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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 22, 2019

 

Precision Therapeutics Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Delaware   001-36790   33-1007393
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

2915 Commers Drive, Suite 900

Eagan, Minnesota 55121

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(651) 389-4800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed from last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 

 

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

On March 22, 2019, the Certificate of Incorporation of Precision Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company” or “Precision”) was amended to (i) increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 shares of common stock to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value and (ii) establish a classified Board of Directors. The Certificate of Amendment is filed as Exhibit 3.1.

 

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

At a special meeting of stockholders taking place on March 22, 2019, the Company’s stockholders took the following actions:

 

(i) The stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 26, 2018, by and among Precision, Helomics Acquisition, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) and Helomics Holding Corporation (“Helomics”) (the “Merger Agreement”), and the transactions contemplated thereby, including (a) the merger and the issuance of shares of Precision’s common stock and Series D convertible preferred stock to Helomics’ security holders pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement and (b) the issuance of shares of Precision common stock and Precision warrants to the holders of Helomics notes and warrants pursuant to the Exchange Offer as described in the Company’s proxy statement/prospectus/information statement included in its Form S-4 registration statement (File No. 333-228031). There were 10,227,775 votes cast for the proposal; 48,773 votes were cast against the proposal, and 3,848 votes abstained. There were 3,793,921 broker non-votes.

 

(ii) The stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000. There were 12,976,797 votes cast for the proposal; 1,042,075 votes were cast against the proposal, and 55,445 votes abstained. The Certificate of Amendment is filed as Exhibit 3.1.

 

(iii) The stockholders approved (a) an amendment to Precision’s Certificate of Incorporation and (b) an amendment to Precision’s Amended and Restated Bylaws to establish a classified Board of Directors. There were 10,166,564 votes cast for the proposal; 103,499 votes were cast against the proposal, and 10,333 votes abstained. There were 3,793,921 broker non-votes. The Certificate of Amendment and the amendment to the Bylaws are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively. Therefore, the Board has been divided into three classes as described in the Company’s proxy statement/prospectus/information statement included in its Form S-4 registration statement (File No. 333-228031): Tim Krochuk and Tom McGoldrick are in Class I, with terms expiring in 2019; Andy Reding and Mel Engle are in Class II, with terms expiring in 2020; and Carl Schwartz and Richard Gabriel are in Class III, with terms expiring in 2021. Beginning with the 2019 annual meeting, the class of directors up for election or reelection will be elected to three-year terms.

 

(iv) The stockholders approved amendments to Precision’s Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan to (a) increase the reserve of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder to 10,000,000, (b) increase certain thresholds for limitations on grants, and (c) re-approve the performance goals thereunder. There were 9,851,968 votes cast for the proposal; 392,007 votes were cast against the proposal, and 36,421 votes abstained. There were 3,793,921 broker non-votes. The Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.1.

 

(v) The stockholders approved a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there were not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve the proposals listed above. There were 13,259,600 votes cast for the proposal; 645,002 votes were cast against the proposal, and 169,715 votes abstained.

 

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits
     
   
3.1 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed March 22, 2019
   
3.2 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws
   
10.1 Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan
   
   
   

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: March 22, 2019

 

  PRECISION THERAPEUTICS INC.
       
  By:  /s/ Bob Myers  
    Bob Myers  
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description
     
3.1   Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed March 22, 2019
     
3.2   First Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws
     
10.1   Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan
     
     

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

PRECISION THERAPEUTICS INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

 

Date: March 22, 2019

 

Pursuant to Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the undersigned, being the Chief Financial Officer of Precision Therapeutics Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that the following resolutions where adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and its stockholders as hereinafter described:

 

RESOLVED: Section 4.1 of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

4.1       The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of common stock, having par value of one cent ($0.01) per share (“Common Stock”); and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of one cent ($0.01) per share (“Preferred Stock”).

 

FURTHER RESOLVED: Article 7 of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Corporation is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

7.       Directors.

 

7.1       The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).

 

7.2       Other than those directors, if any, elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, the Board of Directors shall be and is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, designated: Class I, Class II and Class III. In the case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of directors, the number of directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equal as possible. Subject to the rights of the holders of any Series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires, and until their respective successors are elected, except in the case of the death, resignation or removal of any director. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

7.3       Except for the terms of such additional directors, if any, as elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, however, that each director initially appointed to Class I shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; each director initially appointed to Class II shall serve for the initial term expiring at the Corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; and each director initially appointed to Class III shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; provided further, that the term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of a successor and be subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

 

 

7.4       There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

 

7.5       Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any directors, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

The foregoing resolutions and this Certificate of Amendment were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to board resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation’s voting stock at a meeting of stockholders in accordance with Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

 

 

 

[Signature page follows]

 2 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, has executed this Certificate of Amendment to the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Bob Myers
  Bob Myers, Chief Financial Officer of Precision Therapeutics Inc.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 3.2

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

PRECISION THERAPEUTICS INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

 

As of [____________ ____], 2018

 

 

The Amended and Restated Bylaws of Precision Therapeutics Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), are hereby amended as follows:

 

Section 3.02 of Article 3 of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Bylaws is amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

“Section 3.02. Number, Election and Term of Office. The exact number of directors shall be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, designated: Class I, Class II and Class III (each, a “Class”). In the case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of directors, the number of directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equal as possible. Except as otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each director shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders following the annual meeting at which such director was elected; provided, however, that each director initially appointed to Class I shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; each director initially appointed to Class II shall serve for the initial term expiring at the Corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; and each director initially appointed to Class III shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this provision; provided further, that the term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of a successor and be subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders.”

 

Except as herein amended, the provisions of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION OF

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

PRECISION THERAPEUTICS INC.

 

 

THIS IS TO CERTIFY:

 

The undersigned is the Chief Financial Officer of Precision Therapeutics Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”). The foregoing First Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to board resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation’s voting stock at a meeting of stockholders in accordance with Section 109 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the terms of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. Except as set forth in the foregoing First Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws, said Amended and Restated Bylaws are in full force and effect and have not been modified, rescinded or repealed as of this date.

 

EXECUTED ON THE DATE FIRST SET FORTH ABOVE.

 

 

 

   

  

Bob Myers, Chief Financial Officer of Precision Therapeutics Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibit 10.1

 

PRECISION THERAPEUTICS INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Effective March 22, 2019

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

1.   Purpose   3  
             
2.   Administration   3  
             
3.   Eligible Participants   3  
             
4.   Types of Incentives   3  
             
5.   Shares Subject to the Plan   3  
    5.1. Number of Shares   4  
    5.2. Cancellation   4  
    5.3. Type of Common Stock   4  
    5.4. Limitation on Certain Grants   4  
             
6.   Stock Options   4  
    6.1. Price   4  
    6.2. Number   4  
    6.3. Duration and Time for Exercise   4  
    6.4. Manner of Exercise   5  
    6.5. Incentive Stock Options   5  
             
7.   Stock Appreciation Rights   6  
    7.1. Price   6  
    7.2. Number   6  
    7.3. Duration   6  
    7.4. Exercise   6  
    7.5. Issuance of Shares Upon Exercise   6  
             
8.   Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units   7  
    8.1. Number of Shares   7  
    8.2. Sale Price   7  
    8.3. Restrictions   7  
    8.4. Enforcement of Restrictions   7  
    8.5. End of Restrictions   7  
    8.6. Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units   8  
    8.7. Settlement of Restricted Stock Units   8  
    8.8. Dividend Equivalents   8  
             
9.   Performance Awards   8  
    9.1. Performance Conditions   8  
    9.2. Performance Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees   8  

 

 

 

    9.3. Written Determinations   9  
    9.4. Status of Performance Awards Under Code Section 162(m)   10  
             
             
10.   General   10  
    10.1. Plan Effective Date and Shareholder Approval; Termination of Plan   10  
    10.2. Duration   10  
    10.3. Non-transferability of Incentives   10  
    10.4. Effect of Termination or Death   11  
    10.5. Restrictions under Securities Laws   11  
    10.6. Adjustment   11  
    10.7. Incentive Plans and Agreements   11  
    10.8. Withholding   11  
    10.9. No Continued Employment, Engagement or Right to Corporate Assets   12  
    10.10. Payments Under Incentives   12  
    10.11. Amendment of the Plan   12  
    10.12. Amendment of Agreements for Incentives; No Repricing   12  
    10.13. Vesting Upon Change In Control   12  
    10.14. Sale, Merger, Exchange or Liquidation   14  
    10.15. Definition of Fair Market Value   15  
    10.16. Definition of Grant Date   15  
    10.17. Compliance with Code Section 409A   15  
    10.18. Prior Plan   16  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2 

 

PRECISION THERAPEUTICS INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2012 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purpose. The purpose of the Amended and Restated 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Precision Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) is to increase shareholder value and to advance the interests of the Company by furnishing a variety of economic incentives (“Incentives”) designed to attract, retain and motivate employees, certain key consultants and directors of the Company. Incentives may consist of opportunities to purchase or receive shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”) or other incentive awards on terms determined under this Plan.

 

2. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) or by a stock option or compensation committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors. The Committee shall consist of not less than two directors of the Company and shall be appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Each member of the Committee shall be (a) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “1934 Act”) (a “Non-Employee Director”), and (b) shall be an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder (“Code Section 162(m)”). The Committee shall have complete authority to award Incentives under the Plan, to interpret the Plan, and to make any other determination which it believes necessary and advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. The Committee’s decisions and matters relating to the Plan shall be final and conclusive on the Company and its participants. If at any time there is no stock option or compensation committee, the term “Committee”, as used in the Plan, shall refer to the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer may, on a discretionary basis and without the Committee’s review or approval, grant Stock Options to purchase up to 25,000 shares each to employees of the Company who are not officers of the Company. Such discretionary Stock Option grants shall not exceed 100,000 shares in total in any fiscal year. Subject to the foregoing limitations, the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer shall determine from time to time (i) the employees to whom grants will be made, (ii) the number of shares to be granted and (iii) the terms and provisions of each Stock Option (which need not be identical).

 

3. Eligible Participants. Officers of the Company, employees of the Company or its subsidiaries, members of the Board of Directors, and consultants or other independent contractors who provide services to the Company or its subsidiaries shall be eligible to receive Incentives under the Plan when designated by the Committee. Participants may be designated individually or by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) as the Committee deems appropriate. Participation by officers of the Company or its subsidiaries and any performance objectives relating to such officers must be approved by the Committee. Participation by others and any performance objectives relating to others may be approved by groups or categories (for example, by pay grade) and authority to designate participants who are not officers and to set or modify such targets may be delegated.

 

4. Types of Incentives. Incentives under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of the following forms: (a) incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options (Section 6); (b) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) (Section 7); (c) stock awards (Section 8); (d) restricted stock (Section 8); restricted stock units (Section 8) and performance awards (Section 9). Subject to the specific limitations provided in this Plan, payment of Incentives may be in the form of cash, Common Stock or combinations thereof as the Committee shall determine, and with such other restrictions as it may impose.

 

5. Shares Subject to the Plan.

 

 3 

 

5.1. Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10.6, the number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition, as of the Effective Date, any shares available in the reserve of the Prior Plan (as defined in Section 10.18) shall be added to the Plan share reserve and be available for issuance under the Plan. Any Shares delivered under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. Shares of Common Stock that are issued under the Plan or are subject to Incentives awarded under the Plan will be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Plan.

 

5.2. Cancellation. If an Incentive granted under the Plan or under the Prior Plan expires or is terminated or canceled unexercised as to any shares of Common Stock or forfeited or reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved upon issuance thereof, such forfeited and reacquired shares may again be issued under the Plan pursuant to another Incentive. If any Shares subject to an Incentive granted under the Plan or under the Prior Plan are withheld or applied as payment in connection with the exercise of an Incentive (including the withholding of Shares on the exercise of a stock option or the exercise of an SAR that is settled in Shares) or the withholding or payment of taxes related thereto, such Shares shall not again be available for grant under the Plan.

  

5.3. Type of Common Stock. Common Stock issued under the Plan in connection with Incentives will be authorized and unissued shares.

 

5.4.       Limitation on Certain Grants. During any one fiscal year, no person shall receive Incentives under the Plan that could result in that person receiving, earning or acquiring, subject to the adjustments described in Section 10.6: (a) Stock Options and SARs for, in the aggregate, more than 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock; or (b) Performance Awards, in the aggregate, for more than 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock or, if payable in cash, with a maximum amount payable exceeding $2,000,000.

 

6. Stock Options. A stock option is a right to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company. Each stock option granted by the Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

6.1. Price. The option price per share shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment under Section 10.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the option price per share shall not be less than the Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 10.15) of the Common Stock on the Grant Date (as defined in Section 10.16).

  

6.2. Number. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a stock option shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10.6. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a stock option shall be reduced in the same proportion that the holder thereof exercises an SAR if any SAR is granted in conjunction with or related to the stock option. If the number of shares subject to a stock option is reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence, the number of shares subject to the original grant will continue to count against the limitation on grants under Section 5.4.

 

6.3. Duration and Time for Exercise. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 10.3, the term of each stock option shall be determined by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years and one day from the Grant Date. Each stock option shall become exercisable at such time or times during its term as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any stock option. Subject to the first sentence of this paragraph, the Committee may extend the term of any stock option to the extent provided in Section 10.4.

 

 4 

 

6.4. Manner of Exercise. A stock option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased and accompanied by the full purchase price for such shares. The option price shall be payable (a) in United States dollars upon exercise of the option and may be paid by cash, uncertified or certified check or bank draft; (b) unless otherwise provided in the option agreement, by delivery of shares of Common Stock in payment of all or any part of the option price, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value on the date such option is exercised; or (c) unless otherwise provided in the option agreement, by instructing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the stock option shares of Common Stock in payment of all or any part of the exercise price and/or any related withholding tax obligations consistent with Section 10.8, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value or in such other manner as may be authorized from time to time by the Committee. Before the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a stock option, a participant shall have no rights as a shareholder.

 

6.5. Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the following additional provisions shall apply to the grant of stock options which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options (as such term is defined in Code Section 422):

 

(a)    The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any participant during any calendar year (under all of the Company’s plans) shall not exceed $100,000. The determination will be made by taking Incentive Stock Options into account in the order in which they were granted. If such excess only applies to a portion of an Incentive Stock Option, the Committee, in its discretion, will designate which shares will be treated as shares to be acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option.

  

(b)   Any option agreement for an Incentive Stock Option under the Plan shall contain such other provisions as the Committee shall deem advisable, but shall in all events be consistent with and contain all provisions required in order to qualify the options as Incentive Stock Options.

 

(c)    All Incentive Stock Options must be granted within ten years from the earlier of the date on which this Plan was adopted by Board of Directors or the date this Plan was approved by the shareholders.

 

(d)   Unless sooner exercised, all Incentive Stock Options shall expire no later than ten years after the Grant Date.

 

(e)    The option price for Incentive Stock Options shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the option on the Grant Date.

 

(f)    If Incentive Stock Options are granted to any participant who, at the time such option is granted, would own (within the meaning of Code Section 422) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the employer corporation or of its parent or subsidiary corporation, (i) the option price for such Incentive Stock Options shall be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the option on the Grant Date and (ii) such Incentive Stock Options shall expire no later than five years after the Grant Date.

 

 5 

 

7. Stock Appreciation Rights. An SAR is a right to receive, without payment to the Company, a number of shares of Common Stock, the amount of which is determined pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 7.5. An SAR may be granted (a) with respect to any stock option granted under this Plan, either concurrently with the grant of such stock option or at such later time as determined by the Committee (as to all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock subject to the stock option), or (b) alone, without reference to any related stock option. Each SAR granted by the Committee under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

7.1. Price. The exercise price per share of any SAR granted without reference to a stock option shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment under Section 10.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the exercise price per share shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date.

 

7.2. Number. Each SAR granted to any participant shall relate to such number of shares of Common Stock as shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10.6. In the case of an SAR granted with respect to a stock option, the number of shares of Common Stock to which the SAR relates shall be reduced in the same proportion that the holder of the option exercises the related stock option. If the number of shares subject to an SAR is reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence, the number of shares subject to the original grant will continue to count against the limitation on grants under Section 5.4.

 

7.3. Duration. Subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 10.3, the term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee but shall not exceed ten years and one day from the Grant Date. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, each SAR shall become exercisable at such time or times, to such extent and upon such conditions as the stock option, if any, to which it relates is exercisable. The Committee may in its discretion accelerate the exercisability of any SAR. Subject to the first sentence of this paragraph, the Committee may extend the term of any SAR to the extent provided in Section 10.4.

  

7.4. Exercise. An SAR may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of SARs which the holder wishes to exercise. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Company shall, within 90 days thereafter, deliver to the exercising holder certificates for the shares of Common Stock or cash or both, as determined by the Committee, to which the holder is entitled pursuant to Section 7.5.

 

7.5. Issuance of Shares Upon Exercise. The number of shares of Common Stock which shall be issuable upon the exercise of an SAR shall be determined by dividing:

 

(a)    the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is exercised multiplied by the amount of the appreciation in such shares (for this purpose, the “appreciation” shall be the amount by which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to the SAR on the exercise date exceeds (1) in the case of an SAR related to a stock option, the purchase price of the shares of Common Stock under the stock option or (2) in the case of an SAR granted alone, without reference to a related stock option, an amount which shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, subject to adjustment under Section 10.6); by

 

(b)   the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date.

 

No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the exercise of an SAR; instead, the holder of the SAR shall be entitled to receive a cash adjustment equal to the same fraction of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the exercise date or to purchase the portion necessary to make a whole share at its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.

 

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8. Stock Awards, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. A stock award consists of the transfer by the Company to a participant of shares of Common Stock, with or without other payment therefor, as additional compensation for services to the Company. A share of restricted stock consists of shares of Common Stock which are sold or transferred by the Company to a participant at a price, if any, determined by the Committee and subject to restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the participant. Restricted stock units represent the right to receive shares of Common Stock at a future date. The transfer of Common Stock pursuant to stock awards, ,the transfer or sale of restricted stock and restricted stock units shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

8.1. Number of Shares. The number of shares to be transferred or sold by the Company to a participant pursuant to a stock award or as restricted stock, or the number of shares that may be issued pursuant to a restricted stock unit, shall be determined by the Committee.

 

8.2. Sale Price. The Committee shall determine the price, if any, at which shares of restricted stock shall be sold to a participant, which may vary from time to time and among participants and which may be below the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock at the date of sale.

 

8.3. Restrictions. All shares of restricted stock transferred or sold by the Company hereunder, and all restricted stock units granted hereunder, shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may determine, including, without limitation any or all of the following:

 

(a)    a prohibition against the sale, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance of the shares of restricted stock, or the delivery of shares pursuant to restricted stock units, such prohibition to lapse at such time or times as the Committee shall determine (whether in annual or more frequent installments, at the time of the death, disability or retirement of the holder of such shares, or otherwise);

 

(b)   a requirement that the holder of shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units forfeit, or (in the case of shares sold to a participant) re-sell back to the Company at his or her cost, all or a part of such shares in the event of termination of his or her employment, service on the Board of Directors or consulting engagement during any period in which such shares are subject to restrictions; and

 

(c)    such other conditions or restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable. 

 

8.4. Enforcement of Restrictions. In order to enforce the restrictions imposed by the Committee pursuant to Section 8.3, the participant receiving restricted stock or restricted stock units shall enter into an agreement with the Company setting forth the conditions of the grant. Shares of restricted stock shall be registered in the name of the participant and deposited, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company. Each such certificate shall bear a legend that refers to the Plan and the restrictions imposed under the applicable agreement. At the Committee’s election, shares of restricted stock may be held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the restricted stock grant lapse.

 

8.5. End of Restrictions. Subject to Section 10.5, at the end of any time period during which the shares of restricted stock are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, such shares will be delivered free of all restrictions to the participant or to the participant’s legal representative, beneficiary or heir. Subject to Section 10.5, upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions applicable to restricted stock units, or at a later time specified in the agreement governing the grant of restricted stock units, any shares derived from the restricted stock units shall be issued and delivered to the holder of the restricted stock units.

 

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8.6. Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, each participant receiving restricted stock shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to shares of stock during any period in which such shares are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, including without limitation, the right to vote such shares. Any holder of restricted stock units shall not be, and shall not have rights and privileges of, a shareholder with respect to any shares that may be derived from the restricted stock units unless and until such shares have been issued.

  

8.7. Settlement of Restricted Stock Units.  Restricted stock units may be satisfied by delivery of shares of stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares covered by the restricted stock units, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.

 

8.8. Dividend Equivalents. In connection with any award of restricted stock units, the Committee may grant the right to receive cash, shares of stock or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to the number of shares represented by the restricted stock units (“Dividend Equivalents”). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the date of grant, any Dividend Equivalents that are granted with respect to any award of restricted stock units shall be either (a) paid with respect to such restricted stock units at the dividend payment date in cash or in shares of unrestricted stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or (b) deferred with respect to such restricted stock units and the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in additional restricted stock units until the time for delivery of shares (if any) pursuant to the terms of the restricted stock unit award.

 

9. Performance Awards.

 

9.1. Performance Conditions. The right of a participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Incentive, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee (such an Incentive is referred to as a “Performance Award”). The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to reduce the amounts payable under any Incentive subject to performance conditions, except as limited under Section 9.2 hereof in the case of a Performance Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). If and to the extent required under Code Section 162(m), any power or authority relating to a Performance Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), shall be exercised by the Committee as the Committee and not the Board.

 

9.2. Performance Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees. If and to the extent the Committee determines that a Performance Award to be granted to a person who is designated by the Committee as likely to be a covered employee within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder (a “Covered Employee”) should qualify as "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise, and/or settlement of such Performance Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 9.2.

   

(a)    Performance Goals Generally. The performance goals for such Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent with this Section 9.2. Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m), including but not limited to the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being "substantially uncertain" at the time the Performance Award is granted. The Committee may determine that such Performance Awards shall be granted, exercised, and/or settled upon achievement of any one performance goal, or that two or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to grant, exercise, and/or settlement of such Performance Awards. Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one participant or to different participants.

 

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(b)   Business Criteria. One or more of the following business criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or specified subsidiaries or business units of the Company, shall be used exclusively by the Committee in establishing performance goals for such Performance Awards as are intended to qualify as “performance-based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code: earnings per share, operating income or profit, net income, gross or net sales, expenses, expenses as a percentage of net sales, inventory turns, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment), gross profit, margins, working capital, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, sales, or revenue), revenue growth, share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return), operating efficiency, productivity ratios, market share, economic value added and safety (or any of the above criteria as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or any published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate), or the Committee may select criteria based on the Company’s share price as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may modify the performance goals if it determines that circumstances have changed and modification is required to reflect the original intent of the performance goals; provided, however, that no such change or modification may be made to the extent it increases the amount of compensation payable to any participant who is a Covered Employee.

 

(c)    Performance Period; Timing For Establishing Performance Goals. Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance Awards shall be measured over a performance period of up to ten (10) years, as specified by the Committee. Performance goals shall be established not later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of any performance period applicable to such Performance Awards, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m).

  

(d)   Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms. Settlement of such Performance Awards shall be in cash, stock, other Incentives or other property, in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of continuous service by the participant before the end of a performance period or the settlement date of Performance Awards.

 

9.3. Written Determinations. All determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of performance goals, the amount of any Performance Award pool or potential individual Performance Awards, and as to the achievement of performance goals relating to Performance Awards under Section 9.2(a), shall be made in writing in the case of any Performance Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). The Committee may not delegate any responsibility relating to such Performance Awards if and to the extent required to comply with Code Section 162(m).

 

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9.4. Status of Performance Awards Under Code Section 162(m). It is the intent of the Company that Performance Awards granted under this Section 9 to persons who are designated by the Committee as likely to be Covered Employees shall, if so designated by the Committee, constitute "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m). Accordingly, the terms of Sections 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4, including the definitions of Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m). Notwithstanding the foregoing, because the Committee cannot determine with certainty whether a given Participant will be a Covered Employee with respect to a fiscal year that has not yet been completed, the term Covered Employee as used herein shall mean only a person designated by the Committee, at the time of grant of Performance Awards, as likely to be a Covered Employee with respect to that fiscal year. If any provision of the Plan or any agreement relating to such Performance Awards does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m), such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

10.       General.

 

10.1. Plan Effective Date and Shareholder Approval; Termination of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date, subject to subsequent approval within twelve (12) months of its adoption by the Board by shareholders of the Company eligible to vote in the election of directors, by a vote sufficient to meet the requirements of Code Sections 162(m) (if applicable) and 422, Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (if applicable), applicable requirements of any stock exchange, if any, and other laws, regulations, and obligations of the Company applicable to the Plan. Awards may be granted subject to shareholder approval, but may not be exercised or otherwise settled in the event shareholder approval is not obtained. The Plan shall terminate no later than ten (10) years from the date of the later of (x) the Effective Date and (y) the date an increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan is approved by the Board (so long as such increase is also approved by the shareholders).

 

10.2. Duration. The Plan shall remain in effect until all Incentives granted under the Plan have either been satisfied by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or the payment of cash or been terminated under the terms of the Plan and all restrictions imposed on shares of Common Stock in connection with their issuance under the Plan have lapsed. No Incentives may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

10.3. Non-transferability of Incentives. No stock option, SAR, restricted stock or stock award may be transferred, pledged or assigned by the holder thereof (except, in the event of the holder’s death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution to the limited extent provided in the Plan or the Incentive, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder), and the Company shall not be required to recognize any attempted assignment of such rights by any participant. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, stock options (other than stock options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 6.5) may be transferred by the holder thereof to the holder’s spouse, children, grandchildren or parents (collectively, the “Family Members”), to trusts for the benefit of Family Members, to partnerships or limited liability companies in which Family Members are the only partners or shareholders, or to entities exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Code Section 501(c)(3). During a participant’s lifetime, a stock option may be exercised only by him or her, by his or her guardian or legal representative or by the transferees permitted by this Section 10.3.

 

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10.4. Effect of Termination or Death. If a participant ceases to be an employee of or consultant to the Company for any reason, including death or disability, any Incentives may be exercised or shall expire at such times as may be set forth in the agreement, if any, applicable to the Incentive, or otherwise as determined by the Committee; provided, however, the term of an Incentive may not be extended beyond the term originally prescribed when the Incentive was granted, unless the Incentive satisfies (or is amended to satisfy) the requirements of Code Section 409A, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (together, “Code Section 409A”); and provided further that the term of an Incentive may not be extended beyond the maximum term permitted under this Plan.

 

10.5. Restrictions under Securities Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary: (a) the Company may, if it shall determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, at the time of award of any Incentive or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any Incentive, require the recipient of the Incentive, as a condition to the receipt thereof or to the receipt of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto, to deliver to the Company a written representation of present intention to acquire the Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant thereto for his or her own account for investment and not for distribution; and (b) if at any time the Company further determines, in its sole discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification (or any updating of any such document) of any Incentive or the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant thereto is necessary on any securities exchange or under any federal or state securities or blue sky law, or that the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with the award of any Incentive, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, or the removal of any restrictions imposed on such shares, such Incentive shall not be awarded or such shares of Common Stock shall not be issued or such restrictions shall not be removed, as the case may be, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.

  

10.6. Adjustment. In the event of any recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or other change in the Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the Plan, including shares subject to outstanding Incentives, and the other numbers of shares of Common Stock provided in the Plan, shall be adjusted in proportion to the change in outstanding shares of Common Stock. In the event of any such adjustments, the purchase price of any option, the performance objectives of any Incentive, and the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any Incentive shall be adjusted as and to the extent appropriate, in the discretion of the Committee, to provide participants with the same relative rights before and after such adjustment.

 

10.7. Incentive Plans and Agreements. Except in the case of stock awards, the terms of each Incentive shall be stated in a plan or agreement approved by the Committee. The Committee may also determine to enter into agreements with holders of options to reclassify or convert certain outstanding options, within the terms of the Plan, as Incentive Stock Options or as non-statutory stock options and in order to eliminate SARs with respect to all or part of such options and any other previously issued options. The Committee shall communicate the key terms of each award to the participant promptly after the Committee approves the grant of such award.

 

10.8. Withholding.

 

(a)    The Company shall have the right to withhold from any payments made under the Plan or to collect as a condition of payment, any taxes required by law to be withheld. If so permitted by the Committee at the time of the award of any Incentive or at a later time, at any time when a participant is required to pay to the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable income tax laws in connection with a distribution of Common Stock or upon exercise of an option or SAR or upon vesting of restricted stock, the participant may satisfy this obligation in whole or in part by electing (the “Election”) to have the Company withhold, from the distribution or from such shares of restricted stock, shares of Common Stock having a value up to the minimum amount of withholding taxes required to be collected on the transaction. The value of the shares to be withheld shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld shall be determined (“Tax Date”).

 

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(b)   Each Election must be made before the Tax Date. The Committee may disapprove of any Election, may suspend or terminate the right to make Elections, or may provide with respect to any Incentive that the right to make Elections shall not apply to such Incentive. An Election is irrevocable.

 

10.9. No Continued Employment, Engagement or Right to Corporate Assets. No participant under the Plan shall have any right, because of his or her participation, to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of time or to any right to continue his or her present or any other rate of compensation. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed as giving an employee, a consultant, such persons’ beneficiaries or any other person any equity or interests of any kind in the assets of the Company or creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company and any such person.

 

10.10. Payments Under Incentives. Payment of cash or distribution of any shares of Common Stock to which a participant is entitled under any Incentive shall be made as provided in the Incentive. Except as permitted under Section 10.17, payments and distributions may not be deferred under any Incentive unless the deferral complies with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

10.11. Amendment of the Plan. The Board of Directors may amend or discontinue the Plan at any time. However, no such amendment or discontinuance shall adversely change or impair, without the consent of the recipient, an Incentive previously granted. Further, no such amendment shall, without approval of the shareholders of the Company, (a) increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued to all participants under the Plan, (b) change or expand the types of Incentives that may be granted under the Plan, (c) change the class of persons eligible to receive Incentives under the Plan, or (d) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan.

 

10.12. Amendment of Agreements for Incentives; No Repricing. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.12 or Section 10.17, the terms of an existing Incentive may be amended by agreement between the Committee and the participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in the case of a stock option or SAR, no such amendment shall (a) without shareholder approval, lower the exercise price of a previously granted stock option or SAR, cancel a stock option or SAR when the exercise price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares in exchange for another Incentive or cash, or take any other action with respect to a stock option that may be treated as a repricing under the federal securities laws or generally accepted accounting principles; or (b) extend the term of the Incentive, except as provided in Sections 10.4 and 10.17.

  

10.13. Vesting Upon Change In Control. Upon the occurrence of an event satisfying the definition of “Change in Control” with respect to a particular Incentive, unless otherwise provided in the agreement for the Incentive, such Incentive shall become vested and all restrictions shall lapse. The Committee may, in its discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any agreement for an Incentive as it may deem desirable. For purposes of this Section 10.13, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

 

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(a)    a merger, consolidation, statutory exchange or reorganization approved by the Company’s shareholders, unless securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the successor corporation are immediately thereafter beneficially owned directly or indirectly and in substantially the same proportion, by the persons who beneficially owned the Company’s outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(b)   any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which any person or any group of persons comprising a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (other than the Company or a person that, prior to such transaction or series of related transactions, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company) becomes directly or indirectly the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of securities possessing (or convertible into or exercisable for securities possessing) thirty percent (30%) or more of the total combined voting power of the securities (determined by the power to vote with respect to the elections of Board members) outstanding immediately after the consummation of such transaction or series of related transactions, whether such transaction involves a direct issuance from the Company or the acquisition of outstanding securities held by one or more of the Company’s shareholders;

 

(c)    there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license, or other disposition; or

 

(d)   individuals who, on the Effective Date, are Directors (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Directors; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Director was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

  

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (i) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Incentives subject to such agreement (it being understood, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply); (ii) for clarification, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (b) as the result of the acquisition of additional securities by Dr. Samuel Herschkowitz, Joshua Kornberg or their affiliates; and (iii) a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (b) solely as the result of a repurchase or other acquisition of securities by Company which, by reducing the number of shares of Voting Securities outstanding, increases the proportionate number of Voting Securities beneficially owned by any person to thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that if any person referred to in this clause (iii) shall thereafter become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Securities (other than pursuant to a stock split, stock dividend, or similar transaction or as a result of an acquisition of securities directly from Company) and immediately thereafter beneficially owns thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities, then a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the foregoing clause (b).

 

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10.14. Sale, Merger, Exchange or Liquidation. Unless otherwise provided in the agreement for an Incentive, in the event of an acquisition of the Company through the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets or through a merger, exchange, reorganization or liquidation of the Company or a similar event as determined by the Committee (collectively a “transaction”), the Committee shall be authorized, in its sole discretion, to take any and all action it deems equitable under the circumstances, including but not limited to any one or more of the following:

 

(a)    providing that the Plan and all Incentives shall terminate and the holders of (i) all outstanding vested options shall receive, in lieu of any shares of Common Stock they would be entitled to receive under such options, such stock, securities or assets, including cash, as would have been paid to such participants if their options had been exercised and such participant had received Common Stock immediately before such transaction (with appropriate adjustment for the exercise price, if any), (ii) SARs that entitle the participant to receive Common Stock shall receive, in lieu of any shares of Common Stock each participant was entitled to receive as of the date of the transaction pursuant to the terms of such Incentive, if any, such stock, securities or assets, including cash, as would have been paid to such participant if such Common Stock had been issued to and held by the participant immediately before such transaction, and (iii) any Incentive under the Employment Agreement which does not entitle the participant to receive Common Stock shall be equitably treated as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)   providing that participants holding outstanding vested Common Stock based Incentives shall receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such Incentives as of the effective date of any such transaction, at the determination of the Committee, cash, securities or other property, or any combination thereof, in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on a date within ten days before the effective date of such transaction over the option price or other amount owed by a participant, if any, and that such Incentives shall be cancelled, including the cancellation without consideration of all options that have an exercise price below the per share value of the consideration received by the Company in the transaction.

 

(c)    providing that the Plan (or replacement plan) shall continue with respect to Incentives not cancelled or terminated as of the effective date of such transaction and provide to participants holding such Incentives the right to earn their respective Incentives on a substantially equivalent basis (taking into account the transaction and the number of shares or other equity issued by such successor entity) with respect to the equity of the entity succeeding the Company by reason of such transaction.

 

(d)   to the extent that the vesting of any Incentives is not accelerated pursuant to Section 10.13, providing that all unvested, unearned or restricted Incentives, including but not limited to restricted stock for which restrictions have not lapsed as of the effective date of such transaction, shall be void and deemed terminated, or, in the alternative, for the acceleration or waiver of any vesting, earning or restrictions on any Incentive.

  

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The Board of Directors may restrict the rights of participants or the applicability of this Section 10.14 to the extent necessary to comply with Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, the Code or any other applicable law or regulation. The grant of an Incentive award pursuant to the Plan shall not limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, exchange or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

 

10.15. Definition of Fair Market Value. For purposes of this Plan, the “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock at a specified date shall, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan, be the amount which the Committee determines in good faith to be 100% of the fair market value of such a share as of the date in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(a)    If such shares are listed on a U.S. securities exchange, then Fair Market Value shall be determined by reference to the last sale price of a share of Common Stock on such U.S. securities exchange on the applicable date. If such U.S. securities exchange is closed for trading on such date, or if the Common Stock does not trade on such date, then the last sale price used shall be the one on the date the Common Stock last traded on such U.S. securities exchange.

 

(b)   If such shares are publicly traded but are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange, then Fair Market Value shall be determined by reference to the trading price of a share of Common Stock on such date (or, if the applicable market is closed on such date, the last date on which the Common Stock was publicly traded), by a method consistently applied by the Committee.

 

(c)    If such shares are not publicly traded, then the Committee’s determination will be based upon a good faith valuation of the Company’s Common Stock as of such date, which shall be based upon such factors as the Committee deems appropriate. The valuation shall be accomplished in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A and shall be consistently applied to Incentives under the Plan.

 

10.16. Definition of Grant Date. For purposes of this Plan, the “Grant Date” of an Incentive shall be the date on which the Committee approved the award or, if later, the date established by the Committee as the date of grant of the Incentive.

 

10.17. Compliance with Code Section 409A.

 

(a)    Except to the extent such acceleration or deferral is permitted by the requirements of Code Section 409A, neither the Committee nor a participant may accelerate or defer the time or schedule of any payment of, or the amount scheduled to be paid under, an Incentive that constitutes Deferred Compensation (as defined in paragraph(d) below); provided, however, that payment shall be permitted if it is in accordance with a “specified time” or “fixed schedule” or on account of “separation from service,” “disability,” death, “change in control” or “ unforeseeable emergency” (as those terms are defined under Code Section 409A) that is specified in the agreement evidencing the Incentive.

 

(b)   Notwithstanding anything in this Plan, unless the agreement evidencing the Incentive specifically provides otherwise, if a participant is treated as a Specified Employee (as defined in paragraph (d) and as determined under Code Section 409A by the Committee in good faith) as of the date of his or her “separation from service” as defined for purposes of Code Section 409A, the Company may not make payment to the participant of any Incentive that constitutes Deferred Compensation, earlier than 6 months following the participant’s separation from service (or if earlier, upon the Specified Employee’s death), except as permitted under Code Section 409A. Any payments that otherwise would be payable to the Specified Employee during the foregoing 6-month period will be accumulated and payment delayed until the first date after the 6-month period. The Committee may specify in the Incentive agreement, that the amount of the Deferred Compensation delayed under this paragraph shall accumulate interest, earnings or Dividend Equivalents (as applicable) during the period of such delay.

 

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(c)    The Committee may, however, reform any provision in an Incentive that is intended to comply with (or be exempt from) Code Section 409A, to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.

 

(d)   For purposes of this Section 10.17, "Deferred Compensation" means any Incentive under this Plan that provides for the “deferral of compensation” under a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as those terms are defined under Code Section 409A) and that would be subject to the taxes specified in Code Section 409A(a)(1) if and to the extent that the Plan and the agreement evidencing the Incentive do not meet or are not operated in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3) and (a)(4) of Code Section 409A . Deferred Compensation shall not include any amount that is otherwise exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A. A “Specified Employee” means a Participant who is a “key employee” as described in Code Section 416 (i) (disregarding paragraph (5) thereof) at any time during the Company’s fiscal year ending on January 31, or such other “identification date” that applies consistently for all plans of the Company that provide “deferred compensation” that is subject to the requirements of Code Section 409A. Each participant will be identified as a Specified Employee in accordance with Code Section 409A, including with respect to the merger of the Company with any other company or any spin-off or similar transaction, and such identification shall apply for the 12-month period commencing on the first day of the fourth month following the identification date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no participant shall be a Specified Employee unless the stock of the Company (or other member of a “controlled group of corporations” as determined under Code Section 1563) is publicly traded on an established securities market (or otherwise) as of the date of the participant’s “separation from service” as defined in Code Section 409A.

 

10.18. Prior Plan. Notwithstanding the adoption of this Plan by the Board of Directors and its approval by the shareholders, the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, as it has been amended from time to time (the “Prior Plan”), shall remain in effect, and all grants and awards made under the Prior Plan shall be governed by the terms of the Prior Plan. From and after the Effective Date, no further grants and awards shall be made under the Prior Plan.

 

 

 

 

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