Bel Fuse Inc DEFA14A, filed May 8, 2020
Bel Fuse Inc (BELFA)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☐ Definitive Proxy Statement
☒ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12
BEL FUSE INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ No fee required.
☐ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
_____________________________________________________________
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
_____________________________________________________________
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined):
_____________________________________________________________
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
_____________________________________________________________
(5) Total fee paid:
_____________________________________________________________
☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (a) (2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
____________________________________________________________
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
____________________________________________________________
(3) Filing Party:
____________________________________________________________
(4) Date Filed:
____________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020
Dear Shareholders:
We are sending you the attached Notice in order to supplement our proxy statement dated April 9, 2020 relating to our Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Notice details two items:
|
● |
Change in Annual Meeting Location: Due to COVID-19, it has become necessary to change the location of our Annual Meeting to our Jersey City headquarters at 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. We are not changing the May 19, 2020 date or 11:00 a.m. starting time of the Annual Meeting. |
|
● |
Modifications to the Proposed 2020 Equity Compensation Plan: With respect to Proposal 4, upon further review of the plan provisions by Bel’s Board of Directors, the Notice also describes certain modifications that have been made to the proposed 2020 Equity Compensation Plan. |
This supplement to the proxy statement is being filed with the SEC and made available to the Company’s shareholders on or about May 8, 2020. Please read this supplement in conjunction with the proxy statement. The proxy statement and 2019 Annual Report are available on the Company’s website at https://ir.belfuse.com/financial-information/sec-filings.
Except as amended or supplemented by the information contained in this supplement, all information set forth in the proxy statement continues to apply and should be considered in voting your shares.
We hope that our shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers remain healthy and safe as we navigate together through the realities of COVID-19.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Daniel Bernstein
Daniel Bernstein, President and Chief Executive Officer
May 8, 2020
Bel Fuse Inc.
206 Van Vorst Street
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF LOCATION OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
AND MODIFICATION OF PROPOSAL 4
To the Shareholders of Bel Fuse Inc.:
As previously announced, Bel Fuse Inc. (the “Company”) had intended to conduct its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders at the Courtyard by Marriott, 540 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310. The Company has been advised that due to COVID-19, the Courtyard by Marriott will not be open on the scheduled date of the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Company is changing the location of its Annual Meeting to its corporate headquarters, 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302.
The meeting will still be held at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 19, 2020. As described in the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting previously distributed, holders of record of our Class A Common Stock as of the close of business on March 24, 2020 will be able to vote and ask questions during the meeting.
Of the proposals to be submitted to shareholders at the Annual Meeting, Proposal 4 relates to the proposed adoption of the Bel Fuse Inc. 2020 Equity Compensation Plan. The Board of Directors has approved certain modifications to that plan. Those modifications, as well as a full description of that plan, are set forth below.
The proxy card included with the proxy materials previously distributed will not be updated to reflect the change in location or modifications in the terms of the 2020 Equity Compensation Plan and may continue to be used to vote your shares in connection with the Annual Meeting. If you have already voted and do not wish to change your vote, no additional action is required.
We thank you for your interest in our Company and look forward to your participation at our Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
CRAIG BROSIOUS, Secretary
Jersey City, New Jersey
May 8, 2020
THIS NOTICE IS BEING FURNISHED TO THE HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY’S CLASS B COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.10 PER SHARE, FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES. HOLDERS OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK ARE NOT ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING PROPOSAL 4
The following supplemental statement is furnished to the holders of the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), of Bel Fuse Inc. (“Bel” or the “Company”), a New Jersey corporation with its principal executive offices at 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302, in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Bel of proxies to be used at Bel’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The following statement is also furnished to the holders of Bel’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), for informational purposes. Holders of Class B Common Stock are not entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting in accordance with Bel’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”). As used in the remainder of this supplemental statement, unless otherwise indicated, the term “shareholders” shall refer to the holders of Bel’s Class A Common Stock.
Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 19, 2020: This supplemental statement, as well as Bel’s proxy statement and our annual report, are available at www.belfuse.com.
Modifications to the 2020 Plan
As set forth in Bel’s proxy statement dated April 9, 2020 (the “Proxy Statement”), Bel’s Board has approved the Bel Fuse Inc. 2020 Equity Compensation Plan (as amended as described herein, the “2020 Plan”). The Board has approved four modifications to the 2020 Plan, subject to approval of the entire 2020 Plan by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Those modifications are:
|
● |
The number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable pursuant to the 2020 Plan has been reduced from 1,400,000 shares to 1,000,000 shares. Furthermore, if the 2020 Plan is approved by shareholders, no further grants will thereafter be made under Bel’s 2011 Equity Compensation Plan. |
|
● |
The duration of the 2020 Plan has been reduced from ten years after approval of the plan by the Board of Directors to six years after approval by shareholders. Accordingly, if the 2020 Plan is approved by shareholders on May 19, 2020, it will terminate on May 18, 2026 unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms. |
|
● |
The authority of the Compensation Committee to reduce the exercise price of any stock option or stock appreciation right has been eliminated, except in connection with actions (such as a stock split) affecting all of the outstanding Class B Common Stock. |
|
● |
The Plan has been revised to provide that all Awards must have a minimum vesting period of one year. The Compensation Committee will have authority to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of Awards to less than one year only in the event of an awardee’s death, disability or involuntary termination or in connection with a Change in Control. |
A copy of the 2020 Plan, as amended in the manner set forth above, is attached to this Supplement as Appendix A.
Matters Pertaining to the Approval of Proposal 4
The presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock held of record as of March 24, 2020 will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Company’s Annual Meeting. Assuming that a quorum is present, approval of Proposal 4 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to Proposal 4. For purposes of determining the votes cast with respect to Proposal 4, only those cast “for” or “against” will be included. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted only for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes occur when brokers who hold their customers’ shares in street name submit proxies for such shares on some matters, but not others. Generally, this would occur when brokers have not received any instructions from their customers. In these cases, the brokers, as the holders of record, are permitted to vote on “routine” matters, which would not include Proposal 4.
A form of proxy has previously been sent to holders of record of Class A Common Stock as of the March 24, 2020 record date. That proxy will not be updated to reflect the change in location of the Annual Meeting or the modifications in the terms of the 2020 Plan described above and may continue to be used to vote your shares in connection with the Annual Meeting. If you have already voted and do not wish to change your vote, no additional action is required. Each proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice to the secretary of the meeting. A subsequently dated proxy will, if properly presented, revoke a prior proxy. Any shareholder may attend the meeting and vote in person whether or not such shareholder has previously given a proxy.
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” Proposal 4. All shares represented by valid proxies pursuant to the Board’s solicitation of proxies (and not revoked before they are exercised) will be voted as specified in the form of proxy. If a proxy is signed but no specification is given, the shares will be voted “FOR” the approval of the 2020 Plan.
Restatement of Proposal 4
[Note: We have restated Proposal 4 below. To assist stockholders who have previously reviewed Proposal 4, we have italicized in bold lettering the text that has been modified from the language in the Proxy Statement.]
General
Our 2011 Equity Compensation Program (also referred to as the “2011 Plan”) expires on April 3, 2021, and no grants of awards under the 2011 Plan may be made after that date. However, if the 2020 Plan described herein is approved by shareholders, no grants of awards under the 2011 Plan may be made after the shareholders give their approval. Our Board believes that it is in the best interests of Bel and its shareholders to have a new equity compensation plan adopted by the Board and approved by the shareholders prior to the expiration of the 2011 Plan. Accordingly, on March 27, 2020, our Board of Directors adopted the Bel Fuse Inc. 2020 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2020 Plan”), subject to the approval of our shareholders.
The general purposes of the 2020 Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide incentives to our employees, directors and consultants by enabling them to share in the future growth of our business and to promote the success of our Company. Our Board of Directors believes that the granting of stock options, restricted stock awards and similar kinds of equity-based compensation promotes continuity of management and increases incentive and personal interest in the welfare of our Company by those who are primarily responsible for shaping and carrying out our long range plans and securing our growth and financial success.
The Board believes that the 2020 Plan will allow us to continue to advance our interests by enhancing our ability to (a) attract and retain employees, directors and consultants who are in a position to make significant contributions to our success; (b) reward our employees, directors and consultants for these contributions; and (c) encourage employees, directors and consultants to take into account our long-term interests through ownership of our shares.
As of March 31, 2020, a total of 323,850 shares of Class B Common Stock were available for future grants under the 2011 Plan. As noted above, if the 2020 Plan is approved by shareholders, no additional awards may be granted under the 2011 Plan after such approval is given.
Description of the 2020 Equity Compensation Plan
The following description of the principal terms of the 2020 Plan is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2020 Plan, which is attached as Appendix A to this supplement.
Administration. The 2020 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, but the entire Board may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and Nasdaq regulations, act in lieu of the Compensation Committee on any matter involving the Plan. The Compensation Committee may grant options to purchase shares of our Class B Common Stock, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units payable in shares of our Class B Common Stock, as well as restricted or unrestricted shares of our Class B Common Stock. The Compensation Committee also has authority to determine the terms and conditions of each option or other kind of equity award and adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for the administration of the 2020 Plan. The Plan precludes the Compensation Committee from repricing any option or stock appreciation right. The Compensation Committee may delegate to certain officers of the Company authority to make awards under the Plan. No options, stock purchase rights or awards may be made under the Plan after May 18, 2026, but the 2020 Plan will continue thereafter while previously granted options, stock appreciation rights or other awards remain subject to the 2020 Plan.
Eligibility. Persons eligible to receive options, stock appreciation rights or other awards under the 2020 Plan are those employees, directors and consultants of our Company and our subsidiaries (including any person who is determined by the Compensation Committee to be a prospective employee, director or consultant of our Company and our subsidiaries) who, in the opinion of the Compensation Committee, are in a position to contribute to our success. As of December 31, 2019, our Company and its subsidiaries had a total of 6,935 employees, including five executive officers, eight non-employee directors and three consultants. Prospective service providers may receive grants under the 2020 Plan, provided that the grants are conditioned upon such person becoming a service provider to the Company. As awards under the 2020 Plan are within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, we cannot determine how many individuals in each of the categories described above will receive awards.
Shares Subject to the 2020 Plan. The aggregate number of shares of Class B Common Stock available for issuance in connection with options and awards granted under the 2020 Plan will be 1,000,000, subject to customary adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. “Incentive stock options” (as defined below) may be granted under the 2020 Plan with respect to all of those shares. If any option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2020 Plan terminates without having been exercised in full or if any award is forfeited, the number of shares of Class B Common Stock as to which such option or award was forfeited will be available for future grants under the 2020 Plan. A non-employee director may not receive awards under the Plan in any calendar year with respect to more than 8,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. It is intended that the shares issuable pursuant to the 2020 Plan will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Terms and Conditions of Options. Options granted under the 2020 Plan may be either “incentive stock options” that are intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or “nonstatutory stock options” that do not meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. However, only employees may be granted incentive stock options. The Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price of options granted under the 2020 Plan. The exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value per share of our Class B Common Stock on the date of grant (or 110% of the fair market value per share in the case of incentive options granted to a ten-percent or more shareholder). The exercise price of nonstatutory stock options may not be less than the fair market value per share of our Class B Common Stock on the date of grant unless granted in a manner so as to not be treated as deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code.
If on the date of grant the Class B Common Stock is listed on a stock exchange or is quoted on the automated quotation system of NASDAQ, the fair market value shall generally be the closing sale price on the date of grant (or, if no trades were made on the date of grant, for the last trading day before the date of grant). If no such prices are available, the fair market value shall be determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee based on the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method. On March 27, 2020, the closing sale price of a share of Class B Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $9.31.
No option may be exercisable for more than ten years (five years in the case of an incentive option granted to a ten percent or more shareholder) from the date of grant. Options granted under the 2020 Plan will be exercisable at such time or times as the Compensation Committee prescribes at the time of grant; provided, however, that no award shall provide for vesting or exercise to any extent earlier than one year after the date of grant thereof, except as a result of a Change in Control Event (as defined in the 2020 Plan) or the awardee’s termination of employment or service due to death, disability or involuntary termination without cause (including a resignation for good reason). No employee may receive incentive stock options that first become exercisable in any calendar year in an amount exceeding $100,000.
Generally, the option price may be paid (a) in cash or by check, (b) through delivery of shares of our Class B Common Stock having a fair market value equal to the purchase price, or (c) a combination of these methods. The Compensation Committee is also authorized to establish a cashless exercise program and to permit the exercise price to be satisfied by reducing from the shares otherwise issuable upon exercise a number of shares having a fair market value equal to the exercise price.
No option may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during a recipient’s lifetime an option may be exercised only by the recipient. However, the Compensation Committee may permit the holder of an option or stock appreciation right to transfer the option or right to immediate family members or a family trust or partnership for estate planning purposes. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, options that are exercisable at the time of a recipient's termination of service with us will continue to be exercisable for 90 days, unless the optionee terminates employment or service with us due to death or disability, in which case the option will continue to be exercisable for one year, or for cause or if the optionee voluntarily terminates employment or service, in which case the option will cease to be exercisable upon termination.
Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right may be granted by the Compensation Committee either alone, or in tandem with, other options or awards under the 2020 Plan. A stock appreciation right will relate to such number of shares of our Class B Common Stock as the Compensation Committee determines at the time of grant. Each stock appreciation right will have an exercise period determined by the Compensation Committee not to exceed ten years from the date of grant. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, the holder will receive a number of shares of our Class B Common Stock equal to (i) the number of shares for which the stock appreciation right is exercised times the appreciation in the fair market value of a share of our Class B Common Stock between the date the stock appreciation right was granted and its date of exercise; divided by (ii) the fair market value of a share of Class B Common Stock on the date that the stock appreciation right is exercised. The Compensation Committee will determine the extent to which a holder of a stock appreciation right may exercise the right following termination of service with us.
Terms and Conditions of Stock Awards. The Compensation Committee may also grant a restricted or unrestricted stock award and/or a restricted stock unit award to any eligible employee, director or consultant. Under a restricted stock award, shares of Class B Common Stock that are the subject of the award are generally subject to forfeiture to the extent that the recipient terminates service with us prior to the award having vested or if any performance goals established by the Compensation Committee as a condition of vesting are not achieved. Shares of Class B Common Stock subject to a restricted stock award cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the recipient of the award unless and until the applicable restrictions lapse. Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, holders of restricted shares will have the right to vote such shares and to receive any cash dividends with respect thereto during the restriction period. Any stock dividends will be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying shares of restricted stock.
Under a restricted stock unit award, restricted stock units that are the subject of the award are generally subject to forfeiture to the extent that the recipient terminates service with us prior to the award having vested or if the performance goals established by the Compensation Committee as a condition of vesting are not achieved. To the extent that the award of restricted stock units vests, the recipient shall become entitled to receive a number of shares of Class B Common Stock equal to the number of restricted stock units that became vested. Restricted stock units cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by the recipient of the award and during a recipient’s lifetime may be exercised only by the recipient. Prior to the delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock with respect to an award of restricted stock units, the recipient shall have no rights as a shareholder of our Company. The Compensation Committee may award restricted stock units with rights to cash dividend equivalents which may be paid during the applicable vesting period or accumulated and paid at the end of the applicable vesting period.
Unrestricted stock awards are grants of shares of Class B Common Stock that are not subject to forfeiture. No award of unrestricted shares will provide for delivery of the shares to any extent earlier than one year after the date of grant thereof, except as a result of a Change in Control Event) or the awardee’s termination of employment or service due to death, disability or involuntary termination without cause (including a resignation for good reason).
Effect of a Change in Control Event. Immediately prior to the consummation of a “Change in Control Event,” as defined in the 2020 Plan, all options and stock appreciation rights (whether or not performance-based) shall become fully exercisable, all vesting periods and conditions under stock awards (whether or not performance-based) shall be deemed to have been satisfied and, to the extent the shares underlying any such stock awards shall not then be issued, such shares shall be immediately issued and delivered. In addition, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, notify all optionees and holders of stock appreciation rights that: (1) they are required to exercise all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights prior to the consummation of the Change in Control Event, and (2) to the extent any option or stock appreciation right is not so exercised, it will terminate upon the consummation of the Change in Control Event. A “Change in Control Event” is generally defined in the 2020 Plan to mean a merger or consolidation of our Company, the sale of substantially all of our assets, shareholder approval of a plan of liquidation or dissolution, any action pursuant to which a person or group would acquire beneficial ownership of more than 50% of our voting securities and certain changes in our board membership.
Clawback/Recoupment. Awards granted under the 2020 Plan will be subject to the requirement that the awards be forfeited or amounts repaid to the Company after they have been distributed to the participant (i) to the extent set forth in an award agreement or (ii) to the extent covered by any clawback or recapture policy adopted by the Company from time to time, or any applicable laws that impose mandatory forfeiture or recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such applicable laws.
Amendment; Termination. Our Board may at any time amend the 2020 Plan for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of the Code, or other applicable law or regulation or for any other legal purpose, provided, however, that shareholder approval of any amendment shall be required to the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws.
Material Federal Income Consequences
Following is a summary of the principal federal income tax consequences of option and other grants under the 2020 Plan. Optionees and recipients of other rights and awards granted under the 2020 Plan are advised to consult their personal tax advisors before exercising an option or stock appreciation right or disposing of any stock received pursuant to the exercise of an option or stock appreciation right or following vesting of a restricted stock award or restricted stock unit or upon grant of an unrestricted stock award. In addition, the following summary is based upon an analysis of the Code as currently in effect, existing laws, judicial decisions, administrative rulings, regulations and proposed regulations, all of which are subject to change and does not address state, local or other tax laws.
Treatment of Options
The Code treats incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options differently. However, as to both types of options, no income will be recognized to the optionee at the time of the grant of the options under the 2020 Plan, nor will our Company be entitled to a tax deduction at that time.
Generally, upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock option (including an option intended to be an incentive stock option but which has not continued to so qualify at the time of exercise), an optionee will recognize ordinary income tax on the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the exercise date over the option price. Our Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the optionee in the fiscal year which includes the end of the optionee’s taxable year. We will be required to satisfy applicable withholding requirements in order to be entitled to a tax deduction. In general, if an optionee, in exercising a nonstatutory stock option, tenders shares of our Class B Common Stock in partial or full payment of the option price, no gain or loss will be recognized on the tender. However, if the tendered shares were previously acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option and the tender is within two years from the date of grant or one year after the date of exercise of the incentive stock option, the tender will be a disqualifying disposition of the shares acquired upon exercise of the incentive stock option.
For incentive stock options, there is no taxable income to an optionee at the time of exercise. However, the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price will be taken into account in determining whether the “alternative minimum tax” will apply for the year of exercise. If the shares acquired upon exercise are held until at least two years from the date of grant and more than one year from the date of exercise, any gain or loss upon the sale of such shares, if held as capital assets, will be long-term capital gain or loss (measured by the difference between the sales price of the stock and the exercise price). Under current federal income tax law, a long-term capital gain will be taxed at a rate which is less than the maximum rate of tax on ordinary income. If the two-year and one year holding period requirements are not met (a “disqualifying disposition”), an optionee will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise minus the exercise price or (ii) the amount realized on disposition minus the exercise price. The remainder of the gain will be treated as long-term capital gain, depending upon whether the stock has been held for more than a year. If an optionee makes a disqualifying disposition, our Company will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
In general, if an optionee, in exercising an incentive stock option, tenders shares of Class B Common Stock in partial or full payment of the option price, no gain or loss will be recognized on the tender. However, if the tendered shares were previously acquired upon the exercise of another incentive stock option and the tender is within two years from the date of grant or one year after the date of exercise of the other option, the tender will be a disqualifying disposition of the shares acquired upon exercise of the other option.
As noted above, the exercise of an incentive stock option could subject an optionee to the alternative minimum tax. The application of the alternative minimum tax to any particular optionee depends upon the particular facts and circumstances which exist with respect to the optionee in the year of exercise. However, as a general rule, the amount by which the fair market value of the Class B Common Stock on the date of exercise of an option exceeds the exercise price of the option will constitute an item of “adjustment” for purposes of determining the alternative minimum taxable income on which the alternative tax may be imposed. As such, this item will enter into the tax base on which the alternative minimum tax is computed, and may therefore cause the alternative minimum tax to become applicable in any given year.
Treatment of Stock Appreciation Rights
Generally, the recipient of a stock appreciation right will not recognize any income upon grant of the stock appreciation right, nor will our Company be entitled to a deduction at that time. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, the holder will recognize ordinary income, and our Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, equal to the fair market value of our Class B Common Stock at that time.
Treatment of Stock Awards
Generally, absent an election to be taxed currently under Section 83(b) of the Code (a "Section 83(b) Election"), there will be no federal income tax consequences to either the recipient or our Company upon the grant of a restricted stock award. At the expiration of the restriction period and the satisfaction of any other restrictions applicable to the restricted shares, the recipient will recognize ordinary income and our Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction equal to the fair market value of the Class B Common Stock at that time. If a Section 83(b) Election is made within 30 days after the date the restricted stock award is granted, the recipient will recognize an amount of ordinary income at the time of the receipt of the restricted shares, and our Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, equal to the fair market value (determined without regard to applicable restrictions) of the shares at such time. If a Section 83(b) Election is made, no additional income will be recognized by the recipient upon the lapse of restrictions on the shares (and prior to the sale of such shares), but, if the shares are subsequently forfeited, the recipient may not deduct the income that was recognized pursuant to the Section 83(b) Election at the time of the receipt of the shares.
The recipient of an unrestricted stock award will recognize ordinary income, and our Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, equal to the fair market value of our Class B Common Stock that is the subject of the award when the award is made.
The recipient of a restricted stock unit will recognize ordinary income as and when the units vest and shares of our Class B Common Stock are issued. The amount of the income will be equal to the fair market value of the shares of our Class B Common Stock issued at that time, and our Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. The recipient of a restricted stock unit will not be permitted to make a Section 83(b) Election with respect to such award.
Section 409A. If an award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, but does not comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the taxable events as described above could apply earlier than described, and could result in the imposition of additional taxes and penalties. Participants are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the applicability of Section 409A of the Code to their awards.
Potential Limitation on Company Deductions
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid in a taxable year by a publicly held corporation to its chief executive officer and certain other “covered employees”. Our Board and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the potential impact of Section 162(m) on grants made under the 2020 Plan, but reserve the right to approve grants of options and other awards for an executive officer that exceeds the deduction limit of Section 162(m).
Tax Withholding
As and when appropriate, we shall have the right to require each optionee purchasing shares of Class B Common Stock and each grantee receiving an award of shares of Class B Common Stock under the 2020 Plan to pay any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld.
New Plan Benefits
No awards will be granted under the 2020 Plan prior to its approval by our shareholders. The grant of options and other awards under the 2020 Plan is discretionary, and we cannot determine now the number or type of options or other awards to be granted in the future to any particular person or group. The awards granted in 2019 under the 2011 Plan, which would not have changed if the 2020 Plan had been in place instead of the 2011 Plan, are set forth in the table below.
|
|
2011 Plan |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Name and Position |
|
Dollar Value |
Number of |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Daniel Bernstein, President and CEO |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
||
|
Craig Brosious, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
||
|
Dennis Ackerman, President of Bel Power Solutions |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
||
|
Raymond Cheung, Vice President Asian Operations |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
||
|
Peter Bittner, President of Bel Connectivity Solutions |
- |
- |
||||||
|
Current executive officers as a group (includes NEOs) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
||
|
Current Non-Employee Directors as a group |
|
332,800 |
|
|
16,000 |
|
||
|
Employees other than executive officers, as a group |
|
1,123,200 |
|
|
54,000 |
|
||
|
1. |
Dollar value reflects the Grant Date Fair Value of awards granted in 2019. |
|
2. |
All shares granted as restricted stock awards |
Securities Issuable Pursuant to Other Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding securities issuable pursuant to our 2011 Equity Compensation Program, please see the information in the Proxy Statement set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation - Equity Compensation Plan Information.”
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to approve Proposal 4.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal 4.
APPENDIX A
AMENDED AND RESTATED BEL FUSE INC. 2020 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
BEL FUSE INC.
2020 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
(As amended and restated effective as of May 4, 2020)
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Bel Fuse Inc. 2020 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) are: to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentives to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to promote the success of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary. Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock Awards, Unrestricted Shares and Stock Appreciation Rights may also be granted under the Plan.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
“Administrator” means a Committee which has been delegated the responsibility of administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan or, if there is no such Committee, the Board.
“Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity compensation plans under the applicable corporate and securities laws of any of the states in the United States, U.S. federal securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Class B Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
“Award” means an Option, a Stock Award, a Stock Appreciation Right and/or the grant of Unrestricted Shares.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cause”, with respect to any Service Provider, means (unless otherwise determined by the Administrator) such Service Provider’s (i) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) fraud on or misappropriation of any funds or property of the Company; (iii) personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than minor traffic violations or similar offenses) or breach of fiduciary duty which involves personal profit; (iv) willful misconduct in connection with the Service Provider’s duties; (v) chronic use of alcohol, drugs or other similar substances which affects the Service Provider’s work performance; or (vi) material breach of any provision of any employment, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement executed by the Service Provider for the benefit of the Company, all as reasonably determined by the Committee, which determination will be conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Service Provider and the Company (or any of its Affiliates) have entered into an employment agreement, consulting agreement, advisory agreement or other similar agreement that specifically defines “cause,” then with respect to such Service Provider, “Cause” shall have the meaning defined in that employment agreement, consulting agreement, advisory agreement or other agreement.
“Change in Control Event” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) the consummation of any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which the holders of the shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger; or
(b) the consummation of any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, other than to a subsidiary or affiliate; or
(c) an approval by the shareholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
(d) any action pursuant to which any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than the Company or any benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any of its subsidiaries) shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally for the election of directors of the Company (“Voting Securities”) representing more than fifty (50%) percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities (calculated as provided in Rule 13d-3(d) in the case of rights to acquire any such securities), unless, prior to such person so becoming such beneficial owner, the Board shall determine that such person so becoming such beneficial owner shall not constitute a Change in Control Event; or
(e) the individuals (A) who, as of the date on which this Plan is first adopted by the Board, constitute the Board (the “Original Directors”) and (B) who thereafter are elected to the Board and whose election, or nomination for election, to the Board was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the Original Directors then still in office (such Directors being called “Additional Original Directors”) and (C) who thereafter are elected to the Board and whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the Original Directors and Additional Original Directors then still in office, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board.
“Class A Common Stock” means the Class A Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company or, if all of the outstanding shares of such class are converted into another class of common stock, the class into which such shares are converted.
“Class B Common Stock” means the Class B Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company or, if all of the outstanding shares of such class are converted into another class of common stock, the class into which such shares are converted.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Committee” means the committee of the Board delegated with the authority to administer the Plan, or the full Board, as provided in Section 4 of the Plan. With respect to any decision relating to a Reporting Person, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more directors who are disinterested within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor provision. The fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify under any of these requirements shall not invalidate an Award if the Award is otherwise validly made under the Plan.
“Company” means Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey corporation.
“Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity, other than an Employee or a Director.
“Director” means a member of the Board.
“Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
“Employee” means any person, including officers and Directors, serving as an employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. An individual shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary or any successor. For purposes of an Option initially granted as an Incentive Stock Option, if a leave of absence of more than three months precludes such Option from being treated as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code, such Option thereafter shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option for purposes of this Plan. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Class B Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) if the Class B Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the NYSE Amex, NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Stock Market, or any successor to any of them, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Class B Common Stock shall be the closing sales price of a Share of Class B Common Stock as quoted on such exchange or system for such date (or the most recent trading day preceding such date if there were no trades on such date), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable, including without limitation, Yahoo! Finance;
(ii) if the Class B Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but is not listed in the manner contemplated by clause (i) above, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Class B Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Class B Common Stock for such date (or the most recent trading day preceding such date if there were no trades on such date), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable, including without limitation Yahoo! Finance; or
(iii) if neither clause (i) above nor clause (ii) above applies, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator based on the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method.
“Grant Agreement” means an agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Grant Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
“Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant, Stock Award grant or grant of Unrestricted Shares or Stock Appreciation Rights. The Notice of Grant applicable to Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be part of the Grant Agreement.
“Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
“Optioned Stock” means the Class B Common Stock subject to an Option.
“Optionee” means the holder of an outstanding Option granted under the Plan.
“Outside Director” means a director of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.
“Parent” means a “parent corporation” of the Company (or, for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Plan, a successor to the Company), whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
“Participant” shall mean any Service Provider who holds an Option, Restricted Stock, a Stock Award, Unrestricted Shares or a Stock Appreciation Right granted or issued pursuant to the Plan.
“Reporting Person” means an officer, director or greater than ten percent stockholder of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-2 under the Exchange Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the Exchange Act.
“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to such Rule 16b-3, as such rule is in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
“Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
“Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
“Share” means a share of the Class B Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 16 of the Plan.
“Stock Appreciation Right” means a right awarded pursuant to Section 14 of the Plan.
“Stock Award” means an Award of Shares pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan or an award of Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan.
“Stock Award Agreement” means an agreement, approved by the Administrator, providing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award.
“Stock Award Shares” means Shares subject to a Stock Award.
“Stock Awardee” means the holder of an outstanding Stock Award granted under the Plan.
“Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company (or, for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Plan, a successor to the Company), whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
“Unrestricted Shares” means a grant of Shares made on an unrestricted basis pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is 1,000,000 Shares, all of which may be issued in respect of Incentive Stock Options. The Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired, shares of Class B Common Stock. If an Option or Stock Appreciation Right expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full or is canceled or terminated, or if any Shares of Restricted Stock or Shares underlying a Stock Award are forfeited or reacquired by the Company, the Shares that were subject thereto shall be added back to the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will, at all times, reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 16(a) of the Plan, the maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan to any Outside Director during any calendar year shall be 8,000 Shares.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided that, subject to Rule 16b-3, the entire Board may act in lieu of the Committee on any matter. If and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Committee may authorize one or more Reporting Persons (or other officers) to make Awards to Eligible Persons who are not Reporting Persons (or other officers whom the Committee has specifically authorized to make Awards). Subject to Applicable Law and the restrictions set forth in the Plan, the Committee may delegate administrative functions to individuals who are Reporting Persons, officers, or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Board shall have the power to add or remove members of the Committee, from time to time, and to fill vacancies on such Committee arising by resignation, death, removal, or otherwise. Meetings shall be held at such times and places as shall be determined by the Committee. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of those members present at any meeting shall decide any question brought before that meeting.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. The Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of Shares;
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options, Stock Awards, Unrestricted Shares and/or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of shares of Class B Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan or of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting, acceleration or waiver of forfeiture provisions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Award, or the Shares of Class B Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Award to a Participant shall provide for vesting or exercise to any extent earlier than one year after the date of grant thereof, except as a result of a Change in Control Event or such Participant’s termination of employment or service due to death, Disability or involuntary termination without Cause (including a resignation for good reason);
(vi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan, Awards granted pursuant to the Plan and agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan;
(vii) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;
(viii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 19(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend, subject to the terms of the Plan, the post-termination exercisability period of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights longer than is otherwise provided for in a Grant Agreement and to accelerate the time at which any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; provided, however, that the Administrator may not (x) reduce the exercise price of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right (except to the extent provided by Section 16(a)), or (y) modify or amend any Option, Stock Appreciation Right or other Award of a Participant to provide for such Option, Stock Appreciation Right or other Award to become vested or exercisable to any extent earlier than one year after the date of grant thereof, except as a result of such Participant’s termination of employment or service due to death, Disability or involuntary termination without Cause (including a resignation for good reason);
(ix) to allow grantees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by having the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, upon vesting of a Stock Award, or upon the grant of Unrestricted Shares that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, provided that withholding is calculated at the minimum statutory withholding level. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All determinations to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made by the Administrator in its discretion;
(x) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any agreement entered into pursuant to the Plan and any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator; and
(xi) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all holders of Awards and Restricted Stock. None of the Board, the Committee or the Administrator, nor any member or delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and each of the foregoing shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time.
5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Awards, Unrestricted Shares and Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, an Award may be granted to a person who is not then a Service Provider; provided, however, that the grant of such Award shall be conditioned upon such person becoming a Service Provider at or prior to the time of the execution of the agreement evidencing such Award.
6. Limitations.
(a) Each Option shall be designated in the Grant Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, if a single Employee becomes eligible in any given year to exercise Incentive Stock Options for Shares having a Fair Market Value in excess of $100,000, those Options representing the excess shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. In the previous sentence, “Incentive Stock Options” include Incentive Stock Options granted under any plan of the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary. For the purpose of deciding which Options apply to Shares that “exceed” the $100,000 limit, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the same order as granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(b) Neither the Plan nor any Award nor any agreement entered into pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.
7. Term of the Plan. Subject to Section 26 of the Plan, the Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board and approval by a majority of shareholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of six (6) years unless terminated earlier under Section 19 of the Plan.
8. Term of Options. The term of each Option shall be stated in the applicable Grant Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the applicable Grant Agreement. However, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns, directly or indirectly, stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the applicable Grant Agreement.
9. Option Exercise Price; Exercisability.
(a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant, or
(B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify for exemption from Section 409A of the Code pursuant to Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(5), the per Share exercise price of a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant, as determined by the Administrator in good faith.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% (or 110%, if clause (i)(A) above applies) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other comparable corporate transaction.
(b) Exercise Period and Conditions. At the time that an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
10. Exercise of Options; Consideration.
(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Grant Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Grant Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Grant Agreement and Section 10(f) of the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 16 of the Plan. Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. Unless otherwise specified in the Grant Agreement, if an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than as a result of (x) the Optionee’s death or Disability, or (y) termination of such Optionee’s employment or relationship with the Company with Cause, or (z) the Optionee’s voluntary termination of employment other than as a result of retirement, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option for up to ninety (90) days following the date on which the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Grant Agreement). If, on the date that the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after the date that the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option in full within the time set forth herein or the Grant Agreement, as applicable, the unexercised portion of the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such unexercised portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. An Optionee who changes his or her status as a Service Provider (e.g., from being an Employee to being a Consultant) shall not be deemed to have ceased being a Service Provider for purposes of this Section 10(b), nor shall a transfer of employment among the Company and any Subsidiary be considered a termination of employment; however, if an Optionee holding Incentive Stock Options ceases being an Employee but continues as a Service Provider, such Incentive Stock Options shall be deemed to be Nonstatutory Stock Options three months after the date of such cessation.
(c) Disability of an Optionee. Unless otherwise specified in the Grant Agreement, if an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee’s Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, to the extent the Option is vested on the date that the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, up until the one-year anniversary of the date on which the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Grant Agreement). If, on the date that the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after the Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option in full within the time set forth herein or the Grant Agreement, as applicable, the unexercised portion of the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such unexercised portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.
(d) Death of an Optionee. Unless otherwise specified in the Grant Agreement, if an Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised, to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death, by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance up until the one-year anniversary of the Optionee’s death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised in full within the time set forth herein or the Grant Agreement, as applicable, the unexercised portion of the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by the unexercised portion of such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(e) Termination for Cause or Voluntary Termination. If a Service Provider’s relationship with the Company is terminated for Cause, or if a Service Provider voluntarily terminates his or her relationship with the Company other than as a result of retirement, then, unless otherwise provided in such Service Provider’s Grant Agreement or by the Administrator, such Service Provider shall have no right to exercise any of such Service Provider’s Options at any time on or after the effective date of such termination.
(f) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option at a time when the Company is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;
(iv) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;
(v) a reduction in the number of Shares otherwise issuable by a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price of the Option being exercised;
(vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(vii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
11. Stock Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at par value or such higher purchase price as it determines) Shares to any Service Provider subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator sets forth in a Stock Award Agreement evidencing such grant. Stock Awards may be granted or sold in respect of past services or other valid consideration or in lieu of any cash compensation otherwise payable to such individual. The grant of Stock Awards under this Section 11 shall be subject to the following provisions:
(a) At the time a Stock Award under this Section 11 is made, the Administrator shall establish a vesting period (the “Restricted Period”) applicable to the Stock Award Shares subject to such Stock Award. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, at the time a grant is made, prescribe restrictions in addition to the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the satisfaction of corporate or individual performance objectives. None of the Stock Award Shares may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period applicable to such Stock Award Shares or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Administrator with respect to such Stock Award Shares.
(b) The Company shall issue, in the name of each Service Provider to whom Stock Award Shares have been granted, stock certificates representing the total number of Stock Award Shares granted to such person, as soon as reasonably practicable after the grant. The Company, at the direction of the Administrator, shall hold such certificates, properly endorsed for transfer, for the Stock Awardee’s benefit until such time as the Stock Award Shares are forfeited to the Company, or the restrictions lapse.
(c) Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, holders of Stock Award Shares shall have the right to vote such Shares and have the right to receive any cash dividends with respect to such Shares. All distributions, if any, received by a Stock Awardee with respect to Stock Award Shares as a result of any stock split, stock distribution, combination of shares, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the restrictions of this Section 11.
(d) Any Stock Award Shares granted to a Service Provider pursuant to the Plan shall be forfeited if the Stock Awardee voluntarily terminates employment with the Company or its subsidiaries or resigns or voluntarily terminates his consultancy or advisory arrangement or directorship with the Company or its subsidiaries, or if the Stock Awardee’s employment or the consultant’s or advisor’s consultancy or advisory arrangement or directorship is terminated for Cause, in each case prior to the expiration or termination of the applicable Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions applicable to such Stock Award Shares. Upon such forfeiture, the Stock Award Shares that are forfeited shall be retained in the treasury of the Company and be available for subsequent awards under the Plan. If the Stock Awardee’s employment, consultancy or advisory arrangement or directorship terminates for any other reason prior to the expiration or termination of the applicable Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions applicable to such Stock Award Shares, the Stock Award Shares held by such person shall be forfeited, unless the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine otherwise.
(e) Upon the expiration or termination of the Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, the restrictions applicable to the Stock Award Shares shall lapse and, at the Stock Awardee’s request, a stock certificate for the number of Stock Award Shares with respect to which the restrictions have lapsed shall be delivered, free of all such restrictions, to the Stock Awardee or his beneficiary or estate, as the case may be.
(f) Prior to the delivery of any shares of Class B Common Stock in connection with a Stock Award under this Section 11, the Company shall be entitled to require as a condition of delivery that the Stock Awardee shall pay or make adequate provision acceptable to the Company for the satisfaction of the statutory minimum prescribed amount of federal and state income tax and other withholding obligations of the Company, including, if permitted by the Administrator, by having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Class B Common Stock otherwise deliverable in connection with a Stock Award, a number of shares of Class B Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding obligations.
12. Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Restricted Stock Units to a Service Provider subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee sets forth in a Stock Award Agreement evidencing such grant. “Restricted Stock Units” are Awards denominated in units evidencing the right to receive Shares of Class B Common Stock, which may vest over such period of time and/or upon satisfaction of such performance criteria or objectives as is determined by the Committee at the time of grant and set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, without payment of any amounts by the Stock Awardee thereof (except to the extent required by law). Prior to delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock with respect to an award of Restricted Stock Units, the Stock Awardee shall have no rights as a stockholder of the Company.
Upon satisfaction and/or achievement of the applicable vesting requirements relating to an award of Restricted Stock Units, the Stock Awardee shall be entitled to receive a number of shares of Class B Common Stock that are equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units that became vested. To the extent, if any, set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, cash dividend equivalents may be paid during, or may be accumulated and paid at the end of, the applicable vesting period, as determined by the Committee.
Unless otherwise provided by the Stock Award Agreement, any Restricted Stock Units granted to a Service Provider pursuant to the Plan shall be forfeited if the Stock Awardee’s employment or service with the Company or its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason prior to the expiration or termination of the applicable vesting period and/or the achievement of such other vesting conditions applicable to the award.
Prior to the delivery of any shares of Class B Common Stock in connection with an award of Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall be entitled to require as a condition of delivery that the Stock Awardee shall pay or make adequate provision acceptable to the Company for the satisfaction of the statutory minimum prescribed amount of federal and state income tax and other withholding obligations of the Company, including, if permitted by the Administrator, by having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Class B Common Stock otherwise deliverable in connection with an award of Restricted Stock Units, a number of shares of Class B Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding obligations.
13. Unrestricted Shares. The Administrator may grant Unrestricted Shares in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) The Administrator may cause the Company to grant Unrestricted Shares to Service Providers at such time or times, in such amounts and for such reasons as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine; provided, however, that no such grant of Unrestricted Shares shall provide for delivery of such Unrestricted Shares to any extent earlier than one year after the date of grant thereof, except as a result of a Change in Control Event or such Participant’s termination of employment or service due to death, Disability or involuntary termination without Cause (including a resignation for good reason). No payment shall be required for Unrestricted Shares.
(b) The Company shall issue, in the name of each Service Provider to whom Unrestricted Shares have been granted, stock certificates representing the total number of Unrestricted Shares granted to such individual, and shall deliver such certificates to such Service Provider as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of grant or on such later date as the Administrator shall determine at the time of grant.
(c) Prior to the delivery of any Unrestricted Shares, the Company shall be entitled to require as a condition of delivery that the Stock Awardee shall pay or make adequate provision acceptable to the Company for the satisfaction of the statutory minimum prescribed amount of federal and state income tax and other withholding obligations of the Company, including, if permitted by the Administrator, by having the Company withhold from the number of Unrestricted Shares otherwise deliverable, a number of shares of Class B Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding obligations.
14. Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted by the Committee either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) Each Stock Appreciation Right shall relate to such number of Shares as shall be determined by the Committee.
(b) The Award Date (i.e., the date of grant) of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be the date specified by the Committee, provided that that date shall not be before the date on which the Stock Appreciation Right is actually granted. The Award Date of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be prior to the date on which the recipient commences providing services as a Service Provider. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall become exercisable at such time or times and in such amount or amounts during its term as shall be determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, once a Stock Appreciation Right becomes exercisable, whether in full or in part, it shall remain so exercisable until its expiration, forfeiture, termination or cancellation.
(c) A Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Committee. As soon as practicable after receipt of the written notice, the Company shall deliver to the person exercising the Stock Appreciation Right stock certificates for the Shares to which that person is entitled under Section 14(d) hereof.
(d) A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable for Shares only. The number of Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by dividing:
(i) the number of Shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised multiplied by the amount of the appreciation per Share (for this purpose, the “appreciation per Share” shall be the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a Share on the exercise date exceeds (x) in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Option, the exercise price or (y) in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted alone without reference to an Option, the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Award Date of the Stock Appreciation Right); by
(ii) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the exercise date.
15. Non-Transferability. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. If the Administrator makes an Option or Stock Appreciation Right transferable, such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide in the Grant Agreement regarding a given Option that the Optionee may transfer, without consideration for the transfer, his or her Nonstatutory Stock Options to members of his or her immediate family, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and the applicable Option. During the period when Shares of Restricted Stock and Stock Award Shares are restricted (by virtue of vesting schedules or otherwise), such Shares may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution.
16. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization; Change in Control Events.
(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares of Class B Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option, Stock Appreciation Right and Stock Award, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock outstanding and the number of Shares of Class B Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or Stock Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Award, as well as the price per share of Class B Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Class B Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Class B Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Class B Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares of Class B Common Stock subject to an Award hereunder. Except as expressly provided herein, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into sub-shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares of Class B Common Stock then subject to outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
(b) Change in Control Events. Immediately prior to the consummation of a Change in Control Event, all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (whether or not performance-based) shall become fully exercisable, and all vesting periods and conditions under Stock Awards (whether or not performance-based) shall be deemed to have been satisfied and, to the extent the Shares underlying any such Stock Awards shall not then be issued, such Shares shall be immediately issued and delivered. In addition, the Administrator may, in its discretion, notify all Optionees and holders of Stock Appreciation Rights that: (1) they are required to exercise all outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights prior to the consummation of the Change in Control Event, and (2) to the extent any Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not so exercised, it will terminate upon the consummation of the Change in Control Event.
17. Substitute Options. In the event that the Company, directly or indirectly, acquires another entity, the Board may authorize the issuance of stock options (“Substitute Options”) to the individuals performing services for the acquired entity in substitution of stock options previously granted to those individuals in connection with their performance of services for such entity upon such terms and conditions as the Board shall determine, taking into account the conditions of Code Section 424(a), as from time to time amended or superseded, in the case of a Substitute Option that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Shares of capital stock underlying Substitute Stock Options shall not constitute Shares issued pursuant to the Plan for any purpose.
18. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award or Unrestricted Share shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Stock Award or Unrestricted Share, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each grantee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
19. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that no such amendment may, without shareholder approval, (i) permit or provide for the reduction of the exercise price of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or (ii) permit Awards to be granted or modified in a manner that permits vesting or exercise thereof, or permits the delivery of Unrestricted Shares, to any extent earlier than one year after the date of grant thereof, except as a result of a Change in Control Event or a Participant’s termination of employment or service due to death, Disability or involuntary termination without Cause (including a resignation for good reason).
(b) Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any grantee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the grantee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the grantee and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
20. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued in connection with the grant of any Stock Award or Unrestricted Share or the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right unless such grant or the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the grant of any Stock Award or Unrestricted Share or the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Company may require the person receiving such Award or exercising such Option or Stock Appreciation Right to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or grant that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
(c) Additional Conditions. The Administrator shall have the authority to condition the grant of any Award in such other manner that the Administrator determines to be appropriate, provided that such condition is not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, including, without limitation, the execution by an Employee of an agreement not to compete in connection with the grant of any Award to such Employee.
(d) Trading Policy Restrictions. Option and or Stock Appreciation Right exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions of any insider trading policy established by the Company or the Administrator.
21. Forfeiture Events/Representations. The Committee may specify in a Grant Agreement or Stock Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of service for Cause, violation of material Company policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or its affiliates. The Committee may also specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be conditioned upon the Participant making a representation regarding compliance with noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant and providing that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment on account of a breach of such representation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the confidentiality restrictions set forth in any Grant Agreement or Stock Award Agreement shall not, and shall not be interpreted to, impair a Participant from exercising any legally protected whistleblower rights (including under Rule 21 of the Exchange Act). In addition and without limitation of the foregoing, any amounts paid hereunder shall be subject to recoupment in accordance with The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any “clawback” policy adopted by the Company or as is otherwise required by applicable law or stock exchange listing condition.
22. Foreign Jurisdictions. The Committee may adopt, amend and terminate such arrangements and grant such Awards, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may deem necessary or desirable to comply with any tax, securities, regulatory or other laws of other jurisdictions with respect to Awards that may be subject to such laws. The terms and conditions of such Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Moreover, the Board may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of the Plan, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose.
23. Section 409A Compliance. To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and all Awards hereunder comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereto, and the Plan and all Grant Agreements and Stock Award Agreements shall be interpreted and applied by the Committee in a manner consistent with this intent in order to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or a Grant Agreement or Stock Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that any provision of the Plan or a Grant Agreement or Stock Award Agreement is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to not comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereto, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, have the authority to take such actions and to make such interpretations or changes to the Plan, Grant Agreement or Stock Award Agreement as the Committee deems necessary, regardless of whether such actions, interpretations, or changes shall adversely affect a Participant, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. If an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, any payment made to a Participant who is a “specified employee” of the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be made before the date that is six months after the Participant’s “separation from service” to the extent required to avoid the adverse consequences of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of this Section 23, the terms “separation from service” and “specified employee” shall have the meanings set forth in Section 409A of the Code. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on any Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
24. Stock Certificates; Book Entry Form. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any Applicable Law, any obligation set forth in the Plan pertaining to the delivery or issuance of stock certificates evidencing Shares may be satisfied by having issuance and/or ownership of such Shares recorded on the books and records of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).
25. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
26. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, any exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted before the Company has obtained shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with this Section 26 shall be conditioned upon obtaining such shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with this Section 26.
27. Withholding; Notice of Sale. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from any amounts payable to an Employee or other Service Provider any amounts which the Company determines, in its discretion, are required to be withheld under any Applicable Law as a result of any action taken by a holder of an Award.
28. Governing Law. This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey, without regard to conflict of law principles.