Neenah Paper, Inc. [2017] Performance Share Award Agreement
Neenah Paper, Inc. [2017] Performance Share Award Agreement
THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), effective January 30, [2017], sets forth the terms and conditions of the grant of Performance Shares by Neenah Paper, Inc. (the “Company”) to the Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Neenah Paper, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The Participant’s number of Target Performance Shares for [2017] (the “Target Performance Shares”) has been provided to the Participant in their Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx StockPlan Connect account.
Summary
The Award under this Agreement consists of two components, Component I and Component II.
The Component I portion of the Award has a one-year Performance Cycle and is subject to a two year vesting period after the end of the Performance Cycle. The performance metrics are Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”), Corporate Revenue Growth, and Adjusted Earnings per Share Growth.
The Component II portion of the Award has a three-year Performance Cycle and is vested at the end of the Performance Cycle. The performance metric is Relative TSR.
These components are described below under the headings “Component I” and “Component II,” respectively, and the features common to both components are described after that under the heading “Provisions Applicable to all Performance Shares.” This summary is subject to the terms of the Agreement below.
Agreement
The Company and the Participant agree as follows:
Component I: ROIC, Corporate Revenue Growth and Adjusted Earnings per Share Growth Component of Award
1. | Performance Cycle: The Performance Cycle for Component I commences on January 1, [2017] and ends on December 31, [2017]. |
2. | Performance Metrics: |
(a) | “Return on Invested Capital” (“ROIC”) is defined as the difference expressed in basis points (with 100 equal to 1 percentage point) between ROIC for the Company for the Performance Cycle and ROIC for the Company for the prior calendar year. “ROIC” is defined as After-tax Adjusted EBIT from continuing operations (excluding, for [2016] and [2017], After-tax Adjusted EBIT from that portion of the Company’s filtration business operated in Appleton, Wisconsin (“Appleton Filtration”)) divided by Average Net Invested Capital (excluding, for [2016] and [2017], the Net Invested Assets of Appleton Filtration). “Adjusted EBIT” is earnings before interest and taxes, excluding the effects of gains/losses on sale of assets, goodwill impairment, facility/asset closure, integration or restructuring costs, and other material non-recurring items. Tax rates are based on the statutory effective tax rates of each business entity adjusted for permanent differences impacting these rates. “Average Net Invested Capital” is the straight average for the twelve months of total assets less cash and short-term non-interest bearing liabilities, all expressed in constant currency. |
(b) | “Corporate Revenue Growth” is defined as the percentage change in the Company’s Net Sales for the Performance Cycle, excluding translation impacts from changes in foreign exchange rates, as compared with the prior calendar year. |
(c) | “Net Sales” means net sales for Technical Products and Fine Paper and excludes revenues from non-strategic products reported as part of the Other segment and revenues from Appleton Filtration (for [2016] and [2017]). |
(d) | “Adjusted Earnings per Share Growth” is defined as the percentage change in the Company’s Adjusted Earnings per Share for the Performance Cycle, as compared with the prior calendar year. “Adjusted Earnings per Share” is defined as the Company’s earnings per fully diluted common share from continuing operations, excluding the effects of gains/losses on sale of assets, goodwill impairment, facility/asset closure, integration or restructuring costs, and other material non-recurring items, and excluding the effects of gains/losses from Appleton Filtration (for [2016] and [2017]). |
3. | Percentage Weighting for each Performance Metric: The following percentage weighting for each performance metric will apply for purposes of determining the number of Performance Shares earned under Component I: |
Performance Metric | Weighting |
ROIC | 25% |
Corporate Revenue Growth | 25% |
Adjusted Earnings per Share Growth | 25% |
4. | Percentage Attained based on each Performance Metric: The payout percentage attained based on each performance metric, which will be used for determining the number of Performance Shares earned under Component I, is as follows: |
Performance Metric Weighting | Threshold | Target | Maximum | |
Payout Percentage Attained | 0% | 100% | 200% | |
ROIC | 25% | |||
Corporate Revenue Growth | 25% | |||
Adjusted Earnings per Share Growth | 25% | |||
Straight line extrapolation of the payout percentage attained will be calculated for results between Threshold and Target, and between Target and Maximum. Below Threshold, the payout percentage attained is 0%. For Maximum or above, the payout percentage attained is 200%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Committee retains discretion to adjust an award (increase or reduce) under this Agreement based on its assessment of the Company’s performance with respect to strategic initiatives.
5. | Number of Performance Shares Earned: The number of Performance Shares earned under Component I is determined as follows: |
(a) | Step 1: multiply the percentage weighting for each performance metric by the payout percentage attained based on such performance metric to arrive at the percentage of Target Performance Shares earned based on such performance metric; |
(b) | Step 2: add the sum of the percentages of Target Performance Shares earned based on each performance metric; |
(c) | Step 3: multiply the sum of the percentages of Target Performance Shares earned based on each performance metric by the total number of Target Performance Shares and |
(d) | Step 4: increase or reduce the award calculated in Step 3 by the percentage that the Compensation Committee determines in its discretion. |
However, in no case will the number of Performance Shares earned under Component I be less than 30% of the total awarded Target Performance Shares.
As an example, assume the percentage attained based on each performance metric is as shown below:
Percentage Weighting | x | Payout Percentage Attained | Percentage Target Shares Earned | |
ROIC | 25% | x | 120% | = 30% |
Corporate Revenue Growth | 25% | x | 120% | = 30% |
Adjusted Earnings per Share Growth | 25% | x | 100% | = 25% |
30% + 30% + 25% = 85%.
If the sum of the percentages of Target Performance Shares earned under Component I is less than 30%, then the final number of Performance Shares earned under Component I will be 30% of the Target Performance Shares (and in no event shall the total awarded Target Performance Shares for the sum of Component I and Component II (defined below) be less than 40%).
6. | Dividend Equivalents: The Performance Shares under Component I do not accrue dividend equivalents during the Performance Cycle, except if a Change of Control occurs during the Performance Cycle, in which case, they accrue dividend equivalents beginning on the date of the Change of Control. Beginning on the earlier of (a) the first day following the end of the Performance Cycle, or (b) the date of the Change of Control, the Performance Shares shall accrue dividend equivalents. The dividend equivalents shall be paid to the Participant in cash or Shares, as determined by the authorized officers as designated by the Committee, within thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar quarter. The dividend equivalents paid for such calendar quarter will be equal to the dividend per Share (if any) declared by the Company during such calendar quarter, multiplied by the number of Performance Shares held by the Participant. If dividend equivalents for a calendar quarter are paid in Shares, the number of Shares will be equal to the dividend equivalents for the calendar quarter, divided by the Fair Market Value per Share as of the date the dividend is payable as declared by the Company. After the Performance Shares have been settled or forfeited, no further dividend equivalents shall accrue. |
7. | Vesting and Payment of the Performance Shares: One hundred percent (100%) of the earned Performance Shares under Component I will vest on the earliest of the dates specified below and will be paid when specified below (with the vesting date listed first in each Subsection, followed by payment date): |
(a) | December 31, [2019], provided the Participant has continued in the employment of the Company, its Affiliates, or its Subsidiaries through such date, in which case the Performance Shares will be paid on December 31, [2019]; |
(b) | On the Participant’s date of death if the Participant dies on or after December 31, [2017] and before December 31, [2019], provided the Participant has continued in the employment of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries through the date of death, in which case the Performance Shares will be paid within thirty (30) days following the date of death; |
(c) | On the date the Participant incurs a “Separation from Service” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A), if that occurs on or after December 31, [2017] and before December 31, [2019], due to “Retirement” or “Disability,” as those terms are defined in the Plan (but in the case of Disability determined without regard to the length of any elimination period under the long term disability benefits plan), in which case the Performance Shares will be paid within thirty (30) days following the Separation from Service, provided, however, if the Participant is a “Specified Employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, the Performance Shares will be paid within the earlier of thirty (30) days following six (6) months following such Separation from Service or December 31, [2019]; |
(d) | On the date of a “Change of Control” (as defined in Section 15 of “Provisions Applicable to all Performance Shares”), if that occurs on or after January 1, [2017] and before December 31, [2019], with respect to which Neenah Paper, Inc. is not the surviving entity, provided the Participant has continued in the employment of the Company, its Affiliates, or its Subsidiaries through such occurrence; provided, however, that if the Change of Control occurs on or after January 1, [2017] and before December 31, [2017], the Participant shall be deemed to earn 75% of the Target Performance Shares. The Performance Shares will be paid within thirty (30) days following the Change of Control; or |
(e) | On the date of a Change of Control, if that occurs on or after January 1, [2017] and before December 31, [2019], with respect to which Neenah Paper, Inc. is the surviving entity, and within two years after the date of the Change of Control and before December 31, [2019], the Participant incurs a Separation from Service as a result of the Participant’s employment being terminated by the Company, its Affiliates, and/or Subsidiaries other than for Cause, or by the Participant for Good Reason; provided, however, that if the Change of Control occurs on or after January 1, [2017] and before December 31, [2017], the Participant shall be deemed to earn 75% of the Target Performance Shares. For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms “Cause” and “Good Reason” shall have the same meaning as provided in the Executive Severance Plan. The Performance Shares shall be paid within thirty (30) days following Separation from Service; provided, however, that in the case of a Participant who is a Specified Employee, the Performance Shares will be paid within the earlier of thirty (30) days following six (6) months following separation from service or in [2020] by February 29, [2020]. |
Component II: Relative TSR Component of Award
1. | Performance Cycle: The Performance Cycle for Component II commences on January 1, [2017] and ends on December 31, [2019]. |
2. | Performance Measure: Relative Total Shareholder Return (“Relative TSR”) is defined as the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) relative to the TSR of the companies in the Xxxxxxx 2000 Value Index. |
“TSR” is expressed as a percentage and calculated as follows:
(December [2019] average closing stock price + dividends paid and reinvested during the Performance Cycle - December [2016] average closing stock price)
December [2016] average closing stock price
The TSR for companies (including the Company) in the Xxxxxxx 2000 Value Index will be ranked from highest to lowest and Relative TSR will be measured based on the Company’s TSR ranking within each quartile of the companies in the Xxxxxxx 2000 Value Index.
3. | Percentage Weighting for Relative TSR: The Relative TSR percentage weighting is 25% and will apply for determining the number of Performance Shares earned under Component II. |
4. | Percentage Attained based on Relative TSR: The payout percentage attained based on Relative TSR, which will be used for purposes of determining the number of Performance Shares earned under Component II, is as follows: |
Performance Metric Weighting | Threshold | Target | High | |
Payout Percentage Attained | 0% | 100% | 200% | |
Relative TSR | 25% | |||
Straight line extrapolation of the payout percentage attained will be calculated for results between Threshold and Target (i.e., over the 25th percentile up to the 50th percentile), and between Target and Maximum (i.e., over the 50th percentile up to the 75th percentile). Below Threshold, the payout percentage attained is 0%. For Maximum or above, the payout percentage attained is 200%. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Committee retains discretion to adjust an award (increase or reduce) under this Agreement based on its assessment of the Company’s performance with respect to strategic initiatives.
5. | Number of Performance Shares Earned: The number of Performance Shares earned based on Relative TSR performance is determined as follows: |
(a) | Step 1: multiply 25% (i.e., the percentage weighting for Relative TSR) by the payout percentage attained based on Relative TSR to arrive at the percentage of Target Performance Shares earned based on Relative TSR; |
(b) | Step 2: multiply the percentage of Target Performance Shares earned based on Relative TSR by the total number of Target Performance Shares; and |
(c) | Step 3: increase or reduce the award calculated in Step 3 by the percentage that the Compensation Committee determines in its discretion. |
However, in no case will the number of Performance Shares earned under Component II be less than 10% of the total awarded Target Performance Shares.
As an example, assume the Relative TSR payout percentage below is attained:
Percentage Weighting | x | Payout Percentage Attained | Percentage Target Shares Earned | |
Relative TSR | 25% | x | 120% | = 30% |
Therefore, the number of Performance Shares earned based on Relative TSR is 30% of the number of Target Performance Shares.
If the percentage of Target Performance Shares earned based on Relative TSR is less than 10%, then the final number of Performance Shares earned under Component II will be 10% of the Target Performance Shares (and in no event shall the total awarded Target Performance Shares for the sum of Component I and Component II be less than 40%).
6. | Dividend Equivalents: The Performance Shares actually earned under Component II accrue dividend equivalents during the Performance Cycle. The dividend equivalents shall be paid to the Participant in cash or Shares, as determined by the authorized officers as designated by the Committee. The dividend equivalents will be equal to the dividend per Share (if any) declared by the Company during the Performance Cycle, multiplied by the number of Performance Shares held by the Participant. If dividend equivalents are paid in Shares, the number of Shares will be equal to the dividend equivalents for each given date during the Performance Cycle, divided by the Fair Market Value per Share as of the date the dividend is payable as declared by the Company. The dividend equivalents will be paid on the same date as the Award is paid pursuant to Section 7 of Component II. After the Performance Shares have been settled or forfeited, no further dividend equivalents shall accrue. |
7. | Vesting and Payment of the Performance Shares: One hundred percent (100%) of the earned Performance Shares under Component II will vest on the earliest of the dates specified below and will be paid when specified below (with the vesting date listed first in each Subsection, followed by payment date): |
(a) | December 31, [2019], provided the Participant has continued in the employment of the Company, its Affiliates, or its Subsidiaries through such date, in which case the Performance Shares will be paid in [2020] by February 29, [2020]; |
(b) | On the date of a Change of Control with respect to which Neenah Paper, Inc. is not the surviving entity, provided the Participant has continued in the employment of the Company, its Affiliates, or its Subsidiaries through such occurrence; provided, however, that the Participant shall be deemed to earn 25% of the Target Performance Shares. The Performance Shares will be paid within thirty (30) days following the Change of Control; or |
(c) | On the date of a Change of Control with respect to which Neenah Paper, Inc. is the surviving entity, and within two years after the date of the Change in Control and before December 31, [2019], the Participant incurs a Separation from Service as a result of the Participant’s employment being terminated by the Company, its Affiliates, and/or Subsidiaries other than for Cause, or by the Participant for Good Reason; provided, however, that the Participant shall be deemed to earn 25% of the Target Performance Shares. The Performance Shares will be paid within thirty (30) days following Separation from Service; provided, however, that in the case of a Participant who is a Specified Employee, the Performance Shares will be paid within the earlier of thirty (30) days following six (6) months following Separation from Service or in [2020] by February 29, [2020]. |
Provisions Applicable to all Performance Shares
1. | Settlement of Award: The Company shall issue to the Participant one Share (as defined in the Plan) for each Performance Share earned by the Participant that becomes vested in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of Component I or Section 7 of Component II. Notwithstanding the forgoing or any other provision hereof, the Committee reserves the sole and unfettered discretion to reduce the number of Shares that would otherwise be issuable pursuant to this Agreement. Any fractional Share payable to the Participant in accordance with this Section shall be rounded up to the nearest whole Share. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to Section 4.4 or Article 18 of the Plan, the Company may adjust the number or kind of shares or substitute cash. |
2. | Termination of Employment for Other Reasons: In the event that the Participant’s employment with the Company terminates before December 31, [2019], then except as set forth in Section 7 of Component I or Section 7 of Component II, this Award and all Performance Shares hereunder shall be forfeited and no payment shall be made to the Participant. |
3. | Nontransferability: Performance Shares awarded pursuant to this Agreement may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated (“Transfer”), other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. If any Transfer, whether voluntary or involuntary, of Performance Shares is made, or if any attachment, execution, garnishment, or lien shall be issued against or placed upon the Performance Shares, the Participant’s right to such Performance Shares shall be immediately forfeited to the Company, and this Agreement shall lapse. |
4. | Requirements of Law: The granting of Performance Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. |
5. | Inability to Obtain Authorization: The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability with respect to the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. |
6. | Tax Withholding: The Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Agreement. |
7. | Stock Withholding: With respect to withholding required upon any taxable event arising as a result of Performance Shares granted hereunder, the Company, unless notified otherwise by the Participant in writing within thirty (30) days prior to the taxable event, will have the right to satisfy the tax withholding requirement by withholding Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the total minimum statutory tax required to be withheld on the transaction. The Participant agrees to pay to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries any amount of tax that the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan that are not satisfied by the means previously described. |
8. | Administration: This Agreement and the Participant’s rights hereunder are subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time, as well as to such rules and regulations as the Committee may adopt for administration of the Plan. It is expressly understood that the Committee is authorized to administer, construe, and make all determinations necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan and this Agreement, all of which will be binding upon the Participant. |
9. | Continuation of Employment: This Agreement will not confer upon the Participant any right to continuation of employment by the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, nor will this Agreement interfere in any way with the Company’s, its Affiliates’, and/or its Subsidiaries’ right to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time. |
10. | Amendment to the Plan: The Plan is discretionary in nature and the Committee may terminate, amend, or modify the Plan; provided, however, that no such termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan may adversely affect the Participant’s rights under this Agreement, without the Participant’s written approval. |
11. | Amendment to This Agreement: The Committee may terminate, amend, or modify this Agreement. No such termination, amendment, or modification of the Agreement may adversely affect the Participant’s rights under this Agreement, without the Participant’s written approval. |
12. | Successor: All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement, with respect to the Performance Shares, will be binding on any legal successor to or assigns of the Company. |
13. | Severability: The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions will nevertheless be binding and enforceable. |
14. | Applicable Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction: The validity, construction, interpretation, and enforceability of this Agreement will be determined and governed by the laws of the state of Delaware without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. For the purpose of litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to exclusive jurisdiction and agree that such litigation will be conducted in the federal or state courts of the state of Georgia. |
15. | Definition of Change of Control: “Change of Control” means the occurrence of a “change in the ownership of the Company,” a “change in the effective control of the Company,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets” (as such terms are defined below). |
(a) | A “change in ownership of the Company” shall occur on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a “Group” (as defined below), acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or Group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that, if any one person or more than one person acting as a Group, is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the Company. In addition, the following shall not constitute a change in ownership of the Company: (i) any acquisition by any one person, or more than one person acting as a Group, who on December 1, 2004 is the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (a “Beneficial Owner”) of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”), (ii) any acquisition directly from the Company, including without limitation, a public offering of securities, (iii) any acquisition by the Company, (iv) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (v) any transaction described in Subsection (d) below. |
(b) | A “change in the effective control of the Company” occurs on the date that: |
(i) | Any one person, or more than one person acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, if any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the effective control of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not constitute a change in the effective control of the Company: (A) any acquisition by any one person, or more than one person acting as a Group, who on December 1, 2004 is the Beneficial Owner of thirty percent (30%) or more of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, (B) any acquisition directly from the Company, including without limitation, a public offering of securities, (C) any acquisition by the Company, (iv) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (D) any transaction described in Subsection (d) below; or |
(ii) | A majority of the members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election; provided, however, that this Paragraph (ii) shall apply only to the Company if no other corporation is a majority shareholder of the Company. |
(c) | A “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets” occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total “Gross Fair Market Value” (as defined below) equal to or more than 90% of the total Gross Fair Market Value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that, a transfer of assets by the Company is not treated as a change in the ownership of such assets if the assets are transferred to: |
(i) | a shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock; |
(ii) | an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company; |
(iii) | a person, or more than one person acting as a Group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; |
(iv) | an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in Paragraph (iii) hereof); or |
(v) | a Successor Entity pursuant to a transaction described in Subsection (d) below. |
(d) | Consummation of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation to which the Company is a party, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”) shall not constitute a change in ownership of the Company, a change in the effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, if following such Business Combination: (i) all or substantially all the individuals or entities who were the Beneficial Owners of Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of the members of the board of directors of the company resulting from the Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (the “Successor Entity”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities; (ii) no person or Group (excluding any Successor Entity or any employee benefit plan, or related trust, of the Company or such Successor Entity) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Successor Entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Successor Entity were members of the incumbent Board (including members of the Board whose appointment or election is endorsed by a majority of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election) at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination. |
(e) | For purposes of the definition of Change of Control: |
(i) | “Group” means persons acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase, or acquisition of stock of the Company or assets of the Company, or a similar business transaction with the Company (the “Transaction”); provided, however, that with respect to any person who owns stock of both the Company and the other corporation in a Transaction, such person will only be treated as acting as a group with respect to his or her interest in the other corporation prior to the Transaction; |
(ii) | “Gross Fair Market Value” means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets; and |
(iii) | Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, stock ownership shall be determined under Code Section 409A, and no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred hereunder unless such event constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in a substantial portion of the assets of the Company under Code Section 409A. |
16. | 162(m) Limit: The award under this Agreement is granted as a component award of the Covered Employee Annual Incentive Award for [2017] pursuant to Article 12 of the Plan. Accordingly, the number of Shares issuable hereunder shall be reduced to the extent necessary to remain within the maximum dollar limitation established by the Committee for the Covered Employee Annual Incentive Award for [2017] after taking into account all other components of the Covered Employee Annual Incentive Award for [2017]. |
17. | Compensation Recovery Policy: The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Neenah Paper, Inc. (the “Company”) has adopted this compensation recovery policy (the “Clawback Policy”) for “named executive officers,” other senior officers and participants (each hereinafter referred to individually as an “Executive” and collectively as “Executives”) in the Company’s Management Incentive Plan (“MIP”) and the Company’s Long-term Compensation Plan (“LTCP”). Under the Clawback Policy, the Board may, to the extent permitted by governing law, require reimbursement of any MIP bonus or LTCP stock grants paid to an individual Executive, a group of Executives or all Executives if: (i) the payment was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a material restatement, (ii) the Board reasonably determines that the Executive engaged in conduct that caused or partially caused the need for the restatement or that the restatement is of such a nature as to warrant seeking recovery of compensation from all or some larger group of Executives, and (iii) a lower payment would have been made to the Executive (or group of Executives) based upon the restated financial results. In each such instance, the Board may seek to recover the relevant overpayment amount of the MIP bonus or LTCP grant for the period at issue. In applying the Clawback Policy, the Board will have sole discretion in determining whether an Executive’s conduct has or has not met any particular standard of conduct under law or Company policy and whether the compensation recovery should apply to an individual Executive or a larger group of Executives and the extent of the amount of recovery sought. Further, following a restatement of the Company’s financial statements, the Company will recover any compensation received by (a) the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer that is required to be recovered by Section 304 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 (Section 304 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 requires the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of a company to disgorge their bonuses and other incentive compensation where (i) the company must prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws and (ii) the noncompliance results from misconduct), or (b) an executive officer, to the extent required under Section 954 of the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform Act and Consumer Protection Act. |
18. | The Plan Governs; Capitalized Terms: The Plan provides a complete description of the terms and conditions governing the Performance Shares. If there is any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the Plan’s terms will completely supersede and replace the conflicting terms of this Agreement. All capitalized terms will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan, unless specifically defined otherwise herein. |
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