Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc 8-K, filed May 19, 2022
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE)
8-K
2022-05-19
For: 2022-05-17
View Original
Added on
April 01, 2026
About this 8-K
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc filed this 8-K on May 19, 2022, reporting on events of May 17, 2022.
Items reported
- Item 5.02: Director or officer change, or executive pay
- Item 5.03: Charter or bylaw amendment, or fiscal year change
- Item 5.07: Shareholder vote results
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
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): May 17, 2022
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (626 ) 578-0777
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since 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:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
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. ☐
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Alexandria” or the "Company"), held its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2022 Annual Meeting”) on May 17, 2022. At the 2022 Annual Meeting, Alexandria’s stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of the Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “Amended 1997 Incentive Plan”). Alexandria’s Board of Directors approved the Amended 1997 Incentive Plan on March 24, 2022, subject to, and effective upon, approval by Alexandria’s stockholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting. The primary purposes of the amendment and restatement are to:
(i)increase the aggregate number of shares of Alexandria’s common stock available for grant by 2,000,000 shares as of March 24, 2022;
(ii)extend the termination date to 10 years from the date of stockholder approval of the Amended 1997 Incentive Plan; and
(iii)remove certain references to and provisions regarding Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that are no longer applicable pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
A more detailed summary of the changes adopted in the Amended 1997 Incentive Plan is set forth in Alexandria’s definitive proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 2022 (the “2022 Proxy Statement”). The foregoing summary and the summary contained in the 2022 Proxy Statement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended 1997 Incentive Plan, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On and effective May 18, 2022, Alexandria filed Articles of Amendment (the “Articles of Amendment”) to its charter with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
The Articles of Amendment (a) increase the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, that the
Company is authorized to issue from 200,000,000 shares to 400,000,000 shares and (b) make a corresponding increase in the
aggregate par value of all the shares of stock having par value that the Company is authorized to issue. The charter amendment was described in the text of Proposal No. 4 in Alexandria’s 2022 Proxy Statement. The charter amendment was declared advisable by the Company’s Board of Directors and approved by Alexandria’s stockholders at the 2022 Annual Meeting.
The foregoing summary of the Articles of Amendment and the summary contained in the 2022 Proxy Statement do not purport to be completed and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Articles of Amendment filed as Exhibit 3.1 hereto.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
As noted above in Item 5.02, Alexandria held its 2022 Annual Meeting on May 17, 2022. At the 2022 Annual Meeting, there were present in person or by proxy 150,001,437 shares of Alexandria’s common stock, representing stockholders entitled to cast approximately 92% of the total outstanding eligible votes and constituting a quorum. Set forth below are the voting results for the five proposals considered and voted upon at the 2022 Annual Meeting, all of which proposals were described in the 2022 Proxy Statement.
1. Election of Directors
Alexandria’s stockholders elected, by the votes indicated below, eight persons to serve as directors of Alexandria until its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. The following table sets forth the results of the voting with respect to each candidate:
| Director | For | Against | Abstained | Broker Non-Vote (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joel S. Marcus | 125,338,256 | 21,752,527 | 81,474 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steven R. Hash | 134,739,947 | 12,291,029 | 141,281 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| James P. Cain | 95,840,488 | 50,690,202 | 641,567 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cynthia L. Feldmann | 138,974,729 | 8,059,886 | 137,642 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maria C. Freire, Ph.D. | 103,004,490 | 43,527,592 | 640,175 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jennifer Friel Goldstein | 145,710,467 | 1,321,567 | 140,223 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Richard H. Klein | 134,043,161 | 12,987,475 | 141,621 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael A. Woronoff | 102,658,932 | 43,871,907 | 641,418 | 2,829,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Broker non-votes represent proxies that are uninstructed on a proposal and submitted by brokers or other nominees who lack discretionary authority to vote on the proposal absent instructions from the beneficial owner of shares of stock.
2. Amendment and Restatement of the Amended 1997 Incentive Plan
Alexandria's stockholders voted to approve the amendment and restatement of the Amended 1997 Incentive Plan, as disclosed in Alexandria’s 2022 Proxy Statement. 138,966,477 votes were cast “for” the approval, 8,177,765 votes were cast “against” the approval, and 28,015 votes abstained. Additionally, there were 2,829,180 broker non-votes for this proposal.
3. Non-binding Advisory Vote to Approve the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers
Alexandria’s stockholders voted, on a non-binding, advisory basis, to approve the compensation of its named executive officers, as disclosed in Alexandria’s 2022 Proxy Statement. 137,461,722 votes were cast “for” the approval, 9,673,792 votes were cast “against” the approval, and 36,743 votes abstained. Additionally, there were 2,829,180 broker non-votes for this proposal.
4. Amendment of Charter to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock
Alexandria's stockholders voted to approve the amendment of charter to increase the number of authorized share of common stock that the Company is authorized to issue from 200,000,000 to 400,000,000 shares, as disclosed in Alexandria’s 2022 Proxy Statement. 137,951,468 votes were cast “for” the approval, 11,987,391 votes were cast “against” the approval, and 20,555 votes abstained. Additionally, there were 42,023 broker non-votes for this proposal.
5. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Public Registered Accountants
Alexandria’s stockholders voted to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Alexandria’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. 142,000,092 votes were cast “for” the ratification, 7,964,771 votes were cast “against” the ratification, and 36,574 votes abstained. There were no broker non-votes for this proposal.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Title | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
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.
| ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC. | ||||||||
| May 19, 2022 | By: | /s/ Dean A. Shigenaga | ||||||
| Dean A. Shigenaga | ||||||||
| President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
EXHIBIT 3.1
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: Section 6.1 of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following
is substituted in lieu thereof:
Section 6.1. Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 700,000,000 shares of stock,
consisting of 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), 100,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”) (of which 10,000,000 shares are designated
as 7.00% Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share), and 200,000,000 shares
of Excess Stock, $.01 par value per share (“Excess Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares
of stock having par value is $7,000,000.
SECOND: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to the
foregoing amendment of the Charter was 500,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (of which 10,000,000 shares were designated as 7.00% Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock), and 200,000,000 shares of Excess Stock, $.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $5,000,000.
THIRD: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing
amendment of the Charter is 700,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, 100,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (of which 10,000,000 shares are designated as 7.00% Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock), and 200,000,000 shares of Excess Stock, $.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $7,000,000.
FOURTH: The information required by Section 2-607(b)(2)(i) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”)
is not changed by the foregoing amendment of the Charter.
FIFTH: The amendment to the Charter as set forth above has been duly advised by the Board of Directors and
approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.
SIXTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
- Signature page follows -
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment to be executed in its name and on its behalf by the undersigned Chairman of the Board and attested by its Chief Financial Officer on this 18th day of May, 2022.
| ATTEST: | ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC. | |||||||
| /s/ Dean A. Shigenaga | By: | /s/ Joel S. Marcus | ||||||
| Dean A. Shigenaga | Joel S. Marcus | |||||||
| President and Chief Financial Officer | Chairman of the Board | |||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||
EXHIBIT 10.1
ALEXANDRIA REAL ESTATE EQUITIES, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
1997 STOCK AWARD AND INCENTIVE PLAN
Amendment and Restatement Adopted by Board of Directors: March 24, 2022
Amendment and Restatement Approved by Stockholders: May 17, 2022
1. Purpose; Types of Awards; Construction.
The purpose of the Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to afford an incentive to selected officers, employees, and independent contractors (including non-employee directors) of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (the “Company”), or any Subsidiary or Affiliate that now exists or hereafter is organized or acquired, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company, to continue as employees or independent contractors (including non-employee directors), as the case may be, to increase their efforts on behalf of the Company, and to promote the success of the Company’s business. Pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan, there may be granted Restricted Stock, Other Stock-Based Awards, and Other Cash-Based Awards. The Plan is designed to comply with the conditions for exemption from short-swing profit recovery rules under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements thereof.
2. Definitions.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
2.1 “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any entity if, at the time of determination, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, owns at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of such entity or at least fifty percent (50%) of the ownership interests in such entity or (ii) such entity, directly or indirectly, owns at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company. The Board or Committee shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which “Affiliate” status is determined within the foregoing definition.
2.2 “Award” means any Restricted Stock, Other Stock-Based Award, or Other Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan.
2.3 “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.
2.4 “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, trust, or trusts that have been designated by a Grantee in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Company to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon his or her death, or, if there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the person, persons, trust, or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.
2.5 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6 “Cause” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Grantee and the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate defining such term. In the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Grantee, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the Grantee’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) the Grantee’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate; (iii) the Grantee’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Grantee and the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or of any statutory duty owed to the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate; (iv) the Grantee’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any confidential information or trade secrets of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate; or (v) the Grantee’s gross misconduct. As to a Grantee who does not have a written agreement described in the first sentence of this definition, the determination that a termination of a Grantee’s service with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that a Grantee’s service with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate was terminated with or without Cause for purposes of any outstanding Awards held by the Grantee will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate or the Grantee for any other purpose.
2.7 “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) Any Person (as such term is used in section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its affiliates, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) becomes the Beneficial Owner, as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by the Company or its affiliates of a business) representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or
(b) The following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election, or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or
(c) There is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than (A) a merger or consolidation in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, continue to own, in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company (or the surviving entity or any parent thereof) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by the Company or its affiliates of a business) representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or
(d) The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.
2.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.
2.9 “Committee” means the Board or the committee designated or established by the Board to administer the Plan, the composition of which shall at all times satisfy the provisions of Rule 16b-3.
2.10 “Company” means Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland, or any successor corporation.
2.11 “Disability” means, with respect to a Grantee, the inability of such Grantee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and shall be determined by the Committee on the basis of such medical evidence as the Committee deems warranted under the circumstances.
2.12 “Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan document, which is March 24, 2022.
2.13 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and as now or hereafter construed, interpreted and applied by regulations, rulings, and cases.
2.14 “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to Stock or other property, the fair market value of such Stock or other property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in good faith, the per share Fair Market Value of Stock as of a particular date shall mean (i) the closing sales price per share of Stock on the national securities exchange on which the Stock is principally traded on the date the Award is granted (or if the Stock is not traded on the exchange on the date the Award is granted, the closing sales price per share of Stock for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Stock on such exchange), or (ii) if the shares of Stock are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and ask prices for the shares of Stock in such over-the-counter market for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Stock in such market, or (iii) if the shares of Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine in good faith and in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
2.15 “Good Reason” will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Grantee and the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate defining such term. In the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Grantee, the occurrence of any of the following: (i) a material reduction in the Grantee’s base compensation; (ii) a material reduction in the Grantee’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; (iii) a relocation of the Grantee’s principal place of employment that increases the Grantee’s one-way commute by more than thirty-five (35) miles, except for required travel on the Company’s, Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Grantee’s business travel obligations immediately prior to a Change of Control; or (iv) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Grantee’s employment or other service agreement with the Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate; provided, however, that in order to qualify as a resignation for Good Reason, (x) the Grantee must provide written notice to the Company of the existence of any of the foregoing conditions that forms the basis for such resignation within ninety (90) days following its initial existence, (y) the Company must fail to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days following such notice, and (z) the Grantee’s termination of service with the Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate must occur within sixty (60) days following the Company’s failure to remedy such condition (and in no event later than one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial existence of such condition).
2.16 “Grantee” means a person who, as an employee or independent contractor of the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliate, has been granted an Award under the Plan, or if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award under the Plan.
2.17 “Involuntary Termination” means a termination of a Grantee’s service with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as a result of either (i) a termination by the Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate without Cause and other than as a result of the Grantee’s death or Disability or (ii) the Grantee’s resignation for Good Reason.
2.18 “Non-Employee Director” means any director of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. For purposes of this Plan, such non-employee director shall be treated as an independent contractor.
2.19 “Other Cash-Based Award” means cash awarded to a Grantee under Section 6.4, including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of specified performance objectives or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.
2.20 “Other Stock-Based Award” means a right or other interest granted to a Grantee under Section 6.4 that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, including, but not limited to (1) unrestricted Stock awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of specified performance objectives or otherwise as permitted under the Plan and (2) a right granted to a Grantee to acquire Stock from the Company for cash.
2.21 “Plan” means this Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
2.22 “Restricted Stock” means an Award of shares of Stock to a Grantee under Section 6.2 that may be subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
2.23 “Retirement” means the termination of a Grantee’s service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate by retirement, as determined in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines.
2.24 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including any successor to such Rule.
2.25 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and as now or hereafter
construed, interpreted, and applied by the regulations, rulings, and cases.
2.26 “Stock” means shares of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company.
2.27 “Subsidiary” means, at the time of determination, any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of determination, each of the corporations (other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain) owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain. The Board or Committee shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which “Subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.
3. Administration.
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have the authority in its discretion, subject to and not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan including, without limitation, the authority (i) to grant Awards; (ii) to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which Awards shall be granted; (iii) to determine the type and number of Awards to be granted, the number of shares of Stock to which an Award may relate, and the terms, conditions, restrictions, and performance criteria relating to any Award; (iv) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered; (v) to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of Awards in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles; provided, however, that any such adjustments with respect to any Awards subject to the attainment of performance objectives shall be subject to Section 6.4(b); (vi) to designate Affiliates; (vii) to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award; (viii) to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (ix) to determine the terms and provisions of the Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Grantee); (x) to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in an Award Agreement stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest; provided, however, that the exercisability or vesting of any Award may only be accelerated in the event of a Grantee’s death, Disability or Retirement, or upon a Change of Control; provided further, however, that up to 10% of the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 5 may be subject to Awards granted after the Effective Date which do not meet the preceding acceleration limitations; and (xi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
The Committee may appoint a chair and a secretary and may make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable, and shall keep minutes of its meetings. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members either present in person or participating by conference telephone at a meeting or by written consent. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more agents such administrative duties as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any person to whom it has delegated duties as aforesaid may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such person may have under the Plan; provided, however, that any Award granted to a Non-Employee Director shall be granted by the Committee, without any such delegation. All decisions, determinations, and interpretations of the Committee shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company, and any Subsidiary, Affiliate, or Grantee (or any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Grantee) and any stockholder.
No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted hereunder.
4. Eligibility.
Subject to the provisions set forth below, Awards may be granted to selected employees, officers, and independent contractors (including Non-Employee Directors) of the Company and its present or future Subsidiaries and Affiliates, in the discretion of the Committee. In determining the persons to whom Awards shall be granted and the type (including the number of shares to be covered) of any Award, the Committee shall take into account such factors as the Committee shall deem relevant in connection with accomplishing the purposes of the Plan.
5. Stock Subject to the Plan.
5.1 Share Reserve.
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided herein, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan on or after March 24, 2022 shall be 6,300,933 shares, which number is the sum of (i) 4,502,220 shares that will be available for issuance as of March 24, 2022 and (ii) 1,798,713 shares subject to Awards outstanding under the Plan as of March 24, 2022 which become available for issuance pursuant to the terms of Section 5.1(b) or 5.2(a), as such shares, if any, become available for issuance from time to time. For clarity, the share reserve in this Section 5.1(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan in respect of Awards granted on or after March 24, 2022 and does not limit the number of Awards that may be granted. Such shares may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued shares or shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. Shares of Stock may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08 or, if applicable, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), AMEX Company Guide Section 711, or other applicable stock exchange rules, and such issuance shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan.
(b) If an Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the holder receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination, or settlement shall not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, or surrender of shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which dividends have been paid or accrued, the number of shares with respect to such Awards shall not be available again for Awards hereunder unless, in the case of shares with respect to which dividends were accrued but unpaid, such dividends are also forfeited, canceled, exchanged, or surrendered. Upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards or awards, such related Awards or awards shall be canceled to the extent of the number of shares of Stock as to which the Award is exercised and, notwithstanding the foregoing, such number of shares shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan.
5.2 Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve.
(a) Shares Available for Subsequent Issuance. If any shares of Stock issued pursuant to an Award are forfeited back to the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Grantee, then the shares that are forfeited shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. To the extent there was or is issued a share of Stock underlying an Award and in each case such share (i) is subject to an Award that expires or terminates for any reason prior to exercise or settlement, (ii) is forfeited because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such share, or (iii) is reacquired or withheld (or not issued) to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with the Award, then such share shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Also, each share reacquired by the Company pursuant to Section 8.6 in connection with Restricted Stock or an Other Stock-Based Award shall again become available for issuance under the Plan.
5.3 Individual Award Limitation on Annual Grants. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.4, a maximum of 500,000 shares of Stock may be granted to any Grantee during any calendar year.
5.4 Adjustments. In the event that the Committee shall determine that any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the shares of Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company, through stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, liquidating dividend, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, change in corporate structure, or other similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised), affects the Stock such that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantees under the Plan, then the Committee shall appropriately and proportionately adjust, in its sole discretion (a) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 5.1, (b) the class(es) and maximum number of securities that may be awarded to any person pursuant to Section 5.3, (c) the class(es) and number of securities issued or issuable in respect of outstanding Awards, and (d) the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price relating to any Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an event permitting adjustment as provided herein.
5.5 Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual solely for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any calendar year, including Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director, will not exceed $600,000 in total value, calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes.
6. Specific Terms of Awards.
6.1 General. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee. Subject
to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company, a Subsidiary, or Affiliate upon the grant, maturation, or exercise of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The Committee may make rules relating to installment or deferred payments with respect to Awards, including the rate of interest to be credited with respect to such payments. In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter, such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.
6.2 Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Grantees on the following terms and conditions:
(a) Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose at the date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions may include factors relating to the increase in the value of the Stock or to individual or Company performance such as the attainment of certain specified individual or Company-wide performance goals or earnings per share. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (i) any such restrictions which may lapse on the basis of a Grantee’s service with the Company, a Subsidiary, or Affiliate shall not lapse any more rapidly than pro rata over a three (3) year period, and any such restrictions which may lapse on the basis of factors such as an increase in the value of the Stock or individual or Company performance shall not lapse any earlier than one (1) year following the date of grant of the Restricted Stock, and (ii) the lapsing of any such restrictions may be accelerated only in the event of a Grantee’s death, Disability or Retirement, or upon a Change of Control; provided, however, that up to 10% of the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 5 may be subject to Awards granted after the Effective Date which do not meet the preceding vesting or acceleration limitations. Except to the extent restricted under the Award Agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Grantee granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder including, without limitation, the right to vote Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon.
(b) Consideration. Restricted Stock may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft, or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company, a Subsidiary, or Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.
(c) Termination of Employment. Upon termination of employment with or service to the Company and any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or upon termination of the independent contractor relationship, as the case may be, during the applicable restriction period, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Restricted Stock and any accrued but unpaid dividends that are at that time subject to the same restrictions as apply to the shares of Restricted Stock to which they relate; provided that, the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation, or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions, forfeiture conditions or repurchase rights relating to Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of a Grantee’s death, Disability or Retirement, or upon a Change of Control.
(d) Certificates for Stock. Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Grantee, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company shall have discretion to retain physical possession of the certificate.
(e) Dividends. Except as provided otherwise in any Award Agreement, dividends paid on Restricted Stock shall either be paid at the dividend payment date, or be deferred for payment to such date as determined by the Committee, in cash or in shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends. Except as provided otherwise in any Award Agreement, Stock distributed in connection with a stock split or stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.
6.3 Stock Awards in Lieu of Cash Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Stock to Grantees as a bonus, or to grant other Awards, in lieu of Company commitments to pay cash under other plans or compensatory arrangements. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall have such other terms as shall be determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (i) any Stock or Award granted hereunder which vests on the basis of a Grantee’s service with the Company, a Subsidiary, or Affiliate shall not vest any more rapidly than pro rata vesting over a three (3) year period, and any Stock or Award granted hereunder which vests on the basis of performance shall provide for a performance period of at least one (1) year, and (ii) vesting may be accelerated only in the event of a Grantee’s death, Disability or Retirement, or upon a Change of Control; provided, however, that (i) up to 10% of the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 5 may be subject to Awards granted after the Effective Date which do not meet the preceding vesting or acceleration limitations, and (ii) any Stock or Award granted hereunder that is granted in lieu of compensation that has been earned by the Grantee and that is otherwise payable in cash shall not be subject to the preceding vesting limitations.
6.4 Other Stock-Based or Cash-Based Awards.
(a) In General. The Committee is authorized to grant to Grantees Other Stock-Based Awards or Other Cash-Based Awards alone or in addition to any other Award under the Plan, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Such Awards may be granted with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, or valued by reference to the performance of specified Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (i) any Other Stock-Based Award which vests on the basis of a Grantee’s service with the Company, a Subsidiary, or Affiliate shall not vest any more rapidly than pro rata vesting over a three (3) year period, and any Other Stock-Based Award which vests on the basis of performance shall provide for a performance period of at least one (1) year, and (ii) vesting may be accelerated only in the event of a Grantee’s death, Disability or Retirement, or upon a Change of Control; provided, however, that up to 10% of the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 5 may be subject to Awards granted after the Effective Date which do not meet the preceding vesting or acceleration limitations. Subject to subsection (b) below, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards at the date of grant or thereafter.
(b) Performance-Based Compensation. With respect to any performance-based compensation payable pursuant to an Award, the Committee shall establish the performance objectives applicable to, and the formula for calculating the amount payable under, the Award.
Prior to the payment of any performance-based compensation pursuant to an Award, the Committee shall certify the extent to which any performance objectives and any other material terms under such Award have been satisfied. Notwithstanding satisfaction of any completion of any performance objectives, to the extent specified at the time of grant of an Award, the number of shares, cash, or other benefits granted, issued, retainable, and/or vested under an Award on account of satisfaction of such performance objectives may be reduced by the Committee on the basis of such further considerations as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
The performance objectives shall be based upon and expressed in terms of one or more of the following criteria: (i) earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); (ii) earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”); (iv) total stockholder return; (v) return on equity or average stockholders’ equity; (vi) return on assets, investment, or capital employed; (vii) stock price; (viii) margin (including gross margin); (ix) income (before or after taxes); (x) net operating income (“NOI”); (xi) operating income after taxes; (xii) operating cash flow; (xiii) sales or revenue targets; (xiv) increases in revenue or product revenue; (xv) expenses and cost reduction goals; (xvi) economic value added (or an equivalent metric); (xvii) market share; (xviii) cash flow; (xix) cash flow per share; (xx) share price performance; (xxi) debt reduction; (xxii) customer satisfaction; (xxiii) stockholders’ equity; (xxiv) capital expenditures; (xxv) debt levels; (xxvi) operating margin or net operating margin; (xxvii) workforce diversity; (xxviii) growth of net income, operating income, or net earnings; (xxix) increase in funds from operations (“FFO”); (xxx) increase in FFO per share; (xxxi) liquidity; (xxxii) net debt to adjusted EBITDA; (xxxiii) fixed-charge coverage ratio; (xxxiv) percentage of annual rental revenue (“ARR”) from investment-grade and large cap tenants; (xxxv) same property NOI growth; (xxxvi) amount of rentable square feet (“RSF”) leased; (xxxvii) growth in ARR in Class A assets; (xxxviii) EBITDA margin; or (xxxix) the Company’s published ranking against its peer group of office real estate investment trusts based on total stockholder return, increase in FFO per share and/or FFO current and forward multiples. At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, a performance measure not listed above may be utilized if it is considered relevant and important at the time of the award.
Performance objectives established by the Committee may be (but need not be) different from year-to-year, and different performance objectives may be applicable to different Grantees. Performance objectives may be established on a Company-wide basis or with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. At the time of the grant of any Award, the Committee is authorized to determine whether, when calculating the attainment of performance objectives for a certain performance period: (i) to exclude restructuring and/or other specific or objectively determinable nonrecurring charges; (ii) to exclude exchange rate effects, as applicable, for non-U.S. dollar denominated net sales and operating earnings; (iii) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (iv) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; and (v) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Committee retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of performance objectives and to define the manner of calculating the criteria it selects to use for each performance period.
6.5 Change in Service Capacity and Leaves of Absence. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, for purposes of any Award or Award Agreement under the Plan, (i) the term “employment” shall mean service provided to the Company, Subsidiary, or an Affiliate as an employee or independent contractor and (ii) a change in the capacity in which a Grantee renders service to the Company, Subsidiary, or Affiliate, whether as an employee or independent contractor, or a change in the entity for which the Grantee renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Grantee’s service with the Company, Subsidiary, or Affiliate, shall not be deemed to be a termination of employment; provided, however, if the entity for which a Grantee is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, such Grantee’s employment shall be considered to have terminated on the date such entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. To the extent permitted by law, the Committee or the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether service shall be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence
approved by the Committee or the Company, including sick leave, military leave, or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of vesting in an Award, service shall not be considered interrupted in the case of a leave of absence only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of the Grantee’s leave of absence, or as otherwise required by law.
7. Change of Control Provisions.
7.1 Change of Control. With respect to any Award (other than any Other Cash-Based Award and any Award that vests upon the attainment of specified performance objectives) granted on or after March 27, 2015, the following provisions shall apply in the event of a Change of Control, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board in writing at grant (including under any individual agreement), or unless treatment of any such Award in connection with a Change of Control is otherwise provided in any written agreement between the Grantee and the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate:
(a) any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) may assume or continue any Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar awards (including an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the Change of Control) for those outstanding under the Plan. If the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue any Award outstanding under the Plan or substitute a similar award for any Award outstanding under the Plan, then such Award shall become fully vested (and exercisable, if applicable) effective as of the date of the Change of Control, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Change of Control.
7.2 Involuntary Termination. With respect to any Award (other than any Other Cash-Based Award and any Award that vests upon the attainment of specified performance objectives) granted on or after March 27, 2015 which does not become fully vested (and exercisable, if applicable) effective as of the date of a Change of Control pursuant to Section 7.1(a), the following provisions shall apply in the event of a Grantee’s Involuntary Termination upon or within two (2) years following a Change of Control, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or the Board in writing at grant (including under any individual agreement), or unless otherwise provided in any written agreement between the Grantee and the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate:
(a) any such Award carrying a right to exercise that was not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested effective as of the date of such Involuntary Termination; and
(b) the restrictions, deferral limitations, payment conditions, and forfeiture conditions applicable to any other such Award shall lapse and such Award shall be deemed fully vested effective as of the date of such Involuntary Termination.
8. General Provisions.
8.1 Effective Date; Approval by Stockholders. The Plan, as amended and restated effective as of March 24, 2022, shall take effect as of the Effective Date, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held in 2022.
8.2 Nontransferability. Awards shall not be transferable by a Grantee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of an Award in a manner consistent with applicable tax and securities laws upon the Grantee’s request; provided, further, however, that no Awards may be transferred for consideration.
8.3 Use of Proceeds from Sales of Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Stock pursuant to Awards shall constitute general funds of the Company.
8.4 Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Grantee shall be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Award is communicated to, actually received, or accepted by, the Grantee.
8.5 No Right to Continued Employment, etc. Nothing in the Plan or in any Award granted or any Award Agreement or other agreement entered into pursuant hereto shall confer upon any Grantee the right to continue in the employ of or to continue as an independent contractor of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate, or to be entitled to any remuneration or benefits not set forth in the Plan, such Award Agreement, or other agreement, or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, any such Subsidiary, or Affiliate to terminate such Grantee’s employment or independent contractor relationship.
8.6 Taxes. The Company, any Subsidiary, or Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any other payment to a Grantee, amounts of withholding and other taxes due in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Grantees to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority includes the authority to withhold, receive Stock, or other property, and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Grantee’s tax obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no shares of Stock shall be withheld to satisfy withholding and other tax obligations with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such other maximum amount as may be permitted while still avoiding classification of the Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes).
The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Grantee to advise such individual as to the time or manner of exercising any Award, to warn or otherwise advise such individual of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised, or to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award.
8.7 Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may at any time and from time to time alter, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided that, if the Committee determines that stockholder approval of an amendment is necessary or desirable in order for the Plan to comply or continue to comply with any applicable law, such amendment shall not be effective unless the same shall be approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing but subject to Section 8.15, no amendment shall affect adversely any of the rights of any Grantee, without such Grantee’s consent, under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan. Unless terminated sooner by the Board, the Plan automatically shall terminate on May 16, 2032.
8.8 No Rights to Awards; No Stockholder Rights. No Grantee shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Grantees. Except as provided specifically herein, no Grantee shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Stock subject to such Award unless and until (i) such Grantee has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Stock subject to such Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.
8.9 Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Grantee pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Grantee any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.
8.10 No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
8.11 Securities Law Compliance. The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Stock upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Grantee shall not be eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.
8.12 Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Grantee, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Stock under any Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Grantee’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Grantee is acquiring Stock subject to the Award for the Grantee’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Stock under the Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Stock.
8.13 Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document shall include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet.
8.14 Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting, or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may also establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Grantees. Deferrals by Grantees will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may provide for distributions while a Grantee is still providing services to the Company, Subsidiary or, Affiliate as an employee or independent contractor.
8.15 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Board may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies, and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Board determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Stock are publicly traded and a Grantee holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount shall be made upon a “separation from service” before a date that is six (6) months following the date of such Grantee’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Grantee’s death.
8.16 Governing Law. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.