and after
such anniversary date or the date of such Event of Noncompliance, as
applicable; provided further that to the extent any Event of Noncompliance with respect to clause (ii) above is
cured to the satisfaction of Senior Preferred Holders holding a majority of the then outstanding
Senior Preferred Units, then such yield shall return to 16.25%.
“Special Liquidation Premium” means (i) the product of (a) the initial Capital
Contribution by the Senior Preferred Holders with respect to the Senior Preferred Units on the
date of this Agreement, multiplied by (b) 16.25% and less (ii) the amount of
Senior Preferred Yield previously paid and Unpaid Yield on Senior Preferred Units at the time of
any calculation of the Special Liquidation Premium.
“Xxxxxx SPA” means that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated February 28, 2007 and as
amended from time to time, by and among the Company, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and certain other parties
thereto.
“Xxxxxx SPA Payments” means the payments, if any, to the Stockholders (as defined in
the Xxxxxx SPA) under and subject to the conditions of Section 2.04(a) of the Xxxxxx SPA.
“Subsidiary”means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the
total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of
that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership,
association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership
interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one
or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or
Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a
majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or
losses or shall be or control any managing member or general partner of such limited liability
company, partnership, association or other business entity.
“Tax Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.
“Taxable Year” means the Company’s taxable year ending December 31 (or part thereof, in the
case of the Company’s last taxable year), or such other year as is determined by the Board in
compliance with Section 706 of the Code.
“Transfer” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.1.
7
“Transferring Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.5.
“Units” means the units of each Member representing such Member’s Member Interest in
the amount as set forth on Schedule A hereto, as amended from time to time in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.
“Unpaid Yield on Class A Units” means, with respect to the Class A Units, an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate amount of Class A Yield relating to such Units
over (ii) the aggregate amount of prior Distributions made by the Company pursuant to Article V
which constitute payments of Class A Yield.
“Unpaid Yield on Senior Preferred Units” means, with respect to the Senior Preferred
Units, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate amount of Senior Preferred Yield
relating to such Units over (ii) the aggregate amount of prior Distributions made by the Company
pursuant to Article V which constitute payments of Senior Preferred Yield.
“Unpaid Yield on Junior Preferred Units” means, with respect to the Junior Preferred
Units, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate amount of Junior Preferred Yield
relating to such Units over (ii) the aggregate amount of prior Distributions made by the Company
pursuant to Article V which constitute payments of Junior Preferred Yield.
“Unreturned Capital” means, with respect to any Unit, as of any date, an amount equal
to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate amount of Capital Contributions made in exchange for or
on account of such Unit, over (ii) the aggregate amount of prior Distributions made by the Company
that constitute a return of the Capital Contributions therefor pursuant to Section 5.2.
“Xxxxxx” shall mean Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx.
“Xxxxxx Carry Percentage” means, subject to the vesting provisions of an Executive
Securities Agreement between the Company, HIG and Xxxxxx and the
terms of Schedule B, 8.0%;
provided that such percentage shall be increased by 5% if either HIG has achieved a 70% IRR
after February 28, 2010 or received Distributions equal to at least five times its aggregate
Capital Contributions prior to February 28, 2010 with respect to Distributions thereafter. The
Xxxxxx Carry Percentage will not be diluted by any issuances of additional Common Units to HIG or
LamPort after the date hereof.
“WSTF” shall mean Westaff, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Other terms defined in this Agreement have the meanings so given them.
1.2 Construction. Whenever the context requires, the gender of all words used in this
Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter. All references to Articles and Sections
refer to articles and sections of this Agreement, and all references to Schedules are to Schedules
attached hereto, each of which is made a part hereof for all purposes.
8
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
2.1 Formation. The Company has been organized as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of a Certificate of Formation (the “Certificate”) under and
pursuant to the Act.
2.2 Name. The name of the Company is “DelStaff, LLC,” and all Company business shall be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with applicable law as the
Board may select from time to time.
2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices. The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be maintained in the State of
Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent named in the Certificate or such other
office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate from time
to time in the manner provided by law. The registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware
shall be the initial registered agent named in the Certificate or such other Person or Persons as
the Board may designate from time to time in the manner provided by law. The principal office of
the Company shall be at such place as the Board may designate from time to time, which need not be
in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain records there. The Company may have such
other offices as the Board may designate from time to time.
2.4 Purposes. The purposes of the Company are to engage in any business or activity that is not prohibited by the Act or the laws of the jurisdictions in which the Company
engages in that business, including the consummation of the transactions set forth in the Xxxxxx SPA.
2.5 Term. The term of the Company commenced on the date the Certificate was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of Delaware and shall continue in existence
until termination and dissolution thereof as determined under Article XII of this Agreement.
2.6 No State-Law Partnership. The Members intend that the Company not be a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that
no Member or Manager be a partner or joint venturer of any other Member or Manager, for any purposes other than federal and, if applicable, state tax purposes, and this Agreement shall
not be construed to suggest otherwise. The Members intend that the Company shall be treated as a partnership for federal and, if applicable, state income tax purposes, and each Member and the Company shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax and financial reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP; MEMBER UNITS
3.1 Members.
3.1.1 The names, mailing addresses, Capital Contributions and number and class of
Units of the Members are set forth in Schedule A, as amended from time to time
9
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Each Member shall make its aggregate
Capital Contribution to the Company in cash (or by issuance of a promissory note, if so
approved by the Board) or in property as and when determined by the Board.
3.1.2 No Member, as such, shall be required to lend any funds to the Company or to make any additional contribution of capital to the Company, except as otherwise required by applicable law or by this Agreement. Any Member may, with the approval of the Board, make loans to the Company, and any loan by a Member to the Company shall not be considered to be a Capital Contribution.
3.1.3 Each Member shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement, and when a Person is admitted as a new Member by the Board, such Person shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement and such Person shall be listed as a Member on
Schedule A with such Member’s name, address, Capital Contribution and number and class
of Units.
3.2 Liability of Members.
3.2.1 Except as otherwise required by applicable law and as explicitly set forth in this Agreement, no Member shall have any personal liability whatever in his, her or its capacity as a Member, whether to the Company, to any of the Members, to the creditors of the Company or to any other third party, for the debts, liabilities, commitments or
any other obligations of the Company or for any losses of the Company, and therefore, a Member shall be liable only to make his, her or its Capital Contribution to the Company and the other payments provided herein. No Member in his, her or its capacity as a Member shall have any power to represent, act for, sign for or bind the Board, the
Managers or the Company, and the Members hereby consent to the exercise by the Board
and the Managers of the powers conferred on them by law and this Agreement.
3.2.2 In accordance with the Act and the laws of the State of Delaware, a member of a limited liability company may, under certain circumstances, be required to return amounts previously distributed to such member. It is the intent of the Members that no distribution to any Member pursuant to Article V hereof shall be deemed a
return of money or other property paid or distributed in violation of the Act. The payment of any such money or distribution of any such
property to a Member shall be deemed to be a compromise within the meaning of the Act, and the Member receiving any such money or property shall not be required to return to any Person any such money or property. However, if any court of competent jurisdiction holds that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement, any Member is obligated to make any such payment, such obligation shall be the obligation of such Member and not of the Managers.
3.3 Lack of Authority. No Member (other than a Member who is also a Manager or an officer of the Company) has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company,
to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditures on behalf of the Company.
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3.4 Units.
3.4.1 Rights of Units Voting. The Units issued hereunder shall not be
certificated unless otherwise determined by the Board. Each Member’s interest in the
Company, including such Member’s interest in income, gains, losses, deductions and
expenses of the Company and the right to vote on certain matters as provided in this
Agreement, shall be represented by the Units owned by such Member. The ownership of
Units shall entitle each Member to allocations of Profit and Loss and other items and
distributions of cash and other property as set forth in Article V hereof. Each Class A
Unit shall entitle the Member owning such Unit to one vote on any matter voted on by
Members as provided in this Agreement or as required by applicable law and the Class B
Units, Class C Units, Senior Preferred Units and Junior Preferred Units (except as
otherwise expressly set forth herein) shall not be entitled to vote on any matters, except as
required by applicable law. Upon receipt of each Member’s Capital Contribution set
forth opposite his, her or its name on Schedule A, such Member shall be deemed to own
the number and class of Units set forth opposite his, her or its name on Schedule A.
3.4.2 Executive Securities Agreements. From time to time on or after the date
hereof, the Board may approve the issuance of Class A Units and Class B Units to any
employee, manager, director, officer, consultant or similar service provider (each, a
“Key Person”) of the Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to an Executive Securities
Agreement (at a price determined by the Board). The Board shall have sole and complete
power and discretion as to (x) which Key Person shall be offered Class A Units and Class
B Units,(y) the number of Class A Units and Class B Units to be offered and issued to
each such Key Person and (z) the purchase price therefore, and shall amend Schedule A
to reflect such issuances. In connection with any issuance of Class A Units and Class B
Units to any Key Person hereunder, (i) such Key Person shall execute a counterpart to
this Agreement, accepting and agreeing to be bound by all terms and conditions hereof,
and shall enter into such other documents and instruments to effect such purchase as are
required by the Board (including, without limitation, an Executive Securities Agreement
and any other document or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby) and (ii) such Key
Person shall in exchange for such Class A Units make a Capital Contribution to the
Company in an amount to be determined by the Board.
3.5 Issuance of Additional Units and Interests.
3.5.1 Subject to Section 3.5.2, the Board shall have the right to cause the Company to
issue or sell to Members, affiliates of Members or other Persons: (i) additional Units or other
interests in the Company (including other classes or series thereof having different rights), (ii)
obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or
exchangeable into Units or other interests in the Company and (iii) warrants, options or other
rights to purchase or otherwise acquire Units or other interests in the Company. Upon the
acquisition of any Units or other interests in the Company by a Person who is not a Member, to the
extent permitted hereunder such Person shall execute and deliver a counterpart of this Agreement
and shall become a Member hereunder, and Schedule A hereto shall be amended to reflect
such issuance and new Member.
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3.5.2 If the Company authorizes the issuance and sale of additional Units (or
securities convertible or exchangeable directly or indirectly for Units) (after taking into account
the exceptions set forth in the remainder of this sentence, the “Additional Units”), except
for issuances (i) to service providers of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) pursuant to any
unit split, dividend, recapitalization or reclassification, (iii) in connection with any
acquisition in which Units are utilized by the Company (and received by the seller) as the
consideration in such acquisition, (iv) to a lender in connection with such lender providing
financing to the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, or (v) pursuant to a Public Sale or
reorganization in connection therewith, then each Member which is a holder of the class of Units
which comprise such Additional Units shall be entitled to purchase their pro rata share (based upon
the number of Units of the same class of Additional Units, if any, held by each such Member (and
their Affiliates) at such time) of such Additional Units. At least 15 days prior to issuance
thereof (the “Offering Period”), the Company shall give written notice of the offering of
Additional Units to each such Member describing in reasonable detail the price and terms of such
offering. Upon receipt of such notice, each such Member may elect to purchase its pro rata share
(based upon the number of Units of the same class of Additional Units, if any, held by each such
Member (and their Affiliates) at such time) of the Additional Units by delivering written notice of
such election to the Company together with a cashier’s or certified check made payable to the
Company in the amount of the full purchase price thereof within 15 days after receipt of the
Company’s notice. Each such Member shall be entitled to purchase its pro rata share (based upon the
number of Units of the same class of Additional Units, if any, held by each such Member (and their
Affiliates) at such time) of the Additional Units at the same price and on the same terms as being
offered by the Company to third parties; provided that if such Member purchases such
Additional Units, it shall pay in cash an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of any non-cash
consideration to be paid by such third parties for such Additional Units; and provided
further that if the Additional Units are offered with other securities of the Company and such
Member exercises its rights hereunder, it must purchase the same strip of securities on the terms
and conditions being offered by the Company. If any Additional Units remain after giving effect to
such procedure, such procedure shall be repeated (in accordance with the periods set forth in this
Section 3.5.2) until either all Additional Units requested to be purchased by the eligible Members
have been so allocated or no Additional Units remain available for purchase or are requested to be
purchased. Upon the expiration of the final Offering Period, the Company shall be entitled to sell
any securities which such Members have not elected to purchase hereunder during the 90 days
following such expiration on terms and conditions no more favorable to the purchasers thereof than
those offered to such Members. Any securities offered or sold by the Company after such 90-day
period must be reoffered to each such Member pursuant to the terms of this Section 3.5.2. If any
such Member elects to purchase any Additional Units hereunder, it shall make customary investment
representations to the Company and, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, must be an
“accredited investor” under the Securities Act to qualify for the purchase rights hereunder.
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3.6 Issuance of Units on the Date Hereof.
3.6.1 Authorization, Purchase and Sale of the Units. On the date hereof, the Board has authorized the issuance and sale to the Members of the type and number of Units set forth opposite their name on Schedule A. On the date hereof, the Company shall have sold or shall sell to the Members and the Members shall have purchased or
shall purchase from the Company, the type and number of Units set forth on Schedule A
for an aggregate payment per Member in the amount set forth under the heading “Capital
Contribution” on Schedule A by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
account designated by the Company.
3.6.2 Members Investment Representations. Each Member hereby represents (i)
that it is acquiring the Units purchased hereunder or acquired pursuant hereto for its own
account with the present intention of holding such securities for purposes of investment,
and that it has no intention of selling such securities in a public distribution in violation
of the federal securities laws or any applicable state securities laws, (ii) that it is an
“accredited investor” and a sophisticated investor for purposes of applicable U.S. federal
and state securities laws and regulations, (iii) it has had an opportunity to ask questions
and receive answers concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Units and
has had full access to such other information concerning the Company as it has requested
and it has not been induced to agree to execute this Agreement by any statement, act or
representation of any kind or character by anyone, except as contained herein, (iv) it has
reviewed, has had an opportunity to review or is already a party to, and has full
knowledge of the terms of, the equity, financing and other agreements and financial
information regarding the Company requested by such Member, (v) that this Agreement
and each of the other agreements contemplated hereby constitutes (or will constitute) the
legal, valid and binding obligation of each Member, enforceable in accordance with its
terms and (vi) that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such
Member does not and will not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of any agreement,
contract or instrument to which such Member is subject.
3.6.3 Acknowledgements. Each Member understands that the Units it is
purchasing are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws
inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a
public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may
be resold without registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited
circumstances. In this connection, such Member represents that it is familiar with SEC
Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as presently in effect, and understands
the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act. SUCH MEMBER
UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES HEREIN THAT AN INVESTMENT IN
THE UNITS INVOLVES AN EXTREMELY HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND MAY
RESULT IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ITS INVESTMENT. Such Member understands
that the Units have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and have
not been and will not be registered or qualified in any state in which they are offered, and
thus the Member will not be able to resell or otherwise transfer its Units unless they are
registered under the Securities Act and registered or qualified under applicable state
securities laws, or an exemption from such registration or qualification is available and in
each case, subject to the terms of this Agreement.
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3.7 Equity Cure Contributions by the Class A Holders. Subject to the terms of the Credit
Agreement, to the extent an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) relating to
Section 8.15 of the Credit Agreement exists, the Class A Holders and their designees shall have
the right (but not the obligation) to make additional equity contributions to the Company by
purchasing Junior Preferred Units of the Company (the “Equity
Cure Contributions”) up to
the Equity Cure Amounts available for the Applicable Cure Covenant Level, as each such term is
defined in the Credit Agreement (and as each are reduced by any Distributions to the Senior
Preferred Holders under Article V).
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
4.1 Establishment and Determination of Capital Accounts. A capital account
(“Capital Account”) shall be established for each Member. The Capital Account of each
Member shall consist of his, her or its initial Capital Contribution and shall be (a) increased by
(i) any additional Capital Contributions made by such Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
and (ii) such Member’s share of Profits allocated to such Member pursuant to Article V, (b)
decreased by (i) such Member’s share of Losses allocated to such Member pursuant to Article V
and (ii) any Distributions to such Member of cash or the Fair Market Value of any other
property (net of liabilities assumed by such Member and liabilities to which such property is subject)
distributed to such Member and (c) adjusted as otherwise required by the Code and the
regulations thereunder, including but not limited to, the rules of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-l(b)(2)(iv). Any references in this Agreement to the Capital Account of a Member shall
be deemed to refer to such Capital Account as the same may be increased or decreased from time
to time as set forth above.
4.2 Computation of Amounts. For purposes of computing the amount of any item
of income, gain, loss, deduction or expense to be reflected in Capital Accounts, the
determination, recognition and classification of each such item shall be the same as its
determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes; provided that:
(a) any income that is exempt from Federal income tax shall be added to such taxable income or losses;
(b) any expenditures of the Company described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(iv)(i), shall be
subtracted from such taxable income or losses;
(c) if the Book Value of any Company property is adjusted pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e) (in connection with a
distribution of such property)or 1.704(b)(2)(iv)(f)(in connection with a revaluation of Capital Accounts), then the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such property;
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(d) if property that is reflected on the books of the Company has a Book Value that differs from the adjusted tax basis of such property, then
depreciation, amortization and gain or loss with respect to such property shall be determined by reference to such Book Value; and
(e) the computation of all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and expense shall be made without regard to any election pursuant to Section 754 of
the Code that may be made by the Company, unless the adjustment to basis of Company property pursuant to such election is reflected in Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(iv)(m).
4.3 Negative Capital Accounts. No Member shall be required to pay to the Company or any other Member any deficit or negative balance which may exist from time to time in such Member’s Capital Account.
4.4 Company Capital. No Member shall be paid interest on any Capital Contribution to the Company or on such Member’s Capital Account, and no Member shall have
any right (i) to demand the return of such Member’s Capital Contribution or any other
distribution from the Company (whether upon resignation, withdrawal or otherwise), except
upon dissolution of the Company pursuant to Article XII hereof or pursuant to any other
applicable provision hereof or (ii) to cause a partition of the Company’s assets.
4.5 Adjustments to Book Value. The Board may adjust the Book Value of its assets to fair market value in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(iv)(f) as of
the following times: (a) immediately prior to the issuance of Units in the Company; (b) in connection with the Distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis
amount of Company assets, including cash, if as a result of such Distribution, such Member’s
interest in the Company is reduced; (c) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1 (b)(2)(ii)(g); and (d) immediately prior to the
incorporation of the Company in connection with a Public Offering. Any such increase or decrease in Book Value of an asset shall be allocated as a Profit or Loss to the Capital Accounts of the
Members under Section 5.3 (determined immediately prior to the issuance of the new Units or the distribution of assets in an ownership reduction transaction).
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTIONS; ALLOCATIONS OF
PROFITS AND LOSSES
5.1 Generally. Subject to the provision of Section 18-607 of the Act and Sections 5.2
and 5.6 of this Agreement, the Board shall have sole discretion regarding the amounts and timing
of distributions to Members, in each case subject to the retention of, or payment to third parties
of, such funds or reserves as it deems reasonably necessary with respect to the reasonable
anticipated business needs of the Company which shall include (but not by way of limitation) the
payment or the making of provision for the payment when due of Company obligations,
15
including the payment of any management or administrative fees and expenses or any other
obligations.
5.2 Distributions. Subject to Section 5.6 and Section 11.9, Distributions shall be
made when and as declared by the Board to the Members in the following order and priority:
5.2.1 First, to the Senior Preferred Holders, an amount equal to the aggregate
Unpaid Yield on their Senior Preferred Units (in the proportion that each such holder’s
share of Unpaid Yield on their Senior Preferred Units bears to the aggregate Unpaid Yield on
all of the Senior Preferred Units) until each such Senior Preferred Holder has received
Distributions with respect to their Senior Preferred Units pursuant to this Section
5.2.1 in an amount equal to the aggregate Unpaid Yield on Senior Preferred Units on such
Senior Preferred Units as of the time of such Distribution, and no Distribution or any
portion thereof shall be made under Sections 5.2.2 through 5.2.8 until the entire amount of
the Unpaid Yield on Senior Preferred Units with respect to the Senior Preferred Units
outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution has been paid in full; provided
that to the extent a Deemed Liquidation Event occurs within the 12-month period immediately
following the date of this Agreement, the amount payable herein shall be increased in the
aggregate by the Special Liquidation Premium.
5.2.2 Second, to the Senior Preferred Holders, an amount equal to the aggregate
Unreturned Capital with respect to their Senior Preferred Units outstanding immediately
prior to such Distribution (in the proportion that each such holder’s share of Unreturned
Capital with respect to its Senior Preferred Units outstanding immediately prior to such
Distribution bears to the aggregate Unreturned Capital with respect to all Senior Preferred
Units outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution) until each such holder has
received Distributions with respect to its Senior Preferred Units
pursuant to this Section 5.2.2 in an amount equal to the aggregate Unreturned Capital with respect to its Senior
Preferred Units outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution, and no Distribution or
any portion thereof shall be made under Sections 5.2.3 through 5.2.8 below until the entire
amount of the Unreturned Capital with respect to the Senior Preferred Units outstanding
immediately prior to such Distribution has been paid in full;
5.2.3 Third, to the Junior Preferred Holders, an amount equal to the aggregate
Unpaid Yield on their Junior Preferred Units (in the proportion that each such holder’s
share of Unpaid Yield on their Junior Preferred Units bears to the aggregate Unpaid Yield on
all of the Junior Preferred Units) until each such Junior Preferred Holder has received
Distributions with respect to their Junior Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 5.2.3 in
an amount equal to the aggregate Unpaid Yield on Junior Preferred Units on such Junior
Preferred Units as of the time of such Distribution, and no Distribution or any portion
thereof shall be made under Sections 5.2.4 through 5.2.8 below until the entire amount of
the Unpaid Yield on Junior Preferred Units with respect to the Junior Preferred Units
outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution has been paid in full;
5.2.4 Fourth, to the Junior Preferred Holders, an amount equal to the aggregate
Unreturned Capital with respect to their Junior Preferred Units outstanding immediately
prior to such Distribution (in the proportion that each such holder’s share of Unreturned
16
Capital with respect to its Junior Preferred Units outstanding immediately prior to such
Distribution bears to the aggregate Unreturned Capital with respect to all Junior Preferred Units
outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution) until each such holder has received
Distributions with respect to its Junior Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 5.2.4 in an
amount equal to the aggregate Unreturned Capital with respect to its Junior Preferred Units
outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution, and no Distribution or any portion thereof
shall be made under Sections 5.2.5 through 5.2.8 below until the entire amount of the Unreturned
Capital with respect to the Junior Preferred Units outstanding immediately prior to such
Distribution has been paid in full;
5.2.5 Fifth, to the Class A Holders, an amount equal to the aggregate Unpaid Yield on
their Class A Units (in the proportion that each such holder’s share of Unpaid Yield on their Class
A Units bears to the aggregate Unpaid Yield on all of the Class A Units) until each such Class A
Holder has received Distributions with respect to their Class A Units pursuant to this Section
5.2.5 in an amount equal to the aggregate Unpaid Yield on Class A Units on such Class A Units as of
the time of such Distribution, and no Distribution or any portion thereof shall be made under
Sections 5.2.6 through 5.2.8 below until the entire amount of the Unpaid Yield on Class A Units
with respect to the Class A Units outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution has been paid
in full;
5.2.6 Sixth, to the Class A Holders, an amount equal to the aggregate
Unreturned Capital with respect to their Class A Units outstanding immediately prior to such
Distribution (in the proportion that each such holder’s share of Unreturned Capital with respect to
its Class A Units outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution bears to the aggregate
Unreturned Capital with respect to all Class A Units outstanding immediately prior to such
Distribution) until each such holder has received Distributions with respect to its Class A Units
pursuant to this Section 5.2.6 in an amount equal to the aggregate Unreturned Capital with respect
to its Class A Units outstanding immediately prior to such Distribution, and no Distribution or any
portion thereof shall be made under Sections 5.2.7 through 5.2.8 below until the entire amount of
the Unreturned Capital with respect to the Class A Units outstanding immediately prior to such
Distribution has been paid in full;
5.2.7 Seventh, to the Class B Holder, an amount until such holder shall have received
in the aggregate an amount equal to the Xxxxxx Carry Percentage of the amount distributed to HIG
and LamPort pursuant to Section 5.2.5; and
5.2.8 Eighth, to each holder of Class A Units, an amount equal to (i) the remainder of
the aggregate amount to be Distributed multiplied by (ii) such holder’s Class A Percentage
Interest; provided that the Xxxxxx Carry Percentage of any amount otherwise to be
distributed to HIG or LamPort with respect to its Class A Units shall be distributed to the Class B
Holder with respect to the Class B Units; provided further that the Alarian Carry
Percentage of any amount otherwise to be distributed to HIG with respect to its Class A Units
(prior to the application of the immediately preceding proviso) shall be distributed to the Class C
Holder with respect to the Class C Units.
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5.2.9 At any time, and from time to time, the Company may distribute to its Members
securities or other property held by the Company; provided that any such
distribution shall not satisfy any of the Company’s obligations pursuant to Section 5.6. In
any distribution pursuant to this Section 5.2.9, the property so distributed will be
distributed among the Members in the same proportions as cash equal to the Fair Market
Value of such property would be distributed among the Members pursuant to Sections 5.2.1
through 5.2.8. The Board may require as a condition to the distribution of securities
hereunder that the Members execute and deliver such documents as the Board may deem
necessary or appropriate to ensure compliance with all U.S. federal and state securities
laws which apply to such distribution and any further transfer of the distributed
securities, and may appropriately legend the certificates which represent such securities
to reflect any restriction on transfer with respect to such laws.
5.3 Allocation of Profits and Losses. For each Fiscal Year of the Company, after adjusting
each Member’s Capital Account for all Capital Contributions and distributions during such Fiscal
Year and all special allocations pursuant to Section 5.4 with respect to such Fiscal Year, all
Profits and Losses (other than Profits and Losses specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.4)
shall be allocated to the Members’ Capital Accounts in a manner such that, as of the end of such
Fiscal Year, the Capital Account of each Member (which may be either a positive or negative
balance) shall be equal to (i) the amount which would be distributed to such Member, determined as
if the Company were to liquidate all of its assets for the Book Value thereof and distribute the
proceeds thereof pursuant to Section 12.2 hereof, minus (ii) the sum of (A) such Member’s
share of Company Minimum Gain (as determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d)
and (g)(3)) and Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (as determined according to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)) and (B) the amount, if any, which such Member is obligated to
contribute to the capital of the Company as of the last day of such Fiscal Year.
5.4 Special Allocations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.3:
(a) Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated to the Members, prorata in
proportion to their respective membership interests (based upon the number of Units
held by such Member over the total Units then outstanding). If there is a net
decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year, each Member shall be
specially allocated items of taxable income or gain for such Taxable Year (and, if
necessary, subsequent Taxable Years) in an amount equal to such Member’s share of
the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(g). The items to be so allocated shall be determined in
accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f)(6). This paragraph is
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(b) Member Nonrecourse Deductions shall be allocated in the manner required by
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). Except as otherwise provided in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain
during any Taxable Year, each Member that has a share of such
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Member Minimum Gain shall be specially allocated items of taxable income or gain
for such Taxable Year (and, if necessary, subsequent Taxable Years) in an amount
equal to that Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Minimum Gain. Items to
be allocated pursuant to this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with
Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This paragraph is
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirements in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(c) If any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or
distributions described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5)
or (6), items of taxable income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Member
in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the adjusted capital account deficit
(determined according to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)) created
by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible. This
paragraph is intended to comply with the qualified income offset requirements in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-l(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
(d) The allocations set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above
(the
“Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of the
Treasury Regulations under Code Section 704. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Article V (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the
Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating Profits and Losses
among Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such allocations of
Profits and Losses and other items and the Regulatory Allocations (including
Regulatory Allocations that, although not yet made, are expected to be made in the
future) to each Member shall be equal to the net amount that would have been
allocated to such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.
5.5 Amounts Withheld. All amounts withheld pursuant to Section 14.10 from any distribution
to a Member shall be treated as amounts distributed to such Member pursuant to this Article V for
all purposes under this Agreement.
5.6 Tax Distributions. The Board shall, subject to applicable covenants and restrictions
contained in the Company’s loan agreements, cause the Company to distribute to the Members with
respect to each Fiscal Year of the Company an amount of cash which in the good faith judgment of
the Board equals (i) the amount of taxable income, if any, allocable to the Members in respect of
such Fiscal Year, multiplied by (ii) the combined maximum federal, applicable state and
local income tax rate (such rates being calculated at the highest rates without regard to such
Member being an individual or corporate Member) to be applied with respect to such taxable income
for any Member, with such distribution to be made to the Members in the same proportions that
taxable income was allocated to the Members during such Fiscal Year. Any distribution to a Member
pursuant to this Section 5.6 which exceeds the amount that would have been distributed to such
Member had the amount distributed pursuant to this Section 5.6 been distributed pursuant to Section
5.2 shall be treated as an advance distribution under Section
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5.2 and shall be offset against subsequent distributions that such Member would otherwise be
entitled to receive pursuant to Section 5.2. Such distributions may be made on a quarterly or
other basis as shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion.
5.7 Tax Allocations: Code Section 704(c).
5.7.1 The income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses of the Company shall be
allocated, for federal, state and local income tax purposes, among the Members in accordance
with the allocation of such income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses among the Members
for computing their Capital Accounts, except that if any such allocation is not permitted by
the Code or other applicable law, the Company’s subsequent income, gains, losses, deductions
and expenses shall be allocated among the Members so as to reflect as nearly as possible the
allocations set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.
5.7.2 In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder,
income, gain, loss, deduction and expense with respect to any property contributed to the
capital of the Company shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as
to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Company
for federal income tax purposes and its fair market value at the time of contribution in
accordance with the “traditional method” described in Section 1.704-3(b) of the Treasury
Regulations.
5.7.3 If the Book Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to Section 4.5,
subsequent allocations of items of taxable income, gain, loss, deduction and expense with
respect to such asset shall take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such
asset for federal income tax purposes and its Book Value in the same manner as under Code
Section 704(c).
5.7.4 Any elections or other decisions relating to such allocations shall be made by
the Board in any manner that reasonably reflects the purpose and intent of this Agreement.
Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.7 are solely for purposes of federal, state and local
taxes and shall not affect, or in any way be taken into account in computing, any Member’s
Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, other items or Distributions pursuant to any
provisions of this Agreement.
5.8 Election for Profits Interest.
5.8.1 By executing this Agreement, each Member authorizes and directs the
Company to elect to have the “Safe Harbor” described in the proposed Revenue Procedure set
forth in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-43 (the “IRS
Notice”) apply to any interest
in the Company transferred to a service provider by the Company on or after the effective
date of such Revenue Procedure in connection with services provided to the Company. For
purposes of making such Safe Harbor election, the Tax Matters Member is hereby designated
as the “partner who has responsibility for U.S. federal income tax reporting” by the
Company and, accordingly, execution of such Safe Harbor election by the Tax Matters Member
constitutes execution of a “Safe Harbor Election” in
20
accordance with Section 3.03(1) of the IRS Notice. The Company and each Member hereby agree to
comply with all requirements of the Safe Harbor described in the IRS Notice, including, without
limitation, the requirement that each Member shall prepare and file any U.S. federal income tax
returns such Member is required to file reporting the income tax effects of each “Safe Harbor
Partnership Interest” issued by the Company in a manner consistent with the requirements of the
IRS Notice. A Member’s obligations to comply with the requirements of this Section 5.8 shall
survive such Member’s ceasing to be a Member of the Company and/or the termination, dissolution,
liquidation and winding up of the Company, and, for purposes of this Section 5.8, the Company
shall be treated as continuing in existence. Each Member authorizes the Tax Matters Member to
amend this Section 5.8 to the extent necessary to achieve similar tax treatment with respect to
any interest in the Company transferred to a service provider by the Company in connection with
services provided to the Company as set forth in Section 4 of the IRS Notice (e.g., to reflect
changes from the rules set forth in the IRS Notice in subsequent U.S. Department of Treasury or
Internal Revenue Service guidance).
5.8.2 In the event of forfeiture of any Class B Units, the Company shall conform to
requirements of the Treasury Regulations with respect to allocations of Profits and Losses.
5.9
Xxxxxx SPA. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, the Members
acknowledge that, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, pursuant to the Xxxxxx SPA, the
Company is obligated to make Xxxxxx SPA Payments, if any become due and payable pursuant to
Section 2.04(a) of the Xxxxxx SPA, and nothing set forth herein shall prohibit the payment of such
obligations.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF MANAGERS
6.1 Management by the Managers.
6.1.1 Except for situations in which the approval of the Members is required by this
Agreement or by nonwaivable provisions of applicable law, and subject to the provisions of Section
6.1.2 and Section 6.2, (i) the powers of the Company shall be exercised by or under the authority
of, and the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed under the direction of, the
Managers and (ii) the Managers may make all decisions and take all actions for the Company not
otherwise provided for in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the following:
(a) entering into, making and performing contracts, agreements and other undertakings
binding the Company that may be necessary, appropriate or advisable in furtherance of the
purposes of the Company and making all decisions and waivers thereunder;
(b) maintaining the assets of the Company in good order;
(c) collecting sums due the Company;
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(d) opening and maintaining bank and investment accounts and arrangements,
drawing checks and other orders for the payment of money and designating individuals with
authority to sign or give instructions with respect to those accounts and arrangements;
(e) to the extent that funds of the Company are available therefore, paying debts and
obligations of the Company;
(f) acquiring, utilizing for Company purposes and disposing of any asset of the
Company;
(g) hiring and employing officers and employees;
(h) selecting, removing and changing the authority and responsibility of
lawyers, accountants and other advisers and consultants;
(i) borrowing money or otherwise committing the credit of the Company for its
activities and voluntary prepayments or extensions of debt;
(j) obtaining insurance for the Company;
(k) establishing reserves for commitments and obligations (contingent or
otherwise) of the Company;
(1) determining distributions of Company cash and other property as provided
in Article V;
(m) filing a petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or under any other
receivership, insolvency or reorganization laws; and
(n) making all decisions for any Subsidiary which are to be made by such
Subsidiaries’ stockholders or members, as applicable.
6.1.2 Without the prior written consent or affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the then outstanding Senior Preferred Units, the Company shall not, either directly or by
amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise:
(a) (1) cease operations, dissolve, liquidate, wind-up or file a petition in
bankruptcy of, (2) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors of, (3) admit in writing
its inability to pay its debts generally when they become due, (4) make (or consent to) a
request for reorganization or liquidation or (5) consent or allow the appointment of a
receiver, trustee or liquidator, or consent to any of the foregoing;
(b) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the certificate of formation or
organization, limited liability agreement (including, this Agreement, except that (i)
amendment for errors, omissions, immaterial changes or mistakes of fact are allowed and
(ii) the addition of Members shall not be considered an
22
amendment or alteration), operating agreement, bylaws or any other organizational,
constituent or charter document of the Company;
(c) create, authorize, designate, offer, alter, change, sell or issue any units or other
securities (existing or otherwise) of the Company, or increase the authorized number of units of
the Senior Preferred Units, or create or authorize any obligation or security convertible into
units of any class or series of securities of the Company (other than (x) Junior Preferred Equity
pursuant to Section 3.7 or (y) Class A Units of the Company issued in accordance with Section
3.5.2);
(d) purchase or redeem any units or securities of the Company (other than the Senior
Preferred Units or pursuant to the Executive Securities Agreement);
(e) pay, make or declare any distribution or dividend on any units or securities of the
Company (other than with respect to the Senior Preferred Units);
(f) (1) enter into any debt financing arrangement or incur any indebtedness in excess
of $250,000 (other than the Notes as defined under the Credit Agreement), (2) modify or amend any
debt financing arrangement or loan documentation (other than waivers or consents under the Notes as
defined under the Credit Agreement), (3) increase the principal amount under any existing debt
financing arrangement, involving borrowed money, capital leases, installment purchases or
guarantees or (4) grant a security interest in, or encumber, any of its assets (excluding the
common stock of WSTF owned by the Company);
(g) enter into, or become a party to, any transaction with any of its Affiliates, except in
each case pursuant to the reasonable requirements of its business and upon fair and reasonable
terms that are fully disclosed to the Senior Preferred Holders and are no less favorable to it than
it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a person or entity who is not an
Affiliate;
(h) (1) acquire any other Person or business; or (2) merge or consolidate with any other
Person or business;
(i) sell, assign, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of or part with the control of (whether
in one transaction or in a series of transactions) its assets (whether now owned or hereinafter
acquired assets or securities) (other than transactions in which all of the net proceeds are used
to prepay the Notes and/or make distributions with respect to the Units in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5.2; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to
restrict the right or ability of the Company to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of the capital
stock of WSTF owned by the Company while the Senior Preferred Units remain outstanding so long as
all of the net proceeds are used to prepay the Notes and/or make Distributions with respect to the
Units in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.2); or
23
(j) authorize or enter into any plan, contract, grant
or arrangement of the Company that provides any Person with
economic benefits directly or indirectly, in whole or in part,
based upon equity ownership, including without limitation, any
carry, promote, stock option plans, securities grants, stock bonus,
stock appreciation rights, phantom stock plans or similar items
(whether stock, interests, units or other securities) other than as
set forth in this Agreement.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Members acknowledge and
agree that (A) (i) accruals made with respect to obligations
arising under the HIG Management Agreements and (ii) payments made
pursuant to the HIG Management Agreements as part of the
transactions contemplated under the Equity Purchase Agreement (as
referenced in the Credit Agreement), shall not be a violation of
any provision of this Section 6.1.2 and (B) the restrictions set
forth in this Section 6.1.2 in no way prohibit or otherwise
restrict the Company’s ability to sell the common stock of WSTF.
6.1.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2, the
Managers may not cause the Company to sell, lease, exchange or otherwise
Dispose of (other than by way of a grant of a security interest, pledge,
mortgage, deed of trust or trust indenture) all or substantially all the
Company’s property and assets (with or without goodwill), without
obtaining the consent of the Members holding a majority of the Class A
Units.
6.2 Actions by the Managers; Committees; Delegation of Authority and Duties.
6.2.1 In managing the business and affairs of the Company and exercising
their powers, the Managers shall be members of and shall act as a Board. The
Board may act (i) through meetings and written consents pursuant to Sections
6.3 and 6.4 and, (ii) through committees pursuant to Section 6.2.2 and (iii)
through any Manager to whom authority and duties have been delegated pursuant
to Section 6.2.3.
6.2.2 The Board may, from time to time, designate one or more
committees, a majority of each of which shall be comprised of Managers. Any
such committee, to the extent provided in such resolution, shall have and may
exercise all of the authority of the Board. At every meeting of any such
committee, the presence of a majority of all the Managers thereof shall
constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the Managers
present at a meeting of any committee at which a quorum is present shall be
necessary for the adoption of any resolution. The Board may dissolve any
committee at any time.
6.2.3 The Board may, from time to time, delegate to one or more Persons
(including any Manager or officer of the Company) such authority and duties
as the Board may deem advisable. In addition, the Board may assign titles
(including, without limitation, chairman, chief executive officer, president,
vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer and assistant
treasurer) to any Managers or other individuals and delegate to such Managers
or other individuals certain authority and duties. Any number of titles may
be held by the same Manager or other individual. Any delegation pursuant to
this Section 6.2.3 may be revoked at any time by the Board.
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6.3 Board Meetings.
6.3.1 A majority of the total number of Managers fixed by, or in the manner
provided in, this Agreement shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the
Board, and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the act of a majority of the
Managers present at a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be the act of
the Managers. A Manager who is present at a meeting of the Board at which action on any
Company matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action unless his or her
dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he or she shall file his or
her written dissent to such action with the Person acting as secretary of the meeting before
the adjournment thereof or shall deliver such dissent to the Company immediately after the
adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Manager who voted in
favor of such action.
6.3.2 Meetings of the Board may be held at such place or places as shall be determined
from time to time by resolution of the Board. At all meetings of the Board, business shall
be transacted in such order as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the
Managers. Attendance of a Manager at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such
meeting, except where a Manager attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to
the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened.
6.3.3 In connection with any meeting of Members at which Managers are elected, the
Managers may, if a quorum is present, hold a first meeting for the transaction of business
immediately after and at the same place as such meeting of the Members.
6.3.4 Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and places as shall be
designated from time to time by resolution of the Managers. Five days advance notice of such
meetings shall be required to be sent to all Managers.
6.3.5 Except with respect to emergency meetings of the Board for which notice will not
be required, special meetings of the Board may be called by any two Managers on at least 24
hours’ notice to each other Manager. Such notice need not state the purpose or purposes of,
nor the business to be transacted at, such meeting, except as may otherwise be required by
law or provided for in this Agreement.
6.4 Action by Written Consent or Telephone Conference. Any action permitted or required by the
Act, the Certificate or this Agreement to be taken at a meeting of the Board or any committee
designated by the Board may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the
action to be taken, is signed by the Managers or members of such committee representing a majority
of the voting power of the Board or such committee, as the case may be. Such consent shall have the
same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting and may be stated as such in any document or
instrument filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware, and the execution of such consent shall
constitute attendance or presence in person at a meeting of the Board or any such committee, as the
case may be. Subject to the requirements of the Act, the Certificate or this Agreement for notice
of meetings, unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate, the Managers or members of any
committee designated by the Board may participate
25
in and hold a meeting of the Board or any committee of Managers, as the
case may be, by means of a conference telephone or similar communications
equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance and
presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business
on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
6.5 Number and Term of Office. The Members holding a majority of the Class A
Units outstanding shall determine the size of the Board and elect all members to the Board,
provided that the initial number of Managers and members of the Board shall be five, each of
whom shall serve as a Manager until his or her resignation, death or removal pursuant to this
Section 6.5. Each Manager may be removed from the Board, with or without cause, (i) at the
written request of the Members holding a majority of the Class A Units or (ii) if applicable, upon
the termination of such Manager’s employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
provided that Xxxxxx shall remain a Manager (subject to his earlier resignation, death or removal
for cause) until the later of: (A) six months after the consummation of the Acquisition if the
Employment Event has not occurred prior to such six month anniversary date and (B) the date
Xxxxxx is no longer an officer of WSTF if an Employment Event occurs prior to such six month
anniversary date; provided further that so long as LamPort holds any Senior Preferred Units,
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (or any person designated by LamPort) (the “Laminar Designee”) shall remain a
Manager (subject to his earlier death, resignation or removal for cause or removal at the time that
no Senior Preferred Units are outstanding). The Board may cause the composition of the board
of directors or board of managers, as the case may be, of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries to
be identical to the composition of the Board. In the case of an Event of Default, the Members
and the Company agree to take all actions necessary to appoint an individual designated by
LamPort as a replacement for one of the DelStaff Directors (as defined therein), including,
without limitation, the amendment of the Governance Agreement, dated February 28, 2007, by
and among certain of the Members, the Company and certain other parties named therein.
6.6 Vacancies; Resignation. Any Manager position to be filled by reason of an
increase in the number of Managers, a vacancy or by any other reason shall be filled by the
affirmative vote of the Members holding a majority of the Class A Units outstanding. If the
Members eligible to designate a Manager pursuant to the terms of this Section 6.6 fail to so
designate, the vacancy shall remain vacant until the Members which failed to designate such
Manager elects to fill such vacancy. Any Manager may resign at any time. Such resignation shall
be made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or if no time is specified, at
the time of its receipt by the remaining Managers. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.
6.7 Approval or Ratification of Acts or Contracts by Members. Any Member in
its discretion may submit any act or contract for approval or ratification at any meeting of the
Board, and any act or contract that shall be approved or be ratified by the Board shall be as valid
and as binding upon the Company and upon all the Members as if it shall have been approved or
ratified by every Member of the Company.
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6.8 Officers.
6.8.1 The Board may, from time to time, designate one or more persons to
be officers of the Company. No officer need be a resident of the State of Delaware, a
Member or a Manager. Any officers so designated shall have such authority and perform
such duties as the Board may, from time to time, delegate to them. The Board may assign
titles to particular officers. Unless the Board otherwise decides, if the title is one
commonly used for officers of a business corporation, the assignment of such title shall
constitute the delegation to such officer of the authority and duties that are normally
associated with that office, subject to (i) any specific delegation of authority and duties
made to such officer by the Board or (ii) any delegation of authority and duties made to
one or more Managers pursuant to Section 6.2.3. Each officer shall hold office until his or
her successor shall be duly designated by the Board or until his or her death or until he or
she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any
number of offices may be held by the same individual. The salaries or other
compensation, if any, of the officers and agents of the Company shall be fixed from time
to time by the Board.
6.8.2 Any officer may resign as such at any time. Such resignation shall be
made in writing and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or
if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Board or any Manager. The
acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless
expressly so provided in the resignation. Any officer may be removed as such, either with or without
cause, by the Board whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Company shall
be served thereby; provided, however, that such removal shall be without
prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the individual so removed. Designation of an officer
shall not of itself create contract rights. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
Company may be filled by the Board.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS; ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
7.1 Member Meetings.
7.1.1 A quorum shall be present at a meeting of Members if the Members
holding a majority of the Class A Units entitled to vote are represented at the meeting in
person or by proxy. With respect to any matter, other than a matter for which the
affirmative vote of the holders of a specified portion of all Members entitled to vote is
required by the Act, the affirmative vote of the Members holding a majority of the Class
A Units entitled to vote at a meeting of Members at which a quorum is present shall be
the act of the Members.
7.1.2 All meetings of the Members shall be held at the principal place of
business of the Company or at such other place within or without the State of Delaware
as shall be specified or fixed in the notices or waivers of notice thereof; provided that any
or all Members may participate in any such meeting by means of conference telephone or
similar communications equipment pursuant to Section 7.5.
27
7.1.3 Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement or the
Certificate, the Members holding a majority of the Class A Units entitled to vote shall have the power
to adjourn such meeting from time to time, without any notice other than announcement
at the meeting of the time and place of the holding of the adjourned meeting. If such
meeting is adjourned by the Members, such time and place shall be determined by a vote
of the Members holding a majority of the Class A Units. Upon the resumption of such
adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally called.
7.1.4 Meetings of the Members for any proper purpose or purposes may be
called at any time by the Board or the Members holding a majority of the Class A Units
entitled to vote of all Members. If not otherwise stated in or fixed in accordance with the
remaining provisions hereof, the record date for determining Members entitled to call a
meeting is the date any Member first signs the notice of that meeting. Only business
within the purpose or purposes described in the notice (or waiver thereof) required by this
Agreement may be conducted at a meeting of the Members.
7.1.5 Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting
and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less
than ten nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by
mail, by or at the direction of the Board or the Members calling the meeting, to each
Member entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, any such notice shall be deemed to be
delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the Member at its
address provided for in Section 14.2, with postage thereon prepaid.
7.1.6 The date on which notice of a meeting of Members is mailed or the date
on which the resolution of the Managers declaring a Distribution is
adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for the determination of the Members
entitled to notice of or to vote at such meeting (including any adjournment thereof) or the
Members entitled to receive such Distribution.
7.2 Voting List. The Board shall make, at least five days before each meeting
of Members, a complete list of the Members entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment
thereof arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of and the Units held by each, which list,
for a period of five days prior to such meeting, shall be kept on file at the registered office or
principal place of business of the Company and shall be subject to inspection by any Member at
any time during usual business hours. Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the time
and place of the meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any Member during the entire
time of the meeting. The original membership records shall be prima facie evidence as to who
are the Members entitled to examine such list or transfer records or to vote at any meeting of
Members. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Section 7.2 shall not affect the validity
of any action taken at the meeting.
7.3 Proxies. A Member may vote either in person or by proxy executed in writing by
the Member. A telegram or similar transmission by the Member, or a photographic, photostatic,
facsimile or similar reproduction of a writing executed by the Member shall be treated as an
execution in writing for purposes of this Section 7.3. Proxies for use at any meeting of Members
28
or in connection with the taking of any action by written consent shall be filed
with the Board, before or at the time of the meeting or execution of the written
consent as the case may be. All proxies shall be received and taken charge of
and all ballots shall be received and canvassed by the Board, who shall decide
all questions concerning the qualification of voters, the validity of the
proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes, unless an inspector or
inspectors shall have been appointed by the chairman of the meeting, in which
event such inspector or inspectors shall decide all such questions. No proxy
shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution unless
otherwise provided in the proxy. A proxy shall be revocable unless the proxy
form conspicuously states that the proxy is irrevocable and the proxy is coupled
with an interest. Should a proxy designate two or more Persons to act as
proxies, unless that instrument shall provide to the contrary, a majority of
such Persons present at any meeting at which their powers thereunder are to be
exercised shall have and may exercise all the powers of voting or giving
consents thereby conferred, or if only one be present, then such powers may be
exercised by that one; or, if an even number attend and a majority do not agree
on any particular issue, the Company shall not be required to recognize such
proxy with respect to such issue if such proxy does not specify how the Class A
Units that are the subject of such proxy are to be voted with respect to such
issue.
7.4 Conduct of Meetings. All meetings of the Members shall be presided over
by the chairman of the meeting, who shall be one of the Managers (or a representative thereof). The
chairman of any meeting of Members shall determine the order of business and the procedure at
the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as
seem to him or her in order.
7.5 Action by Written Consent or Telephone Conference.
7.5.1 Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of Members
may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or
consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the Member or
Members holding not less than the minimum percentages of Units of each class of Units
that would be necessary to take such action at a meeting at which all Members entitled to
vote on the action were present and voted. Prompt notice of the action so taken without a
meeting shall be given to those Members entitled to vote or consent who have not
consented in writing. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent of the Members
shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the Members at a meeting thereof.
7.5.2 Members may participate in and hold a meeting by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all Persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such meeting shall
constitute attendance and presence in person at such meeting, except where a Person
participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any
business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
7.6 Investment Opportunities and Conflicts of Interest.
7.6.1 Xxxxxx and each Executive (so long as such Executive is an
employee or representative of the Company) shall, and shall cause each of
his or her Affiliates to,
29
bring all investment or business opportunities to the Company of which any
of the foregoing become aware and (i) which he or she believes are, or may
be, within the scope and investment objectives related to the operation of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) which they would be required
to bring under the Delaware General Corporation Law if (a) such Executive
was a director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries were Delaware corporations. The
Members expressly acknowledge that, subject to the provisions of Section
7.7, (i) due to the nature of the business of the Investor Members that
they are permitted to have, and may presently or in the future have,
investments or other business relationships with entities engaged in
businesses that compete with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (an
“Other Business”), (ii) the Investor Members have and may develop a
strategic relationship with businesses that are and may be competitive or
complementary with the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
(iii) none of the Investor Members will be prohibited by virtue of their
investments in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their
representatives’ service or the service of their officers, employees or
agents as a Manager from pursuing and engaging in any such activities, (iv)
the other Members will not acquire or be entitled to any interest or
participation in any Other Business as a result of the participation
therein of any of the Investor Members, and (v) the involvement of the
Investor Members in any Other Business will not constitute a conflict of
interest by such Persons with respect to the Company, its Members or any of
their respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
7.6.2 Each of the initial Members (which shall not include LamPort)
agree that until the earlier of: (a) the consummation of the Acquisition or
(b) the termination of the Xxxxxx SPA, no such Member will, directly, or
indirectly, (i) work with any other person to evaluate the Acquisition or
accept employment with, invest in or otherwise receive any compensation
with any Person relating to the Acquisition (or any successor or affiliate
thereof) or WSTF, (ii) discuss independently or with any other party, or
participate as an equity owner, employee or service provider in, any
competing transaction involving the possible acquisition of all or any
portion of WSTF or (iii) become employed by, or otherwise render services
relating to the Acquisition or WSTF with, any Person or any Affiliate
thereof that is pursuing the Acquisition or WSTF. In addition, and (A)
until such time as the Company owns less than 25% of the outstanding common
stock of WSTF and (B) only if an Employment Event has occurred within six
months after the date hereof, Xxxxxx will not work with any other private
equity, hedge, venture or similar investment company relating to any
investment that is in a competitive business with WSTF, nor invest in, be
employed by, consult for or otherwise receive any compensation from any
Persons in any business that is competitive business with WSTF, except for
the passive and non-controlling investments of Xxxxxx disclosed to the
Company as long as such investments remain passive and non-controlling
investments. Notwithstanding the foregoing and if an Employment Event
occurs, the immediately prior sentence shall be limited to (A) the term of
Xxxxxx’ employment with the WSTF and one year after the termination thereof
if such termination is “without cause” (as defined in an employment
agreement between Xxxxxx and WSTF (if any)) or similar occurrence and (B)
the commercial, administrative and light industrial staffing industries.
30
7.7 Confidentiality. Each Member shall not make public disclosure of any
information designated by the Company in writing as confidential, including
financial terms and financial and organizational information contained in any
documents, statements, certificates, materials or information furnished, or to
be furnished, by the Company; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be
construed, now or in the future, to apply to any information reflected in any
recorded document, information which is independently developed by such Member,
information obtained from sources other than the Company or information that is
or becomes in the public domain other than through the fault of such Member, nor
shall it be construed to prevent such Member from (i) making any disclosure of
any information (A) if required to do so by any requirement of law, (B) to any
governmental authority having or claiming authority to regulate or oversee any
aspect of the Member’s business or that of the Company, WSTF or the affiliates
of such Member in connection with the exercise of such authority or claimed
authority, or (C) pursuant to subpoena; or (ii) to the extent such Member or its
counsel deems necessary or appropriate to do so to effect or preserve its
security for any applicable investment or financing or to enforce any remedy
provided herein or in any applicable investment or financing documents or
otherwise available by law; or (iii) making, on a confidential basis, such
disclosures as such Member deems necessary or appropriate to such Member’s legal
counsel or accountants (including outside auditors); or (iv) making such
disclosures as such Member reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to any bank
or financial institution or other entity, and/or counsel to or other
representatives of such bank or financial institution or other entity, to which
such Member in good faith desires to sell an interest in any applicable
investment or financing; provided, however, that such bank, financial
institution or other entity or counsel to and representative thereof, agrees to
maintain the confidentiality of such disclosures; or (v) making such disclosures
to (x) any bank or financial institution and (y) S&P, Xxxxx’x, Fitch and/or
other ratings agency, as such Member reasonably deems necessary or appropriate
in connection with such Member’s obtaining financing; provided, however, that
each such financial institution or ratings agency shall be informed of the
confidentiality of such information and the disclosing Member shall be liable
for any breach of confidentiality by such financial institution or ratings
agency.
ARTICLE VIII
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Exculpation. No Manager shall be liable to any other Manager, the
Company or to any Member for any loss suffered by the Company unless such loss
is caused by the Manager’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or violation of
law. The Managers shall not be liable for errors in judgment or for any acts or
omissions that do not constitute gross negligence, willful misconduct, violation
of law or material breach of this Agreement. Any Manager may consult with
counsel and accountants and any member, manager, officer, employee or committee
of the Company or other professional expert in respect of Company affairs, and
provided that the choice of such person with whom the Manager consulted did not
constitute gross negligence and the Manager acts in good faith reliance upon the
advice or opinion of such counsel or accountants or other persons, the Manager
shall not be liable for any loss suffered by the Company in reliance thereon.
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8.2 Right to Indemnification. Subject to the limitations and conditions as
provided in this Article VIII, each Person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party
to or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative (hereinafter a “Proceeding”), or any appeal in such a
Proceeding or any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such a Proceeding, by reason of the
fact that he or she, or a Person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a Manager
or officer of the Company or while a Manager or officer of the Company is or was serving at the
request of the Company as a manager, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee,
employee, agent or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic limited liability company,
corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the Act, as the
same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the
extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than
said law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment) against judgments,
penalties (including excise and similar taxes and punitive damages), fines, settlements and
reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by such
Person in connection with such Proceeding, and indemnification under this Article VIII shall
continue as to a Person who has ceased to serve in the capacity which initially entitled such
Person to indemnity hereunder. The rights granted pursuant to this Article VIII shall be deemed
contract rights, and no amendment, modification or repeal of this Article VIII shall have the
effect of limiting or denying any such rights with respect to actions taken or Proceedings arising
prior to any amendment, modification or repeal. It is expressly acknowledged that the
indemnification provided in this Article VIII could involve indemnification for negligence or
under theories of strict liability.
8.3 Advance Payment. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article VIII
shall include the right to be paid or reimbursed by the Company the reasonable expenses
incurred by a Person of the type entitled to be indemnified under Section 8.2 who was, is or is
threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a Proceeding in advance of the final
disposition of the Proceeding and without any determination as to the Person’s ultimate
entitlement to indemnification; provided,however, that the payment of such expenses incurred
by any such Person in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding shall be made only upon
delivery to the Company of a written affirmation by such Person of his or her good faith belief
that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under this Article
VIII and a written undertaking, by or on behalf of such Person, to repay all amounts so advanced
if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified
under this Article VIII or otherwise.
8.4 Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Company, by adoption of a
resolution of the Board, may indemnify and advance expenses to an employee or
agent of the Company to the same extent and subject to the same conditions under which it
may indemnify and advance expenses to Persons who are not or were not Managers or officers of
the Company but who are or were serving at the request of the Company as a manager,
director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary
of another foreign or domestic limited liability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted
against him or her and incurred by him or her in such a capacity or arising out of his or her
status as such a Person
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to the same extent that it may indemnify and advance expenses to Managers and officers under this Article VIII.
8.5 Nonexclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the advancement and
payment of expenses conferred in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which
a Manager, officer or other Person indemnified pursuant to Section 8.4 may have or hereafter
acquire under any law (common or statutory), provision of the Certificate or this Agreement,
agreement, vote of Members or disinterested Managers or otherwise.
8.6 Insurance. The Company may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense,
to protect itself and any Person who is or was serving as a Manager, officer or agent of the
Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a manager, director, officer,
partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another foreign or
domestic limited ability company, corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or
not the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such expense, liability
or loss under this Article VIII.
8.7 Savings Clause. If this Article VIII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on
any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall
nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each Manager or any other Person indemnified
pursuant to this Article VIII as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the fullest extent permitted by any
applicable portion of this Article VIII that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law.
ARTICLE IX
TAXES
9.1 Tax Returns. The Board shall cause to be prepared and filed all necessary
federal and state income tax returns for the Company, including making any elections the Board
may deem appropriate and in the best interests of the Members. Each Member shall furnish to
the Board all pertinent information in its possession relating to Company operations that is
necessary to enable the Company’s income tax returns to be prepared and filed.
9.2 Tax Matters Member. Unless and until the Members shall otherwise
unanimously agree, HIG shall be the “tax matters partner” of the Company
pursuant to Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (the “Tax Matters Member”).
(i) The Tax Matters Member is authorized to represent
the Company before the Internal Revenue Service and any other
governmental agency with jurisdiction, and to sign such
consents and to enter into settlements and other agreements
with such agencies as the Board deems necessary or advisable.
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(ii) The Tax Matters Member may, in its sole discretion,
make or revoke any election under the Code or the Treasury
Regulations issued thereunder (including for this purpose any
new or amended Treasury Regulations issued after the date of
formation of the Company).
(iii) Promptly following the written request of the Tax
Matters Member, the Company shall, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, reimburse and indemnify the Tax Matters
Member for all reasonable expenses, including reasonable
legal and accounting fees, claims, liabilities, losses and
damages incurred by the Tax Matters Member in connection with
any administrative or judicial proceeding (i) with respect to
the tax liability of the Company and/or (ii) with respect to
the tax liability of the Members in connection with the
operations of the Company.
(iv) The provisions of this Section 9.2 shall survive
the termination of the Company or the termination of any
Member’s interest in the Company and shall remain binding on
the Members for as long a period of time as is necessary to
resolve with the Internal Revenue Service any and all matters
regarding the federal income taxation of the Company or the
Members.
9.3 Tax Reports. The Company shall provide to each Member within 75 days
after the end of each Taxable Year, the Company’s tax return and form K-1 for
such Taxable Year, and such other information as may be necessary for the
preparation of each such Member’s United States federal and state income tax
returns.
ARTICLE X
BOOKS, REPORTS AND COMPANY FUNDS
10.1 Maintenance of Books. The Company shall keep books and records of accounts
and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Members, the Board, its Managers and each
committee of the Managers. The Fiscal Year shall be the accounting year of the Company.
10.2 Reports. On or before the 120th day following the end of each Fiscal Year
during the term of the Company, the Managers shall cause each Member to be
furnished with a balance sheet, an income statement and a statement of changes in Members’
capital of the Company for, or as of the end of, that year certified by a recognized firm of
certified public accountants. These financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (except as therein noted) and shall
be accompanied by a report of the certified public accountants. The Board also may cause to be
prepared or delivered such other reports as it may deem appropriate. The Company shall bear
the costs of all these reports. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.2, each Member
hereby waives any and all rights under the Act entitling such Member to additional
information from the Company (including pursuant to Section 18-305 of the Act). Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Investor Member shall be entitled to receive
the same financial
34
information that any other Investor Member shall receive from WSTF in such
Investor Member’s capacity as an equityholder of the Company; provided
that no Investor Member shall be required to divulge or otherwise provide any
information that any party related to, affiliated with or otherwise employed by
such Investor Member shall receive in such Person’s capacity as an officer or
director of WSTF as determined in such Person’s sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
TRANSFERS
11.1 Assignment by Members.
11.1.1 Except in connection with (i) an Approved Sale, (ii) a Public
Sale, (iii) a sale to the Company pursuant to an Executive Securities Agreement, (iv) a Transfer by
HIG to a Key Person of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (v) a Transfer contemplated by
Section 11.1.2 below, (vi) a Transfer contemplated by Section 11.1.4 below, (vii) a
Transfer contemplated by Section 11.4 below or (vii) a sale pursuant to Section 11.5
below (collectively, “Exempt Transfers”), no Member shall directly or indirectly sell,
pledge, assign or transfer, or offer to sell, pledge, assign or transfer or otherwise Dispose
of (a “Transfer”) all or any part of such Member’s Units or other interests in the
Company (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) without the prior consent of the Board,
which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Board.
11.1.2 The restrictions set forth in Section 11.1.1 shall not apply with respect to
any Transfer of Units by any Member among its Affiliates or Family Group (collectively,
the “Permitted Transferees”); provided that the restrictions contained in Section 11.1.1
shall continue to apply to such Units after any such Transfer; and provided further that
the transferees of such Units have agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of this
Agreement affecting the Units so transferred and a copy of such writing is delivered to
the Company; and provided further that a Member who is an individual may transfer no
more than 50% in the aggregate of each class of Units originally acquired by such
individual to his Affiliates or Family Group.
11.1.3 In connection with the Transfer of any Units (other than an Exempt
Transfer and Transfers described in Section 11.1.2), the Member holding such Units shall
deliver written notice to the Company describing in reasonable detail the Transfer or
proposed Transfer, together with an opinion of counsel, which (to the Board’s reasonable
satisfaction) is knowledgeable in securities law matters, to the effect that such Transfer of
Units may be effected without registration of such Units under the Securities Act. A
Member shall not Transfer any Units until the proposed transferee has agreed in writing
to be bound by the conditions set forth in this Section 11.1.
11.1.4 The restrictions contained in this Article XI shall not apply with respect to
any pledge by LamPort of LamPort’s Units in support of a bona fide loan transaction for
LamPort’s benefit so long as LamPort agrees that any of its third party lender(s) shall
execute a joinder to this Agreement in order to exercise its remedies with respect to any
pledged equity interests of the Company.
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11.2 Void Assignment. Any Transfer by any Member of any Units or other interests in
the Company in contravention of this Agreement shall be void and ineffectual and shall not bind or
be recognized by the Company or any other party. No purported assignee shall have any right to any
Profits, Losses or Distributions of the Company.
11.3 Sale of the Company.
11.3.1 If the Board and the Members holding a majority of the Class A Units approve a
Sale of the Company (an “Approved Sale”) and deliver written notice to each Member invoking
the provisions of this Section 11.3 regarding an Approved Sale, each Member shall vote for,
consent to and raise no objections against such Approved Sale. If the Approved Sale is
structured as (i) a merger or consolidation, each Member shall waive any dissenters rights,
appraisal rights or similar rights in connection with such merger or consolidation or (ii) a
sale of Units, each Member shall agree to sell all of his, her or its Units and/or rights to
acquire Units on the terms and conditions approved by the Board and the Members holding a
majority of the Class A Units then outstanding. Each Member shall take all necessary or
desirable actions in connection with the consummation of the Approved Sale as requested by
the Company.
11.3.2 The obligations of the Members with respect to the Approved Sale of the Company
are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) upon the consummation of
the Approved Sale, each Member holding each class of Units shall receive the consideration
as set forth in Section 11.3.3 below; (ii) if any Members holding a class of Units are given
an option as to the form and amount of consideration to be received, each Member holding
such class of Units shall be given the same option (and, in the event there is an
insufficient amount of one of the forms of the consideration available as a result of the
aggregate elections of the Members, such form of consideration shall be allocated among
the Members pro rata in proportion to the amount of such consideration so elected by each
Member); and (iii) each holder of then currently exercisable rights to acquire Units shall
be given an opportunity to either (a) exercise such rights prior to the consummation of the
Approved Sale and participate in such sale as a Member or (b) upon the consummation of the
Approved Sale, receive in exchange for such rights consideration equal to the amount
determined by multiplying (1) the same amount of consideration per Unit received by Members
holding such class of Units in connection with the Approved Sale less the exercise price per
Unit of such class of Units of such rights to acquire such class of Units by (2) the number
of Units of such class of Units represented by such rights.
11.3.3 In the event of a sale or exchange by the Members holding a majority of all
Common Units (whether by sale, merger, recapitalization, reorganization,
consolidation, combination or otherwise), each Member shall receive in exchange for the
Units held by such Member the same portion of the aggregate consideration from such sale or
exchange that such Member would have received if such aggregate consideration had been
distributed by the Company in complete liquidation pursuant to the rights and preferences
set forth in Section 12.2. Each Member shall take all necessary or desirable actions in
connection with the distribution of the aggregate consideration from such sale or exchange
as requested by the Company.
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11.4 Initial Public Offering. In the event that the Board and the Members holding a majority
of the Class A Units then outstanding approve a Public Offering, the Company will be reorganized
into a corporation and the Members shall take all necessary or desirable actions in connection with
the consummation of the Public Offering. In the event that such Public Offering is an underwritten
offering and the managing underwriters advise the Company in writing that in their opinion the
structure of the Company or its Units would adversely affect the marketability of the offering,
each Member holding each class of Units shall consent to and vote for a recapitalization,
reorganization and/or exchange of each class of the Units into capital stock of other securities
that the managing underwriters, the Board and holders of a majority of the Class A Units then
outstanding find acceptable and shall take all necessary or desirable actions in connection with
the consummation of the recapitalization, reorganization and/or exchange; provided that the
resulting securities reflect and are consistent with the rights and preferences set forth in this
Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such Public Offering. It is the intent of the Members
that the conversion of the Company into a corporate form and the conversion or reorganization of
any of the Company’s operating divisions, whether currently existing or existing in the future,
into corporate form are part of the Members’ investment decision with respect to the Units or other
equity interests of the Members
11.5 Participation/Co-Sale Rights. At least 45 days prior to any Transfer of Class A Units by
an Investor Member (other than pursuant to Section 11.1.2, a Sale of the Company, a Public Sale, a
Transfer contemplated by Section 11.4 or to an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries), the
Investor Member (the “Transferring Member”) shall
deliver a written notice (the “Sale Notice”) to
the Company and the other Members (the “Other Members”), specifying in reasonable detail the
identity of the prospective transferee(s), the number of Class A Units to be transferred and the
terms and conditions of the Transfer. The Other Members may elect to participate in the
contemplated Transfer on the same terms and conditions by delivering written notice to the
Transferring Member within 45 days after delivery of the Sale Notice. If any Other Members elect to
participate in such Transfer, each of the Transferring Member and such Other Members shall be
entitled to sell in the contemplated Transfer, on the same terms and conditions, a number of Class
A Units equal to the product of (i) the quotient obtained by dividing the percentage of Class A
Units owned by such Person by the sum of the percentage of Class A Units owned by the Transferring
Member and the Other Members participating in such sale and (ii) the number of Class A Units to be
sold in the contemplated Transfer.
For example, if the Sale Notice contemplated a sale of 100
Class A Units by the Transferring Member, and if the Transferring
Member owns 30% of all Class A Units, and if one Other Member elects
to participate and owns 20% of all Class A Units, the Transferring
Member would be entitled to sell 60 Class A Units (30% ÷ 50% x 100
Units) and the Other Member would be entitled to sell 40 Class A
Units (20% ÷ 50% x 100 Units).
Each Transferring Member shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain the agreement of the
prospective transferee(s) to the participation of the Other Member(s) in any contemplated
Transfer, and no Transferring Member shall transfer any of his, her or its Class A Units to any
prospective transferee if such prospective transferee(s) declines to allow the participation of
the Other Member(s). Each Member transferring Class A Units pursuant to this Section 11.5 shall
37
pay his, her or its pro rata share (based on the number of Class A Units to be sold) of the
expenses incurred by the Members in connection with such transfer and shall be obligated to join
on a pro rata basis (based on the number of Class A Units to be sold) in any indemnification or
other obligations that the Transferring Member agrees to provide in connection with such Transfer
(other than any such obligations that relate specifically to a particular Member such as
indemnification with respect to representations and warranties given by a Member regarding such
Member’s title to and ownership of Class A Units);
provided that no holder shall be
obligated in connection with such Transfer to agree to indemnify or hold harmless the transferees
with respect to an amount in excess of the net cash proceeds paid to such holder in connection
with such Transfer.
In the event of such Transfer, each Member shall receive in exchange for the Units held by such
Member the same portion of the aggregate consideration from such sale or exchange that such Member
would have received if such aggregate consideration had been distributed by the Company in
complete liquidation pursuant to the rights and preferences set forth in Section 12.2 (without
taking into account any reductions for Distributions to Units). Each Member shall take all
necessary or desirable actions in connection with the distribution of the aggregate consideration
from such sale or exchange as requested by the Transferring Member.
11.6 Substituted Member.
11.6.1 An assignee of any Units or other interests in the Company of a Member,
or any portion thereof, shall become a substituted Member entitled to all the rights of a
Member if and only if the assignor gives the assignee such right and the Board has granted
its prior written consent to such assignment and substitution, which consent may be withheld
in the sole discretion of the Board.
11.6.2 The Company and the Managers shall be entitled to treat the record owner of any
Units or other interest in the Company as the absolute owner thereof and shall incur no
liability for distributions of cash or other property made in good faith to such owner until
such time as a written assignment of such Units or other interest in the Company, which
assignment is permitted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 11.1 hereof, has
been received and accepted by the Board and recorded on the books of the Company.
11.6.3 Upon the admission of a substituted Member, Schedule A attached hereto
shall be amended to reflect the name, address and number and class of Units and other
interests in the Company of such substituted Member and to eliminate the name and address of
and other information relating to the assigning Member with regard to the assigned Units and
other interests in the Company.
11.7 Effect of Assignment.
11.7.1 Any Member who shall assign any Units or other interest in the Company shall
cease to be a Member of the Company with respect to such Units or other interest and shall
no longer have any rights or privileges of a Member with respect to such Units or other
interest.
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11.7.2 Any Person who acquires in any manner whatsoever any Units or other
interest in the Company, irrespective of whether such Person has accepted and adopted in
writing the terms and provisions of this Agreement, shall be deemed by the acceptance of the
benefits of the acquisition thereof to have agreed to be subject to and bound by all the
terms and conditions of this Agreement that any predecessor in such Units or other interest
in the Company of such Person was subject to or by which such predecessor was bound.
11.8 Effect of Incapacity. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Incapacity of a Member
shall not dissolve or terminate the Company. In the event of such Incapacity, the executor,
administrator, guardian, trustee or other personal representative of the Incapacitated Member shall
be deemed to be the assignee of such Member’s Units or other interests in the Company and may,
subject to Section 11.1, become a substituted Member upon the terms and conditions set forth in
Section 11.6.
11.9 Redemption Right The Company shall have the right, (upon 30 days, but no more than 60
days prior written notice the Senior Preferred Holders), to redeem all (or, with the consent of the
holders of a majority of the Senior Preferred Units, a portion) of the Senior Preferred Units then
outstanding (the “Redemption Right”). The purchase price for all such Senior Preferred Units
shall be the Liquidation Value (or the pro rata portion of Liquidation Value for any amount of
Units to be purchased which is less than 100% of those Senior Preferred Units then outstanding).
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION
12.1 Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs shall be wound up on
the first to occur of the following:
(a) the written consent of the Members holding a majority of the Common Units;
(b) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section
18-802 of the Act; and
(c) a Deemed Liquidation Event (which may be waived by HIG and LamPort).
The death, retirement, resignation, expulsion, bankruptcy or dissolution of a Member, or the
occurrence of any other event that terminates the continued membership of a Member in the Company,
shall not cause a dissolution of the Company.
12.2 Liquidation and Termination. On dissolution of the Company, the Board shall act as the
liquidator or may appoint one or more Members as liquidator. The liquidator shall proceed
diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein
and in the Act. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final
distribution, the liquidator shall continue to operate the Company properties with all
39
of the power and authority of the Board. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as
follows:
(a) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final
liquidation, the liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a
recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Company’s assets, liabilities
and operations through the last day of the calendar month in which the dissolution
occurs or the final liquidation is completed, as applicable;
(b) the liquidator shall cause the notice described in the Act to be mailed to
each known creditor of and claimant against the Company in the manner described
thereunder;
(c) the liquidator shall pay, satisfy or discharge from Company funds all of
the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including, without
limitation, the Xxxxxx SPA Payments, if any, and all expenses incurred in
liquidation) or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof;
(d) the liquidator shall make reasonable provision to pay all
contingent, conditional or unmatured contractual claims known to the Company;
(e) the liquidator shall make such provision as will be reasonably likely to be
sufficient to provide compensation for any claim against the Company which is the
subject of a pending action, suit or proceeding to which the Company is a party;
(f) the liquidator shall make such provision as will be reasonably likely to be
sufficient for claims that have not been made known to the Company or that have not
arisen but that, based on facts known to the Company, are likely to arise or to
become known to the Company after the date of dissolution; and
(g) all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members in
accordance with Section 5.2 by the end of the taxable year of the Company during
which the liquidation of the Company occurs (or, if later, 90 days after the date of
the liquidation).
All distributions in kind to the Members shall be made subject to the liability of each
distributee for costs, expenses and liabilities theretofore incurred or for which the Company has
committed prior to the date of termination, and those costs, expenses and liabilities shall be
allocated to the distributees pursuant to this Section 12.2. The distribution of cash and/or
property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.2 constitutes a complete
return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Member of its
interest in the Company and all of the Company’s property and constitutes a compromise to which
all Members have consented within the meaning of the Act. To the extent that a Member returns
funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds.
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12.3 Deficit Capital Accounts. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, and notwithstanding any custom or rule of law to the contrary, to the extent that
the deficit, if any, in the Capital Account of any Member results from or is attributable to
deductions and losses of the Company (including non-cash items such as depreciation), or
distributions of money pursuant to this Agreement to all Members in proportion to their respective
interests, upon dissolution of the Company such deficit shall not be an asset of the Company and
such Members shall not be obligated to contribute such amount to the Company to bring the balance
of such Member’s capital account to zero.
12.4 Cancellation of Certificate. On completion of the distribution of Company assets as
provided herein, the Company shall be terminated, and the Board (or such other Person or Persons as
the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State
of Delaware, and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company.
ARTICLE XIII
VALUATION
13.1
Valuation of Units or Other.Assets. The “Fair Market Value” of any Unit or
any other asset or security shall mean the fair market value thereof as of the date of valuation as
determined by the Board in its good faith judgment taking into account all relevant factors
determinative of value.
ARTICLE XIV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
14.1 Offset. Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member, any amounts that
such Member owes to the Company may be deducted from that sum before payment.
14.2 Notices. Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices,
requests, or consents provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing
and must be given either by depositing that writing in the United States mail, addressed to the
recipient, postage paid, and registered or certified with return receipt requested or by delivering
that writing to the recipient in person, by courier, or by facsimile transmission. A notice,
request, or consent given under this Agreement is effective on receipt by the Person to whom it was
sent. All notices, requests, and consents to be sent to a Member must be sent to or made at the
address given for that Member on Schedule A, or such other address as that Member may
specify by notice to the other Members. Any notice, request, or consent to the Company or the Board
must be given to the Board at the following address:
DelStaff, LLC
x/x X.X.X. Xxxxxxx, X.X.X.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
x/x X.X.X. Xxxxxxx, X.X.X.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
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Whenever any notice is required to be given by law, the Certificate or this Agreement, a written
waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated
therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
14.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Members
relating to the Company and supersedes all prior contracts or agreements with respect to the
Company, whether oral or written.
14.4 Effect of Waiver or Consent. A waiver or consent, express or implied, to or of any breach
or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of its obligations with respect to the
Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by that
Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person with respect to the Company. Failure on
the part of a Person to complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default with
respect to the Company, irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute a
waiver by that Person of its rights with respect to that default until the applicable
statute-of-limitations period has run.
14.5 Amendment or Modification. This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time
only by (i) a written instrument (x) adopted by the Board and (y) executed and agreed to by the
Members holding a majority of the Common Units and (ii) in accordance with the restrictions set
forth in Section 6.1.2; provided, however, that (i) an amendment or modification reducing
materially and disproportionately a Member’s Units or other interest in Profits or Losses or in
Distributions or rights hereunder or which increases a Member’s Capital Contribution or materially
and adversely affects a Member’s obligations, is effective only with that Member’s consent and (ii)
an amendment or modification reducing the required interest for any consent or vote in this
Agreement is effective only with the consent or vote of Members having the interest theretofore
required.
14.6 Binding Effect. Subject to the restrictions on Transfers set forth in this Agreement,
this Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Members and their respective
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
14.7 Governing Law; Severability. THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE
THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER
JURISDICTION. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any
provision of the Certificate or any mandatory provision of the Act, the applicable provision of the
Certificate or the Act shall control. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof
to any Person or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this
Agreement and the application of that provision to other Persons or circumstances is not affected
thereby and that provision shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.
42
14.8 Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, each Member shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform
any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions
of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
14.9 Waiver of Certain Rights. Each Member irrevocably waives any right it may have to
maintain any action for dissolution of the Company or for partition of the property of the Company
or, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2, for any rights to information from the Company
provided under Section 18-305 of the Act.
14.10 Indemnification and Reimbursement for Payments on Behalf of a Member.
If the Company is obligated to pay any amount to a governmental agency (or otherwise makes a
payment) because of a Member’s status or otherwise specifically attributable to a Member
(including, without limitation, federal withholding taxes with respect to foreign Persons, state
personal property taxes, state unincorporated business taxes, etc.), then such Member (the
“Indemnifying Member”) shall indemnify the Company in full for the entire amount paid (including,
without limitation, any interest, penalties and expenses associated with such payments). The
amount to be indemnified shall be charged against the Capital Account of the Indemnifying Member,
and, at the option of the Board, either:
(a) promptly upon notification of an obligation to indemnify the Company, the
Indemnifying Member shall make a cash payment to the Company equal to the full
amount to be indemnified (and the amount paid shall be added to the Indemnifying
Member’s Capital Account but shall not be treated as a Capital Contribution), or
(b) the Company shall reduce distributions which would otherwise be made to the
Indemnifying Member, until the Company has recovered the amount to be indemnified
(and, notwithstanding Section 3.1, the amount withheld shall not be treated as a
Capital Contribution).
14.11 Power of Attorney. Each of the undersigned Members does hereby constitute and appoint
each Manager and liquidator with full power to act without the others (subject to the provisions of
Article VI hereof), as such Member’s true and lawful representative and attorney in-fact, in such
Member’s name, place and stead, to make, execute, sign, acknowledge and deliver or file in such
form and substance as is approved by the Board (a) all instruments, documents and certificates
which may from time to time be required by any law to effectuate, implement and continue the valid
and subsisting existence of the Company, or to qualify or continue the qualification of the Company
in the State of Delaware and in all jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own
property, and any amendment to, modification to, restatement of or cancellation of any such
instrument, document or certificate, and (b) all conveyances and other instruments, documents and
certificates which may be required to effectuate the dissolution and termination of the Company
approved in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The powers of attorney granted herein
shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable, and shall survive the death,
disability, incompetency, bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of any Member and the Transfer of
all or any portion of
43
such Member’s Units, and shall extend to such Member’s heirs, successors, assigns, and
personal representatives.
14.12 Notice to Members of Provisions. By executing this Agreement, each Member acknowledges
that it has actual notice of (i) all of the provisions hereof (including, without limitation, the
restrictions on Transfer set forth in Article XI) and (ii) all of the provisions of the
Certificate.
14.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including by
means of telecopied signature page) with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the
same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same instrument.
14.14 Facsimile. This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement
or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby,
and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile
machine, will be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and will
be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version
thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or
instrument, each other party hereto or thereto will re-execute original forms thereof and deliver
them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument will raise the
use of a facsimile machine to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or
instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine as a defense to
the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.
14.15 No Effect Upon Lending Relationship. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect, limit or impair the rights and remedies of
Laminar Direct Capital L.P. or any of its Affiliates in its capacity as a lender to the Company
pursuant to any agreement under which the Company has borrowed money from Laminar Direct Capital
L.P. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Laminar Direct Capital L.P., in exercising
its rights as a lender, including making its decision on whether to foreclose on any collateral
security, will have no duty to consider (i) its status or the status of any of its Affiliates as a
direct or indirect equity holder of the Company, (ii) the equity of the Company or (iii) any duty
it may have to any other direct or indirect equity holder of the Company, except as may be required
under the applicable loan documents or by commercial law applicable to creditors generally.
* * * *
44
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, following adoption of this Agreement by the Managers, the Members
have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
MEMBERS: | ||||||
H.I.G. STAFFING 2007, LTD. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||||
Title: | ||||||
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
ALARIAN ASSOCIATES, INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||||
Its: | President | |||||
D.E. SHAW LAMINAR PORTFOLIOS,L.L.C. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Authorized Signatory | |||||
COMPANY: | ||||||
DELSTAFF, LLC | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Its: | Manager | |||||
SCHEDULE A
Senior | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital | Capital | Class B | Class C | Preferred | Capital | Total Capital | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Members (name and address) | Class A Units | Contribution | Units | Units | Units | Contribution | Contribution | |||||||||||||||||||||
H.I.G. Staffing 2007, Ltd. |
8,400,000 | $ | 8,400,000 | — | — | — | — | $ | 8,400,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000 Telecopy: (000) 000-0000 Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx |
525,000 | $ | 525,000 | 10 | — | — | — | $ | 525,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
0000 Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alarian Associates, Inc. |
— | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D.E. Shaw Laminar Portfolios, L.L.C |
1,575,000 | $ | 1,575,000 | — | — | 9,500,000.00 | $ | 9,500,000 | $ | 11,075,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
c/o X.X. Xxxx & Co., L.P. 000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000 Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000 Attention: Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxxx |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TOTALS: |
10,500,000 | $ | 10,500,000 | 9,500,000 | $ | 9,500,000 | $ | 20,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
SCHEDULE B
Xxxxxx Carry Percentage Terms
1. If
an Employment Event occurs and if Xxxxxx is granted options to acquire shares of
common stock of WSTF on or before 12 months following the consummation of the Acquisition on
account of his employment with WSTF, and such options provide for vesting in a substantially
similar manner as are applicable to the Class B Shares as provided in the Executive Securities
Agreement, then the initial Xxxxxx Carry Percentage will be reduced by a percentage, which
percentage reduction shall be calculated as follows:
A = (B/C) x D
Where:
A equals the percentage reduction to the initial Xxxxxx Carry Percentage;
B equals the number of shares of common stock of WSTF for which Xxxxxx is granted the stock
options on or before 12 months following the consummation of the Acquisition on account of his
employment with WSTF;
C equals the number of shares of common stock of WSTF deemed to be owned by Xxxxxx pursuant
to the Xxxxxx Carry Percentage, determined as if the Class B Shares are fully vested and Xxxxxx
owned outright a number of the shares of WSTF equal to the amount of shares of WSTF owned by the
Company multiplied by the percentage to which Distributions would be made to Xxxxxx as the holder
of Class B Shares under Section 5.2.7; and
D equals 0.7, provided that such 0.7 factor will be multiplied by (1 minus X), where X
equals 0.05 for each $0.25 increment by which the option exercise price associated with such
option share exceeds $5.50 per share (as such price is adjusted for stock splits, dividends and
like events).
Such percentage reduction shall serve to reduce the applicable Xxxxxx Carry Percentage (8.0%)
so that, as provided in the Agreement, the applicable Xxxxxx Carry Percentage (if unchanged from
the initial Xxxxxx Carry Percentage) shall be increased by 5 percentage points (e.g., from 8.0% to
13.0%) if either HIG has achieved a 70% IRR after February 28, 2010 or received Distributions
equal to at least five times its aggregate Capital Contributions prior to February 28, 2010 with
respect to Distributions thereafter.
1