8-K
Cal-Maine Foods Inc (CALM)
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):
February 25, 2025
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
001-38695
64-0500378
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
,
Suite 200
,
Ridgeland
,
MS
39157
(Address of principal executive offices (zip code))
601
-
948-6813
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the
registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2 below):
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
CALM
The
NASDAQ
Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act of
1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2
of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act.
☐
Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Background
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (“Cal-Maine Foods,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”)
has been controlled by members of the family
of our
founder, Fred
R. Adams, Jr.,
since its
founding and
since it
became a
public company.
In connection
with Mr. Adams’
estate planning
in 2018,
Mr. Adams’ four daughters
and Adolphus B.
Baker, Chair
of the
Company’s Board
of Directors
(the
“Board”) and
Mr. Adams’ son-in-law
(the “Members”)
(and/or their
respective predecessors-in-interest),
took certain
actions,
including forming
DLNL, LLC,
a Delaware
limited liability
company (“Daughters’ LLC” and
together with
the Members,
the
“Stockholder Parties”),
to enable
Mr. Adams’ family to
continue to
own and
retain shares
of the
Company’s Class A common
stock, $0.01 par
value per share
(the “Class A Shares”), and common
stock, $0.01 par
value per share
(the “Common Shares”)
sufficient
to
maintain
majority
voting
control
of
the
Company
after
his
death
and
to
provide
for
the
long-term,
stable
and
consistent ownership and governance of the Company.
Mr. Adams passed away on March 29, 2020.
Daughters’
LLC holds 4,800,000 Class
A Shares,
representing 100% of the
outstanding Class A
Shares.
The Class
A Shares
have
ten votes per
share and are
convertible on a
share-for-share basis into
Common Shares, which
have one vote
per share.
Generally,
the Class A
Shares automatically convert to Common Shares upon transfer to persons not related to the family.
The outstanding Class
A Shares
currently represent approximately
52.0% of the Company’s
total voting power.
In addition to the
Class A Shares, Daughters’ LLC
also holds
1,087,956 Common Shares,
bringing the
total voting
power of
the shares
held by
Daughters’ LLC to approximately
53.2%.
The Members have
informed the Board
that they are
potentially interested in
diversifying their respective
financial portfolios (the
“Potential Portfolio Diversification”), including through
the potential sale of
all or a portion
of the Common Shares
underlying
the Class
A Shares
held by Daughters’
LLC, as most
of them have
become more focused
on their individual
estate planning efforts
and philanthropic
endeavors.
The Potential
Portfolio Diversification
could result
in Daughters’ LLC
ceasing to
have majority
voting control of the Company, which in turn would result in the Company ceasing
to be a “controlled company” pursuant to the
rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Members indicated that they were willing to work with the Company towards achieving
a smooth
transition. Before
giving effect
to any
potential sales,
if Daughters’
LLC were
to convert
its Class A
Shares into
Common
Shares, Daughters’ LLC’s total voting
power would decline
from 53.2% to
12.0% of the
voting power of
the Company’s then-
outstanding Common Shares. The Class A Conversion would have no impact
on the Daughters’ LLC’s economic interest in the
Company, which would remain at 12.0%.
As noted above, Mr. Baker has an interest in the Potential Portfolio Diversification
and, as a director, has an interest in certain of
the potential
actions by
the Company to
address the Potential
Portfolio Diversification.
Because Mr. Baker’s interests
may be
different
from
the
interests
of
the
stockholders
generally,
the
Board
authorized
a
special
committee,
consisting
solely
of
disinterested
independent directors
(the “Special
Committee”), to
consider what
corporate actions,
if
any, should
be
taken to
address the impact of the Potential Portfolio Diversification on the Company and its stockholders.
The Special Committee, among other things,
considered and determined that it was
in the best interests of
the Company and its
stockholders for the Company
to facilitate the Members’
sale of their Common
Shares, including the Common
Shares underlying
their Class A Shares, and manage the
loss of controlled company
status, in each
case, in an orderly
manner in compliance with
legal requirements.
On February 24, 2025,
the Special Committee
unanimously recommended to
the Board, and,
on February 25,
2025, the
Board
approved the
Agreement Regarding Conversion
(the “Conversion
Agreement”), by and among
the Company and the
Stockholder
Parties, including the documents contemplated
by that agreement, which include:
(i) the Third
Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company (“Restated Charter”),
to become effective upon filing with the
Delaware Secretary of State (the
“Restated
Charter
Effective
Date”),
(ii) the Amended
and
Restated
Bylaws of
the
Company
(“Restated
Bylaws”), to
become
effective
on
the Restated
Charter
Effective Date,
and
(iii) an
amendment and
restatement of
the
Daughters’ LLC’s
operating
agreement
to
permit
Daughters’ LLC
to
take
the
actions
provided
for
in
the
Conversion Agreement
(the
“Daughters’ LLC
Amendment”).
The Conversion
Agreement, including
the documents
contemplated by
that agreement,
are referred
to collectively
as the
“Transactions.”
At the
meeting at
which the
Board approved
the Conversion Agreement,
the Board
also unanimously
approved and declared advisable the Restated Charter, and directed that it be submitted for stockholder approval by the majority
written consent of stockholders.
Thereafter, on February 25, 2025, the Conversion Agreement was
executed and delivered by
the Company and the
Stockholder
Parties, and Daughters’ LLC executed and delivered the majority written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders approving
the Restated Charter (the
“Majority Written Consent”)
in accordance with Section 228
of the Delaware General
Corporation Law
(the “DGCL”).
As requested by the
Board, Mr. Baker
plans to continue to
serve as Board
Chair at least until
the Company’s 2027 annual
meeting
of stockholders.
Contemporaneously with
the filing
of this
Current Report
on Form
8-K, the
Company is
also filing
a preliminary
Information
Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding the Restated Charter and related matters.
The
Restated Charter will become effective upon filing with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Secretary
of State”),
which the
Company expects
to occur
on or
promptly after
the 20th
calendar day
following the
distribution of
the
definitive Information Statement to stockholders.
Because the Restated Charter
has been approved by
the Board and by
the stockholder vote required
by law, the Company
will not
be soliciting proxies or holding a meeting of stockholders to consider the Restated Charter.
Agreement Regarding Conversion
The Conversion Agreement provides for the following:
●
The approval by the Board, and approval by
Daughters’ LLC
by majority written consent, of the Restated Charter,
to be
effective upon the Restated Charter Effective Date;
●
The approval
by the
Board of
the Restated
Bylaws, which
include provisions
that align
with the
Restated Charter,
to
become effective on the Restated Charter Effective Date;
●
The agreement by the Stockholder Parties not to convert any Class A Shares into Common Shares prior to the Restated
Charter Effective Date;
●
The agreement by the Stockholder Parties that if
Daughters’ LLC converts any Class A
Shares into Common Shares, it
will simultaneously convert all (but not less than all) Class
A Shares into Common Shares (the “Class A
Conversion”);
●
After
the
effective
date
of
the
Class A
Conversion
(the
“Class A
Conversion
Date”),
and
ending
on
the
12-month
anniversary of
the Class
A
Conversion Date
(or, if
earlier, December 31, 2026),
certain registration
rights of
the Members
to offer or sell Common Shares in a registered offering under the Securities
Act; and
●
The adoption by the
Stockholder Parties of an
amended and restated limited
liability company operating agreement of
Daughters’ LLC, which provides for
certain changes to
permit Daughters’ LLC to take
the actions provided
for in the
Conversion Agreement.
The Conversion Agreement
also provides
that, prior
to the
expiration of
the registration
rights, each
Stockholder Party
agrees
(i) to cause all
Common Shares and
Class A Shares held by such
Stockholder Party (or
over which such
Stockholder Party has
voting discretion or
control as of
the applicable record
date) to be
present either in
person or by
proxy for quorum
purposes at
any stockholders’ meeting at which
directors of the
Company are elected,
and (ii) to vote,
or cause to
be voted, such
Common
Shares and Class A Shares held by it (or over which such Stockholder Party has voting discretion or control) in favor of not less
than three independent directors.
The Transactions do not
require any Stockholder
Party to convert
Class A Common Shares into Common
Shares or to
sell any
Common Shares.
As noted above, the registration rights provided to the Members pursuant to the Conversion
Agreement expire
on the 12-month anniversary of the Class A
Conversion Date (or, if earlier, December 31, 2026).
The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the
Conversion Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith
as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 1.02
Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
Pursuant
to the
Conversion Agreement,
that certain
Agreement Regarding
Common Stock,
dated as
of
July 20, 2018,
by
and
among the Company and
the Members, among others,
which is filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s
annual report on Form 10-
K
for
the
fiscal
year
ended
June 1, 2024,
terminated
on
February 25, 2025,
upon
execution
and
delivery
of
the
Conversion
Agreement.
Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.
(a)
The Company has not experienced a change of control.
(b)
As
described
in
Item 1.01,
if
the
Class A Conversion
occurs,
Daughters’ LLC
will
no
longer
control
a
majority
of
the
Company’s total voting power, and the
Company would no longer be a
“controlled company” under the rules
of The Nasdaq
Stock Market.
As described in
Item 1.01, the Conversion Agreement does
not require Daughters’ LLC to
convert its Class A Shares
or to sell
any shares of
the Company.
Therefore, there can be
no assurance that the
Class A Conversion will occur or,
if so, when it
will
occur. However, even if the
Class A Conversion occurs, it would represent a dissipation of control, not a
“change of control” in
the traditional sense because no other third party would be acquiring control. For example, the Class
A Conversion would not be
considered a “change of control” for purposes of the Company’s incentive plan or outstanding equity grants.
The
description
of
the
Conversion Agreement
and
the
documents
contemplated
by
that
agreement
set
forth
in
Item 1.01
is
incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.
Item 5.03 Amendments to
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
As described in
Item 1.01, the
Restated Charter will
become effective upon
filing with the
Delaware Secretary of
State, which
the Company expects to occur on or promptly after the 20th calendar day following the distribution
of the definitive Information
Statement to
stockholders. The Restated
Charter provides for
the following
changes, among others,
to the
Company’s existing
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
as amended (the “Current Charter”):
Authorization of Undesignated Preferred Stock
Under the Restated
Charter, the Board
will have the
authority, without further
action by the
stockholders, to authorize
the issuance
by the Company of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), in one or more
series and to fix the rights, preferences,
privileges
and restrictions granted to or imposed
upon the Preferred Stock.
Any or all of
these rights may be greater than the rights of our Common Shares or Class
A Shares. Under the Current Charter, the Company
is
not authorized to issue preferred stock.
Classified Board
The Restated Charter
provides for classification
of the Board,
pursuant to which
directors will be
divided into three
classes, as
nearly equal
in number
as possible.
The directors
in Class I
will each
have a
term expiring
at the
first annual
meeting of
the
stockholders following the effectiveness of
the Restated Charter.
The directors in Class II will
each have a term expiring
at the
second annual
meeting of
the stockholders
following the
effectiveness of
the Restated
Charter.
The directors
in Class III
will
each have a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of the Restated Charter.
At each annual
meeting of stockholders
of the Company
beginning with the
first annual meeting
of stockholders following
the
effectiveness of the Restated Charter,
subject to any rights of
the holders of shares of
any class or series of
Preferred Stock, the
successors of
the directors
whose term
expires at
that meeting
shall be
elected to
hold office
for a
term expiring
at the
annual
meeting of stockholders held
in the third year
following the year of
their election and will
hold office until
their successors are
duly elected and
qualified, subject to
such director’s earlier
death, resignation or
removal.
In the case
of any increase
or decrease,
from time to time,
in the number of
directors of the Company,
the number of directors
in each class shall
be apportioned as nearly
equal as possible.
No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Upon the effective date of the Restated Charter, the Board will be classified into three classes, and it is expected
that the current
directors will be apportioned into the three classes as provided below:
Class
Directors
Class I
(terms expiring at the 2025 Annual Meeting)
Sherman L. Miller and Camille S.
Young
Class II
(terms expiring at the 2026 Annual Meeting)
Max P. Bowman and Letitia C. Hughes
Class III
(terms expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting)
Adolphus B.
Baker, Steve W.
Sanders and James E.
Poole
Pursuant to the Current
Charter, the Board is not
classified, and directors are elected
at each annual meeting to
serve for a term
of one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
No Cumulative Voting in Director Elections
Under the Restated Charter, cumulative voting in director elections will not be permitted. Cumulative voting,
which is permitted
by the
Current Charter,
is a
process for
electing directors
that permits
each stockholder
to cast
a number
of votes
equal to
the
number of
Board seats
up for
election, multiplied
by the
number of
votes attributable
to the
Company Shares
the stockholder
owns. Those votes can then be allocated by the stockholder disproportionately to one or more candidates.
Removal of Directors by Stockholders Only for Cause
Under the
Restated Charter,
subject to
the rights
of holders
of any
series of
Preferred Stock
with respect
to the
election of
directors,
a director may be removed
from office by the stockholders
of the Company only for
cause and only by the
affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority
of the voting power of
all then outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. The DGCL permits corporations with classified boards to
include this
provision in
their charters.
The Current
Charter and
the Company’s
existing Amended
and Restated
Bylaws (the
“Current Bylaws”)
are silent
with regard
to the
removal of
directors, and
therefore, pursuant
to the
DGCL, directors
may be
removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the voting power.
Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships
The Restated Charter provides that, subject
to the rights of holders of any
series of Preferred Stock with respect
to the election of
directors, vacancies
occurring on
the Board
for any
reason and
newly created
directorships resulting
from an
increase in
the
number of directors
may be filled
only by vote
of a majority
of the remaining
members of the
Board, although less
than a quorum,
or by a sole remaining director, at any meeting of the Board and
not by the stockholders.
A person so elected by the
Board to fill
a vacancy or newly
created directorship shall hold
office until the next
election of the class
for which such person
shall have been
assigned by the Board and until such person’s successor shall be duly elected and qualified or until such director’s
earlier death,
resignation or removal.
The Current Bylaws
contain a similar
provision, but do
not restrict the
power to fill
vacancies to the
Board
and do not address vacancies occurring in a class of directors, as under the Current Charter the Board is not classified.
Amendments to Charter
Pursuant to
the Restated
Charter, any
amendment to
the Restated
Charter will
require the
affirmative vote
of the
holders of
at
least 66
2
/
3
% of the voting
power of all then outstanding
shares of capital stock of
the Company entitled to vote
generally in the
election of directors, voting together as a single class.
In addition, so long as any Class A Shares are outstanding, the Company
may not, without first obtaining the approval by vote or written consent in the manner provided by law of the holders of not less
than
66
2
/
3
%
of
the
total
number
of
Class A Shares
outstanding,
voting
separately
as
a
class,
(i) alter
or
change
the
rights
or
privileges of
Class A Shares, (ii) amend any
provision of the
section of the
Restated Charter designating
the special rights
and
privileges
of
the
Class
A
Shares
affecting
the
Class
A
Shares
or
(3) effect
any
re-classification
or
re-capitalization
of
the
Company’s outstanding capital stock.
The
Current
Charter
contains
the
same
provisions
with
respect
to
the
special
voting
rights
of
the
Class A
Shares
described
immediately above. The Current Charter is otherwise silent with respect to
amendments; therefore, under the DGCL, except for
such special voting rights of the Class A
Shares, or as may otherwise be required by law, the Current Charter can be amended by
the approval of a
majority in voting interest
of the Common Shares
and Class A Shares issued and outstanding, voting together
as a group.
Amendments to Bylaws
Under the Restated Charter,
the bylaws of the
Company then in effect
may be amended by
the Board or the
affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 66
2
/
3
% of the voting power of all then outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
The Current Charter provides that the Board is authorized to amend the Company’s
bylaws, and the Current Bylaws provide that
they may be amended by the
Board or by the stockholders by
the vote of the holders of
a majority in voting interest of
the capital
stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
The Restated Charter specifically denies the
ability of stockholders to act by
written consent. The Current Charter is silent
with
respect to
the ability
of
stockholders to
act by
written consent;
therefore, under
the DGCL,
stockholder action
may be
taken
without a meeting, without prior notice
and without a vote, if a consent
or consents, setting forth the action so
taken, is signed by
the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take
such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
Special Meetings of Stockholders
The Restated
Charter provides
that special
stockholder meetings
may be
called at
any time
only by
the Board
Chair or
by the
Board.
The ability of stockholders to call special stockholder meetings is specifically denied. The Current Charter is silent with
respect to calling special stockholder meetings, and the Current Bylaws provide that special stockholder meetings may be called
by the Board
Chair, chief executive
officer, president, a
majority of the
Board, or by
stockholders owning a
majority in voting
interest of the entire capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.
Indemnification
Under the Restated Charter, the
Company will indemnify its directors
and officers to the fullest
extent authorized or permitted by
the DGCL,
as now
or hereafter
in effect.
A director’s
right to
indemnification will
include the
right to
be paid
the expenses
incurred in
defending or
otherwise participating
in any
proceeding in
advance of
its final
disposition, but
only if
that director
presents to the
Company a written
undertaking to repay
that amount if
it shall ultimately
be determined that
the director is
not
entitled to be indemnified.
Insurance
Pursuant to the Restated Charter, the Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
current or former director
or officer against any liability asserted against that person to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the DGCL.
Forum Selection
The Restated Charter provides that,
unless a majority of the
Board, acting on behalf of
the Company, consents in writing
to the
selection of
an alternative
forum, the
Court of
Chancery of
the State
of Delaware
(or, if
the Court
of Chancery
does not
have
jurisdiction, another state court located within the State of
Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware
has
jurisdiction, the
federal district
court for
the District
of Delaware),
will be
the sole
and exclusive
forum for
(i) any derivative
action or
proceeding brought
on behalf
of the
Company under
Delaware law,
(ii) any action
asserting a
claim of
breach of
a
fiduciary
duty
owed
by
any
current
or
former
director,
officer
or
other
employee
of
the
Company
to
the
Company
or
the
Company’s stockholders,
(iii) any action
asserting a
claim against
the Company
or any
of its directors,
officers or other
employees
arising pursuant to
any provision of
the DGCL, the
Company’s certificate of
incorporation or bylaws
(in each
case, as may
be
amended
from
time
to
time),
(iv) any
action
asserting
a
claim
against
the
Company
or
any
of
its
directors,
officers
or
other
employees
governed
by
the
internal
affairs
doctrine
of
the
State
of
Delaware
or
(v) any
other
action
asserting
an
“internal
corporate claim,” as defined in Section 115 of
the DGCL, in all cases subject to
the court’s having personal jurisdiction over all
indispensable parties named as defendants.
The Restated Charter further provides that, unless a majority of the Board, acting on behalf of the Company, consents in writing
to the selection of an alternative forum,
the federal district courts of the United States
of America will be the sole and exclusive
forum for the resolution of any action asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities
Act.
The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the
Company’s Third Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.2.
Amended and Restated Bylaws
As described in
Item 1.01, the
Restated Bylaws will
become effective when
the Restated Charter
becomes effective. The
Restated
Bylaws contain changes that align
with the Restated Charter. In
addition, the Restated Bylaws provide
for the following changes,
among others, to the Current Bylaws:
Advance Notice for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
The
Restated
Bylaws
establish
advance
notice
procedures
for
stockholder
proposals
to
be
brought
before
a
meeting
of
our
stockholders, including
proposed nominations
of persons
for election
to the
Board.
At an
annual meeting,
stockholders may
consider only
proposals or
nominations (i) specified
in the
notice of
the meeting
given at
the direction
of the
Board, or
as otherwise
properly brought
before the meeting
at the direction
of the Board,
or (ii) submitted by
a stockholder
who is a
stockholder of
record
at the time of
giving the notice provided
for in the Restated
Bylaws through the meeting
date, is entitled to
vote at the
meeting
and complies with the advance notice procedures, including with respect to timing and content, set forth in the
Restated Bylaws.
To be timely, stockholder notice of
proposals and nominations must be received
by the corporate secretary no later
than the close
of business on
the 90th day,
and no earlier
than the 120th
day, prior
to the first
anniversary of the
date of
the preceding year’s
annual meeting (unless the meeting date is significantly shifted as provided in the Restated Bylaws).
At a special meeting, stockholders may
consider only business brought before the meeting
pursuant to the Company’s notice of
the meeting, and if the notice
includes director elections, nominations may
be made (i) at the direction of
the Board or (ii) by any
stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving the notice provided for in
the Restated Bylaws through meeting
date,
is entitled
to vote
at
the meeting
and on
the election,
and complies
with the
advance notice
procedures, including
with
respect to timing
and content, set
forth in the
Restated Bylaws.
To be timely,
stockholder notice of
a nomination must
be received
by the corporate secretary no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior
to the special meeting and no later than the
close of
business on
the later
of (i) the
90th day
prior to
the meeting
and (ii) the
tenth day
following the
day on
which public
disclosure of the date of the meeting is first made by the Company.
In addition,
stockholders may
consider a
stockholder proposal
included in
the Company’s
proxy materials
in compliance
with
Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
All proposals and nominations must also comply with all applicable legal requirements.
Director Eligibility
Under the Restated Bylaws, no person will be eligible for election as a director unless he or she has, within ten days following a
reasonable request, made himself or herself available to be interviewed by the Board (or any committee or other subset thereof).
Conduct of Meetings
Under the Restated Bylaws,
the Board Chair (or,
in his or
her absence, a
director or officer
appointed by the
Board) will act as
the chairperson of stockholder meetings.
The Board and the chairperson
of a stockholder meeting may
adopt rules, regulations
and procedures for the conduct of
that meeting, and the chairperson will
have the authority to convene and (for
any or no reason)
recess or adjourn that meeting.
Lead Independent Director
Pursuant to
the Restated Bylaws,
if the
Board Chair does
not qualify
as independent, the
independent directors shall
appoint a
lead independent director.
The lead independent director,
if any, shall
preside at all
executive sessions of
the Board, serve as
a
liaison to the
Chief Executive Officer
and other directors
not present at
executive sessions of
the Board regarding
topics discussed
in executive
session or
other matters
as may
be raised
from time
to time
by one
or more
independent directors, work
with the
Board Chair
and other
directors to
determine agenda
items for
Board meetings,
have the
power to
call meetings
of the independent
directors, and have such
other responsibilities, and perform
such duties, as may
from time to time
be assigned to him
or her by
the Board. The independent directors
may remove or replace
the lead independent director
from such position at
any time with
or without
cause by
the vote
of a
majority of
the independent
directors present
at a
duly convened
Board meeting.
The independent
directors shall periodically consider whether and, if
so, when to rotate the position of lead
independent director, and may appoint
a
lead
independent
director
for
a
specified
term,
which
may
be
renewed.
Pursuant
to
the
Restated
Bylaws,
the
independent
directors will appoint a lead independent director, effective as of the Restated Charter Effective Date.
The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the
Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.3.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
On February 25, 2025, the Board
approved the Transactions, including approving and declaring advisable the Restated Charter,
and
directing
that
it
be
submitted
for
stockholder
approval
by
the
majority
written
consent
of
stockholders.
Also
on
February 25, 2025, Daughters’
LLC delivered
the Majority
Written
Consent to
the
Company approving
the Restated
Charter.
Because the Majority Written Consent is sufficient to satisfy the stockholder vote requirement under the DGCL for the approval
of
amendments
to
the
Current
Charter,
no
additional
stockholder
vote
will
be
needed
to
approve
the
Restated
Charter.
Consequently, the Company will not be soliciting proxies or holding a meeting of stockholders to consider the Restated Charter.
Pursuant to Section 228 of the DGCL, Article II, Section 11 of the Current Bylaws and Section 14(c) of the Securities
Exchange
Act
of
1934,
as
amended
(the
“Exchange Act”),
and
the
regulations
promulgated
thereunder,
including
Regulation
14C,
a
Schedule 14C Information Statement will be filed with the SEC
and sent or given to the stockholders of the Company to
provide
prompt notice of the taking
of a corporate action by
written consent of stockholders to
the Company’s stockholders who
have not
consented in writing to such action.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
The Company also announced on February 25, 2025 that its
Board has approved a new $500 million share repurchase program.
The share repurchase program authorizes
the Company, in management’s discretion,
to repurchase Common Shares from time
to
time for an aggregate purchase
price up to $500
million (exclusive of any fees,
taxes, commissions or other expenses related
to
such repurchases),
subject to
market conditions
and other
factors. The
actual timing,
number and
value of
shares repurchased
under the program will be
determined by management in its
discretion and will depend on
a number of factors, including,
but not
limited to, the market price of the Common Shares and general market and economic conditions.
The Company expects to strategically and opportunistically repurchase shares from time to time through solicited or unsolicited
transactions in the
open market, in
privately negotiated transactions
or by other
means in accordance
with securities laws.
It is
also possible
that the
Company could
use a
portion of
its new
share repurchase
program to
repurchase some
of the
Members’
Common Shares
as
part of
the Potential
Portfolio Diversification.
Any repurchases
from
the
Members would
require special
approval from the Special Committee. The Company expects that share repurchases under the program will be funded from one
or a
combination of
existing cash
balances and
future free
cash flow.
The share
repurchase program
does not
obligate the
Company
to repurchase any specific amount of shares, does not
have an expiration date, and may be suspended, modified
or discontinued
at any time without prior notice.
Cal-Maine
Foods
issued
a
press
release,
dated
February 25,
2025,
titled
“Cal-Maine
Foods,
Inc. Announces Agreement
with
Company’s Founder’s Family and Also Announces New $500 Million Share
Repurchase Program.” A copy of the press release
is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information included
in this Item 7.01,
including Exhibit 99.4 furnished
herewith, is being
furnished and shall
not be deemed
to be
filed for purposes
of Section 18 of
the Exchange Act, or
otherwise subject to
the liabilities of
that section, nor
shall it be
deemed incorporated by reference into
any filing under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or
the Exchange Act, except as
shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K may contain “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning
of Section 27A
of the
Securities
Act of
1933, as
amended, and
Section 21E of
the Exchange
Act.
Such forward-looking
statements
are
identified
by
the
use
of
words
such
as
“believes,”
“intends,”
“expects,”
“hopes,”
“may,”
“should,”
“plans,”
“projected,”
“contemplates,” “anticipates,” or
similar words.
Actual outcomes or
results could differ
materially from those
projected in the
forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking
statements are
based on
management’s current
intent, belief,
expectations,
estimates, and projections
regarding the Company
and its industry.
These statements are
not guarantees of
future performance
and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other
factors that are difficult to predict
and may be beyond our
control.
The
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in
the forward-looking statements include, among
others,
(i) the
risk
factors
set
forth
in
Part I
Item 1A
Risk
Factors
of
our Annual
Report
on
Form 10-K
for
the
year
ended
June 1, 2024, as well as those included in other reports we file from time to time with the SEC (including our Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q and Current
Reports on Form 8-K), (ii) the
occurrence of any event,
change or other circumstances
that could give
rise to the Board’s decision to abandon
the Restated Charter or to the termination
of the Conversion Agreement,
(iii) the effect of
the announcement of the Conversion Agreement on the Common Shares’ trading price, the ability of the Company to retain and
hire
key
personnel
and
maintain
relationships
with
its
customers
and
suppliers,
and
on
the
Company’s
operating
results
and
business generally, (iv) the impact on the Common Shares’ trading price of the sale or marketing, or potential sale or marketing,
of a significant number of
Common Shares as part of the
family’s portfolio diversification, (v) the risks and
hazards inherent in
the shell egg business (including disease, pests, weather conditions, and potential
for product recall), including but not limited to
the current outbreak
of HPAI affecting
poultry in the
U.S., Canada and
other countries that
was first detected
in commercial flocks
in the
U.S. in
February 2022 and
that first
impacted our
flocks in
December 2023, (vi) changes
in the
demand for
and market
prices of shell eggs and
feed costs, (vii) our ability
to predict and meet
demand for cage-free and
other specialty eggs, (viii) risks,
changes, or obligations
that could result
from our recent
or future acquisition
of new flocks
or businesses and
risks or changes
that may cause conditions
to completing a pending
acquisition not to
be met, (ix) risks relating
to changes in
inflation and interest
rates, (x) our
ability to
retain existing
customers, acquire
new customers
and grow
our product
mix, (xi) adverse
results in
pending
litigation matters, and (xii) global
instability, including as a
result of the war
in Ukraine, the conflicts
in Israel and surrounding
areas and attacks on shipping in the
Red Sea.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements
because, while we
believe the assumptions
on which
the forward-looking statements
are based are
reasonable, there can
be no
assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove
to be accurate.
Further, forward-looking statements included herein
are only made as
of the respective dates
thereof, or if no
date is stated, as
of the date hereof.
Except as otherwise required
by law,
we disclaim any intent
or obligation to update publicly
these forward-looking statements, whether because
of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This
Current
Report
on
Form 8-K
is
being
made
in
respect
of
the Transactions
involving
the
Company
and
the
Stockholder
Parties.
Contemporaneously
with
the
filing
of
this
Current
Report
on
Form
8-K,
the
Company
is
also
filing
a
preliminary
Information Statement, containing the
information with respect to
the Restated Charter specified
in Schedule 14C promulgated
under the
Exchange Act.
When completed,
a definitive
Information Statement
will be
mailed or
delivered to
the Company’s
stockholders.
This Current
Report on Form 8-K is not a substitute for the Information Statement on Schedule 14C, or any other
document that the Company may file with the SEC or send to its stockholders in connection with the Transactions.
STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY
ARE URGED TO READ
ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
FILED WITH THE SEC,
INCLUDING
THE
INFORMATION
STATEMENT
ON
SCHEDULE
14C,
AS
WELL
AS
ANY
AMENDMENTS
OR
SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME
AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS.
The Company’s stockholders
may obtain copies
of all documents
filed by the
Company with the
SEC, free of
charge, at the
SEC’s
website,
www.sec.gov
or
from
the
Company’s
website
at
https://www.calmainefoods.com/sec-filings
or
by
contacting
the
Company’s Secretary in
writing or by
telephone at Cal-Maine
Foods, Inc., ATTN:
Max P. Bowman, Secretary,
1052 Highland
Colony Pkwy, Suite 200, Ridgeland, MS
39157, telephone number (601) 948-6813.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)
Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
Agreement Regarding Conversion dated February 25, 2025 by and among Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.,
DLNL, LLC, and each member of DLNL, LLC
Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be effective on the Restated Charter
Amended and Restated Bylaws to be effective on the Restated Charter Effective Date
Press Release issued by the Company on February 25, 2025
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements for
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this
report to be signed
on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.
Date:
February 25, 2025
By:
/s/ Max P. Bowman
Max P. Bowman
Director, Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer
exhibit991
AGREEMENT REGARDING CONVERSION
This AGREEMENT
REGARDING CONVERSION (this “Agreement”)
is made and entered
into as
of
February 25, 2025,
among
Cal-Maine
Foods,
Inc.,
a
Delaware
corporation
(the
“Company”),
DLNL,
LLC, a
Delaware limited
liability company
(“Daughters’
LLC”), and
each member
of Daughters’
LLC (each
a “Member” and, collectively with Daughters’ LLC, the “Stockholder Parties”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Daughters’ LLC was formed to
invest in shares
of Class A Common Stock, par
value
$0.01 per
share (“Class A
Shares”), and
shares
of Common
Stock, par
value $0.01
per share
(“Common
Shares”), of the Company;
WHEREAS, effective as of July 20, 2018, the
initial owners of membership interests in Daughters’
LLC entered into the Limited
Liability Company Operating Agreement for Daughters’ LLC (the “Existing
Daughters’ LLC Operating
Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Company’s issued and
outstanding capital stock consists of:
(a) Common Shares,
which are
publicly traded
on the
NASDAQ stock
exchange under
the symbol
“CALM,” and
(b) Class A
Shares, which are privately held and not publicly traded, but are convertible
on a share-for-share basis into
Common Shares
at any
time at
the option
of the
holder
thereof and
automatically
convert into
Common
Shares
under
certain
circumstances
set
forth
in
the
Company’s
existing
Second Amended
and
Restated
Certificate of Incorporation,
as amended (the
“Current Charter”), including
upon transfer to
persons other
than Immediate Family Members or Permitted Transferees as defined in the Current Charter;
WHEREAS, pursuant
to the
Current Charter,
except as
required by
law or
the Current
Charter, (a) the
Common Shares and Class A
Common Shares vote together as a class, with
the holders of Common Shares
having one
vote per
share and
the holders
of Class A Shares
having ten
votes per
share on
all matters
on
which such shares
are entitled
to vote, and
(b) except for
such conversion and
voting rights,
the Common
Shares and Class A Shares have substantially similar rights, powers and privileges;
WHEREAS,
Daughters’ LLC
is
the
record
owner
of
(a) 4,800,000 Class A
Shares,
representing
100% of the outstanding Class A Shares, and (b) 1,087,956 Common Shares;
WHEREAS,
the
Class A
Shares
currently
represent
over
50%
of
the
total
voting
power
of
the
outstanding
shares
of
the
Company
in
the
election
of
directors
and
matters
other
than
the
election
of
directors, and the Company is
a “controlled company” pursuant to
the rules of the NASDAQ
Stock Market;
WHEREAS, the Members
(and/or their respective
predecessors-in-interest) formed Daughters’
LLC
and entered into the
Existing Daughters’ LLC Operating Agreement to permit the Members
(together with
their
Permitted Transferees,
as
defined in
the
Current
Charter)
to
continue
to
own and
retain,
directly
or
indirectly, Common
Shares and
Class A Shares sufficient
to maintain
control of
the Company,
in order
to
provide for the long-term, stable and consistent ownership and governance of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Members have
expressed to the Company’s
Board of Directors (the
“Board”) that
the
Members
are
potentially
interested
in
diversifying
their
respective
financial
portfolios,
including
the
potential sale of all or a portion
of the Common Shares owned by Daughters’
LLC and the Common Shares
underlying the Class A Shares owned by Daughters’
LLC (the “Potential Portfolio Diversification”);
WHEREAS, Adolphus B. Baker, the Company’s Chairman
of the Board, is the
Managing Member
of Daughters’ LLC, and the other Members of Daughters’
LLC are Mr. Baker’s wife and her three sisters;
WHEREAS, because
Mr. Baker has
an interest
in the
matters provided
for in
this Agreement, the
Board
has
authorized
an
ad
hoc
committee
(the
“Special
Committee”),
consisting
solely
of
disinterested
Independent Directors
(as defined
in Section 3.1),
to consider
what corporate
actions, if
any, should
be taken
to address the impact of the Potential Portfolio Diversification on the Company and its stockholders;
WHEREAS, the Special Committee considered and determined, among other
things, that it is in the
best interests of
the Company and
its stockholders for
the Company to
facilitate the sale
of shares (including
Common Shares underlying
the Class A
Common Stock) and
manage the loss
of controlled company
status,
in each case, in an orderly manner in compliance with legal requirements;
WHEREAS, on February 24, 2025,
the Special Committee
unanimously recommended to
the Board
that the Company, the Members and Daughters’
LLC enter into this Agreement to implement the following
corporate actions
to address
the impact
of the
Potential Portfolio
Diversification on
the Company
and its
stockholders:
(a) amending and
restating the
Current Charter,
(b) amending and
restating the
Company’s
Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), and (c) effective
upon the conversion by
Daughters’
LLC of all Class A
Shares into
Common Shares,
granting to
the Members
certain rights
to cause
the sale
or transfer
of Common
Shares
owned by Daughters’
LLC or such Members to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities Act”), in accordance with the registration rights set
forth in Exhibit A, in each case,
on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, on February 25, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company (taking into account the
recommendation of the Special
Committee) approved the Company’s
execution of this Agreement and the
actions
and
the
Company’s
performance
of
the
transactions
contemplated
hereby,
which
approval
was
unanimous, with the sole
exception being that Adolphus B. Baker
recused himself with respect
to the vote
to approve the execution of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing
and the mutual representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
MODIFICATIONS TO THE COMPANY’S ORGANI
Z
ATIONAL DOCUMENTS
1.1
Restated Charter
(a)
The
Board
has
approved
(i) the
Third
Amended
and
Restated
Certificate
of
Incorporation
of
the
Company
substantially
in
the
form
attached
to
this
Agreement
as
Exhibit B
(the
“Restated
Charter”),
and
(ii) the
submission
of
the
Restated
Charter
to
Daughters’ LLC
for
approval
by
majority
written
consent
of
stockholders
in
accordance
with
the
Current
Charter
and
Section 228
of
the
Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
(b)
Promptly following
the execution
and delivery
of this Agreement,
Daughters’ LLC
agrees to execute and deliver
to the Company the majority
written consent of stockholders substantially
in
the form attached to
this Agreement
as Exhibit C (the “Majority
Written Consent”), which Majority
Written
Consent,
upon
execution
and
delivery
by
Daughters’ LLC,
would
constitute
stockholder
approval
of
the
Restated Charter in compliance with Section 242(b) of the DGCL.
(c)
The
Company
shall
use
commercially
reasonable
efforts
to
obtain
an
amendment,
consent or
waiver from
the requisite
lenders under
the Company’s
Amended and
Restated Credit
Agreement,
dated as of May 26, 2023, such that the Class A Conversion (as defined in Section 2.1(a)) will not result in
a “change of control” within the meaning of such credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement
Amendment”).
(d)
As soon
as practicable
following (i) the
execution and
delivery by
Daughters’ LLC
of the Majority Written Consent, (ii) the
satisfaction by the Company of
applicable notice and information
statement
requirements
under
the
DGCL
and
the
Securities
Exchange
Act
of
1934,
as
amended
(the
“Exchange Act”),
and
(iii) the
execution
and
delivery
by
the
requisite
lenders
of
the
Credit Agreement
Amendment,
the
Company
shall
file
the
Restated
Charter
with
the
Secretary
of
State
of
the
State
of
Delaware, to
become effective
promptly after
filing in
accordance with
the DGCL,
subject to
the Board’s
ability,
prior
to
the
effectiveness
of
the
Restated
Charter,
in
accordance
with
DGCL
Section 242(c),
to
abandon the Restated
Charter without further
action by the
Company’s stockholders if
the Board determines
that
doing
so
is
in
the
best
interests
of
the
Company
and
its
stockholders.
The
date
and
time
of
such
effectiveness shall be referred to herein as the “Restated Charter Effective Date.”
1.2
Restated Bylaws.
The Board has approved the Amended and Restated Bylaws substantially
in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D (the “Restated Bylaws”), which shall become
effective
upon the Restated Charter Effective Date.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS UPON CONVERSION OF ALL CLASS A SHARES
2.1
Conversion of All Class A
Shares into Common Shares.
The Stockholder Parties agree
that
any
conversion
of
Class A
Shares
shall
be
made
in
accordance
with
the
provisions
of
this
Agreement, including the following covenants:
(a)
If
Daughters’
LLC
converts
any
Class A
Shares
into
Common
Shares,
it
shall
simultaneously
convert
all
(but
not
less
than
all)
outstanding
Class A
Shares
into
Common
Shares
in
accordance
with
the
terms
of
the
Class A Shares
(the
“Class A Conversion”).
The
effective
date
of
the
Class A Conversion is referred to in this
Agreement as the “Class A Conversion Date.”
(b)
Daughters’
LLC shall not
convert any Class A
Shares prior to
(i) the Restated Charter
Effective Date
or (ii) the
date that
the Company
obtains the
Credit Agreement Amendment, whichever
is
later.
(c)
The Members acknowledge
and agree that,
in order to
exercise any registration
rights
under this Agreement
or to
offer or
sell any
Common Shares
in a
registered offering
under the
Securities
Act, Daughters’ LLC must have first converted all outstanding Class A
Shares into Common Shares.
2.2
Amendment
and
Restatement
of the
Limited
Liability Company
Operating Agreement
for
Daughters’ LLC.
Immediately
following the
execution
and delivery
of this
Agreement, Daughters’
LLC
and each of the Members
shall execute and deliver the Amended and Restated
Limited Liability Company
Operating Agreement for Daughters’
LLC substantially in the form attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit E
(the
“Daughters’
LLC
Amendment”).
Daughters’
LLC
and
the
Members
agree
that,
following
the
effectiveness
of
the
Daughters’ LLC Amendment,
the
Daughters’ LLC Agreement
shall
not
be
revoked,
terminated, amended,
modified or
supplemented without
the prior
written consent
of the
Special Committee.
2.3
Takedowns of Subject Shares from Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
(a)
The term “Subject Shares” means, for each Member:
(i)
the
Common
Shares
listed
opposite
such
Member’s
name
in
Table I
of
Schedule 2
under
the
heading
titled
“Total
Economic
Beneficial
Ownership
of
Common
Shares”; and
(ii)
the
Common
Shares
listed
opposite
such
Member’s
name
in
Table II
of
Schedule 2 under the heading titled “Common Shares.”
(b)
During the Term (as
defined below), each Member
shall be entitled to
offer and sell
Subject Shares held by such Member
pursuant to a Takedown under a Resale
Shelf Registration Statement
(as
such
terms
are
defined
in
Exhibit A),
to
the
extent
provided
by
the
registration
rights
and
related
provisions set forth on
Exhibit A, which provisions are
incorporated herein as if
set forth in this
Agreement.
The
“Term”
shall
mean
the
period
beginning
on
the
Class A Conversion
Date
and
ending
on
(i) the
12-
month anniversary of the Class A Conversion Date or (ii) December 31, 2026, whichever is earlier.
2.4
Potential Repurchase
of Common
Shares by
the Company.
The parties
acknowledge that,
from time to time,
the Company or the
Members may propose that
the Company repurchase a
portion of the
Subject Shares;
provided, however, that
the terms
of any
such repurchase
must be approved
by each
such
selling
Member
and
the
Special
Committee
and
that
no
party
shall
be
obligated
to
enter
into
any
such
repurchase transaction.
ARTICLE III
VOTING OF COMMON SHARES AND CLASS A SHARES
3.1
Voting on
the Election
of Directors.
Prior to
the expiration
of the Term,
at any
meeting of
the stockholders
of the
Company, each
Stockholder Party
agrees (i) to
cause all
Common Shares
and Class A
Common Shares
held by
such Stockholder
Party, or
over which
such Stockholder
Party has
voting discretion
or control as
of the applicable
record date, to
be present either in
person or by proxy
for quorum purposes
at any stockholders meeting
at which directors of
the Company are elected,
and (ii) to vote, or
cause to be
voted, such Common Shares and Class A
Common Shares held by it, or over
which such Stockholder Party
has voting discretion or control, in favor of not less
than three Independent Directors.
For purposes of this
Agreement, the
term “Independent
Director” shall
mean a
member of
the Board
of Directors
of the
Company
(or
a
nominee
for
such
position)
who
is
(1) not
a
managing
member,
manager,
officer,
employee
or
consultant of,
or advisor
to, the
Company or
any Stockholder
Party, or
a person
who shall
have served
in
such capacity within three years immediately preceding the date of such determination, (2) independent of,
and
not
affiliated
with,
any
Stockholder
Party,
as
determined
in
good
faith
by
the
Board’s
Nominating
Committee,
and
(3) otherwise
independent
within
the
meaning
of
the
rules
and
regulations
of
the
U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the NASDAQ listing standards.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
As an
inducement to
enter into
this Agreement
and to
consummate the
transactions contemplated
hereby, the Company represents and warrants to the Stockholder Parties, as of the date hereof, as follows:
4.1
Power and Authority.
The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing
under the
laws of
the State
of Delaware
and has
all corporate
right, power
and authority
to
enter
into
and
deliver
this
Agreement,
to
perform
its
obligations
hereunder
and
to
consummate
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by the
Company has
been duly
and validly
authorized by
all necessary
corporate action.
This Agreement
has
been
duly
executed
and
delivered
by
the
Company
and
(assuming
due
authorization,
execution
and
delivery
by
the
Stockholder
Parties),
constitutes
the
legal,
valid
and
binding
obligation
of
the
Company,
enforceable
against
it
in
accordance
with
its
terms,
subject
to
(a) applicable
bankruptcy,
insolvency,
fraudulent
conveyance
and
other
similar
laws
and
(b) general
principles
of
equity,
including
equitable
defenses and limits as to the availability of equitable remedies,
whether such principles are considered in a
proceeding at law or in equity.
4.2
Conflicts; Consents
and Approvals.
The execution
and delivery
of this Agreement and
the
consummation
of
the
transactions
contemplated
by
this Agreement
by
the
Company
do
not
and
will
not
(a) violate,
conflict
with,
or
result
in
a
breach
of
any
provision
of,
or
constitute
a
default
under,
(i) the
Current
Charter
or
the
Bylaws,
or
(ii) subject
to
obtaining
the
Credit
Agreement
Amendment,
any
agreement,
indenture,
mortgage,
or
other
instrument
to
which
the
Company
is
a
party
or
by
which
the
Company is or
may be bound
or to which
any of the
Company’s property or
assets is subject;
(b) violate any
order, writ,
injunction, decree,
statute, rule
or regulation
applicable to
the Company;
or (c) require
any action
or
consent
or
approval
of,
or
review
by,
or
registration
or
material
filing
by
it
with
any
governmental
authority,
other
than
the
filing
of
the
Information
Statement
and
other
disclosures
with
the
SEC
in
compliance
with
the
Exchange Act
and
as
otherwise
contemplated
in
Exhibit A
in
connection
with
the
registration of the Subject Shares pursuant to a Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH STOC
K
HOLDER PARTY
As an
inducement to
enter into
this Agreement
and to
consummate the
transactions contemplated
hereby, each Stockholder Party represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
5.1
Power and
Authority.
Each Stockholder Party has full
capacity and all requisite
right, power
and authority to enter into and deliver this
Agreement, to perform such party’s obligations hereunder and to
consummate the transactions
contemplated by this
Agreement.
This Agreement
has been duly
executed and
delivered
by
such
Stockholder
Party
and
(assuming
due
authorization,
execution
and
delivery
by
the
Company), constitutes the
legal, valid and
binding obligation of
such Stockholder Party,
enforceable against
such
party
in
accordance
with
its
terms,
subject
to
(a) applicable
bankruptcy,
insolvency,
fraudulent
conveyance and
other
similar laws
and (b)
general principles
of
equity, including
equitable
defenses and
limits as to the availability of equitable remedies, whether such
principles are considered in a proceeding at
law or in equity.
5.2
Conflicts; Consents
and Approvals.
The execution
and delivery
of this Agreement and
the
consummation of
the transactions
contemplated by
this Agreement by
such Stockholder
Party do
not and
will not (a) violate, conflict with, or result in
a breach of any provision of, or constitute
a default under, any
agreement, indenture, mortgage, or other
instrument to which such Stockholder
Party is a party or
by which
such Stockholder Party is
or may be bound
or to which any
of such Stockholder Party’s
property or assets
is
subject;
(b) violate
any
order,
writ,
injunction,
decree,
statute,
rule
or
regulation
applicable
to
such
Stockholder Party or
the applicable Subject
Shares; or (c) require
any action or
consent or approval
of, or
review by,
or registration or
material filing
by it
with any
governmental authority,
other than
one or
more
amendments to the Schedule 13D, as amended, filed by
Adolphus B. Baker and others with the SEC and as
otherwise contemplated in Exhibit A in connection with the registration of the Subject Shares pursuant to a
Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
5.3
Securities Laws.
As of
the date
hereof, each
Stockholder Party
represents and
warrants to
and agrees with the Company as follows with respect to securities laws:
(a)
Such
Stockholder
Party
is
an
“accredited
investor”
(as
that
term
is
defined
in
Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act).
(b)
Such Stockholder
Party, together
with such
party’s legal,
financial and
other advisors,
has such knowledge
and experience in
financial and business
matters and is
capable of evaluating
the merits
and
risks
of
the
transactions
contemplated
by
this Agreement
so
as
to
make
an
informed
decision
with
respect thereto.
(c)
Such
Stockholder
Party
(i) has
received
all
information
that
such
party
and
such
party’s advisors deem
necessary to make
an informed decision
with respect to
the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement; (ii) has
had the unrestricted opportunity to make such investigation
as such Stockholder
Party and such
advisors desire pertaining
to the Company and
its capital stock
and to verify any
information
with
respect
to
the
Company
and
its
capital
stock;
and
(iii) has
had
the
opportunity
to
ask
questions
of
representatives of the Company concerning the Company and its capital stock.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1
Survival.
All representations, warranties
and obligations contained
in this Agreement shall
survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.2
Counterparts.
This
Agreement
may
be
executed
in
any
number
of
counterparts,
which
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
The parties may execute more than one copy
of the
Agreement, each of which shall constitute an original.
6.3
Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement (including
the Schedules
and Exhibits
hereto) constitutes
the entire agreement between
the parties and supersedes
all prior agreements,
understandings, arrangements
or
representations
by
or
between
the
parties,
written
and
oral,
with
respect
to
the
subject
matter
hereof.
Consistent with the
foregoing and for
the avoidance of
doubt, that certain Agreement Regarding Common
Stock dated as
of July 20, 2018 by
and among the
Company and the
Members, among others,
will terminate
upon execution and delivery of this Agreement.
6.4
Third Party
Beneficiaries.
Nothing in
this
Agreement, express
or implied,
is intended
or shall
be construed to create any third party beneficiaries.
6.5
Governing Law; Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
6.6
Amendment; Waiver.
This Agreement may
not be altered, amended or supplemented
except
by an agreement in writing signed by each
of the parties hereto.
Any provision of this Agreement may not
be waived without a written instrument from the waiving party with respect to each such waiver.
6.7
Specific Performance.
The parties
acknowledge and
agree that
any breach
of the
terms of
this Agreement would
give rise
to irreparable
harm for
which money
damages would
not be
an adequate
remedy and accordingly the parties hereto agree that, in addition to any
other remedies, each party shall be
entitled to enforce the terms of this
Agreement by a decree of specific performance
without the necessity of
proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy.
6.8
Notices.
All notices, requests,
claims, demands
and other
communications hereunder shall
be in
writing and
shall be
given or
made (and
shall be
deemed to
have been
duly given
or made
upon receipt)
by delivery
in person,
by courier
service or
by registered
or certified
mail to
the respective
parties at
the
addresses set forth on Schedule 1 (or at such other address for
a party as shall be specified in a notice given
in accordance with this Section),
with a copy (which shall
not constitute notice) to
the counsel of such
party
as set forth on Schedule 1.
6.9
Severability.
If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced by any rule
of law, or public policy, all
other conditions and provisions of this
Agreement
shall
nevertheless
remain
in
full
force
and
effect
so
long
as
the
economic
or
legal
substance
of
the
transactions contemplated herein are not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party hereto.
6.10
Assignment.
Neither this
Agreement nor any of
the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder
shall be assigned by any of the parties (whether by operation of law or otherwise)
without the prior written
consent of the other parties.
Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure
to
the
benefit
of
and
be
enforceable
by
the
parties
and
their
respective
successors
and
assigns.
Not
in
limitation of
the generality
of the
foregoing, this Agreement shall
be binding
upon, inure
to the benefit
of
and be
enforceable by
the estate
and heirs
of any
individual Stockholder
Party after
such Stockholder
Party’s
death.
Notwithstanding
anything
in
this
Agreement
(including
Exhibit A
hereto)
to
the
contrary,
the
registration rights provided hereunder are personal to each Member and may not be transferred or assigned
without the prior written consent of the Special Committee.
6.11
Fees
and
Expenses.
Except
as
otherwise
may
be
provided
in
this Agreement
(including
Exhibit A hereto), all
costs and
expenses incurred
in connection
with this Agreement
and the
transactions
contemplated by this Agreement,
including, to the
extent applicable, any
stock transfer
or similar taxes
or
brokerage or similar fees, shall be the responsibility of and shall be paid by the party incurring such fees or
expenses, regardless
of whether
the transactions
contemplated by
this Agreement are
consummated.
The
obligations
of
the
parties
with
respect
to
expenses
related
to
a
Resale
Shelf
Registration
Statement
and
Takedown are set forth on Exhibit A hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
6.12
Further Assurances.
Each of the parties hereto shall use such party’s reasonable best efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or
advisable
under
applicable
law,
and
to
execute
and
deliver
such
documents
and
other
papers,
as
may
be
required
to
carry
out
the
provisions
of
this
Agreement
and
to
consummate
and
make
effective
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.13
LEGAL
REPRESENTATION.
EACH
STOCKHOLDER
PARTY
HEREBY
ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT
SUCH
STOCKHOLDER
PARTY
HAS
BEEN ADVISED
TO
SEEK, AND
HAS HAD
THE OPPORTUNITY
TO
SEEK, INDEPENDENT
LEGAL COUNSEL TO
REVIEW THIS
AGREEMENT
ON
SUCH
STOCKHOLDER
PARTY’S
BEHALF.
EACH
STOCKHOLDER
PARTY
FURTHER
ACKNOWLEDGES
AND
AGREES
THAT
ROB
HOLLADAY
(THE
COMPANY’S
GENERAL COUNSEL), SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP AND JONES
WALKER LLP ARE LEGAL COUNSEL
SOLELY TO THE COMPANY AND DO NOT REPRESENT ANY
OF THE STOCKHOLDER PARTIES
WITH
RESPECT TO
THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY
OF
THE
OTHER
DOCUMENTS
OR ACTIONS
TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN EXHIBIT A
AND THE DAUGHTERS’
LLC
AMENDMENT.
6.14
WAIVER
OF
JURY
TRIAL.
EACH
OF
THE
PARTIES
HERETO
HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES
ALL
RIGHT TO
TRIAL
BY JURY
IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING
OR
COUNTERCLAIM
(WHETHER
BASED
ON
CONTRACT, TORT,
OR
OTHERWISE) ARISING
OUT
OF
OR
RELATING
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
OR
THE
ACTIONS
OF
ANY
PARTY
HERETO
IN
NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
6.15
EXCLUSIVE
FORUM.
EACH
PARTY
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
DELAWARE
(OR
IF
SUCH
COURT
DOES
NOT
HAVE
SUBJECT
MATTER
JURISDICTION, ANY OTHER STATE COURT
OF THE STATE
OF DELAWARE OR
THE FEDERAL
COURTS
LOCATED
IN
THE
STATE
OF
DELAWARE)
IN ANY ACTION,
SUIT
OR
PROCEEDING
ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, AND
AGREES THAT ANY
SUCH ACTION,
SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN THE COURT OF
CHANCERY (OR SUCH
OTHER
COURTS
IDENTIFIED
HEREIN
IF
THE
COURT
OF
CHANCERY
DOES
NOT
HAVE
SUBJECT
MATTER
JURISDICTION) AND
WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION
BASED
ON
FORUM
NON
CONVENIENS
OR
ANY
OTHER
OBJECTION
TO
VENUE
THEREIN;
PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,
THAT
SUCH
CONSENT
TO
JURISDICTION
IS
SOLELY
FOR
THE
PURPOSE
REFERRED
TO
IN
THIS
PARAGRAPH AND
SHALL NOT
BE
DEEMED
TO
BE A
GENERAL SUBMISSION
TO
THE
JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS OR IN THE
STATE OF DELAWARE OTHER THAN FOR SUCH
PURPOSE.
SERVICE OF PROCESS ON
A PARTY
TO ANY
SUCH ACTION, SUIT
OR PROCEEDING
SHALL BE EFFECTIVE IF DELIVERED TO SUCH PARTY
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6.8.
[Signature Page Follows; Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed
as of the date first set forth above.
COMPANY:
CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.
By: /s/ Max P. Bowman
Max P. Bowman
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
STOCKHOLDER PARTIES:
DLNL, LLC
By: /s/ Adolphus B. Baker
Adolphus B. Baker
Managing Member
/s/ Dinnette Adams Baker
Dinnette Adams Baker
/s/ Luanne Adams
Luanne Adams
/s/ Nancy Adams Briggs
Nancy Adams Briggs
/s/ Laurel Adams Krodel
Laurel Adams Krodel
/s/ Adolphus B. Baker
Adolphus B. Baker
COMPANY
Address:
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
With a copy to counsel:
Rob Holladay
Vice President and General Counsel
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
DAUGHTERS’ LLC
Address:
DLNL, LLC c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
DINNETTE ADAMS BAKER:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
LUANNE ADAMS:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
NANCY
ADAMS BRIGGS:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
LAUREL
ADAMS KRODEL:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
ADOLPHUS B. BAKER:
Address:
c/o Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601–948–6813
Fax:
601–969–0905
Email:
With a copy to counsel:
Name of Attorney:
Joseph E. Varner III
Name of Firm:
Brunini Law
Address:
190 East Capitol Street, Suite 190
Address (continued):
Jackson, MS 39201
Telephone:
Fax:
Email:
SUBJECT SHARES
TABLE I:
MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF
COMMON SHARES AND CLASS A
SHARES
THROUGH DAUGHTERS’ LLC
Member
Daughters’
LLC
Common
Units
Common
Shares
Underlying
Daughters’
LLC
Common
Units
Daughters’
LLC
Class A
Units
Class A
Shares
Underlying
Daughters’
LLC Class A
Units
Common
Shares
Underlying
Class A
Shares
Total
Economic
Beneficial
Ownership
of Common
Shares
Adolphus B. Baker
0
0
1,309,245
1,309,245
1,309,245
1,309,245
Dinnette Adams Baker
56,595
56,595
1,090,755
1,090,755
1,090,755
1,147,350
Luanne Adams
343,787
343,787
800,000
800,000
800,000
1,143,787
Nancy Adams Briggs
343,787
343,787
800,000
800,000
800,000
1,143,787
Laurel Adams Krodel
343,787
343,787
800,000
800,000
800,000
1,143,787
Total
1,087,956
1,087,956
4,800,000
4,800,000
4,800,000
5,887,956
TABLE II:
MEMBERS’ ECONOMIC BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF
COMMON SHARES NOT OWNED BY DAUGHTERS’
LLC,
BUT COVERED BY EXHIBIT A
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Member
Common
Shares
Adolphus B. Baker
145,266
Dinnette Adams Baker
230,570
Adolphus B. Baker &
Dinnette Adams Baker, joint tenants
46
Luanne Adams
738
Nancy Adams Briggs
57,007
Laurel Adams Krodel
887
Total
434,514
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
This Exhibit A
to the
Agreement Regarding
Conversion (the
“Agreement”) describes
the agreements
of the
parties thereto
relating to
Resale Shelf
Registration Statements
and Takedowns.
Capitalized terms
used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Agreement.
ARTICLE I
DEMAND RESALE SHELF REGISTRATION
1.1
General
(a)
Subject to
the terms
and conditions
of this
Exhibit A, the
Company shall,
promptly
after the
Class A Conversion Date, file
a shelf registration
statement with the
SEC in accordance
with the
Securities Act for
an offering
on a
delayed or
continuous basis
pursuant to
Rule 415 under
the Securities
Act (a “Resale Shelf Registration Statement”).
Subject to the terms of
the Agreement, the Company (with
the
cooperation
of
the
applicable
Members)
shall
cause
there
to
be
filed
with
the
SEC
a
Resale
Shelf
Registration Statement meeting
the requirements of
the Securities Act and such
Members shall be
entitled
to have
included therein
all of
the Subject
Shares.
If the
Company qualifies
as a
Well Known
Seasoned
Issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), then, promptly after the Class A Conversion Date,
the
Company
will
file
an
Automatic
Shelf
Registration
Statement
(as
defined
in
Rule 405
under
the
Securities Act) on Form
S-3 (“Form
S-3ASR”), which will
become automatically effective.
As permitted
for a
Form S-3ASR,
such registration
statement will
not specify
which Members
may be
selling stockholders
or the number of shares to
be sold, and instead will register an
indeterminate amount of Subject Shares for
resale without identifying the selling stockholders.
Instead, the Members who will be
selling stockholders
and the Subject Shares to be sold will be disclosed
in a subsequent Resale Shelf Prospectus Supplement for
a Takedown (as such terms are defined
below).
Also, as permitted by Rule 456(b) under the Securities
Act,
the SEC registration fees shall not be paid at
the time of filing of such Form S-3ASR and,
instead, shall be
deferred and paid at the time of filing of such Resale Shelf Prospectus Supplement for a Takedown.
(b)
Following the effectiveness of a
Resale Shelf Registration Statement, the
applicable
Members shall be entitled to request the Company to file a prospectus or prospectus supplement (a “Resale
Shelf Prospectus Supplement”) with respect
thereto to effect a takedown
for an offering of Common
Shares
registered thereby (“Takedown”).
Any request made pursuant to this Section 1.1(b) shall be
made pursuant
to Section 2.3 of the Agreement, and shall specify the number of Subject Shares to be offered, the intended
methods
of
disposition
thereof
and
that
the
request
is
for
a
Resale
Shelf
Prospectus
Supplement.
Upon
receipt
of
a
request
from
a
Member,
the
Company
shall
provide
notice
to
all
other
Members
that
it
has
received a request to
file a Resale Shelf
Prospectus for a
Takedown to permit other
Members to permit them
to request to include their Subject Shares therein at the same time.
(c)
The
Special
Committee
shall
have
the
authority
to
approve
any
demands
for
Takedowns,
including
the minimum
number
of shares
to be
included,
the
timing
of
any Takedown,
how
frequently
Takedowns
may
be
permitted,
and
whether
to
require
standstill
agreements
from
the
selling
shareholders beyond what is required from the underwriters and, if so, the terms thereof.
1.2
Filing of Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
Following the Class A Conversion, the
Company shall:
(a)
File the Resale
Shelf Registration
Statement with
the SEC as
promptly as
practicable,
and
shall
use
the
Company’s
commercially
reasonable
efforts
to
have
the
registration
declared
effective
under the Securities Act as soon as reasonably practicable.
(b)
Continue
to
maintain
and
renew
the
Resale
Shelf
Registration
Statement
for
such
periods as approved by the Special Committee.
1.3
The Special
Committee shall
continue to
consider requests
for Takedowns
for
the Subject
Shares from a Member until the expiration of the Term.
1.4
A Resale Shelf Registration Statement shall be on
Form S-3 or any successor form provided
that the Company qualified for such form at the time.
1.5
If any Takedown
will involve
an underwritten offering
(whether on a
“firm,” “best efforts”
or “all reasonable
efforts” basis or
otherwise), or an agented
offering, the Company shall
have the right to
select one or more underwriters
and underwriters’ representatives to administer such underwritten offering
or the agents for such agented offering, subject to the consent of the applicable Members and their counsel,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE II
TA
K
EDOWN PROCEDURES
2.1
Subject to approval
by the Special
Committee under Article I of this Exhibit A to effect
the
Takedown
of
any
Common
Shares
and
subject
to
Section 2.2
of
this
Exhibit A,
the
Company
shall,
as
expeditiously as practicable:
(a)
Prepare and file with the
SEC such amendments and supplements
to the Resale Shelf
Registration Statement
and the
prospectus used
in connection
with such
registration statement
as may
be
necessary to comply
with the provisions
of the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act and rules and regulations
thereunder
with
respect
to
the
disposition
of
all
securities
covered
by
such
registration
statement
in
accordance with the method of disposition set
forth in such registration statement.
If the registration is for
an underwritten offering, the Company
shall amend the registration statement or
supplement the prospectus
whenever reasonably required
by the terms
of the underwriting
agreement.
Subject to Rule 415
under the
Securities Act, the Company shall amend the registration
statement or supplement the prospectus so
that it
will remain current
and in compliance
with the requirements
of the Securities Act
for such period
as shall
be approved
by the
Special Committee.
If any
event or
development occurs
as a
result of
which a
registration
statement or prospectus contains a misstatement
of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required
to be stated
therein or necessary
to make the
statements therein not
misleading, the Company
shall promptly
notify
the
applicable
Members
and
their
counsel,
amend
the
registration
statement
or
supplement
the
prospectus so that
each will thereafter
comply with the
Securities
Act and furnish
to such Members
and their
counsel such amended or supplemented prospectus
for use in the offer and sale
of Common Shares covered
by such registration statement.
Pending such amendment or
supplement, such Members shall
cease making
offers and sales of Common Shares pursuant to the prior prospectus.
In the event that any Common Shares
included
in
a
registration
statement
remain
unsold
following
all
Takedowns
approved
by
the
Special
Committee, the Company may file a post-effective amendment to the
registration statement for the purpose
of removing such securities from registered status.
(b)
Furnish to the
applicable Members and
their counsel such
numbers of copies
of the
registration statement,
any pre-effective
or post-effective
amendment thereto,
the prospectus,
including each
preliminary prospectus
and any
amendments or
supplements thereto,
in each
case in
conformity with
the
requirements
of
the
Securities Act
and
the
rules
thereunder,
and
such
other
related
documents
as
such
Members and their counsel may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Common Shares
owned by such Members.
(c)
To
the
extent
necessary,
use
the
Company’s
commercially
reasonable
efforts
(i) to
register and qualify the Common Shares covered by such registration statement under such other securities
or Blue Sky
laws of such
states or U.S.
jurisdictions as shall
be reasonably requested
by the underwriters’
representative or agent (as applicable,
or if inapplicable, the applicable
Members and their counsel), (ii) to
keep such registration or qualification in
effect for so long as such registration
statement remains in effect,
and (iii) to
obtain the
withdrawal of
any order
suspending the
effectiveness of
a registration
statement, or
the lifting of
any suspension of
the qualification (or
exemption from qualification)
of the offer
and sale of
any of
such Common
Shares in
any jurisdiction,
at the
earliest possible
moment; provided,
however, that
the Company shall
not be required
in connection therewith
or as a
condition thereto to
qualify to do
business
or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions.
(d)
In
the
event
of
any
underwritten
or
agented
offering,
enter
into
and
perform
the
Company’s
obligations
under
an
underwriting
or
agency
agreement
(including
indemnification
and
contribution
obligations
of
underwriters
or
agents),
in
usual
and
customary
form,
with
the
managing
underwriter or underwriters of or
agents for such offering, and
(i) make such representations and warranties
to the underwriters’
representative or agent
with respect to
the business of
the Company and
its subsidiaries,
the registration statement or prospectus,
in each case, in form,
substance and scope as are
customarily made
by
issuers
to
underwriters
in
underwritten
offerings
and
confirm
the
same
if
and
when
requested
and
(ii) deliver
such
documents
and
certificates
as
may
be
reasonably
requested
by
the
applicable
Members,
their
counsel,
the
underwriters’ representative
or
agent,
if
any,
to
evidence
the
continued
validity
of
the
representations and
warranties of
the Company
and its
subsidiaries made
pursuant to
clause (i) above
and
to evidence compliance with any customary
conditions contained in the underwriting agreement
or similar
agreement
entered
into
by
the
Company.
The
foregoing
actions
shall
be
taken
in
connection
with
each
closing
under
such
underwriting
or
similar
agreement
as
and
to
the
extent
required
thereunder.
The
Company
shall
also
cooperate
with
the
applicable
Members
and
their
counsel
and
the
underwriters’
representative
or
agent
for
such
offering
in
the
marketing
of
the
Common
Shares,
including
making
available,
on
a
commercially
reasonable
basis,
the
Company’s
officers,
accountants,
counsel,
premises,
books and
records for
such purpose,
but the
Company shall
not be
required to
incur any
material out-of-
pocket expense pursuant to this sentence.
(e)
In the event
of any underwritten
or agented offering,
the Company and
members of
its management
(which shall
include the
Chief Executive
Officer and
the Chief
Financial Officer
or such
other
members
of
its
management
acceptable
to
the
underwriters’ representative
or
agent,
if
any)
shall
participate in roadshows and other
similar selling efforts as the
underwriters’
representative or agent, if any,
shall reasonably deem
to be necessary;
provided, however, the
Company and members
of its management
shall not
be obligated
to participate
in more
than a
total of
two roadshows
or other
similar selling
efforts
with respect to the Subject Shares.
(f)
Promptly notify
the applicable
Members and
their counsel
of any
stop order
issued
or threatened
to be
issued by
the SEC
in connection
therewith (and
take commercially
reasonable actions
required to prevent the entry of such stop order or to remove it if entered).
(g)
Make
generally
available
to
the
Company’s
security
holders
copies
of
all
periodic
reports, proxy statements, and other
information referred to in Section 6.1
below, and an earnings statement
satisfying the provisions
of Section 11(a) of
the Securities
Act no later
than 90 days following
the end of
the
12-month period beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the
effective date of each registration statement filed pursuant to this Agreement.
(h)
Make
available
for
inspection
by
the
applicable
Members
and
their
counsel,
any
underwriter participating in such
offering and the representatives
of such Members and
the underwriter (but
not
more
than
one
firm
of
counsel
to
each),
all
financial
and
other
information
as
shall
be
reasonably
requested
by
them,
and
provide
such
Members
and
their
counsel,
any
underwriter
participating
in
such
offering and the representatives thereof the opportunity, on a commercially
reasonable basis, to discuss the
business
affairs
of the
Company
with
appropriate
officers and
independent
public accountants
who have
certified
the
audited
financial
statements
included
in
such
registration
statement,
in
each
case
all
as
necessary to
enable them
to exercise
their due
diligence responsibility
under the
Securities Act; provided,
however, that any records, information or documents that are designated by the
Company as confidential at
the time
of delivery
of such
records, information
or documents
shall be
kept confidential by
such persons
unless (i) such records, information
or documents are in
the public domain or
otherwise publicly available
(other than by
reason of breach
of this confidentiality
provision), (ii) disclosure of
such records, information
or documents
is required
by court
or administrative
order or
is necessary
to respond
to inquiries
of regulatory
authorities,
or
(iii) disclosure
of
such
records,
information
or
documents,
in
the
reasonable
opinion
of
counsel to such
person, is otherwise
required by law
or regulation (including,
without limitation, pursuant
to the requirements of
the Securities
Act or regulations promulgated
thereunder); provided, however, that
in
the case of
clauses (ii) and (iii) of
this Section 2.1(h), prior
to making such
disclosure, such Members
and
their
counsel
shall
consult
with
the
Company
and
its
counsel
as
to
the
necessity
of
such
disclosure,
the
timing
and
content
of
such
disclosure
and
the
nature
and
wording
of
such
disclosure
and
shall
use
its
reasonable
best
efforts
to
obtain,
at
the
Company’s
expense,
confidential
treatment
of
such
records,
information or documents,
or portions thereof.
Also, to the
extent possible, the
Company shall be
given a
reasonable opportunity
to intervene
with the
appropriate authorities
in order
to prevent
disclosure of
such
records, information or documents, or portions thereof.
(i)
Use the
Company’s commercially
reasonable efforts
to obtain
a so-called
“comfort
letter” from its independent public accountants, and legal opinions of counsel to the Company addressed to
the applicable Members, or the underwriters’ representative or agent, as applicable, in customary form and
covering such matters of
the type customarily covered
by such letters, and
in a form that
shall be reasonably
satisfactory to such
Members and their
counsel or the
underwriters’ representative or agent, as
applicable.
The Company
shall furnish
to such
Members and
their counsel
a signed
counterpart of
any such
comfort
letter
or
legal
opinion.
Delivery
of
any
such
opinion
or
comfort
letter
shall
be
subject
to
the
recipient
furnishing
such
written
representations
or
acknowledgements
as
are
customarily
provided
by
sellers
of
securities who receive such comfort letters or opinions.
(j)
Take such other actions as are commercially
reasonably required in order to expedite
or facilitate the effectiveness of the Takedown of the Subject Shares approved by the Special Committee.
2.2
Grace Periods
(a)
Notwithstanding
anything
to
the
contrary
in
the
Agreement
(including
in
this
Exhibit A):
(i)
the Company shall be entitled to postpone the
filing or effectiveness of, or, at
any time after a
Resale Shelf Registration Statement has
been declared effective by the
SEC,
suspend
the
use
of,
a
Resale
Shelf
Registration
Statement
(including
the
Resale
Shelf
Prospectus
Supplement
included
therein)
if
in
the
good
faith
judgment
of
the
Special
Committee,
such
registration,
offering
or
use
could
reasonably
be
expected
to
materially
affect
the
Company
in
an
adverse
manner,
or
materially
interfere
with
any
significant
transaction
under
consideration
by
the
Company,
or
would
require
the
disclosure
of
information that has
not been, and
is not otherwise
required to be,
disclosed to the
public and
the
premature
disclosure
of
which
could
reasonably
be
expected
to
materially
affect
the
Company in an adverse manner; and
(ii)
at
any
time
after
a
Resale
Shelf
Registration
Statement
has
been
declared
effective
by
the
SEC,
the
Company
may
delay
the
disclosure
of
material
non-public
information concerning the
Company if the
disclosure of such
information at the
time would,
in
the
good
faith
judgment
of
the
Special
Committee,
adversely
affect
the
Company
(the
period of
a postponement
or suspension
as described
in Section 2.2(a)(i)
of this
Exhibit A
and/or a delay described
in this Section 2.2(a)(ii), a
“Grace Period”), but
only if neither the
Company nor any
Member has a
duty to disclose
such material
non-public information
under
applicable law.
(b)
The Company
shall promptly
(i) notify the
Members in
writing of
the existence
of
circumstances giving
rise to
a Grace
Period (provided,
however, that
the Company
shall not
disclose the
substance of
such circumstances,
including any
related material
non-public information,
to any
Member,
without the
express consent
of such
Member) or
the need
to file
a post-effective
amendment or
amended
Resale Shelf
Prospectus Supplement,
as applicable,
and the
date on
which such
Grace Period
will begin,
(ii) use
commercially
reasonable
efforts
to
terminate
a
Grace
Period
as
promptly
as
practicable
and
(iii) notify the Members in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends.
(c)
The duration of any single Grace Period shall not exceed
90 days, and the aggregate
duration of all Grace Periods in total shall
not exceed 120 days.
For purposes of determining the length of
a Grace Period, the Grace Period shall be
deemed to begin on and include the date
the Members receive the
notice referred to
in clause (i)
of Section 2.2(b)
of this
Exhibit A and shall end
on and
include the
later of
(i) the date the Members receive the notice referred to in clause (iii) of Section 2.2(b) of this Exhibit A and
(ii) the date referred to in such notice.
ARTICLE III
MEM
B
ERS’ O
B
LIGATIONS
3.1
It shall
be a
condition precedent
to the
obligations of
the Company
to take
any action
pursuant
to this Agreement with respect to the Subject Shares of a Member that such Member shall:
(a)
Furnish
to
the
Company
such
information
regarding
such
Member,
the
number
of
Common
Shares
beneficially
owned
by
such
Member
(within
the
meaning
of
the
Rule 13d-3
under
the
Exchange
Act), and
the intended
method of
disposition of
such Member’s
Subject Shares
as shall
be required
to effect the registration and Takedown of his or her Subject Shares, and to cooperate with the Company in
preparing such registration and Takedown; and
(b)
Agree
to
sell
Common
Shares
to
the
underwriters
at
the
price
and
on
terms
and
conditions, including the payment
of commissions, fees, costs
and expenses, set forth
in, and to execute,
the
underwriting agreement agreed to by such Member and the Company.
(c)
The
Members
shall
agree
to
a
standstill
agreement
to
the
extent
requested
by
the
Special Committee in connection with any Takedown.
ARTICLE IV
EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION
4.1
The Members participating in a Takedown, on the one hand, and
the Company, on the other
hand, shall
each bear
and pay
50% of
all expenses
incurred in
connection with
any registration,
filing, or
qualification of
Common Shares
with respect
to any
Resale Shelf
Registration Statement
(excluding any
underwriting
discounts
and
selling
commissions
and
all
legal
fees
and
expenses
of
legal
counsel
for
the
applicable Members), including
all registration, filing
and National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
fees, all rating agency fees,
stock exchange listing fees, all
fees and expenses of complying
with securities
or blue
sky laws
(including fees
and expenses
of underwriters
counsel), all
word processing,
duplicating
and
printing
expenses,
messenger
and
delivery
expenses,
the
fees
and
disbursements
of
counsel
for
the
Company, and of
the Company’s independent
registered public accountants,
including the
expenses of “cold
comfort” letters required
by or incident
to such performance and
compliance (the “Registration Expenses”);
provided, however, that
if the Company
participates as an
issuer or seller
in any
Takedown, it will
pay 100%
of such costs
(excluding any underwriting
discounts and selling
commissions or any
legal fees and
expenses
of legal counsel for the applicable Members) and will pay its respective underwriting discounts and selling
commissions.
The Members participating in the Takedown will pay the fees to be paid by the Members on
a pro rata basis based on the number of shares being sold.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRI
B
UTION
5.1
If any Common Shares are included in a registration statement under this Exhibit A:
(a)
To
the
extent
permitted
by
applicable
law,
the
Company
shall
indemnify
and
hold
harmless each Member, such party’s heirs
(if applicable), successors and permitted assigns,
against any and
all
losses,
claims,
damages,
liabilities
and
reasonable
expenses
(joint
or
several),
including
reasonable
attorneys’ fees
and
disbursements
and
expenses
of
investigation,
incurred
by
such
party
pursuant
to
any
actual or threatened action, suit, proceeding or investigation, or to which any of the foregoing persons may
become subject
under the
Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or
other federal
or state
laws, insofar
as such
losses,
claims,
damages,
liabilities
and
reasonable
expenses
arise
out
of
or
are
based
upon
any
of
the
following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a “Violation”):
(i)
Any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained
in
such
registration
statement,
including
any
preliminary
prospectus
or
final
prospectus
contained therein, or any amendments or supplements thereto;
(ii)
The omission
or alleged
omission to
state therein
a material
fact required
to
be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or
(iii)
Any violation or alleged violation by
the Company of the Securities Act,
the
Exchange Act,
any applicable
state securities
law or
any rule
or regulation
promulgated under
the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any applicable state securities law;
provided, however, that the indemnification required by this
Section 5.1 shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of
any such
loss, claim,
damage, liability
or expense
if such
settlement is
effected without
the
consent of the
Company, nor shall the
Company be liable in
any such case
for any such
loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense to
the extent that
it arises out of
or is based upon
a Violation that occurs
in reliance upon
and in
conformity with
written information
furnished to
the Company
by the
indemnified party
expressly
for use in connection
with such registration;
provided further that
the indemnity agreement
contained in this
Section 5.1 shall not apply to any underwriter to the extent that
any such loss is based on or arises out of an
untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a
material fact, or an
omission or alleged omission to
state
a material fact, contained in or omitted
from any preliminary prospectus if the final
prospectus shall correct
such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or
such omission or alleged omission, and a copy of
the
final prospectus
has not
been sent
or given
to such
person at
or prior
to the
confirmation of
sale to
such
person if such underwriter was under
an obligation to deliver such final
prospectus and failed to do so.
The
Company shall also
indemnify underwriters,
selling brokers,
dealer managers
and similar
securities industry
professionals participating
in the
distribution, their
officers, directors,
agents and
employees and
each person
who
controls
such
persons
(within
the
meaning
of
Section 15
of
the
Securities Act
or
Section 20
of
the
Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Members.
(b)
To
the
extent
permitted by
applicable
law,
each
Member
shall indemnify
and
hold
harmless
the
Company,
each
of
its
directors,
each
of
its
officers
who
shall
have
signed
the
registration
statement, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities
Act, against
any
and
all
losses,
claims,
damages,
liabilities
and
reasonable
expenses
(joint
and
several),
including
reasonable attorneys’
fees and disbursements
and expenses of
investigation, incurred by
such party pursuant
to any actual
or threatened action,
suit, proceeding or
investigation, or to
which any of
the foregoing
persons
may otherwise
become subject
under the
Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or
other federal
or state
laws,
insofar as
such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities
and reasonable
expenses arise
out of or
are based upon
any Violation by such Member,
in each case to the
extent (and only to the
extent) that such Violation
occurs
in
reliance
upon
and
in
conformity
with
written
information
furnished
by
such
Member
or
such
party’s
counsel expressly for use in connection with such registration; provided, however, that the indemnification
required by
this Section 5.1(b)
shall not
apply to
amounts paid
in settlement
of any
such loss,
claim, damage,
liability or expense if settlement is effected without the consent of the such Member.
(c)
Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under
this Section 5.1 of notice of the
commencement of
any action,
suit, proceeding,
investigation or
threat thereof
made in
writing for
which
such indemnified party may
make a claim under
this Section 5.1, such indemnified
party shall deliver to
the
indemnifying party a
written notice of
the commencement thereof
and the indemnifying
party shall have
the
right
to
participate
in,
and,
to
the
extent
the
indemnifying
party
so
desires,
jointly
with
any
other
indemnifying party
similarly noticed,
to assume
the defense
thereof with
counsel mutually
satisfactory to
the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall have the
right to retain its own counsel, with
the
fees
and
disbursements
and
expenses
to
be
paid
by
the
indemnifying
party,
if
representation
of
such
indemnified party by
the counsel retained
by the indemnifying
party would be
inappropriate due to
actual
or
potential
differing
interests
between
such
indemnified
party
and
any
other
party
represented
by
such
counsel
in
such
proceeding.
The
failure
to
deliver
written
notice
to
the
indemnifying
party
within
a
reasonable time following the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such
action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 5.1
but
shall
not
relieve
the
indemnifying
party
of
any
liability
that
it
may
have
to
any
indemnified
party
otherwise
than
pursuant
to
this
Section 5.1.
Any
fees
and
expenses
incurred
by
the
indemnified
party
(including
any
fees
and
expenses
incurred
in
connection
with
investigating
or
preparing
to
defend
such
action or
proceeding) shall
be paid
to the
indemnified party,
as incurred,
within 30 days
of written
notice
thereof to
the indemnifying
party; provided,
however, that
such notice
is accompanied
by an
appropriate
undertaking to reimburse the
indemnifying party if it
is ultimately determined that
an indemnified party is
not
entitled
to
indemnification
hereunder.
Any
such
indemnified
party
shall
have
the
right
to
employ
separate counsel
in any
such action,
claim or
proceeding and
to participate
in the
defense thereof,
but the
fees
and
expenses
of
such
counsel
shall
be
the
expenses
of
such
indemnified
party
unless
(i) the
indemnifying party has agreed
to pay such fees
and expenses or (ii) the
indemnifying party shall have
failed
to promptly
assume the
defense of
such action,
claim or
proceeding or
(iii) the named
parties to
any such
action, claim or proceeding (including
any impleaded parties) include both
such indemnified party and the
indemnifying party, and
such indemnified party
shall have been
advised by counsel
that there may
be one
or
more
legal
defenses
available
to
it
that
are
different
from
or
in
addition
to
those
available
to
the
indemnifying
party
and
that
the
assertion
of
such
defenses
would
create
a
conflict
of
interest
such
that
counsel employed by the indemnifying party could not faithfully represent the indemnified party (in which
case, if
such indemnified
party notifies
the indemnifying
party in
writing that
it elects
to employ
separate
counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume
the defense
of such
action, claim
or proceeding
on behalf
of such
indemnified party,
it being
understood,
however, that the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection
with any one such action,
claim or proceeding
or separate but
substantially similar or
related actions, claims
or proceedings in
the same jurisdiction
arising
out of the same general allegations
or circumstances, be liable for
the reasonable fees and expenses
of more
than
one
separate
firm
of
attorneys
(together
with
appropriate
local
counsel)
at
any
time
for
all
such
indemnified parties, unless in the reasonable judgment of such
indemnified party a conflict of interest may
exist between such indemnified party and
any other of such indemnified parties with
respect to such action,
claim or proceeding, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses
of such additional counsel
or counsels).
No indemnifying party shall
be liable to an
indemnified party for
any settlement
of any
action, proceeding
or claim
without the
written consent
of the
indemnifying party,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(d)
If
the
indemnification
required
by
this
Section 5.1
from
the
indemnifying
party
is
unavailable
to
an
indemnified
party
hereunder
in
respect
of
any
losses,
claims,
damages,
liabilities
or
expenses referred to in this Section 5.1:
(i)
The indemnifying party, in lieu
of indemnifying such
indemnified party, shall
contribute to the
amount paid or
payable by such
indemnified party as
a result of
such losses,
claims,
damages,
liabilities
or
expenses
in
such
proportion
as
is
appropriate
to
reflect
the
relative fault
of the
indemnifying party
and indemnified
parties in
connection with
the actions
that
resulted
in
such
losses,
claims,
damages,
liabilities
or
expenses,
as
well
as
any
other
relevant
equitable
considerations.
The
relative
fault
of
such
indemnifying
party
and
indemnified parties
shall
be
determined
by
reference
to,
among other
things,
whether
any
Violation
has been committed
by,
or relates to
information supplied by,
such indemnifying
party
or
indemnified
parties,
and
the
parties’
relative
intent,
knowledge,
access
to
information
and
opportunity
to
correct
or
prevent
such
Violation.
The
amount
paid
or
payable by a party
as a result of
the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses referred
to above
shall be
deemed to
include, subject
to the
limitations set
forth in
this Section 5.1,
any legal or other fees
or expenses reasonably incurred by
such party in connection with
any
investigation or proceeding.
(ii)
The parties hereto agree that it
would not be just and
equitable if contribution
pursuant to this
Section 5.1 were determined
by pro rata
allocation or
by any other
method
of allocation
that does
not take
into account
the equitable
considerations referred
to in
this
Section 5.1.
No
person
guilty
of
fraudulent
misrepresentation
(within
the
meaning
of
Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act)
shall be
entitled to
contribution from any
person who
was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e)
If indemnification is
available under this
Section 5.1, the indemnifying
parties shall
indemnify each
indemnified party
to the
full extent
provided in
this Section 5.1
without regard
to the
relative
fault of such
indemnifying party or indemnified
party or any
other equitable consideration
referred to in
this
Section 5.1.
(f)
The obligations
of the
Company and
the Members
under this
Section 5.1 shall
survive
the completion
of any
offering of
Common Shares
pursuant to
a registration
statement under
this
Agreement,
and otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
OTHER COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
6.1
The Company hereby agrees and covenants as follows:
(a)
The Company
shall file as
and when
applicable, on a
timely basis, all
reports required
to be filed by it under the Exchange Act.
(b)
The Company shall
not, directly or
indirectly, (i) enter into
any merger, consolidation
or reorganization in which the Company shall
not be the surviving corporation or (ii) sell
or agree to sell all
or substantially all the Company’s
assets, unless prior to such
merger, consolidation, reorganization or asset
sale,
the
surviving
corporation or
the transferee,
respectively,
shall
have agreed
in
writing
to
assume the
obligations of
the Company
under this Agreement, with
respect to
any securities
that the
Members would
be
entitled
to
receive
in
exchange
for
Common
Shares
pursuant
to
any
such
merger,
consolidation
or
reorganization.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
FORM OF
RESTATED CHARTER
(Please see Exhibit 99.2 to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25,
2025)
OMITTED
FORM OF
RESTATED BYLAWS
(Please see Exhibit 99.3 to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25,
2025)
FORM OF
DAUGHTERS’ LLC
AMENDMENT
(See attached.)
DLNL, LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
OPERATING AGREEMENT
Dated as of February 25, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Recitals .......................................................................................................................................
1
Article I Defined Terms ............................................................................................................
2
1.1
Defined Terms .....................................................................................................
2
1.2
Interpretation .......................................................................................................
5
Article II Organization .............................................................................................................
5
2.1
Formation ............................................................................................................
5
2.2
Name ...................................................................................................................
6
2.3
Principal Office ...................................................................................................
6
2.4
Registered Office; Registered Agent
...................................................................
6
2.5
Purpose; Powers ..................................................................................................
6
2.6
Term ....................................................................................................................
6
2.7
Tax Status of the LLC .........................................................................................
7
2.8
No State Law Partnership
....................................................................................
7
Article III Units .........................................................................................................................
7
3.1
Units Generally
....................................................................................................
7
3.2
Authorization and Issuance of Class A Units
......................................................
8
3.3
Authorization and Issuance of Common Units ...................................................
8
3.4
Certificates Representing Units
...........................................................................
8
Article IV Members
...................................................................................................................
8
4.1
Admission of New Members
...............................................................................
8
4.2
No Personal Liability
...........................................................................................
8
4.3
No Withdrawal ....................................................................................................
9
4.4
Death ...................................................................................................................
9
4.5
Voting ..................................................................................................................
9
Article V Contribution of Company Shares ...........................................................................
9
5.1
Shares to be Contributed to LLC
.........................................................................
9
5.2
Contribution of Shares
.........................................................................................
10
5.3
Inspection, Disclosure and Public Filing of the Agreement
................................
10
Article VI Membership Certificates ........................................................................................
11
6.1
Issuance of Membership Certificates ..................................................................
11
6.2
Form of Certificates
.............................................................................................
11
6.3
Replacement of Certificates ................................................................................
11
6.4
Membership Interest Register .............................................................................
11
6.5
Record Date
.........................................................................................................
11
Article VII Redemption or Conversion of Shares ..................................................................
11
7.1
No Redemption of Class A Shares
......................................................................
11
7.2
Conversion
...........................................................................................................
12
7.3
Redemption of Common Shares
..........................................................................
12
7.4
Transfers of Shares
..............................................................................................
13
Article VIII Transfers of Membership Interests ....................................................................
13
8.1
Permissible Transfers; Restrictions on Transfer ................................................. 13
8.2
Transfers
..............................................................................................................
13
8.3
Transferees Bound by Agreement
.......................................................................
13
8.4
Other Requirements for Transfers
.......................................................................
14
Article IX Dividends and Certain Changes to Stock
..............................................................
14
9.1
LLC to Distribute Cash Dividends
......................................................................
14
9.2
Distributions other than Cash
..............................................................................
14
9.3
No Distributions in Violation of Law
..................................................................
15
9.4
Certain Changes to Class A Shares or Common Shares .....................................
15
Article X Capital Contributions; Capital Accounts
...............................................................
15
10.1
Initial Capital Contributions
................................................................................
15
10.2
Additional Capital Contributions ........................................................................
16
10.3
Maintenance of Capital Accounts .......................................................................
16
10.4
Succession Upon Transfer
...................................................................................
16
10.5
Treasury Regulations
...........................................................................................
16
Article XI Allocations
................................................................................................................
16
11.1
Allocation of Net Income and Net Loss
..............................................................
16
11.2
Tax Allocations ...................................................................................................
16
Article XII Management of LLC; Voting
and Other Rights and Powers of Members
......
17
12.1
Management of the LLC .....................................................................................
17
12.2
Managing Member Rights and Powers ...............................................................
17
12.3
Contributed Shares to be Voted
as a Unit ...........................................................
17
12.4
Failure to Achieve a Majority if there is more than one Managing Member
......
18
12.5
Certain Transactions Require Joint Consent of Managing Member and Non-Managing
Members
..............................................................................................................
18
12.6
Powers of LLC ....................................................................................................
19
12.7
Sale or Conversion of Contributed Shares by Managing Member .....................
20
12.8
Meetings and Procedures
.....................................................................................
20
12.9
Voting
by Managing Members if there are more than one Managing Member
..
20
12.10
Status of Managing Members
..............................................................................
20
12.11
Removal of Managing Member ..........................................................................
21
12.12
Resignation of Managing Members ....................................................................
21
12.13
Costs and Expenses .............................................................................................
21
12.14
Other Relationships Between Managing Member and Company
.......................
21
12.15
Compensation of Managing Member
..................................................................
21
12.16
Responsibility of Managing Member
..................................................................
21
12.17
Reliance by Managing Member ..........................................................................
22
12.18
Legal Compliance by Managing Member
...........................................................
22
Article XIII Exculpation and Indemnification .......................................................................
22
13.1
Exculpation; Indemnification of Members
..........................................................
22
Article XIV Records, Accounting and Tax
Matters
...............................................................
24
14.1
Records Required by the Delaware Act ..............................................................
24
14.2
Book and Records ...............................................................................................
24
14.3
Accounting Methods; Fiscal Year .......................................................................
24
14.4
LLC Funds
...........................................................................................................
24
14.5
Tax Matters Member ...........................................................................................
24
Article XV Dissolution and Liquidation
..................................................................................
25
15.1
Events of Dissolution ..........................................................................................
25
15.2
Effectiveness of Dissolution
................................................................................
25
15.3
Liquidation ..........................................................................................................
25
15.4
Cancellation of Certificate of Formation
.............................................................
26
Article XVI Representations and Warranties of Members
...................................................
26
16.1
Representations and Warranties ..........................................................................
26
Article XVII Covenants ............................................................................................................
27
17.1
Confidentiality
.....................................................................................................
27
Article XVIII General Provisions ............................................................................................
27
18.1
Successors and Assigns
.......................................................................................
27
18.2
Notices
.................................................................................................................
27
18.3
Amendment of Agreement
..................................................................................
28
18.4
Costs and Expenses .............................................................................................
28
18.5
Severability of Provisions ...................................................................................
28
18.6
Controlling Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Specific Performance .................
28
18.7
Construction of Agreement .................................................................................
29
18.8
Multiple Counterparts
..........................................................................................
29
18.9
Entire Agreement ................................................................................................
29
18.10
No Third-party Beneficiaries
...............................................................................
29
Amended and Restated
Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement
dated as of February 25, 2025
This
AMENDED
AND
RESTATED
LIMITED
LIABILITY
COMPANY
OPERATING
AGREEMENT (the
“Agreement”) is
made as
of February 25, 2025
(the “Restatement
Date”), by
and among
DLNL, LLC (the
“LLC”), Adolphus B.
Baker, as the initial Managing
Member (“Managing Member”),
and
the Non-Managing
Members (“Non-Managing
Members”) identified
on the
signature pages
hereto (such
persons, together with
any Persons who become
members of the
LLC in accordance
with this Agreement,
the “Members”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the
LLC
has
been
formed
to
invest
in
shares
of
Class A
Common
Stock,
par
value
$0.01 per
share (“Class A
Shares”), and
shares of
Common Stock,
par value
$0.01 per
share (“Common
Shares”), of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”);
WHEREAS, effective
as of
July 20, 2018, the
initial owners
of Membership
Interests entered
into
the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement for the LLC (the “Existing Operating Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the
Company’s capital stock
consists of:
(i) Common Shares,
which are
publicly traded
on
the
NASDAQ
under
the
symbol
“CALM,”
and
(ii) Class A
Shares,
which
are
privately
held
and
not
publicly traded, but are
convertible on a share-for-share basis
into Common Shares at
any time at the
option
of the holder thereof;
WHEREAS, the
Common Shares
have one
vote per
share and
Class A Shares
have ten
votes per
share on
all matters
on which
such shares
are entitled
to vote
and certain
other differences,
but otherwise
have substantially similar rights, powers and privileges;
WHEREAS, each of the Members, including
Adolphus B. Baker, is
an Immediate Family Member
or
Permitted
Transferee
(in
each
case,
as
defined
in
the
Company’s
Second
Amended
and
Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time (the “Restated Charter”));
WHEREAS, the LLC is also a Permitted Transferee;
WHEREAS, the LLC currently owns Common Shares, as well
as 100% of the outstanding Class
A
Shares;
WHEREAS,
the
Class A
Shares
currently
represent
over
50%
of
the
total
voting
power
of
the
outstanding
shares
of
the
Company
in
the
election
of
directors
and
matters
other
than
the
election
of
directors;
WHEREAS,
the
Members
(and/or
their
respective
predecessors-in-interest)
formed
the
LLC
and
entered into the Existing
Operating Agreement to permit
the Immediate Family and
Permitted Transferees
to continue to own and retain, directly or indirectly, Class A Shares to maintain control of the Company,
in
order to provide for the long-term, stable and consistent ownership and governance of the Company;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such
purpose, the Existing Operating Agreement
conferred upon the
Managing Member the right to vote and to act with respect to the Class A Shares and Common Shares that
they (and/or their respective predecessors-in-interest) have contributed to the
LLC, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement;
WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution of
this Agreement, the LLC, the Members
and
the Company have entered
into that certain Agreement
Regarding Conversion dated as
of the Restatement
Date, pursuant
to which
the Company
has agreed
to take
certain corporate
actions to
address the
fact that
the LLC and the Members have expressed
a potential interest in monetizing all or
a portion of the Common
Shares owned
by the
LLC and
the Common
Shares underlying
the Class A
Shares owned
by the
LLC, which
corporate actions
include (a) amending
and restating
the Restated
Charter,
(b) amending and
restating the
Company’s Bylaws,
and (c) effective upon the conversion
by the LLC of all Class A Shares
into Common
Shares, granting
the LLC
and the
Members certain
rights to
cause the
sale or
transfer of
Common Shares
owned by
the LLC
or such
Members to
be registered
under the
Securities Act,
in each
case, on
the terms
and subject
to the
conditions set
forth therein
(as amended
from time
to time,
the “Agreement
Regarding
Conversion”);
WHEREAS, the Board of
Directors of the Company
(taking into account the
recommendation of a
Special Committee of the Board
of Directors, consisting solely of
independent directors) has approved the
Company’s
execution and performance
by the Company
of the Agreement
Regarding Conversion and
the
actions and transactions contemplated thereby; and
WHEREAS, in
consideration of
the foregoing
and in
order to
facilitate the
conversion of
Class
A
Shares contemplated
by the
Agreement Regarding
Conversion, the
LLC and
the Members
hereby amend
and restate the
Existing Operating Agreement,
in accordance with
the Delaware Limited
Liability Company
Act, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINED TERMS
1.1
Defined Terms.
“Agreement Regarding Conversion” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Applicable
Law”
means
all
applicable
provisions
of
(a) constitutions,
treaties,
statutes,
laws
(including the common
law), rules, regulations,
decrees, ordinances, codes,
proclamations, declarations or
orders of any Governmental Authority; (b) any
consents or approvals of any Governmental
Authority; and
(c) any orders, decisions, advisory or interpretative
opinions, injunctions, judgments, awards, decrees of,
or
agreements with, any Governmental Authority.
“Business” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).
“Capital Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.
“Capital Contribution” means,
for any Member,
the total amount
of cash and
cash equivalents and
the value of any property contributed to the LLC by such Member.
“Class A Shares” means Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
“Class A Unit”
means a
Unit representing
a fractional
part of
the Membership
Interests issued
by
the LLC in exchange for one Class A Share.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common Shares” means Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
“Common Unit” means a
Unit representing a fractional
part of the Membership
Interests issued by
the LLC
in exchange
for one
Common Share
or in
connection with
the conversion
of Class
A Shares
in
accordance with Section 7.2.
“Company” means Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Contributed Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
“Daughters’
Revocable
Trust”
means
the
Fred
R.
Adams,
Jr.
Daughters’
Trust
formed
under
agreement dated July 20, 2018, of which
Adolphus B. Baker and Jean
Reed Adams serve as co-trustees
and
Fred
R.
Adams,
Jr.
is
the
lifetime
beneficiary,
and
of
which
his
four
daughters
are
remainderman
beneficiaries.
“Delaware Act”
means the
Delaware Limited
Liability
Company Act,
Title 6,
Chapter 18,
§§ 18-
101,
et seq.
, and any successor statute, as it may be amended from time to time.
“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
“Existing Operating Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Governmental
Authority”
means
any
federal,
state,
local
or
foreign
government
or
political
subdivision thereof,
or any
agency or
instrumentality of
such government
or political
subdivision, or
any
self-regulated organization or
other non-governmental regulatory
authority or quasi-governmental
authority
(to the extent
that the rules,
regulations or orders
of such organization
or authority have
the force of
law),
or any arbitrator, court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
“Immediate Family Member” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Initial Dissolution Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a).
“Joinder” means the Joinder agreement in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit C.
“Joinder
of Managing
Member”
means the
Joinder of
Managing Member
agreement in
form
and
substance attached hereto as Exhibit D.
“Managing
Member”
means,
initially,
Adolphus
B.
Baker,
or
such
other
Member
as
may
be
designated or become a Managing Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
“Member” means (a) each
Person identified on
Exhibit B as of
the date hereof
as a Member
and who
has executed this Agreement or a counterpart thereof; and (b) and each Person who is hereafter
admitted as
a Member
in accordance
with the
terms of
this Agreement
and the
Delaware Act,
in each
case so
long as
such Person is shown
on the LLC’s books and records as
the owner of one
or more Units or
has entered into
an agreement
or commitment
to contribute
Class A Shares
and/or Common
Shares in
exchange or
one or
more Units.
The Members shall constitute the
“members” (as that term is
defined in the Delaware Act)
of
the LLC.
“Members Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
“Membership
Certificate”
means
a
certificate
issued
by
the
LLC
to
a
Member
evidencing
Units
owned by such Member in accordance with Article VI of this Agreement.
“Membership Interest” means
an interest in
the LLC owned
by a Member, including
such Member’s
right (based on the type and
class of Unit or Units held
by such Member), as applicable, (a) to
a distributive
share
of net
income,
net losses
and other
items of
income, gain,
loss
and deduction
of the
LLC;
(b) to
a
distributive share of the
assets of the LLC;
(c) to vote on, consent
to or otherwise participate
in any decision
of the Members as provided in this Agreement; and (d) to any and all other benefits to
which such Member
may
be
entitled
as
provided
in
this
Agreement
or
the
Delaware
Act.
The
Membership
Interest
of
each
Member shall be expressed as a
number of Class A Units or Common Units,
which Units shall be equal to
the number of Class A
Shares or Common Shares,
as applicable, that such
Member contributed in
exchange
for such Units,
taking into account
permitted conversions and
redemptions.
Exhibit F sets forth,
as of the
Restatement Date,
the number
of Class A
Units and
Common Units
held by
each Member,
together with
the number Class A Shares or Common Shares, as applicable, contributed by or on behalf of such Member
in exchange for such Units.
“Non-Managing Member” means at any time each Member that is not the Managing Member.
“Permitted Transferee”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Person”
means
an
individual,
corporation,
partnership,
joint
venture,
limited
liability
company,
Governmental Authority, unincorporated organization,
trust, association or other entity.
“Restated Charter” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Revocable
Trust”
means
the
Daughters’
Revocable
Trust
and
any
successor
to
the
Daughters’
Revocable Trust.
“Restatement Date” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“
Securities Act
”
means the Securities
Act of 1933,
as amended, or
any successor federal
statute, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, which shall be in effect at the time.
“Tax Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.6(a).
“Treasury
Regulations”
means
the
final
or
temporary
regulations
issued
by
the
United
States
Department of Treasury pursuant to its authority under the Code, and any successor regulations.
“Unit” means a unit representing a
fractional part of the Membership Interests
of the Members and
shall include all types
and classes of Units,
including the Class A Units
and the Common Units;
provided,
however, that
any type or
class of Unit
shall have the
privileges, preference, duties,
liabilities, obligations
and rights
set forth
in this
Agreement and
the Membership
Interests represented
by such
type or
class of
Unit shall be determined
in accordance with such
privileges, preference, duties,
liabilities, obligations and
rights.
1.2
Interpretation.
For
purposes
of
this
Agreement,
(a) the
words
“include,”
“includes”
and
“including”
shall
be
deemed
to
be
followed
by
the
words
“without
limitation”;
(b) the
word
“or”
is
not
exclusive; and (c) the
words “herein,” “hereof,”
“hereby,”
“hereto” and “hereunder”
refer to this
Agreement
as a whole.
The definitions given
for any defined
terms in this
Agreement shall apply
equally to both
the
singular and
plural forms
of the
terms defined.
Whenever the
context may
require, any
pronoun shall
include
the corresponding
masculine, feminine
and neuter
forms.
The headings
used herein
are for
convenience
only, are not
part of
the article,
section or
subsection to
which they
relate, and
are not
to be
used in
construing
the legal intent of this instrument.
Unless the context otherwise requires,
references herein:
(x) to Articles,
Sections, and Exhibits
mean the
Articles and Sections
of, and Exhibits
attached to, this
Agreement; (y) to
an
agreement,
instrument
or
other
document
means
such
agreement,
instrument
or
other
document
as
amended, supplemented
and modified
from time
to time
to the
extent permitted
by the
provisions thereof
and (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation
thereto and any regulations promulgated
thereunder.
This Agreement shall be construed without
regard to
any presumption or rule requiring
construction or interpretation against the
party drafting an instrument or
causing any
instrument to
be drafted.
The Exhibits
referred to
herein shall
be construed
with, and
as an
integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein.
ARTICLE II
ORGANI
Z
ATION
2.1
Formation.
(a)
The LLC was
formed on or
prior to July 20, 2018,
pursuant to the
provisions of the
Delaware Act, upon the filing of the Certificate of Formation
of the LLC with the Secretary
of State of the
State of Delaware.
(b)
This Agreement
shall constitute
the “limited
liability company
agreement” (as
that
term is used in
the Delaware Act) of the LLC.
The rights, powers, duties,
obligations and liabilities of
the
Members
shall
be
determined
pursuant
to
the
Delaware Act
and
this Agreement.
To
the
extent
that
the
rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities of any Member are different by reason of any provision of
this Agreement
than they would
be under the
Delaware
Act in the
absence of such
provision, this
Agreement
shall, to the extent permitted by the Delaware Act, control.
2.2
Name.
The name
of the
LLC is
“DLNL, LLC”
or such
other name
or names
as the
Managing
Member may from time
to time designate; provided,
however, that the name shall always
contain the words
“Limited
Liability
Company”
or
the
abbreviation
“L.L.C.”
or
the
designation
“LLC.”
The
Managing
Member shall give prompt notice to each of the Members of any change to the name of the LLC.
2.3
Principal
Office.
The
principal
office
of
the
LLC
is
located
at
c/o
Cal-Maine
Foods,
Inc., 1052 Highland Colony Pkwy, Suite
200, Ridgeland, MS 39157, or such other place as may from time
to time be determined
by the Managing Member.
The Managing Member shall
give prompt notice of any
such change to each of the Members.
2.4
Registered Office; Registered Agent.
(a)
The
registered
office
of
the
LLC
shall
be
251 Little
Falls
Drive,
Wilmington,
DE
19808 or
such other
office (which
need not
be a
place of
business of
the LLC)
as the
Managing Member
may designate from time to time in the manner provided by the Delaware Act and
Applicable Law.
(b)
The registered agent for service of process on the
LLC in the State of Delaware shall
be Corporation Service Company or such other Person or Persons as the Managing Member may designate
from time to time in the manner provided by the Delaware Act and
Applicable Law.
2.5
Purpose; Powers.
(a)
The
purpose
of
the
LLC
is
to
acquire,
vote
and
hold,
either
alone
or
with
other
Persons,
securities
of
the
Company,
to
convert
Class A
Shares
in
accordance
with
Section 7.2,
transfer
Common Shares in redemption of Common Units in accordance with Section 7.3 and to engage in any and
all
activities
necessary
or
incidental
thereto
(the
“Business”).
The
LLC
shall
not
engage
in
any
other
operating or investment activities.
(b)
The LLC shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes
for which it is formed, including the powers granted by the Delaware Act.
2.6
Term
.
(a)
Initial Dissolution Date.
The term of the LLC commenced on the date the
Certificate of Formation of the LLC was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
The
LLC shall continue until the tenth anniversary after the death of Fred R. Adams, Jr. (the “Initial
Dissolution Date”), unless renewed or sooner dissolved and terminated as herein provided.
(b)
Extension.
Prior to the Initial Dissolution Date, subject to the consent of Members
holding no less than a majority of the voting power of the Units at the time, the Managing Member may
elect to extend the term of the LLC and this Agreement for an extended term of up to ten years after the
Initial Dissolution Date.
In such event, not later than thirty days prior to the Initial Dissolution Date, the
Managing Member shall notify all other Members that the initial term of the LLC will be extended and the
date, not later than ten years after the Initial Dissolution Date, of the extended dissolution date (the
“Extended Dissolution Date”).
(c)
Additional Extensions.
Prior to the Extended Dissolution Date, subject to the
consent of Members holding no less than a majority of the voting power of the Units at the time, the
Managing Member may elect to extend the term of the LLC and this Agreement for an additional
extended term of up to ten years after the Extended Dissolution Date, and may further elect to
successively extend the term of the LLC and this Agreement for additional extended terms of up to ten
years each after the last applicable subsequent extended dissolution date (“Subsequent Extended
Dissolution Date”).
In such event, not later than thirty days prior to the applicable Subsequent Extended
Dissolution Date, the Managing Member shall notify all other Members that the term of the LLC will be
extended and the date, not later than ten years after the last Subsequent Extended Dissolution Date, of the
new Subsequent Extended Dissolution Date.
(d)
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the LLC may be
earlier dissolved and
terminated as
provided in Article XV.
2.7
Tax
Status of the LLC.
At all times that the LLC
has only one Member,
the LLC shall be
disregarded for
federal and,
if applicable,
state and
local income
tax purposes.
At all
times that
the LLC
has more than
one Member,
the Members intend
that the LLC
shall be treated
as a partnership
for federal
and, if applicable, state and local
income tax purposes, and, to the
extent permissible, the LLC shall elect
to
be
treated
as
a
partnership
for
such
purposes.
The
Managing
Member
shall
cause
to
be
prepared
and
provided to
each Member
all necessary
or appropriate
income tax
information, including,
if requested
by
such Member, a copy of the federal, state and local income tax or information returns for each taxable year
of the
LLC.
The LLC
and each
Member shall
file all
tax returns
and shall
otherwise take
all tax
and financial
reporting
positions
in
a
manner
consistent
with
such
treatment
and
no
Member
shall
take
any
action
inconsistent with such treatment.
2.8
No State Law Partnership.
No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
or construed
to
constitute
the
LLC
a
partnership
(including
a
limited
partnership)
or
joint
venture,
or
any
Member
a
partner or joint
venturer of or
with any other
Member, for
any purposes other
than federal, state
and local
tax purposes.
ARTICLE III
UNITS
3.1
Units Generally.
The Membership Interests of the Members shall be represented by issued
and outstanding Units, which may be divided into
one or more types or classes.
Each type or class of Units
shall have the
privileges, preferences, duties,
liabilities, obligations and
rights, including voting
rights, set
forth in this
Agreement with respect
to such type
or class.
The Managing Member
shall maintain a
schedule
of all Members, their respective
mailing addresses and the amount
and type and class of
Units held by them
(the
“Members
Schedule”).
Such
Schedule
shall
be
used
to
establish
the
initial
Membership
Interest
Register as provided in Section 6.4,
and such Schedule shall be
deemed to be automatically updated
for any
subsequent changes
reflected in
the Membership
Interest
Register.
Such information
with respect
to the
Members as of
the Restatement Date
is attached hereto
as Exhibit F.
The only Units
that may initially
be
issued are
(a) one Class A Unit
for each
Class A Share
contributed to the
LLC, (b) one Common
Unit for
each
Common
Share
contributed
to
the
LLC
and
(c) the
issuance
of
Common
Units
upon
conversion
of
Class A Units in accordance with Section 7.2(b).
Each Class A Share contributed to the
LLC in the future
will entitle the Member making
the contribution to one Class A Unit
and each Common Share contributed
to the LLC in the future will entitle the Member making the contribution to one Common Unit.
3.2
Authorization and Issuance
of Class A Units.
Subject to compliance
with the terms
of this
Agreement, the LLC
is hereby authorized
to issue a
class of Units
designated as Class A
Units.
As of the
Restatement Date, there are
4,800,000 Class A Units issued
and outstanding to the
Members in the amounts
set forth on Exhibit F hereto.
3.3
Authorization and Issuance
of Common Units.
Subject to compliance
with the terms
of
this Agreement, the LLC is hereby authorized to
issue a class of Units designated as Common
Units.
As of
the Restatement
Date, there
are 1,087,956
Common Units
issued and
outstanding to
the Members
in the
amounts
set forth
on Exhibit
F hereto.
The LLC
will
issue additional
Common Units
for
any additional
Common Shares contributed and, upon conversion of Class A Shares, as provided in Section 7.2.
3.4
Certificates
Representing
Units.
The
Managing
Member
shall
issue
Membership
Certificates
to
the
Members
representing
the
Units
held
by
such
Member
in
the
form
attached
hereto
as
Exhibit A, including the legend set forth thereon.
ARTICLE IV
MEM
B
ERS
4.1
Admission of New Members.
(a)
New Members may be admitted from time to time (i) in connection with an issuance
of Units
by the
LLC, subject
to compliance
with the
applicable provisions
of this
Agreement, and
(ii) in
connection
with
a
transfer
of
Units,
subject
to
compliance
with
the
provisions
of
this
Agreement.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, no Person shall be admitted as a Member of the LLC
unless such Person is an Immediate Family Member or a Permitted Transferee.
(b)
In order
for any
Person not
already a
Member of
the LLC
to be
admitted as
a Member,
whether pursuant to
an issuance or
transfer of Units,
such Person shall
have executed and
delivered to the
LLC a written
undertaking substantially in
the form of
the Joinder
attached hereto as
Exhibit C. Upon the
amendment of the
Members Schedule by
the Managing Member
and the satisfaction
of any other
applicable
conditions, including, if
a condition, the
receipt by the
LLC of additional
Class A
Shares or Common
Shares
in exchange for
the issuance of
the applicable
Units, such
Person shall
be admitted
as a
Member and deemed
listed as such on the books and
records of the LLC and thereupon shall
be issued his, her or its Units.
The
Managing Member shall also adjust the
Capital Accounts of the Members as necessary in accordance
with
Article X.
4.2
No Personal
Liability.
Except as
otherwise provided
in the
Delaware Act,
by Applicable
Law or
expressly in
this Agreement,
no Member
will be
obligated personally
for any
debt, obligation
or
liability of
the LLC
or other
Members, whether
arising in
contract, tort
or otherwise,
solely by
reason of
being a Member.
4.3
No Withdrawal.
A Member shall not cease to
be a Member as a result
of the bankruptcy of
such Member
or as
a result
of any
other events
specified in
§18-304
of the
Delaware Act.
So long
as a
Member continues
to hold
any Units,
such Member
shall not
have the
ability
to withdraw
or resign
as a
Member
prior
to
the
dissolution
and
winding
up
of
the
LLC
and
any
such
withdrawal
or
resignation
or
attempted withdrawal
or resignation by
a Member
prior to the
dissolution or winding
up of the
LLC shall
be null and
void.
As soon as
any Person who
is a Member
ceases to hold
any Units, such
Person shall no
longer be a Member.
4.4
Death.
The death of
any Member shall
not cause the
dissolution of the
LLC, and the
LLC
and its business shall be continued
by the remaining Member or Members.
In such event the Units
owned
by the deceased
Member shall automatically
be transferred to
such Member’s heirs; provided,
however, that
such heirs shall not be admitted as Members
of the LLC unless such heirs are Immediate Family
Members
or
Permitted Transferees
and
such
Members
shall
not
be
entitled
to
receive
a
Membership
Certificate
in
their names or receive any distributions from the LLC until they sign a written undertaking substantially in
the form of the Joinder attached hereto as Exhibit C.
4.5
Voting
.
(a)
Except
as
otherwise
provided
by
this Agreement
or
as
otherwise
required
by
the
Delaware Act or
Applicable Law:
(i)
each
Member
shall
be
entitled
to
ten
votes
per
Class A
Unit
on
all
matters
upon which the Members have the right to vote under this Agreement; and
(ii)
each Member
shall be
entitled to
one vote
per Common
Unit on
all matters
upon which the Members have the right to vote under this Agreement.
(b)
To
the
full
extent
permitted
by
law,
Members
shall
have
no
right
to
vote
on
any
matters
under
this
Agreement,
the
Delaware
Act
or
otherwise
except
as
expressly
provided
in
this
Agreement.
ARTICLE V
CONTRI
B
UTION OF COMPANY SHARES
5.1
Shares to
be Contributed
to LLC.
All outstanding
Class A Shares
held or
owned at
any
time by any Member (including any Class A Shares acquired by
any Member after the date of the Existing
Operating
Agreement
and
before
the
dissolution
of
the
LLC),
and
the
Common
Shares
held
by
the
Revocable Trust, shall be contributed hereunder
and accepted by,
and transferred to, the LLC, in exchange
for Units.
Except as provided in this Section 5.1, each Member shall have the right, but not the obligation,
to contribute Common Shares to the LLC from time to time in exchange for Units with
the prior consent of
the Managing
Member.
Any and
all shares
contributed to
the LLC
(including shares
issued upon
conversion
of Class
A
Shares contributed
to the
LLC), less
shares exchanged
by the
LLC upon
redemptions of
Common
Units, are referred to herein as “Contributed Shares.”
5.2
Contribution of Shares.
(a)
Following the date that
the Restated Charter is
filed with the Secretary of
State of the
State
of Delaware
and becomes
effective (the
“Effective Date”),
each Member
shall promptly
contribute
and transfer to
the LLC all
stock certificates representing
Class A Shares owned or
later acquired by
such
Member, duly
endorsed in
blank, or
accompanied by
proper instruments
of assignment
and transfer
duly
executed in
blank or
(and accompanied
by any
revenue stamps
required for
the transfer),
in exchange
for
Membership
Certificates
issued
hereunder
in
the
form
herein
provided.
Any
Member
who
acquires
ownership of
any Class A Shares
after the
date of
the Existing
Operating Agreement shall
contribute and
transfer such shares to the LLC no later than thirty (30) days after acquiring such shares.
(b)
Following the
receipt of
Common Shares
by the
Revocable Trust,
but no
later than
the time that
Class A Shares are contributed to
the LLC following the
Effective Date, the
Revocable Trust
shall contribute
and transfer
to the
LLC all
stock certificates
representing Common
Shares listed
with respect
to the
Revocable Trust, duly
endorsed in
blank, or
accompanied by
proper instruments
of assignment
and
transfer duly
executed in
blank or
(and accompanied
by any
revenue stamps
required for
the transfer),
in
exchange for Membership Certificates issued hereunder in the form herein provided.
(c)
The LLC shall accept such contributions and hold
all shares so contributed under the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Such contribution of Class A Shares and Common Shares and the
acceptance
of
Membership
Certificates
by
a
Person,
subject
to
the
provisions
of
Section 4.1,
shall
cause
such Person to become a Member hereunder subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(d)
The contribution of Class A Shares and Common Shares to the LLC hereunder shall
constitute an assignment and transfer to the LLC of full legal title to
such shares, and shall vest in the LLC
all rights and powers of every
nature incident to ownership of such
shares, including the right to vote
such
shares,
subject
only
to
the
limitations
specifically
set
forth
herein,
including
the
prohibition
of
sales,
dispositions or transfers of such shares by the LLC except as permitted in Sections 7.2 and 7.3.
(e)
Promptly
upon
receipt
from
time
to
time
of
stock
certificates
representing
Contributed Shares,
the LLC
shall cause
the certificates
to be
surrendered to
the Company
and cancelled
and new certificates issued therefor to, and in the name of, the LLC, and shall cause the LLC ownership
of
legal title pursuant to this Agreement to be
entered in the stock transfer
records of the Company and
noted
on the newly issued certificates.
5.3
Inspection, Disclosure and Public Filing of
the Agreement.
The Managing Member shall
cause a copy of this Agreement to be delivered to the principal place of business of the Company and shall
request that the Company
make a copy of
this Agreement open to
the inspection of any
stockholder of the
Company
or Member
at the
principal place
of
business
of the
Company
during
ordinary business
hours.
The
parties
hereto
recognize
and
understand
that
a
copy
of
this
Agreement
may
also
be
disclosed
and
publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ARTICLE VI
MEM
B
ERSHIP CERTIFICATES
6.1
Issuance of Membership Certificates.
All Contributed Shares at any time delivered to the
LLC hereunder or acquired by
the LLC as provided in
this Agreement shall be held
by the LLC and voted
by the Managing Member under and pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement.
The LLC, in
exchange for the shares so contributed or
otherwise held hereunder, shall
cause to be issued and delivered,
Membership Certificates to
Members for the
appropriate number of
Class A Shares or
Common Shares held
hereunder.
6.2
Form of Certificates.
The Membership Certificates
issued pursuant to
this Agreement shall
be substantially
in the
form set
forth in
Exhibit A attached
hereto (or
in such
other form
as the
Managing
Member determines).
6.3
Replacement of
Certificates.
The LLC,
in such
manner as
the Managing
Member in
his
sole
discretion
may
prescribe
with
respect
to
indemnity
or
otherwise,
shall
provide
for
the
issuance
and
delivery of new Membership
Certificates in lieu of
lost, stolen or destroyed
Membership Certificates or in
exchange for mutilated Membership Certificates.
6.4
Membership
Interest
Register.
The
Managing
Member
shall
maintain
a
registration
of
Membership Interests in
the books
and records of
the LLC of
the holders of
Membership Certificates and
shall make
such register
available to
the Members
upon written
request.
Such books
and records
shall record
the
issuance
and
any
transfer
of
Membership
Certificates
and
shall
contain
the
names
and
addresses
of
Members and
the number
of Units
represented by
the Membership
Certificates, and
the dates
when they
became the owners
thereof.
Such register shall
be kept at
the principal office
of the LLC
or at such
other
place as the Managing Member shall determine and set forth in a written notice given to all Members.
6.5
Record
Date.
Whenever
the
stock
transfer
books
of
the
Company
are
closed
for
any
purpose, the Managing Member shall also close the books and
records of Membership Certificates for such
period, and
whenever a
record date
is properly
fixed as
a record
date of
the Company, the
Managing Member
shall use the same record date for any rights consequent thereon.
The
Managing
Member,
in
his
discretion,
may
also
fix
a
record
date
as
of
which
the
Members
entitled to take any action may be determined.
The Managing Member shall send or
cause to be sent to all Members,
as registered in the books and
records
of
the
LLC,
copies
of
all
requests,
notices,
proxy
statements
and
other
documents
sent
by
the
Company to its shareholders, promptly upon their becoming available
.
ARTICLE VII
REDEMPTION OR CONVERSION OF SHARES
7.1
No Redemption
of Class A Shares.
A Member
shall not
be permitted
to redeem,
and the
LLC and Managing Member shall have no power or right to redeem from any Member, Class A Units, and
no Member shall have any right to receive from the LLC Class A Shares, in each case, until the dissolution
and liquidation of the LLC.
Any purported redemption of Class A Units or receipt of Class A Shares from
the LLC before the dissolution and liquidation of the LLC shall be void.
7.2
Conversion.
Except as
otherwise permitted
by Section 12.5(a)(vii)
or Section 12.7,
the LLC
shall
not
convert
any
Class A
Shares
held
by
the
LLC
into
Common
Shares
during
the
term
of
this
Agreement.
If
the
Managing
Member
converts
any
or
all
of
the
Class A
Shares
held
by
the
LLC
in
accordance with either Section 12.5(a)(vii) or Section 12.7, then:
(a)
the Common Shares received by the LLC upon such
conversion shall be held, voted
and/or transferred by the LLC in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
(b)
each
Member’s
Class A
Units
shall
automatically
convert
into
the
number
of
Common Units equal to the number of Common Shares
issued upon conversion with respect to the Class A
Shares underlying such Member’s Class A Units; and
(c)
in
order
to
evidence
that
such
conversion
of
Class A
Units
has
occurred,
each
Member shall promptly exchange his
or her Membership Certificate(s)
formerly representing Class A
Units
for
a
Membership
Certificate
representing
Common
Units,
which
exchange
will
be
made
in
compliance
with Article VI.
7.3
Redemption of Common Shares.
A Member shall be permitted to redeem Common Units
in exchange for an
equivalent number of Common Shares
prior to the dissolution
of the LLC from time
to
time, upon the surrender of the corresponding Membership Certificate or Certificates, as follows:
(a)
Redemption to Facilitate a Transfer or Sale of Underlying Common Shares.
A
Member may request to redeem Common Units in exchange for an equivalent number of Common Shares
to effect a transfer or sale of underlying Common Shares, but only if such transfer or sale is in compliance
with the Agreement Regarding Conversion and applicable federal and state securities laws.
(b)
Redemption to Facilitate a Transfer to a Charitable Donor Advised Fund.
A
Member may request to redeem Common Units in exchange for an equivalent number of Common Shares
to effect a transfer to a charitable donor advised fund.
(c)
Other Redemptions of Common Units.
In addition, a Member may request to
redeem Common Units in exchange for an equivalent number of Common Shares, which the Managing
Member from time to time may approve.
(d)
Redemption Request.
The Member requesting a redemption shall submit a written
redemption request to the Managing Member substantially in the form prescribed in Exhibit E attached
hereto.
(e)
Manner of Redemption.
Upon approval of the form and substance of any such
redemption request by the Managing Member and the surrender for cancellation of such Members’
Membership Certificate representing Common Units, the Managing Member shall (i) cause a certificate
representing Common Shares to be transferred to and registered in the name of such Member equal to the
number of Common Units being redeemed, and (ii) issue a new Membership Certificate to the Member
representing the number of Common Units that are not being redeemed and that will continue to be owned
by such Member after the redemption, if any.
7.4
Transfers
of Shares.
The LLC shall not
sell, dispose of or
otherwise transfer any
Class
A
Shares or Common Shares
during the term of this
Agreement, except as permitted
in Sections 7.2 and 7.3.
In the
event there
is a
desire to
sell, dispose
of or
transfer Common
Shares held
by the
LLC, such
shares
first
be
delivered
to
the
Member
in
redemption
of
such
Member’s
Membership
Certificate
pursuant
to
Section 7.3, and any such sale, disposition or transfer shall be effected by the Member.
ARTICLE VIII
TRANSFERS OF MEM
B
ERSHIP INTERESTS
8.1
Permissible
Transfers;
Restrictions
on
Transfer.
No
person
other
than
an
Immediate
Family Member or Permitted Transferee may be a Member hereunder.
The Members hereby agree that none of the Membership
Interests, the Membership Certificates nor
any interest in
any of the
foregoing may be
transferred (whether directly
or indirectly, and including by
sale,
lease,
assignment,
pledge,
encumbrance,
hypothecation,
gift,
bequest,
appointment,
operation
of
law
or
otherwise)
to
any
Person
except
(i) an
Immediate
Family
Member
or
Permitted
Transferee
may
transfer
Membership
Interests
and
related
Membership
Certificates
to
another
Immediate
Family
Member
or
Permitted Transferee,
provided that such
permitted transferee
shall not
be admitted as
a Member
until he,
she or
it executes
a form
of joinder
substantially in
the form
set forth
in Exhibit C
attached hereto
(or in
such other form as
the Managing Member determines)
or (ii) a transfer by
the Managing Member permitted
by
Section 12.7.
The
Managing
Member
shall
not
register
any
transfer
except
in
compliance
with
this
Agreement.
Any
purported
transfer
of
Membership
Interests
or
Membership
Certificates
other
than
in
accordance
with
the
terms
of
this
Agreement
shall
be
void.
Not
in
limitation
of
the
generality
of
the
foregoing, Membership
Interests, including
any rights
to profits,
losses or
distributions associated
therewith,
transferred on death to
any person who is
not an Immediate Family
Member or Permitted Transferee
shall
be void.
8.2
Transfers.
Subject to the
foregoing, the Membership
Certificates and Membership
Interests
represented thereby shall be transferable
on the books of the
LLC by the holders of
record thereof, subject
to such procedures as may be required by the Managing Member for that purpose.
Until so transferred, the
Managing
Member
may
treat
the
existing
Member
as
the
owner
of
the
Membership
Certificates
for
all
purposes.
As a condition of making or permitting
any transfer or delivery of Membership Certificates,
the
Managing Member may require
the payment of a
sum sufficient to pay or
reimburse the Managing Member
or the
LLC for
any stamp
tax or
other governmental
charge
in
connection therewith
or any
other charge
applicable to such transfer or delivery.
The Managing Member shall have
the sole discretion to determine
whether a person is eligible
to be
a Member pursuant to this Agreement.
8.3
Transferees
Bound
by
Agreement.
Every
Immediate
Family
Member
and
Permitted
Transferee
who
acquires
Membership
Certificates
and
is
admitted
as
a
Member
in
accordance
with
this
Agreement shall, with respect thereto and
by the acceptance thereof, become a party
hereto with like force
and
effect
as
though
an
original
party
hereto
and
shall
be
embraced
within
the
meaning
of
the
term
“Member” wherever used herein.
8.4
Other
Requirements
for Transfers.
In addition
to the
other restrictions
set
forth in
this
Agreement, and
notwithstanding any
other provision
of this
Agreement, each
Member agrees
that it
will
not, directly or indirectly, transfer any of its Units, and the LLC agrees that it shall not issue any Units:
(a)
except
as
permitted
under
the
Securities Act
and
other
applicable
federal
or
state
securities
or
blue
sky
laws,
and
then,
with
respect
to
a
transfer
of
Units,
if
requested
by
the
Managing
Member, only upon delivery to
the LLC of an opinion
of counsel in form and
substance satisfactory to the
Managing Member to the effect that such transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities
Act;
(b)
if
such
transfer
or
issuance
would
affect
the
LLC’s
existence
or
qualification
as
a
limited liability company under the Delaware Act;
(c)
if such transfer or
issuance would cause the
LLC to lose its
status as a partnership
for
federal income tax purposes; or
(d)
if such transfer or issuance would cause a termination of the LLC for federal income
tax purposes.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS AND CERTAIN CHANGES TO STOC
K
9.1
LLC to Distribute Cash Dividends.
Each Member shall be entitled during the term of this
LLC,
except
as
may
be
otherwise
provided
herein,
to
receive
from
time
to
time
payments
equal
to
the
dividends payable
in cash, received
by the LLC
with respect to
his, her or
its Contributed Shares,
and the
Managing Member
shall distribute
such cash
to the
Members on
a pro
rata basis,
provided that
the Managing
Member may first deduct any charges and
expenses or taxes incurred by the
LLC or the Managing Member
in connection with the administration of the LLC.
9.2
Distributions other than Cash.
(a)
In the
event the
LLC shall
receive any
dividend or
distribution other
than cash
as a
result of a dividend or
other distribution in respect of
any Contributed Shares, the Managing
Member may
determine
to
hold
such
distribution
subject
to
this Agreement
in
his
sole
discretion,
provided
that
if
the
distribution
consists
of
Class A Shares
or
any
security
that
has
greater
voting
power
than
the
Common
Shares, the Managing Member shall hold such distribution subject to this Agreement.
(b)
If the
distribution consists
of Class A Shares
or any
security that
has greater
voting
power than
the Common
Shares, additional
Membership Certificates
shall be
issued to the
Members entitled
to such distribution as shown in the books and records of the LLC.
(c)
For distributions other than
cash and Class A Shares or any
security that has greater
voting power than the Common Shares:
(i)
if the Managing Member
determines to hold such
distribution subject to this
Agreement,
if
appropriate,
additional
Membership
Certificates
shall
be
issued
to
the
Members entitled to such distribution as shown in the books and records of the LLC; and
(ii)
if
the
Managing
Member
determines
not
to
hold
such
distribution,
the
Managing Member shall pass through the distribution to the
Members in proportion to their
respective Membership Interests.
(d)
If rights to subscribe
to purchase or acquire
any shares of capital
stock or other assets
of
the
Company
should
inure
to
the
LLC
in
respect
of
Contributed
Shares,
the
Managing
Member
shall
notify
the
Members.
Upon
the
written
direction
of
the
Member
relating
to
the
Membership
Certificates
issued with respect to
such Contributed Shares, accompanied
by a capital contribution
of the funds from
the
Member required
for such
purpose, the
Managing Member
shall cause
the LLC
to exercise
such rights
to
subscribe
for,
purchase
or
acquire
such
shares
of
stock
or
other
assets
with
respect
to
such
Contributed
Shares.
In the
event that
any additional
shares of
stock of
the Company
so acquired
by the
LLC shall
be
Class A
Shares, or
other securities
that the
Managing Member
determines not
to distribute
to Members,
such
shares
shall
thereupon
be
subject
to
all
the
terms
and
conditions
of
this Agreement
and,
if
appropriate,
additional Membership Certificates shall be issued to such Members.
9.3
No
Distributions
in
Violation
of
Law.
Notwithstanding
any
provision
to
the
contrary
contained in
this Agreement, the
LLC shall not
make any distribution
to Members if
such distribution
would
violate § 18-607 of the Delaware Act or other Applicable Law.
9.4
Certain
Changes
to
Class A
Shares
or
Common
Shares.
In
the
event
of
any
(i) subdivision, combination,
reclassification, recapitalization
or other
change of
Class A Shares
or Common
Shares, or (ii) any merger to
which the Company is
a constituent entity, in each case as
a result of which the
Class A Shares and Common Shares are converted into or exchanged
for capital stock or other securities of
the Company or
successor company, then, unless the
Managing Member determines
to distribute such
stock
or other securities to the Members:
(i) such stock and other securities shall be retained by the LLC subject
to all the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, (ii) if appropriate, additional or
replacement Membership
Certificates shall be issued
to such Members and
(iii) unless the Managing Member
determines otherwise,
all references in
this Agreement to
Contributed Shares shall
be deemed to
include reference
to such stock
and other securities.
ARTICLE X
CAPITAL CONTRI
B
UTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
10.1
Initial
Capital
Contributions.
Contemporaneously
with
the
execution
of
the
Existing
Operating
Agreement
and
as
set
forth
on
Exhibit B
to
the
Existing
Operating
Agreement,
each
initial
Member owning
Class A Units
has contributed
an equivalent
number of
Class A Shares,
and each
initial
Member owning Common
Units has contributed
an equivalent number
of Common Shares,
which represent
each such
Member’s initial
Capital Contribution
giving rise
to such
initial Member’s
initial Capital
Account.
10.2
Additional Capital
Contributions.
Except as
provided herein,
including Section 5.1
and
Section
12.13, no Member shall be required to
make any additional Capital Contributions to the LLC.
Any
future Capital
Contributions made
by any
Member shall
be made
only with
the consent
of the
Managing
Member and
the contributing
Member in
compliance with
this Agreement;
provided, however,
that each
Member and
the Managing
Member hereby
consent to
the requirement
of each
Member to
contribute all
Class A Shares that it owns during the term of the LLC to the LLC as provided in Section 5.1.
10.3
Maintenance of
Capital Accounts.
The LLC
shall establish,
and the
Managing Member
shall maintain for
each Member, a separate capital
account (a “
Capital Account
”) on its
books and records.
Unless otherwise
determined by
the Managing
Member,
the Capital
Account of
each such
Member shall
consist
of such
Member’s
capital contribution,
increased
by each
such Member’s
respective share
of net
income (including exempt income) and additional capital contributions, if any, and decreased by each such
Member’s
respective
share
of
net losses
(including
nondeductible
losses and
expenses)
and
distributions
from the LLC.
10.4
Succession
Upon
Transfer.
In
the
event
that
any
Units
are
transferred
to
an
Immediate
Family Member or a
Permitted Transferee
in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement,
the Immediate
Family Member
or Permitted
Transferee, as
applicable, shall
succeed to
the Capital
Account of
the transferor
to the extent it relates to
the transferred Units and shall receive
allocations and distributions pursuant to this
Agreement in respect of such Units.
10.5
Treasury
Regulations.
The
provisions
of
this
Agreement
relating
to
the
maintenance
of
Capital
Accounts
are
intended
to
comply
with
Section
704
of
the
Code
and
Section
1.704-1(b)
of
the
Treasury
Regulations
and
shall
be
interpreted
and
applied
in
a
manner
consistent
with
such
Treasury
Regulations.
ARTICLE XI
ALLOCATIONS
11.1
Allocation of Net
Income and Net
Loss.
For each
fiscal year
(or portion thereof),
except
as otherwise provided
in this Agreement,
net income and
net loss (and,
to the extent
necessary,
individual
items of income, gain, loss
or deduction) of the LLC
shall be allocated among the
Members in accordance
with their respective Membership Interests.
11.2
Tax Allocations.
All income, gains,
losses and deductions
of the LLC
shall be allocated,
for
federal, state and local income tax purposes, among the Members in accordance with the allocation of such
income, gains, losses
and deductions among
the Members for
computing their Capital
Accounts, except that
if any
such allocation
for tax
purposes is
not permitted
by the
Code or
other Applicable
Law,
the LLC’s
subsequent income, gains, losses and
deductions shall be allocated among
the Members for tax purposes,
to
the
extent
permitted
by
the
Code
and
other
Applicable
Law,
so
as
to
reflect
as
nearly
as
possible
the
allocation set forth herein in computing their Capital Accounts.
ARTICLE XII
MANAGEMENT OF LLC; VOTING AND OTHER RIGHTS AND POWERS OF MEM
B
ERS
12.1
Management of
the LLC.
The business
and affairs
of the
LLC shall
be managed
by the
Managing Member.
Subject to the provisions
of this Agreement, the
Managing Member shall have
full and
complete
discretion
to
manage
and
control
the
business
and
affairs
of
the
LLC,
to
make
all
decisions
affecting the business
and affairs of
the LLC and
to take all
such actions as
the Managing Member
deems
necessary or
appropriate to
accomplish the
purposes of
the LLC.
The actions
of the
Managing Member
taken in
accordance with
the provisions
of this
Agreement shall
bind the
LLC.
No other
Member of
the
LLC shall have any authority or right to act on behalf of or bind
the LLC, unless otherwise provided herein
or unless specifically authorized by the Managing Member.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Managing Member
shall provide regular
reports and information
about the
LLC to
the other
Members and
keep them
informed and
up to
date on
the activities
of the
LLC
and of the Managing Member.
12.2
Managing
Member
Rights
and
Powers
.
Subject
to
Section 12.4
and
Section 12.5,
the
Managing Member, acting on behalf of the LLC,
shall possess and shall be entitled
to exercise all the rights
and
powers
of
owners
of
all
of
the
Contributed
Shares
held
hereunder
to
vote
for
every
purpose
and
to
consent
to
any
and
all
corporate
acts
of
the
Company.
Without
limiting
the
foregoing,
but
subject
to
Section 12.4 and Section 12.5,
the Managing Member,
acting on
behalf of the
LLC, shall have
the following
authority
with respect
to the
Contributed Shares:
(i) to
nominate candidates
for election
or reelection
as
directors of
the Company;
(ii) to take
any of
the actions
contemplated by
Section 12.5(b); (iii) to
propose
business
(including
amendments
to
the
Bylaws
of
the
Company)
for
action
by
the
stockholders
of
the
Company; and (iv) to cause the
calling of a special meeting
of stockholders (to the extent
stockholders are
permitted to call special meetings of stockholders in
accordance with the Restated Charter or the Bylaws
of
the Company).
Such rights and powers shall
cease upon the actual delivery
to the Member of a
certificate
issued
by the
Company representing
any Company
shares held
hereunder in
exchange for
the Member’s
Membership Certificates
upon a
permitted redemption/withdrawal
or dissolution
and liquidation
of the
LLC,
as provided in this Agreement.
It is expressly stipulated that no right to
vote or to consent or to be consulted
in respect to any such
shares is created
in or passes
to any Member
by or under
any Membership Certificate,
or by or
under this
Agreement, or by or under any other agreement, express or
implied, except as provided in Section 12.4 and
Section 12.5.
12.3
Contributed
Shares
to
be
Voted
as
a
Unit.
The
Managing
Member
shall
vote
the
Contributed
Shares
or
take
any
other
action
with respect
to
such
shares
as
a
unit
in
accordance
with
his
determination
or,
if
applicable,
as
provided
in
Section 12.4
and
Section 12.5.
Notwithstanding
the
foregoing, the Managing Member
may cumulate votes for
the election of directors
of the Company in
any
manner the
Managing Member
may determine,
if cumulative
voting is
permitted by
the Company’s
then-
current certificate of incorporation.
12.4
Failure to Achieve a
Majority if there
is more than
one Managing Member.
In the event
there
is
at
any
time
more
than
one
Managing
Member,
and
in
the
event
of
the
failure
of
the
Managing
Members to achieve a majority vote with respect to the exercise of the right to
vote the Contributed Shares
with respect to any proposal submitted to a shareholder vote, the Managing Members shall promptly notify
all
Members
of
the
proposal.
The
Managing
Members
shall
thereupon
vote
all
Contributed
Shares
held
hereunder
with
respect
to
each
such
proposal
as
directed
by
the
affirmative
vote
of
Members
holding
Membership Certificates representing no less than a majority of the voting power of the Units at the time.
12.5
Certain Transactions Require Joint Consent
of Managing Member
and Non-Managing
Members.
(a)
Joint Consent Required for LLC Actions.
Joint consent of the Managing Member,
and of Members holding no less than a majority of the voting power of the Units at the time, shall be
required for any of the following actions relating to this Agreement and/or the LLC:
(i)
Subject to
Section 18.3, the
material amendment,
modification or
waiver of
the
Certificate
of
Formation
of
the
LLC
or
this
Agreement
or
a
merger
of
the
LLC
with
another entity or the conversion
of the LLC into another
entity; provided, however,
that the
Managing
Member
may,
without
the
consent
of
any
other
Member,
amend
the
Member
Schedule
following
any
new
issuance,
redemption,
repurchase
or
transfer
of
Membership
Interests in accordance with this Agreement even if material;
(ii)
the making of any
material change to the
nature of the Business
conducted by
the LLC or enter into any business other than the Business;
(iii)
the
issuance
of
additional
Membership
Interests
or
admission
of
additional
Members to the LLC except as permitted by this Agreement;
(iv)
the
incurrence
of
any
indebtedness
or
obligations
by
the
LLC
in
excess
of
amounts required by the Managing Member to pay the
ordinary taxes, costs and expenses of
the LLC (the repayment of
any such obligations to be
financed by the Managing Member
by
retaining a portion of the dividends paid on the Class A Shares and Common Shares);
(v)
the
making
of
any
material
loan,
advance
or
capital
contribution
to
any
Person;
(vi)
entering
into or
effecting
any material
transaction not
contemplated by
this
Agreement; or
(vii)
converting any Class A Shares into Common Shares.
(b)
Joint Consent Required for Company Action.
Joint consent of the Managing
Member, and of Members holding no less than a majority of the voting power of the Units at the time,
shall be required for any proposal submitted for shareholder approval by the Company for:
(i)
a merger
or consolidation
transaction which
requires the
vote of
the holders
of
the
Company’s
Class A
Shares
and/or
Common
Shares
under
the
Delaware
General
Corporation Law as then in effect;
(ii)
a sale, lease or exchange of all, or substantially all, the property and assets of
the Company which
requires the vote
of the holders
of the Company’s Class A
Shares and/or
Common Shares under the Delaware General Corporation Law as then in effect;
(iii)
a dissolution, winding
up or liquidation
of the Company or
its business which
requires the
vote of
the holders
of the
Company’s
Class A Shares
and/or Common
Shares
under the Delaware General Corporation Law as then in effect;
(iv)
an amendment of the Company’s Restated Charter which requires the
vote of
the holders
of the
Company’s
Class A Shares
and/or Common
Shares under
the Delaware
General Corporation Law as then in effect;
(v)
the
authorization
or
issuance
of
Class A
Shares
or
any
securities
by
the
Company having voting rights superior to the Class A Shares; or
(vi)
any other
transaction not
previously described
in this
Section 12.5(b) which
would require the filing of a
Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose
a change of control of
the Company under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(c)
In
the
event
that
joint
consent
under
Section 12.5(b)
is
required,
the
Managing
Member shall
promptly notify
all other
Members and
the Managing
Member shall
not approve
or implement
any
such
action
and
shall
not
vote
any
Contributed
Shares,
as
applicable,
in
favor
of
any
such
proposal
unless the Managing Member receives the
affirmative vote from Members holding
at least a majority of
the
voting
power
of
the
Units,
as
well
as
approval
by
the
Managing
Member.
In
the
absence
of
both
such
conditions being satisfied, the
Managing Member shall vote
Contributed Shares against any
proposal which
would have
the effect
of approving
any transaction
described in
Section 12.5(b) and
take action
to assert
dissenter’s appraisal
rights, if
available, upon
instructions from
a Member
to assert
such dissenter’s
appraisal
rights.
12.6
Powers of LLC.
The LLC, with respect to the Contributed
Shares held hereunder, is vested
as owner of
such shares
(without limitation
except as herein
otherwise expressly
provided) with all
of the
rights, powers
and privileges
of every kind
and character of
an owner
thereof, including, without
limiting
the generality
of the
foregoing:
(a) subject to
Sections 12.5 and
12.7, the
right to
vote the
same, either
in
person or
by proxy,
for every
purpose; (b) the
right to
become parties
to or
prosecute or
intervene in
any
suits or other legal or administrative proceedings; (c) the right to incur costs and
expenses and to borrow or
to arrange for borrowing for such purposes; and (f) the right to engage
counsel and other advisors or agents
for
such
purposes.
In
connection
with
the
foregoing,
the
Managing
Member
may
exercise
such
rights,
powers and privileges on behalf of the LLC, except as otherwise provided in Sections 12.5 and 12.7.
12.7
Sale or Conversion
of Contributed Shares
by Managing Member.
Except as otherwise
expressly permitted herein, the
Managing Member shall not
cause or permit the
LLC to sell, lease,
assign,
transfer, alienate,
pledge, encumber or hypothecate
the Contributed Shares, or
convert any Class A Shares
into Common
Shares, provided
that, the
Managing Member
may take
such action
to the
extent the
Managing
Member determines is necessary
with respect to estate
taxes and related interest
expense and other related
costs, if
approved by
Members holding
a majority
of the
voting power
of all
of the
Units held
hereunder.
Any purported
transfer of
Contributed Shares
other than
in accordance
with the
terms of
this Agreement
shall be void.
12.8
Meetings and Procedures.
The Managing Member may establish procedures for meetings
and votes
of the
Members.
Also, in
the event
there is
at any
time more
than one
Managing Member,
the
Managing
Members
may
establish
procedures
for
meetings,
consents
and
other
matters
relating
to
the
Managing Members.
12.9
Voting
by Managing Members if there are more
than one Managing Member.
If there
is at any time more
than one Managing Member,
each Managing Member acting hereunder
shall have one
vote
in
connection
with
actions
of
the
Managing
Member
and
approval
of
any
action
by
the
Managing
Members shall require the affirmative
vote by a majority in number
of the Managing Members.
Except to
the extent
provided herein,
the number
of Managing
Members serving
from time
to time
shall be
determined
exclusively by (and newly
created Managing Member positions
shall be filled exclusively
by) (i) a majority
of
the
persons
who
are
then
Managing
Members,
(ii) the
sole
Managing
Member,
if
there
is
only
one
Managing
Member
or
(iii) if
there
are
no
Managing
Members
then
in
office,
by
Members
having
a
majority in voting
power of
the Units.
For the
avoidance of
doubt, whenever
this Agreement
refers to
an
action or determination by “the Managing Member” and
at the time of such action or determination
there is
more than one
Managing Member, the approval of
such action or
determination shall require, and
shall only
require, the affirmative vote by a
majority in number of the
Managing Members.
In the event of a
deadlock
among Managing
Members with
respect to
any action
or determination,
the decision
with respect
to such
action or determination shall be resolved by the
vote of Members having a majority in voting
power of the
Units.
12.10
Status of Managing Members.
(a)
Terms of Office
.
Any Managing Member named hereunder shall serve as
Managing Member until his resignation, removal, disability, death or failure to act.
In the event of the
initial Managing Member’s resignation, removal, disability,
death or failure to act, Dinnette Baker and
Luanne Adams shall become successor co-Managing Members, provided that they are Members at such
time and execute and deliver the joinder described below in Section 12.10(b).
In the event of the
resignation of any such or other successor Managing Members, the resigning Managing Member shall
designate a successor Managing Member or Managing Members before such resignation is effective.
In
the event of the removal, disability, death, or failure to act of any successor Managing Member,
or in the
event of the failure of any resigning successor Managing Member to designate a successor, the successor
Managing Member or Managing Members (if any) shall be determined by Members having a majority of
the voting power of the Units.
(b)
Additional and Successor Managing Member.
Each additional or successor
Managing Member appointed hereunder shall be a natural person who is an Immediate Family Member
and Member and shall execute a joinder substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D attached hereto (or
in such other form as the predecessor Managing Member or Managing Members shall determine).
12.11
Removal
of Managing
Member.
Any Managing
Member
may
be
removed at
any time,
with or without cause, by an instrument signed by seventy-five percent (75%) in voting power of
the Units
at the time such instrument is delivered to the Managing
Member (s), such removal to occur upon delivery
or other date and time specified in such instrument.
12.12
Resignation of Managing
Members.
Subject to Section 12.11, the
Managing Member may
at
any
time
resign
as
the
Managing
Member
effective
immediately
or
at
any
future
time
or
upon
the
happening
of
any
future
event
specified
in
the
resignation.
In
such
event,
the
Managing
Member
shall
become a Non-Managing Member, if otherwise eligible to be a Member.
12.13
Costs and Expenses.
The LLC may employ
counsel or other agents
or services, and incur
indebtedness or expenses deemed necessary by
the Managing Member in connection with
the operation of
the LLC
pursuant
to the
terms of
this Agreement.
In the
discretion
of the
Managing Member,
any such
expenses or
discharge of
indebtedness may
be deducted
from the
dividends received
by the
LLC with
respect
to
the
Contributed
Shares
before
distributing
such
dividends
to
the
Members,
or
funded
by
a
capital
contribution of
cash by
each Member,
to be
paid by
such Member
in proportion
to their
respective Units.
In the event that a Member fails to make any such capital contribution, the Managing Member shall deduct
such
amount
from
the
dividends
received
by
the
LLC
with
respect
to
the
Contributed
Shares
before
distributing such dividends such Member.
The Managing Member may establish reserves to pay expenses
before making distributions of cash from dividends.
12.14
Other
Relationships
Between
Managing
Member
and
Company.
Any
Managing
Member shall
be permitted
to be,
at the
same time,
an officer,
director,
consultant, agent,
or employee
of
the Company or of
any affiliate of
the Company,
and shall be permitted
to have a pecuniary
interest in his
personal capacity,
either directly
or indirectly,
in any
matter or
transaction to
which the
Company or
any
affiliate may
be a party
or in
which the
Company or any
affiliate may
be concerned to
the same
extent as
though he were not a Managing Member.
Any such Managing Member shall be permitted to
receive compensation, of whatever character,
as
provided by existing contracts or
to enter into new contracts
with the Company or its
affiliates, for acting in
such other capacity, without being disqualified to act as Managing Member hereunder.
12.15
Compensation
of
Managing
Member.
The
Managing
Member
shall
not
be
entitled
to
compensation for his services as Managing
Member hereunder, but shall be entitled to reimbursement
from
the LLC of all costs and expenses and taxes incurred by the Managing Member hereunder.
12.16
Responsibility
of
Managing
Member.
In
voting
or
giving
directions
for
voting
the
Contributed Shares or in exercising any consent with respect thereto,
the Managing Member shall exercise
his best judgment,
from time to
time, to select
suitable directors and
in voting or
giving directions for
voting
and
acting
on
other
matters
for
shareholders’
action;
provided,
however,
that
the
Managing
Member
assumes no responsibility in respect
of any such action or other
action taken by the Managing
Member, and
the Managing
Member shall
not incur
or be
under any
liability in
the capacity
as Managing
Member,
by
reason of any error of law or any error in the construction of this Agreement or of any matter or thing done
or suggested or omitted
to be done pursuant
to this Agreement.
No bond shall be
required of any Managing
Member for the performance of the services of Managing Member.
12.17
Reliance by Managing Member.
The Managing Member shall be conclusively entitled to
rely upon any notice or statement received by him from the Company,
the LLC, any officer or agent of the
LLC,
any
counsel
or
other
advisor
to
the
LLC
or
to
Managing
Member,
or
the
holders
of
record
of
Membership Certificates,
and believed
by him
in good
faith to
be genuine
and shall
act and
shall be fully
protected in acting in accordance therewith.
12.18
Legal Compliance by Managing
Member
.
The Managing Member shall
comply with all
legal requirements of the
LLC created hereby,
including making all regulatory
filings, such as filings
with
the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”), including Schedule 13D and
filings under Section 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
ARTICLE XIII
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
13.1
Exculpation; Indemnification
of Members.
References to
a Member
in this
Article XIII
includes reference to a Managing Member.
(a)
Each member shall have all of the
fiduciary and other duties imposed by Applicable
Law.
(b)
To the fullest
extent permitted
by the Delaware Act,
as the
same now exists
or may
hereafter be amended, no Member shall be liable to any holder of a Membership Certificate or to any other
Person, under this
Agreement or
Applicable Law, by reason of
any matter arising out of
or in relation to this
Agreement
(including,
without
limitation,
any
action
taken,
or
omitted
to
be
taken
by
him,
her
or
it
in
reliance upon and in
conformity with, the advice
of counsel, or
other professional advisor,
or by reason
of
any error of
judgment or mistake
of law or
other mistake, or
any act or
omission of any
agent or attorney,
or any misconstruction of this
Agreement, or any action of any sort taken or omitted thereunder
or believed
by such
Member to
be in
accordance with
the provisions
and intents
hereof or
otherwise), provided,
that
(x) such Member acted in good faith and in a manner believed by such Member to be
in, or not opposed to,
the best
interests of
the LLC
and, with
respect to
any criminal
proceeding, had
no reasonable
cause to
believe
his conduct was
unlawful, and (y) such
Member’s conduct did
not constitute fraud,
gross negligence, willful
misconduct or
a material
breach of
this
Agreement by
such Member
or a
knowing violation
of the
provisions
of this Agreement.
(c)
EACH
HOLDER
OF
MEMBERSHIP
CERTIFICATES,
BY
ENTERING
INTO
THIS
AGREEMENT,
HEREBY
WAIVES
ANY
RIGHT
TO
BRING
OR
PURSUE
ANY
ACTION,
DIRECTLY OR
DERIVATIVELY,
ON
HIS,
HER
OR
ITS
OWN
BEHALF
OR
ON
BEHALF
OF THE
LLC,
AGAINST
ANY
OTHER
MEMBER,
EXCEPT
FOR
TO
THE
EXTENT
PROVIDED
IN
THE
PROVISO
OF
THE
PRECEDING
PARAGRAPH,
OR
TO
ENFORCE
THE
UNDERTAKING
CONTEMPLATED BY THE NEXT PARAGRAPH.
(d)
To the fullest
extent permitted
by the Delaware Act,
as the
same now exists
or may
hereafter be amended, each current
or former Member shall be
indemnified and held harmless by
the LLC
from
and
against
any
and
all
of
such
current
or
former
Member’s
actions
pursuant
to
this Agreement,
including
any
expenses
incurred
by
a
current
or
former
Member
in
defending
any
proceeding
or
action
brought against
such Member
for actions
taken in
his, her
or its
capacity as
a Member,
provided, that
(x) such
Member acted in good faith and in a manner believed by such Member to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of
the LLC
and, with
respect to
any criminal
proceeding, had
no reasonable
cause to
believe his
conduct was
unlawful, and
(y) such Member’s
conduct did
not constitute
fraud, gross
negligence, willful
misconduct or
a material
breach of
this
Agreement by
such Member
or a
knowing violation
of the
provisions
of this Agreement.
(e)
Each
current
or
former
Managing
Member
shall
be
entitled
to
receive
prompt
payments for expenses
and costs reasonably
incurred in connection
with the defense
of any such
proceeding
or
action
in
advance
of
the
final
adjudication
of
any
disputes
relating
thereto,
but
only
if
the
current
or
former
Managing
Member
undertakes
in
writing
to
repay
the
LLC
such
advances
if,
following
the
conclusion of such
proceeding or action,
it is ultimately
determined by a
court of competent
jurisdiction that
the
current
or
former
Managing
Member
is
not
entitled
to
indemnification
pursuant
to
this
paragraph.
Subject to the approval of the Managing Member in his sole discretion, a current or former Non-Managing
Member may receive
prompt payments for
expenses and costs
reasonably incurred in
connection with the
defense of
any such
proceeding or
action in
advance of
the final
adjudication of
any disputes
relating thereto,
but
only
if
the
current
or
former
Non-Managing
Member
undertakes
in
writing
to
repay
the
LLC
such
advances if, following the conclusion of such proceeding
or action, it is ultimately determined by
a court of
competent jurisdiction that the current or former Non-Managing Member is
not entitled to indemnification
pursuant to this paragraph.
(f)
A current
or former
Member shall
also be
indemnified for
any expenses
and other
costs incurred
to enforce
such Member’s
rights pursuant
to this
Section 13.1 or
incurred to
defend any
action
brought by or on behalf of the
LLC to recover advances pursuant to an
undertaking, but in each case only if
the Member is successful in such enforcement or defense action.
(g)
The
rights
to
indemnification
and
advancement
of
expenses
set
forth
in
this
Section 13.1 shall not be deemed exclusive and shall be in addition to any such rights a Member
may have,
including but not
limited to rights
of such Member,
in his or
her capacity as
an officer, director,
employee
or agent of the Company.
(h)
The
Managing
Member
may
obtain
and
maintain
insurance,
at
the
expense
of
the
LLC created hereby, to protect any current or former Member or fiduciary or agent of
the LLC, against any
expense, liability or loss.
ARTICLE XIV
RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND TAX MATTERS
14.1
Records Required by
the Delaware Act.
During the term of
the LLC’s
existence and for
a
period
of
four
years
thereafter,
the
Managing
Member
shall
maintain
at
the
LLC’s
principal
office
all
records required to be kept pursuant to the Delaware Act.
14.2
Book and Records.
The Managing Member shall
maintain adequate books
and records of
account for the LLC on a
basis consistent with appropriate provisions of
the Code, containing, among other
entries, a Capital Account for each Member.
Such books and records shall be
kept at the principal office of
the LLC
or at
such other
place as
the Managing
Member shall
determine and
set forth
in a
written notice
given to all Members, and shall be available to the Members upon written request.
14.3
Accounting
Methods;
Fiscal
Year.
The
Managing
Member
shall
select
the
accounting
methods and fiscal year for the LLC.
14.4
LLC Funds.
All funds of
the LLC shall
be deposited in
its name, or
in such name
as may
be designated by the Managing Member, in such checking, savings or
other accounts, or held in its name
in
the form of such other investments as
shall be designated by the Managing Member.
The funds of the LLC
shall not
be commingled
with the
funds of
any other
Person.
All withdrawals
of such
deposits or
liquidations
of such investments
by the LLC
shall be made exclusively
upon the signature
or signatures of
the Managing
Member.
14.5
Tax
Matters Member
.
(a)
Appointment.
The
Members
hereby
appoint
the
Managing
Member
as
the
“tax
matters partner” (as
defined in Code Section
6231 prior to its
amendment by the Bipartisan
Budget Act of
2015 and, for tax years beginning
on or after January 1, 2018, the “partnership
representative” as provided
in Code Section 6223(a) (as amended
by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015) (the “Tax
Matters Member”).
In connection therewith, the Tax Matters Member, in his sole discretion, shall cause to be prepared and file
all tax returns, make all tax determinations and tax elections,
and represent the LLC (at the LLC’s expense)
in
connection
with
all
examinations
of
the
LLC’s
affairs
by
taxing
authorities,
including
resulting
administrative
and
judicial
proceedings,
and
may
expend
LLC
funds
for
professional
services
and
costs
associated therewith.
(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Managing Member
may make an
election under
Section 754 of the Code to
adjust the basis of partnership property
under Sections 734 and 743
of the Code.
(c)
As
soon
as
reasonably
possible
after
the
end
of
each
fiscal
year,
the
Managing
Member will cause to
be delivered to each
Person who was a
Member at any time
during such fiscal year,
IRS Schedule K-1
to Form 1065
and such other
information with respect
to the LLC
as may be
necessary
for the preparation of such Person’s federal, state and local income tax returns for such fiscal year.
ARTICLE XV
DISSOLUTION AND LI
Q
UIDATION
15.1
Events of Dissolution.
The LLC shall be dissolved
and its affairs wound
up only upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:
(a)
Upon the expiration of the term of the LLC as provided in Section 2.6;
(b)
The determination of the Managing Member to dissolve the LLC;
(c)
A joint election to dissolve the LLC made by the
Managing Member and by holders
of a majority of the voting power of the Units;
(d)
The sale, exchange,
or other disposition
or transfer of
all or substantially
all the
assets
of the LLC;
(e)
The entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under §18-802 of the Delaware Act; or
(f)
Any other event causing a dissolution
of the LLC under the Delaware
Act, unless the
LLC is continued as permitted under the Delaware Act.
15.2
Effectiveness of Dissolution.
Dissolution of the
LLC shall be effective
on the day on
which
the event described in Section 15.1 occurs, but the
LLC shall not terminate until the winding
up of the LLC
has
been
completed,
the
assets
of
the
LLC
have
been
distributed
as
provided
in
Section 15.3
and
the
Certificate of Formation shall have been cancelled as provided in Section 15.4.
15.3
Liquidation.
If the LLC is
dissolved pursuant to Section 15.1,
the LLC shall be
liquidated
and its business and affairs wound up in accordance with the Delaware Act and the following provisions:
(a)
Liquidation.
The Managing Member shall wind up and liquidate the affairs of the
LLC in an orderly and business-like manner, provided that the Managing Member shall not liquidate any
Class A Shares or Common Shares and shall distribute these in kind as provided in Section 15.3(c).
(b)
Accounting.
As promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final
liquidation, the Managing Member shall cause a proper accounting to be made of the LLC’s assets,
liabilities and operations through the last day of the calendar month in which the dissolution occurs or the
final liquidation is completed, as applicable.
(c)
Distribution of Assets.
Subject to the payment of all of the LLC’s debts and
liabilities to its creditors and the expenses of dissolution and liquidation, and subject to Section 18-804 of
the Delaware Act, the Managing Member shall distribute the Class A Shares and any Common Shares to
the holders of the Class A Units and Common Units, and any proceeds of liquidation, as follows:
Subject
to the surrender for cancellation of the Membership Certificates, the Managing Member shall cause the
Class A Shares to be transferred to and registered in the name of the Member identified as the owner on
such Membership Certificates in liquidation of such Member’s Class A Units and, if there are any
Common Units outstanding at such time, the Managing Member shall cause Common Shares to be
transferred to and registered in the name of the Member identified as the owner on such Membership
Certificates in liquidation of such Member’s Common Units.
In such liquidation, Members shall receive
one Class A Share for each Class A Unit, and one Common Share for each Common Unit.
The Managing
Member shall also distribute any proceeds of liquidation in proportion to such Units.
15.4
Cancellation of
Certificate of
Formation
.
Upon completion
of the
distribution of
the assets
of the LLC
as provided in
Section 15.3 hereof, the
LLC shall be
terminated and the
Managing Member shall
cause the
cancellation of
the Certificate
of Formation
in the
State of
Delaware and
any qualifications
and
registrations
of
the
LLC
as
a
foreign
limited
liability
company
in
jurisdictions
other
than
the
State
of
Delaware and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the LLC.
ARTICLE XVI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MEM
B
ERS
16.1
Representations and Warranties.
Each Member represents and warrants as follows:
(a)
Such Member will be
acquiring the Units represented
by Membership Certificate(s)
for his, her or
its own account for
investment and not with
a view to the
distribution or resale thereof;
that
he, she or it is aware that the such certificates have not been registered pursuant to the Securities Act or the
securities
laws of
any state;
and that
the LLC
is relying
in part
upon these
investment representations
to
establish exemptions
from securities
registration under
applicable federal
and state
securities laws.
Each
Member
understands and
agrees
that the
LLC will
place a
legend on
the Membership
Certificates to
the
effect that they have not
been registered under either federal
or state law; that they
may not be offered, sold,
transferred or
encumbered by
the Member
unless they
have been
first duly
registered or
unless an
exemption
from registration
is available.
The Member
acknowledges that
he, she
or it
understands that
unregistered
securities,
such
as
the
Membership
Certificates,
must
be
held
indefinitely
unless
they
are
subsequently
registered or
unless an
exemption from
registration is
available with
respect to
a proposed
offer, sale,
transfer
or encumbrance;
(b)
Such
Member
is
an
“accredited
investor”
within
the
meaning
of
Rule 501
promulgated under the Securities Act, and agrees that it will not take any action that could have an adverse
effect on the availability
of the exemption from
registration provided by such
Rule 501 with respect to
the
offer and sale of the Units;
(c)
Such Member, together
with such Member’s
legal, financial and
other advisors, has
such knowledge
and experience
in financial
and business
matters and
is capable
of evaluating
the merits
and risks of an investment in the LLC so as to make an informed decision with respect thereto;
(d)
Such Member is able to bear the economic and financial risk of an investment in the
LLC for an indefinite period of time;
(e)
Such Member (i) has received all information that such Member deems necessary to
make an informed
investment decision with
respect to an
investment in the
LLC;(ii) has had
the unrestricted
opportunity to
make such
investigation as
such Member
desires pertaining
to the
LLC and
an investment
therein and
to verify
any information
furnished to
such Member;
and (iii) has
had the
opportunity to
ask
questions of representatives of the LLC concerning the LLC and such Member’s investment;
(f)
The
execution,
delivery
and
performance
of
this
Agreement
have
been
duly
authorized by such Member and do not require such
Member to obtain any consent or approval that has
not
been obtained
and do
not contravene
or result
in a
default in
any material
respect under
any provision
of
any
law
or
regulation
applicable
to
such
Member
or
other
governing
documents
or
any
agreement
or
instrument to which such Member is a party or by which such Member is bound; and
(g)
This
Agreement is
valid, binding
and enforceable
against such
Member in
accordance
with its terms,
except as may
be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, and other
similar
laws
of
general
applicability
relating
to
or
affecting
creditors’ rights
or
general
equity
principles
(regardless of whether considered at law or in equity).
ARTICLE XVII
COVENANTS
17.1
Confidentiality
.
Each Non-Managing Member
agrees not to
divulge, communicate or
use
to the
detriment of
the Company or
the LLC, or
misuse in
any way,
any confidential
information or
trade
secrets
of
the
Company
or
the
LLC,
except
as
may
be
required
by
law;
provided,
however,
that
this
prohibition shall not apply to any information that has been publicly disclosed.
ARTICLE XVIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
18.1
Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement and all covenants herein contained shall inure to
the benefit of and
be binding upon the
parties hereto, their heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and
assigns.
Without
limiting
the
foregoing,
the
parties
intend
for
the
rights
and
obligations
under
this
Agreement
to
survive
the
death
of
any
party
or
other
person,
including
any
Member
and
the
related
Contributed
Shares,
and
to
be
specifically
enforceable
against
any
deceased
party’s
heirs,
executors,
administrators, representatives, successors or assigns to the fullest extent permitted by law.
18.2
Notices.
Any notice
required to
be given
under this
Agreement shall
be deemed
to have
been
given and received if actually
received, such as by telephone,
telecopier, electronic mail,
hand delivery,
or
other means, and the giver has
reasonable evidence or acknowledgment of its
receipt.
Notice shall also be
deemed to have been given if deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, in which case it shall
be
deemed to have been
received on the third
business day after the
date of such deposit,
or if deposited with
a
commercial
or
government
overnight
carrier,
in
which
case
it
shall
be
deemed
to
be
received
the
first
business day after the date of such deposit.
(a)
Address of Member.
In the case of a Participant or Certificate Holder, such notice
shall be addressed to such party, as set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto.
(b)
Addresses of Managing Member(s).
In the case of a notice to the Managing
Member by a Non-Managing Member, such notice shall be given to the Managing Member at the
principal office of the LLC, located at the principal business office of the Company,
as set forth on
Exhibit B attached hereto, or as it may be changed from time to time by the Managing Member by written
notice to all such holders.
18.3
Amendment
of
Agreement.
This
Agreement
and
the
Membership
Certificates
issued
hereunder
may
be
amended
upon
the
consent
in
writing
of
the
Managing
Member
and
by
all
Members
holding Membership Certificates
representing no less
than a majority of
the voting power
of the Units
at the
time;
provided,
however,
that
an
amendment
or
modification
modifying
the
rights
or
obligations
of
any
Member in
a manner
that is
disproportionately adverse
to (i) such
Member relative
to the
rights of
other
Members in respect
of Units of the
same class or
(ii) a class of
Units relative to the
rights of another
class
of Units,
shall in
each case
be effective
only with
that Member’s
consent or
the consent
of the
Members
holding a
majority of
the Units
in that
class.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the
Managing Member
may
amend this Agreement without the consent of the
Members to (i) reflect the admission of new Members
in
accordance
with
this
Agreement
so
long
as
such
Members
have
executed
the
applicable
joinder
contemplated hereby and
(ii) update any exhibit
hereto to reflect
any changes in
any Managing Member’s
or
Non-Managing
Member’s
name,
address
or
number
of
LLC
Units,
including
the
Members
Schedule.
Executed counterparts of all amendments
to this Agreement (including all
joinders and amended exhibits to
this Agreement) shall be filed at the principal business office of the Company.
18.4
Costs and Expenses.
Except as otherwise provided herein, each party hereto, including the
LLC and each
Member, shall
pay its, his
or her own expenses
incurred in connection
with the preparation
and execution of this Agreement, or any amendment hereof, this Agreement.
18.5
Severability of Provisions.
The invalidity
or unenforceability of
any term
or provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof.
18.6
Controlling Law;
Submission to
Jurisdiction; Specific
Performance.
The LLC
created
hereunder
is
a
limited
liability
company
created
under
the
Delaware
Act.
All
questions
concerning
this
Agreement
and
the
LLC
created
hereunder,
including
the
validity,
construction,
effect,
assignment
and
administration
of
this
Agreement
and
the
LLC
created
hereunder,
shall
always,
and
in
all
events,
be
determined under the law of the
State of Delaware without regard
to conflict of law principles
(whether of
the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction).
EACH
PARTY
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY
SUBMITS
TO
THE
EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION
OF
THE
COURT
OF
CHANCERY
OF
THE
STATE
OF
DELAWARE
(OR IF SUCH
COURT DOES NOT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER
JURISDICTION, ANY OTHER STATE
COURT OF
THE STATE
OF DELAWARE
OR THE FEDERAL
COURTS
LOCATED
IN THE STATE
OF
DELAWARE)
IN
ANY
ACTION,
SUIT
OR
PROCEEDING
ARISING
IN
CONNECTION
WITH
THIS AGREEMENT,
AND AGREES
THAT
ANY SUCH
ACTION, SUIT
OR PROCEEDING
SHALL
BE BROUGHT ONLY
IN THE COURT
OF CHANCERY
(OR SUCH OTHER
COURTS
IDENTIFIED
HEREIN IF THE
COURT
OF CHANCERY
DOES NOT HAVE
SUBJECT MATTER
JURISDICTION)
AND
WAIVES
ANY
OBJECTION
BASED
ON
FORUM
NON
CONVENIENS
OR
ANY
OTHER
OBJECTION
TO
VENUE
THEREIN;
PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,
THAT
SUCH
CONSENT
TO
JURISDICTION
IS
SOLELY
FOR
THE
PURPOSE
REFERRED
TO
IN
THIS
PARAGRAPH
AND
SHALL NOT
BE DEEMED
TO BE
A GENERAL
SUBMISSION TO
THE JURISDICTION
OF SUCH
COURTS OR IN THE STATE
OF DELAWARE
OTHER THAN FOR
SUCH PURPOSE.
THE PARTIES
HERETO
HEREBY
WAIVE
ANY
RIGHT
TO
A
TRIAL
BY
JURY
IN
CONNECTION
WITH
ANY
SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING.
Service
of
process
on
a
party
in
any
action
arising
out
of
or
relating
to
this
Agreement
shall
be
effective if delivered to such party in accordance with Section 18.2.
The parties
hereto hereby
agree that
it is
impossible to
measure in
money the
damages which
will
accrue to a party hereto or to its heirs, personal representatives, or assigns by reason of a failure to perform
any
obligations
under
this
Agreement
and
agree
that
the
terms
of
this
Agreement
shall
be
specifically
enforceable.
If
any
party
hereto
or
its
heirs,
personal
representatives,
or
assigns
institutes
any
action
or
proceeding to
specifically enforce
the provisions
hereof, any
person against
whom such
action or
proceeding
is brought (i) hereby waives the claim or
defense therein that such party or such
personal representative has
an adequate remedy at law,
(ii) hereby waives any bond, surety,
or other security that might be
required of
any other party
with respect thereto,
and (iii) shall
not offer
in any such
action or proceeding
the claim or
defense that an adequate remedy at law exists.
18.7
Construction of Agreement.
All questions concerning the interpretation or construction of
this Agreement shall be
determined by the Managing
Member, whose decision shall be
final and binding on
all parties.
18.8
Multiple Counterparts.
This Agreement may be
executed by the parties
herein, or any of
them, in
any number
of counterparts,
with the
same force
and effect
as if
they had
all executed
the same
instrument.
18.9
Entire
Agreement.
This Agreement
(including the
exhibits attached
hereto)
contains the
entire
understanding
among
the
parties
hereto
with
respect
to
the
subject
matter
hereof,
and
no
representation, warranty,
covenant or
condition other
than those
expressly set
forth herein
shall be
of any
force or effect.
18.10
No Third-party Beneficiaries.
Except as expressly provided herein,
this Agreement is for
the sole
benefit of
the parties
hereto (and
their respective
heirs, executors,
administrators, successors
and
assigns)
and
nothing
herein,
express
or
implied,
is
intended
to
or
shall
confer
upon
any
other
Person,
including any creditor of the LLC, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever
under or by reason of this Agreement.
* * * * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the LLC,
the Managing Member
and each other
Member has caused
this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first specified above.
DLNL, LLC
By:
/s/ Adolphus B. Baker
Adolphus B. Baker
Managing Member
Managing Member:
/s/ Adolphus B. Baker
Adolphus B. Baker,
Managing Member
Non-Managing Members:
/s/ Dinnette Adams Baker
Dinnette Adams Baker
/s/ Luanne Adams
Luanne Adams
/s/ Nancy Adams Briggs
Nancy Adams Briggs
/s/ Laurel Adams Krodel
Laurel Adams Krodel
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE
No.
Number of
[Class A Units]
[Common Units]
DLNL, LLC
Formed under the Laws of the State of Delaware
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that __________________________ is
the registered owner of
__________
[Class A Units] [Common Units] of
DLNL, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (the “LLC”), under
the Amended and
Restated Limited Liability
Company Operating Agreement
dated as of
February 25, 2025
(the
“Agreement”),
by
and
among
the
LLC,
Adolphus
B.
Baker,
as
Managing
Member,
and
the
other
Members and holders of Membership Certificates.
A copy of the
Agreement is on file
with the Company,
and with the
Managing Member,
Adolphus
B.
Baker,
at
the
principal
place
of
business
of
the
Company.
Each
holder
of
this
Certificate
by
the
acceptance hereof assents and agrees to be bound by all the provisions of the Agreement.
NEITHER
THIS
CERTIFICATE
NOR
THE
UNITS
REPRESENTED
HEREBY
IS
TRANSFERABLE,
WHETHER
BY
SALE,
ASSIGNMENT,
GIFT,
BEQUEST,
APPOINTMENT
OR
OTHERWISE,
BY THE HOLDER OF
RECORD HEREOF EXCEPT TO THE
EXTENT PROVIDED BY
THE
AGREEMENT
AND
SUBJECT
TO
SUCH
PROCEDURES
AS
MAY
BE
REQUIRED
BY
THE
MANAGING
MEMBER.
THIS
CERTIFICATE
AND
THE
UNITS
REPRESENTED
HEREBY
ARE
SUBJECT
TO
ADDITIONAL
TRANSFER
AND
VOTING
RESTRICTIONS
SET
FORTH
IN
THE
AGREEMENT.
THE
MANAGING
MEMBER
MAY
TREAT
THE
HOLDER
OF
RECORD
HEREOF
AS THE
OWNER OF
THIS CERTIFICATE
FOR ALL
PURPOSES.
ANY ATTEMPTED
TRANSFER
OF THIS
CERTIFICATE
OR
THE
UNITS REPRESENTED
HEREBY
WHICH IS
NOT PERMITTED
PURSUANT
TO
THE
AGREEMENT
SHALL
BE
VOID.
IN
THE
EVENT
OF
A
TRANSFER
PERMITTED BY
THE AGREEMENT,
EVERY
TRANSFEREE OF
THIS CERTIFICATE
SHALL BY
THE ACCEPTANCE HEREOF BECOME SUBJECT TO
THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT.
THE
SALE,
ASSIGNMENT,
GIFT,
PLEDGE
OR
OTHER
ENCUMBRANCE,
OR
OTHER
TRANSFER
OF
THIS
MEMBERSHIP
CERTIFICATE
OR
THE
UNITS
(OR
ANY
INTEREST
THEREIN)
REPRESENTED
HEREBY
IS
SUBJECT
TO
THE
RESTRICTIONS,
TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS SET
FORTH IN THE
COMPANY
’S RESTATED CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
AND
IN
THE
AGREEMENT
DESCRIBED
IN
THIS
CERTIFICATE
AND
PURSUANT
TO
WHICH
THIS CERTIFICATE
IS ISSUED.
A COPY OF THE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT
THE PRINCIPAL
PLACE OF
BUSINESS
OF THE
COMPANY
.
NO SUCH
TRANSFER OF
THIS
CERTIFICATE,
OR
THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY
THIS CERTIFICATE, MAY
BE EFFECTED,
EXCEPT PURSUANT
TO
THE
TERMS
OF
SUCH
RESTATED
CERTIFICATE
OF
INCORPORATION
AND
THE
AGREEMENT.
THE
SECURITIES
REPRESENTED
BY
THIS
CERTIFICATE
HAVE
NOT
BEEN
REGISTERED
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES
ACT
OF
1933,
AS
AMENDED,
OR
THE
APPLICABLE
SECURITIES
LAWS
OF
ANY
STATE
BUT
HAVE
BEEN
ISSUED
IN
RELIANCE
UPON
EXEMPTIONS FROM REGISTRATION
CONTAINED IN SAID LAWS
.
NO SALE, OFFER TO SELL
OR OTHER
TRANSFER OF
THE SECURITIES
REPRESENTED BY
THIS CERTIFICATE
MAY
BE
MADE
UNLESS
A
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
SAID
LAWS
IS
IN
EFFECT
WITH
RESPECT TO THE SECURITIES,
OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION
PROVISIONS
OF SUCH LAWS IS THEN APPLICABLE.
IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF,
the
Managing
Member
has
executed
this
Certificate
on
behalf
of
the
LLC by affixing his hand this
day of
, 20
.
DLNL, LLC
By:
Adolphus B. Baker, Managing Member
(FORM OF ASSIGNMENT FOR REVERSE SIDE OF
MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers
unto
______________________________
the
within
Certificate
and
all
rights
and
interests
thereby
and
does
hereby
irrevocably
constitute
and
appoint
______________________________
attorney
to
transfer
such
certificate
on
the
books
of
the
LLC
under
the
Agreement
within
referred
to,
with
full
power
of
substitution in the premises.
Dated:
___________
Name:
In the presence of:
________________________________
INFORMATION RELATING
TO MANAGING MEMBER
AND NON-MANAGING MEMBERS
MANAGING MEMBER:
ADOLPHUS B. BAKER:
Address:
c/o Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601–948–6813
Fax:
601–969–0905
Email:
NON-MANAGING MEMBERS:
DINNETTE ADAMS BAKER:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
LUANNE ADAMS:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
NANCY ADAMS BRIGGS:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
LAUREL ADAMS KRODEL:
Address:
c/o Adolphus B. Baker
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
1052 Highland Colony Pkwy
Suite 200
Ridgeland, MS
39157
Telephone:
601-948-6813
Fax:
601-969-0905
Email:
With a copy to counsel:
Name of Attorney:
Joseph E. Varner III
Name of Firm:
Brunini Law
Address:
190 East Capitol Street, Suite 190
Address (continued):
Jackson, MS 39201
Telephone:
Fax:
Email:
JOINDER
This
Joinder
is
made
as
of
the
date
written
below
by
the
undersigned
(the
“Joining
Party”)
in
accordance with the
Amended and Restated
Limited Liability Company
Operating Agreement dated
as of
February 25, 2025 by and
among DLNL, LLC
(the “LLC”), Adolphus B.
Baker, as Managing Member, and
the other
Members of
the LLC
under such
Agreement (the
“LLC Operating
Agreement”).
Capitalized terms
used, but
not defined,
herein shall
have the
respective meanings
ascribed to
such terms
in the
LLC Operating
Agreement.
The Joining Party hereby
represents and warrants to
the LLC that the
undersigned is an Immediate
Family
Member
or
Permitted
Transferee.
The
Joining
Party
hereby
acknowledges,
agrees
and
confirms
that, by its execution of
this Joinder, the
Joining Party shall be deemed
to be a party to
the LLC Operating
Agreement as of the date hereof and shall have
all of the rights and obligations of a “Member”
thereunder,
as if it had
executed the LLC
Operating Agreement.
The Joining Party hereby
ratifies, as of the
date hereof,
and
agrees
to
be
bound
by,
all
of
the
terms,
provisions
and
conditions
contained
in
the
LLC
Operating
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned
has executed this Joinder as of the date written below.
Date:
_____________ ____, 20__
If an entity:
[Name of Joining Party]
By:
_____________________
Name:
Title:
If a natural person
_____________________
Name:
JOINDER OF MANAGING MEMBER
This
Joinder
of
Managing
Member
is
made
as
of
the
date
written
below
by
the
undersigned
(the
“Joining
Party”)
in
accordance
with
the
Amended
and
Restated
Limited
Liability
Company
Operating
Agreement dated as of February 25, 2025 by and
among DLNL, LLC (the “LLC”), Adolphus
B. Baker, as
Managing
Member,
and the
other
Members
of the
LLC
(the
“LLC Operating
Agreement”).
Capitalized
terms used,
but not
defined, herein
shall have
the respective
meanings ascribed
to such
terms in
the LLC
Operating Agreement.
The Joining Party hereby
represents and warrants to
the LLC that the
undersigned is an Immediate
Family Member.
The Joining Party hereby
acknowledges, agrees and confirms
that, by its execution
of this
Joinder,
the Joining
Party shall
be deemed
to be
a party
to the
LLC Operating
Agreement as
of the
date
hereof
and
shall
have
all
of
the
rights
and
obligations
of
a
“Managing
Member”
thereunder,
as
if
it
had
executed the LLC
Operating Agreement.
The Joining Party
hereby ratifies, as
of the date
hereof, and agrees
to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the LLC Operating Agreement.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF,
the undersigned
has executed
this Joinder
of Managing
Member as
of
the date written below.
Date:
_____________ ____, 20__
_____________________
Name:
REDEMPTION REQUEST
Dated:
________________, 20_____
To the Managing Member of DLNL, LLC (the “LLC”)
The
undersigned
hereby
requests
the
redemption
of
Common
Units
of
the
LLC
pursuant
to
Section 7.3
of
the
Amended
and
Restated
Limited
Liability
Company
Operating
Agreement
dated
as
of
February 25, 2025 by and
among DLNL, LLC
(the “LLC”), Adolphus B.
Baker, as Managing Member, and
the other Members of the LLC
(the “LLC Operating Agreement”).
Capitalized terms used, but not
defined,
herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the LLC Operating Agreement.
The undersigned hereby requests the redemption of __________ Common Units in
exchange for an
equivalent number of Common Shares of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (the “Company”).
[Such
redemption
is
being
requested
pursuant
to
Section 7.3(a)
to
effect
a
transfer
or
sale
of
underlying
Common
Shares,
which
sale
or
transfer
is
in
compliance
with
the
Agreement
Regarding
Conversion and applicable federal and state securities laws.]
[Such redemption
is being
requested pursuant
to Section 7.3(b)
to effect
a transfer
to a
charitable
donor advised fund.]
[Such
redemption
is
being
requested
pursuant
to
Section 7.3(c)
for
the
following
purposes:
_________________________________________________________.
Delivered
with
this
notice
is
documentation supporting the number of Common Units requested to be redeemed for such purposes.]
Delivered with this request is
Membership Certificate(s) No(s).
________ registered in the name
of
the undersigned Member.
To the extent this request is approved by
the Managing Member, please (i) cause
a certificate representing
___________ Common Shares
to be transferred
to and registered
in the name
of
the undersigned
Member,
equal to
the __________
Common Units
being redeemed,
and (ii) issue
a new
Membership Certificate to the Member
for ________ Common Units, representing
the number of Common
Units that are not being redeemed and that will continue to be owned by the undersigned Member
after the
redemption.
Member
UNIT OWNERSHIP
AS OF THE RESTATEMENT
DATE
Member
Common
Units
Common
Shares
Contributed in
Exchange for
Such Common
Units
Class A
Units
Class A
Shares
Contributed
in Exchange
for Such
Class
A
Units
Total
Units
Total
Votes
Dolph Baker
0
0
1,309,245
1,309,245
1,309,245
13,092,450
Dinnette Adams Baker
56,595
56,595
1,090,755
1,090,755
1,147,350
10,964,145
Luanne Adams
343,787
343,787
800,000
800,000
1,143,787
8,343,787
Nancy Adams Briggs
343,787
343,787
800,000
800,000
1,143,787
8,343,787
Laurel Adams Krodel
343,787
343,787
800,000
800,000
1,143,787
8,343,787
Total
1,087,956
1,087,956
4,800,000
4,800,000
5,887,956
49,087,956
exhibit992
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
OF
CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
(the “Corporation”), a
corporation organized and
existing under and
pursuant
to
the
provisions
of
the
General
Corporation
Law
of
the
State
of
Delaware
(the
“DGCL”),
does
hereby
certify as follows:
FIRST
:
The original Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation was filed with
the Secretary of
State
of
the
State
of
Delaware
on
September 10, 1969;
the
Amended
and
Restated
Certificate
of
Incorporation
of
the
Corporation
was
filed
with
the
Secretary
of
State
of
the
State
of
Delaware
on
October 3, 1996;
the
Second Amended
and
Restated
Certificate
of
Incorporation
of
the
Corporation
was
filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on July 20, 2018; and a Certificate of
Amendment
to
the
Second Amended
and
Restated
Certificate
of
Incorporation
of
the
Corporation
was
filed
with
the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 4, 2024.
SECOND
:
This
Third Amended
and
Restated
Certificate
of
Incorporation
was
duly
adopted
in
accordance with
Sections 242 and
245 of
the DGCL and
was duly
approved by
the written
consent of
the
stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.
THIRD
:
This Third
Amended and
Restated Certificate
of Incorporation
shall become
effective upon
filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
The
Corporation
hereby
restates
and
integrates
and
further
amends
the
Second
Amended
and
Restated
Certificate
of
Incorporation,
as
amended,
of
the
Corporation
by
revising
such
document
in
its
entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the Corporation is CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE
The
name
of
its
registered
agent
is
The
Corporation
Service
Company
.
The
address
of
such
registered
office
in
the
State
of
Delaware
is
251
Little
Falls
Drive, Wilmington,
Delaware
19808,
in
the
County of New Castle.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of
the Corporation is to
engage in any
lawful act or activity
for which corporations
may
be organized under the DGCL.
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
1.
Authorized Capital Stock.
The amount of capital stock that the Corporation is authorized to
issue shall be
134,800,000 shares of Capital
Stock and shall
consist of (a) 120,000,000
shares of common
stock with a
par value of
$0.01 per share (the
“Common Stock”), (b) 10,000,000 shares
of preferred stock
with a
par value
of $0.01 per
share (the
“Preferred Stock”)
and (c) 4,800,000 shares
of Class A
Common
Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.
2.
Increase
or Decrease
in
Authorized
Preferred
Stock.
The
number
of
authorized
shares
of
Preferred Stock
may be
increased or
decreased (but
not below
the number
of shares
thereof then
outstanding)
by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled
to vote
generally in
the election
of directors,
irrespective of
the provisions
of Section 242(b)(2)
of the
DGCL
(or any successor provision thereto), voting
together as a single class, without
a separate vote of the holders
of the Preferred Stock , unless a vote by any holders of one or more
series of Preferred Stock is required by
the
express terms
of
any series
of Preferred
Stock as
provided
for
or fixed
pursuant
to
the
provisions of
Article IV,
Section 4 of this amended and
restated certificate of incorporation of
the Corporation (as further
amended from time to time in
accordance with the provisions hereof and
including, without limitation, the
terms
of
any
certificate
of
designation
with
respect
to
any
series
of
Preferred
Stock,
this
“Certificate
of
Incorporation”).
3.
Common Stock.
(a)
The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote
for each such share on
each
matter properly
submitted to
the stockholders
of the
Corporation
on which
the holders
of shares
of
Common Stock
are
entitled to
vote.
The holders
of shares
of Common
Stock shall
not have
cumulative
voting rights.
Except as
otherwise required
by law
or this
Certificate of
Incorporation, and
subject to
the
rights of the
holders of shares
of Preferred Stock,
if any, at any
annual or special
meeting of the
stockholders
of the
Corporation, the holders
of shares of
Common Stock shall
have the right
to vote for
the election of
directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the
stockholders; provided, however, that,
except as otherwise required
by law, holders of shares of
Common Stock shall
not be entitled to
vote on any
amendment to
this Certificate
of Incorporation
that relates
solely to
the terms,
number of
shares, powers,
designations,
preferences
or
relative,
participating,
optional
or
other
special
rights
(including,
without
limitation, voting rights), or to qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of one or more outstanding
series of Preferred Stock if the holders
of such affected series are entitled, either separately
or together with
the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or
pursuant to the DGCL.
(b)
Except as
otherwise required
by law
or this
Certificate of
Incorporation, and
subject to
the
rights of the holders
of shares of Preferred
Stock, the holders of
shares of Common Stock
shall be entitled
to
receive
such
dividends
and
other
distributions
(payable
in
cash,
property
or
capital
stock
of
the
Corporation) when,
as and
if declared
thereon by
the board
of directors
of the
Corporation (the
“Board”)
from time
to time
out of
any assets
or funds
of the
Corporation legally
available therefor
and shall
share
equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
(c)
Except as otherwise required by
law or this Certificate of
Incorporation, in the event of
any
voluntary
or
involuntary
liquidation,
dissolution
or
winding-up
of
the
Corporation,
after
payment
or
provision for payment
of the debts
and other liabilities
of the Corporation,
and subject
to the rights
of the
holders
of
shares
of
Preferred
Stock
in
respect
thereof,
the
holders
of
shares
of
Common
Stock
shall
be
entitled to receive
all of the
remaining assets of
the Corporation
available for distribution
to its stockholders,
ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.
4.
Preferred Stock.
(a)
The Board is
expressly authorized to
issue from time
to time shares
of Preferred Stock
in one
or more
series pursuant to
a resolution or
resolutions providing for
such issue duly
adopted by the
Board.
The Board is further authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law,
to fix by resolution or resolutions
and
to
set
forth
in
a
certification
of
designation
filed
pursuant
to
the
DGCL
the
powers,
designations,
preferences
and
relative,
participating,
optional
or
other
special
rights,
if
any,
and
the
qualifications,
limitations or
restrictions thereof,
if any, of
any wholly
unissued series
of Preferred
Stock, including,
without
limitation, dividend
rights, dividend
rate, conversion
rights, voting
rights, rights
and terms
of redemption
(including,
without
limitation,
sinking
fund
provisions),
redemption
price
or
prices
and
liquidation
preferences of
any such
series, and
the number
of shares
constituting any
such series
and the
designation
thereof, or any of the foregoing.
(b)
The
Board
is
further
authorized
to
increase
(but
not
above
the total
number
of
authorized
shares of the class) or
decrease (but not below the
number of shares of any
such series then outstanding) the
number of shares
of any series
of Preferred Stock,
the number of
which was fixed
by it, subsequent
to the
issuance of
shares of
such series
then outstanding,
subject to
the powers,
preferences and
rights, and
the
qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof,
stated in
this Certificate of
Incorporation or the
resolution
of the Board originally fixing the number
of shares of such series.
If the number of shares of any series
of
Preferred Stock is so decreased, then the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they
had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.
5.
Class A Common Stock.
As long as any shares of Class A Common Stock are issued and
outstanding, the powers, designations, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights
(including, without limitation, voting rights) of the Common Stock shall be subject to the powers,
designations, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights (including, without
limitation, voting rights) of the Class A Common Stock, as described in this Article IV,
Section 5 and, if
applicable, elsewhere in this Certificate of Incorporation.
At the earliest date that no shares of Class
A
Common Stock are issued or outstanding, the provisions of this Article IV,
Section 5 shall terminate and
cease to be of any further force or effect.
(a)
The holders of shares of Class
A
Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.
(b)
Each share of Class A Common Stock shall have ten votes per share on all matters that may
be submitted to a vote or consent of the stockholders.
(c)
Except as otherwise provided herein or required
by law, the Common Stock and the Class A
Common Stock shall together vote as a class, except that the
holders of Common Stock shall have one vote
per share and the holders of Class A Common Stock shall have ten votes per share.
(d)
Anything herein
to the
contrary notwithstanding,
the holders
of Common
Stock shall
have
exclusive voting power on all matters
at any time when no shares of
Class A Common Stock are issued and
outstanding,
and
the
holders
of
the
Class A
Common
Stock
will
have
the
exclusive
voting
power
on
all
matters at any time when no shares of the Common Stock are issued and outstanding.
(e)
Except as otherwise provided
herein or required by
applicable law, shares of Common Stock
and Class A Common Stock shall have the same rights and powers, rank equally (including as to dividends
and distributions, and
upon any liquidation,
dissolution or winding
up of the
Corporation), share ratably
and
be identical in all respects and as to all matters.
(f)
Shares of
Common Stock
and Class A
Common Stock
shall be
treated equally,
identically
and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividends or distributions as may be declared and
paid
from time
to time
by the
Board out
of any
assets of
the Corporation
legally available
therefor; provided,
however, that in the event a dividend
is paid in the
form of shares of
Capital Stock (or rights
to acquire such
shares), then
holders of
Common Stock
shall receive
shares of
Common Stock
(or rights
to acquire
such
shares, as the case may
be) and holders of Class
A Common Stock shall receive
shares of Class A Common
Stock (or rights
to acquire such
shares, as the
case may be),
with holders of
shares of Common
Stock and
Class A Common Stock receiving, on a per share basis, an identical number
of shares of Common Stock or
Class A
Common
Stock,
as
applicable.
Notwithstanding
the
foregoing,
the
Board
may
pay
or
make
a
disparate dividend
or distribution
per share
of Common
Stock or
Class A Common
Stock (whether
in the
amount of such dividend or distribution
payable per share, the form in
which such dividend or distribution
is payable, the timing of
the payment, or otherwise) if
such disparate dividend or distribution
is approved in
advance by the
affirmative vote of the
holders of a
majority of the
outstanding shares of
Common Stock and
Class A Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.
(g)
Shares of
Common Stock
or Class A
Common Stock
may not
be subdivided,
combined or
reclassified
unless
the
shares
of
the
other
class
are
concurrently
therewith
proportionately
subdivided,
combined or reclassified
in a manner
that maintains the
same proportionate equity
ownership between the
holders
of
the
outstanding
Common
Stock
and
Class A
Common
Stock
on
the
record
date
for
such
subdivision,
combination
or
reclassification;
provided,
however,
that
shares
of
one
such
class
may
be
subdivided,
combined
or
reclassified
in
a
different
or
disproportionate
manner
if
such
subdivision,
combination or reclassification is
approved in advance by
the affirmative vote
of the holders of
a majority
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.
(h)
In
the
event
of
any
voluntary
or
involuntary
liquidation,
dissolution
or
winding-up
of
the
Corporation, after
payment or
provision for
payment of
the debts
and other
liabilities of
the Corporation,
and subject to the rights of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock in respect thereof, the
holders of shares
of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock shall be entitled
to receive all of the remaining assets of the
Corporation available
for distribution
to its
stockholders, ratably
in proportion
to the
number of
shares of
Common
Stock
or
Class A
Common
Stock,
as
applicable,
held
by
them,
unless
disparate
or
different
treatment of
the shares of
each such class
with respect
to distributions upon
any such liquidation,
dissolution
or winding up is approved
in advance by the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.
(i)
In
the
event
of
(i) a
merger,
consolidation
or
other
business
combination
requiring
the
approval of the holders of the Corporation’s
capital stock entitled to vote thereon, (ii) a tender or exchange
offer to
acquire any
shares of
Common Stock
or Class A
Common Stock
by an
third party
pursuant to an
agreement to
which the
Corporation is
a party,
or (iii) a
tender or
exchange offer
to acquire
any shares
of
Common
Stock
or
Class A
Common
Stock
by
the
Corporation,
holders
of
the
Common
Stock
and
the
Class A Common
Stock shall
have the
right to
receive, or
the right
to elect
to receive,
the same
form and
amount of consideration on a per share basis.
(j)
The holders of
record of Class A
Common Stock may
at any time
convert any whole
number
or
all
of
such
holder’s
shares
of
Class A
Common
Stock
into
fully
paid
and
non-assessable
shares
of
Common Stock of
the Corporation at
the rate
(subject to adjustment
as hereinafter provided)
of one share
of Common Stock for each share of
Class A Common Stock converted.
Such conversion shall be effected
by the
holder of
Class A Common
Stock surrendering
such Class A
Common Stock
certificate or
certificates
to be converted, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or at
any transfer agent for the Corporation
or for the Class A Common Stock together with a written election to the Corporation at such office that the
holder
thereof
elects
to
convert
all
or
the
specified
number
of
shares
of
Class A
Common
Stock
into
Common Stock and specifying the name or names in
which the holder desires the certificate or certificates
for such shares of Common
Stock to be issued.
Upon conversion, the Corporation shall
issue and deliver to
such
holder
or
holders,
nominee
or
nominees,
a
certificate
or
certificates
for
the
number
of
shares
of
Common Stock to which
such holder shall be
entitled.
Such conversion shall be
deemed to have been
made
at the
close of
business on
the day
of presentation
for conversion
and the
person or
persons entitled
to receive
the shares
of Common
Stock as
a result
of such
conversion shall
be treated
for all
purposes as
the record
holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date.
(k)
Before
any
shares
of
Common
Stock
shall
be
delivered
upon
conversion,
the
holders
of
shares of
Class A Common
Stock whose shares
are being converted
into Common Stock
shall deliver
the
certificate or certificates representing such shares to the Corporation or its
duly authorized agent (or if such
certificates have been
lost, stolen, or
destroyed, the holder
thereof shall execute
an agreement satisfactory
to the Corporation to indemnify the
Corporation from any loss incurred by
it in relation to such conversion)
specifying the place where the Common
Stock issued in conversion thereof
shall be sent.
The endorsement
of the certificate or
certificates of Class A Common
Stock to be converted
into Common Stock shall
be in
form satisfactory to the Corporation or its agent, as the case may be.
(l)
The number
of shares
of Common
Stock into
which the
shares of
Class A Common
Stock
may be converted
shall be subject
to adjustment from
time to time
in the event
of any capital
reorganization,
reclassification
of
stock
of
the
Corporation
or
consolidation
or
merger
of
the
Corporation
with
or
into
another
corporation.
Each
share
of the
Class A
Common
Stock shall
thereafter
be
convertible
into
such
kind and amount of
securities or other assets
or both as are
issuable or distributable in
respect to the number
of shares
of Common
Stock into
which each
share of
Class A Common
Stock is
convertible immediately
prior
to
such
reorganization,
reclassification,
consolidation
or
merger.
In
any
such
case,
appropriate
adjustments shall be made by the Board in
the application of the provisions herein set forth
with respect to
the rights and interests thereafter
of the holders of
Class A Common Stock such that
the provisions set forth
herein (including provisions for adjustment
of the conversion rate) shall
thereafter be applicable, as
nearly
as
reasonably
may
be
possible
in
relation
to
any
securities
or
other
assets
thereafter
deliverable
upon
conversion of the Class A Common Stock.
(m)
The
Corporation
shall
at
all
times
reserve
and
keep
available
out
of
the
authorized
and
unissued
shares
of Common
Stock, solely
for
the purpose
of effecting
the conversion
of
the outstanding
Class A
Common
Stock,
such
number
of
the
shares
of
Common
Stock
as
shall
from
time
to
time
be
sufficient to effect conversion of all outstanding Class A Common Stock and if, at any time, the number of
authorized and
unissued shares
of Common
Stock shall
not be
sufficient
to effect
conversion of
the then
outstanding Class A Common Stock,
the Corporation shall take
such action as may
be necessary to increase
the number of authorized
and unissued shares of
Common Stock to such
number shall be sufficient for
such
purposes.
(n)
The Class A
Common Stock
may be
issued only
to Fred R.
Adams, Jr.,
his Immediate
Family
Members and any Permitted Transferee.
(o)
As used herein “Immediate
Family Members” is defined
as Fred R. Adams, Jr.,
his spouse,
his natural children, his sons-in-law, and his grandchildren, including
the estates of all of
such persons.
For
purposes of the foregoing,
the estate of a
person shall include only
such person’s
estate, and a person
who
receives a
distribution from
such estate
shall not
be an
Immediate Family
Member unless
such person
is
otherwise included in the foregoing definition of Immediate Family Member.
(p)
As used herein “Permitted Transferee”
includes:
(i)
an Immediate Family Member;
(ii)
a trust
held for
the sole
or primary
benefit of
one or
more Immediate
Family Members
or Permitted Transferees,
including any trustee
in such trustee’s
capacity as such;
provided, however,
that
if a trust is not for the sole benefit of
one or more Immediate Family Members or Permitted Transferees, an
Immediate
Family
Member
or
Permitted
Transferee
must
retain
sole
dispositive
and
exclusive
power
to
direct the
voting of
the shares
of Class A
Common Stock
held by
such trust;
provided further
that in
the
event an Immediate Family Member or Permitted Transferee ceases to retain sole dispositive
and exclusive
power to direct the voting
of the shares of Class A
Common Stock held by such
trust, each share of Class A
Common Stock held
by such trust
shall automatically be
converted into one
fully paid and
non-assessable
share of Common
Stock without any
further action by
the Corporation or
any holder of
Class A Common
Stock;
(iii)
a corporation, limited
liability company or
partnership, including but not
limited to,
a family limited partnership or similar limited liability company or corporation, or a single member limited
liability company, but only if all of the equity interest in such entity is owned, directly or indirectly, by one
or
more
Immediate
Family
Members
or
Permitted
Transferees
and
an
Immediate
Family
Member
or
Permitted
Transferee
retains
sole
dispositive
and
exclusive
power
to
direct
the
voting
of
the
shares
of
Class A
Common
Stock
held
by
such
entity;
provided,
however,
that
in
the
event
an
Immediate
Family
Member or Permitted
Transferee ceases
to retain sole
dispositive and exclusive
power to direct
the voting
of the shares of Class A Common Stock held by such entity, each share of Class A Common Stock held by
such entity shall automatically be
converted into one fully paid
and non-assessable share of Common
Stock
without any further action by the Corporation or any holder of Class A Common Stock;
(iv)
an
Individual
Retirement
Account,
as
defined
in
Section 408(a)
of
the
Internal
Revenue Code, or
a pension, profit
sharing, stock bonus
or other type
of plan or
trust of which
an Immediate
Family Member or Permitted Transferee is a participant
or beneficiary and which satisfies the
requirements
for qualification
under Section 401
of the
Internal Revenue
Code, but
only if,
in each
case, an
Immediate
Family Member or Permitted Transferee retains sole dispositive and
exclusive power to direct the voting
of
the shares
of Class A
Common Stock
held by
such account,
plan or
trust; provided,
however,
that in
the
event an Immediate Family Member or Permitted Transferee ceases to retain sole dispositive
and exclusive
power to direct the voting of the shares of Class A
Common Stock held by such account, plan or trust, each
share of
Class A Common Stock
held by such
account, plan or
trust shall automatically
be converted
into
one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common
Stock without any further action by the Corporation
or
any holder of Class A Common Stock; or
(v)
any guardianship,
conservatorship or
custodianship for
the benefit
of an
Immediate
Family Member
who has
been adjudged
disabled, incapacitated,
incompetent or
otherwise unable
to manage
his or her own
affairs by a court of
competent jurisdiction, including any
guardian, conservator or custodian
in such guardian’s, conservator’s or custodian’s
capacity as such.
(q)
In the event
that beneficial or
record interest in
any shares of
Class A Common Stock
shall
be
transferred,
sold,
assigned,
conveyed,
hypothecated,
gifted
or
otherwise
disposed
of
or
transferred,
whether or not for value and whether voluntary
or involuntary or by operation of law or
intestacy, to,
or in
the event any shares of
Class A Common Stock, by operation
of law or otherwise, are
(or shall be deemed
to be)
owned by,
any person
or entity
other than
an Immediate
Family Member
or Permitted
Transferee,
each such
share of
Class A Common
Stock shall
automatically be
converted into
one fully
paid and
non-
assessable share of Common Stock without any further
action by the Corporation or any holder of
Class A
Common Stock.
For the
avoidance of
doubt, a “transfer”
shall also
include, without
limitation, a
transfer
of shares
of Class A
Common Stock
to a
broker or
other nominee
(regardless of
whether or
not there
is a
corresponding change in beneficial ownership),
or the transfer of,
or entering into a
binding agreement with
respect
to,
the
power
to
vote
or
direct
the
vote
of
any
shares
of
Class A
Common
Stock
by
proxy
or
otherwise; provided, however, that granting
a proxy to officers or
directors of the Corporation
at the request
of the Board in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholder shall not
be considered a “transfer.”
(r)
For
the
avoidance
of
doubt,
no
“transfer”
shall
be
deemed
to
have
resulted
from,
and
no
conversion of Class A
Common Stock into
Common Stock shall
occur as a
result of, any
person’s entry into
that certain Amended and Restated Memorandum
of Understanding dated May 14, 2018 or the
transaction
documents contemplated thereby.
(s)
At such time
as less than
4,300,000 shares of Class
A Common Stock,
or less than
4,600,000
shares of Class A Common Stock and Common Stock in
the aggregate, (such amounts to be adjusted from
time
to
time
for
subdivisions,
combinations,
stock
splits
and
pro
rata
stock
dividends),
are
beneficially
owned by
Immediate Family
Members or
Permitted Transferees,
then each
outstanding share
of Class
A
Common
Stock
shall
automatically
be
converted
into
one
validly
issued
and
non-assessable
share
of
Common Stock without any further action by the Corporation or any holder of Class A Common Stock.
(t)
No shares of Class A Common Stock acquired by the Corporation by reason of redemption,
purchase,
conversion
or
otherwise
shall
be
reissued
and
all
such
shares
shall
be
cancelled,
retired
and
eliminated from the shares that the Corporation shall be authorized to issue.
(u)
The holder of shares of Class A Common Stock
of the Corporation may pledge or otherwise
utilize
Class A
Common
Stock
as
security
for
an
obligation
of
a
holder
of
such
stock.
Such
pledge
or
utilization shall not
be considered as
a transfer of
ownership for the
purposes of determining
eligibility of
ownership
of
the
Class A
Common
Stock
until
the
beneficial
ownership
of
any
such
pledged
or
hypothecated stock is
transferred of record
to a person
or entity who
is not an
Immediate Family Member
or Permitted Transferee.
(v)
Conversion
into
Common
Stock
shall
be
deemed
to
have
occurred
(whether
or
not
certificates representing such shares are surrendered) as
of the close of business on the date
of transfer and
the person or persons (including any entity or entities) entitled
to receive shares of Common Stock issuable
upon
such
conversion
shall
be
treated
for
all
purposes
as
the
record
holder
or
holders
of
such
shares
of
Common Stock on such date.
(w)
The Corporation shall
pay any and all
taxes or other fees
payable in respect of
the issuance
and delivery of
shares of Common
Stock issuable as
a result of the
conversion of Class A
Common Stock
unless the
issuance of
Common Stock
results from
the transfer
of Class A
Common Stock
to a
person or
entity not entitled to the ownership thereof.
(x)
So long as any shares of Class A Common Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not,
without first obtaining the approval
by vote or written consent
in the manner provided by
law of the holders
of
not
less
than
66
2
/
3
%
of
the
total
number
of
shares
of
Class A
Common
Stock
outstanding,
voting
separately as a class,
(1) alter or change the rights
or privileges of Class A Common
Stock, (2) amend any
provision
of
this
Article IV,
Section 5
affecting
the
Class A
Common
Stock
or
(3) effect
any
re-
classification or re-capitalization of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock.
(y)
Shares of Class A Common Stock may be issued to any party eligible to own such stock for
such
consideration,
in
an
amount
not
less
than
the
par
value
thereof,
as
the
Board
shall
determine
to
be
adequate,
including
without
limitation,
shares
of
the
Corporation’s
Common
Stock
on
a
share
for
share
basis.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1.
General Powers.
The business and affairs
of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under
the direction of the Board.
2.
Number of Directors; Election; Term.
(a)
The number of directors that shall constitute the entire Board shall not be less than three nor
more than twelve. Within
such limit, the number
of members of the
entire Board shall be
fixed, from time
to time, exclusively by the Board in accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation (as amended from time
to time in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof,
the “Bylaws”), subject to the rights of holders
of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to the election of directors, if any.
(b)
Subject to the
rights of holders
of any series
of Preferred Stock
with respect to
the election
of directors, the directors of the
Corporation shall be divided into three
classes as nearly equal in number
as
is practicable, hereby designated Class
I, Class II and Class III.
The Board is authorized
to assign members
of the Board already in office to such classes.
The term of office of the initial Class I directors shall expire
upon the election of directors at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the
effectiveness of this
Article V; the term of office
of the initial Class II directors shall expire upon the election of directors at the
second annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness
of this Article V;
and the term of office
of
the
initial
Class III
directors
shall
expire
upon
the
election
of
directors
at
the
third
annual
meeting
of
stockholders
following
the
effectiveness
of
this
Article V.
At
each
annual
meeting
of
stockholders,
commencing
with
the
first
annual
meeting
of
stockholders
following
the
effectiveness
of
this
Article V,
each of
the successors
elected to
replace the
directors of
a class
whose term
shall have
expired at
such annual
meeting shall be elected
to hold office until the
third annual meeting next
succeeding his or her
election and
until
his
or
her
respective
successor
shall
have been
duly
elected
and
qualified.
Subject
to
the
rights
of
holders of any series of
Preferred Stock with respect to
the election of directors, if
the number of directors
that constitutes the Board is
changed, any newly created
directorships or decrease in directorships
shall be
so
apportioned
by
the
Board
among
the
classes
as
to
make
all
classes
as
nearly
equal
in
number
as
is
practicable;
provided,
however,
that
no
decrease
in
the
number
of
directors
constituting
the
Board
shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c)
Subject to the
rights of holders
of any series
of Preferred Stock
with respect to
the election
of directors,
each director
shall serve
until such
director’s
successor is
duly elected
and qualified
or until
such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
(d)
Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.
3.
Removal.
Subject to the rights
of holders of any
series of Preferred Stock
with respect to the
election of directors, a director
may be removed from
office by the stockholders of the
Corporation only for
cause and only
by the affirmative
vote of the
holders of at
least a majority
of the voting
power of all
then
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class.
4.
Vacancies
and Newly
Created Directorships.
Subject to
the rights
of holders
of any
series
of Preferred Stock with respect to
the election of directors, vacancies
occurring on the Board for any
reason
and newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors may be filled only by
vote
of
a
majority
of
the
remaining
members
of
the
Board,
although
less
than
a
quorum,
or
by
a
sole
remaining director,
at any
meeting of
the Board
and not
by the
stockholders.
A person
so elected
by the
Board to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold
office until the next election of the class for
which such
person shall
have been
assigned by
the Board
and until
such person’s
successor shall
be duly
elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
In
furtherance
and
not
in
limitation
of
the
powers
conferred
by
statute,
the
Board
is
expressly
authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal
the Bylaws.
The Bylaws may also be adopted, amended,
altered
or repealed by the stockholders
of the Corporation by the
affirmative vote of the holders
of at least 66
2
/
3
%
of
the
voting
power
of
all
then
outstanding
shares
of
capital
stock
of
the
Corporation
entitled
to
vote
generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
ARTICLE VII
STOCKHOLDERS
1.
No Action by Written Consent of
Stockholders.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by
the terms of any series of Preferred Stock permitting the holders of such series
of Preferred Stock to act by
written consent,
any action
required or
permitted to
be taken
by the
stockholders of
the Corporation
must
be effected at a duly called
annual or special meeting of
the stockholders of the Corporation
and may not be
effected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
2.
Special
Meetings.
Except
as
otherwise
expressly
provided
by
the
terms
of
any
series
of
Preferred
Stock
permitting
the
holders
of
such
series
of
Preferred
Stock
to
call
a
special
meeting
of
the
holders of
such series,
special meetings
of the
stockholders of
the Corporation
may be
called only
by the
Board Chair or the Board, and the ability of the
stockholders to call a special meeting of the stockholders
is
hereby specifically denied.
ARTICLE VIII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
AND INDEMNIFICATION
1.
Limitation of
Personal Liability.
No director
or officer
of the
Corporation shall
have any
personal liability to the
Corporation or its stockholders
for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty
as
a
director
or
officer,
except
to
the
extent
such
exemption
from
liability
or
limitation
thereof
is
not
permitted under
the DGCL,
as it
presently exists
or may
hereafter be
amended from
time to
time.
If the
DGCL
is
amended
to
authorize
corporate
action
further
eliminating
or
limiting
the
personal
liability
of
directors or
officers, then the
liability of
a director
or officer
of the
Corporation shall
be eliminated
or limited
to the
fullest extent
permitted by the
DGCL, as
so amended.
For purposes
of this
Article VIII, Section 1,
“officer”
shall have the meaning
provided in Section 102(b)(7) of
the DGCL, as it
presently exists or
may
hereafter be amended from time to time.
2.
Indemnification
and
Advancement
of
Expenses.
The
Corporation
shall
indemnify
its
directors
and
officers
to
the
fullest
extent
authorized
or
permitted
by
the
DGCL,
as
now
or
hereafter
in
effect,
and such
right to
indemnification shall
continue as
to a
person who
has ceased
to be
a director
or
officer of the
Corporation and shall inure
to the benefit of
such person’s
heirs, executors and personal
and
legal representatives.
A director’s
right to
indemnification conferred
by this
Article VIII, Section 2
shall
include the right
to be paid
by the Corporation
the expenses incurred
in defending or
otherwise participating
in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, but only if
such director presents to the Corporation a
written undertaking
to repay
such amount
if it
shall ultimately
be determined
that such
director is
not entitled
to be indemnified by the Corporation under
this Article VIII or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
except for
proceedings to
enforce any
director’s or officer’s rights to
indemnification or
any director’s rights
to advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any director
or officer, or
advance
expenses
of
any
director
(or
such
director’s
or
officer’s
heirs,
executors
or
personal
or
legal
representatives), in
connection with
any proceeding
(or part
thereof) initiated
by such
person unless
such
proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.
3.
Rights not Exclusive.
The rights to indemnification
and advancement of expenses
conferred
in
Article VIII,
Section 2
of
this
Certificate
of
Incorporation
shall
not
be
exclusive
of,
or
be
deemed
in
limitation of, any
rights to which
any person may
otherwise be or
become entitled or
permitted under this
Certificate
of
Incorporation,
the
Bylaws,
any
statute,
agreement,
vote
of
stockholders
or
disinterested
directors or otherwise.
4.
Insurance.
To the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the DGCL, the Corporation may
purchase and
maintain insurance
on behalf
of any
current or
former director
or officer
of the
Corporation
against any liability asserted against
such person, whether or not
the Corporation would have the
power to
indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII or otherwise.
5.
Effect of Modifications.
Any amendment, repeal
or modification of
any provision contained
in this
Article VIII shall, unless
otherwise required by
law,
be prospective
only (except
to the
extent such
amendment or change
in law permits
the Corporation to
further limit or
eliminate the liability
of directors
or officers) and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any
current or former director or officer
of the Corporation existing
at the time of
such amendment, repeal or
modification with respect to
any acts
or omissions occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE IX
GENERAL
1.
Forum for Certain Actions.
(a)
Unless a
majority of
the Board,
acting on
behalf of
the Corporation,
consents in
writing to
the
selection
of
an
alternative
forum
(which
consent
may
be
given
at
any
time,
including
during
the
pendency of litigation),
the Court of Chancery
of the State
of Delaware (or, if
the Court of
Chancery does
not have
jurisdiction, another
state court
located within
the State
of Delaware
or, if
no state
court located
within the State of
Delaware has jurisdiction, the
federal district court for
the District of Delaware),
to the
fullest
extent
permitted
by
law,
shall
be
the
sole
and
exclusive
forum
for
(i) any
derivative
action
or
proceeding brought
on behalf
of the
Corporation under
Delaware law,
(ii) any action
asserting a
claim of
breach
of
a
fiduciary
duty
owed
by
any
current
or
former
director,
officer
or
other
employee
of
the
Corporation to the Corporation
or the Corporation’s stockholders,
(iii) any action asserting a
claim against
the Corporation or any of its
directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant
to any provision of the
DGCL, this Certificate
of Incorporation or
the Bylaws (in
each case, as
may be amended
from time to
time),
(iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any of its directors, officers or other employees
governed
by
the
internal
affairs
doctrine
of
the
State
of
Delaware
or
(v) any
other
action
asserting
an
“internal corporate claim,” as defined in Section 115 of
the DGCL, in all cases subject to the
court’s having
personal jurisdiction
over all
indispensable parties
named as
defendants.
Unless a
majority of
the Board,
acting
on
behalf
of
the
Corporation,
consents
in
writing
to
the
selection
of
an
alternative
forum
(which
consent may be given at any time, including during
the pendency of litigation), the federal district courts of
the United
States of America, to
the fullest extent
permitted by law,
shall be the
sole and exclusive
forum
for
the
resolution
of
any
action
asserting
a
cause
of
action
arising
under
the
Securities Act
of
1933,
as
amended.
(b)
If
any
action
the
subject
matter
of
which
is
within
the
scope
of
subparagraph
(a) of
this
Article IX, Section 1 is filed
in a court other
than a court located
within the State of
Delaware (a “Foreign
Action”)
in
the
name
of
any
stockholder,
such
stockholder
shall
be
deemed
to
have
consented
to
(i) the
personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with
any
action
brought
in
any
such
court
to
enforce
subparagraph
(a) of
this
Article IX,
Section 1
(an
“Enforcement
Action”)
and
(ii) having
service
of
process
made
upon
such
stockholder
in
any
such
Enforcement Action
by
service
upon
such
stockholder’s
counsel
in
the
Foreign Action
as
agent
for
such
stockholder.
(c)
If
any
provision
of
this
Article IX,
Section 1
shall
be
held
to
be
invalid,
illegal
or
unenforceable as applied
to any person,
entity or circumstance
for any reason
whatsoever, then, to
the fullest
extent permitted by law,
the validity, legality and
enforceability of such provision
in any other circumstance
and of the remaining provisions of this Article IX, Section 1, and the application of such provision to other
persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
(d)
For the
avoidance of
doubt, any
person or
entity purchasing
or otherwise
acquiring or
holding
any
interest
in
any
security
of
the
Corporation
shall
be
deemed
to
have
notice
of
and
consented
to
the
provisions of this Article IX, Section 1.
2.
Amendment.
The
Corporation
reserves
the
right
to
amend,
alter,
change
or
repeal
any
provision contained
in this
Certificate of Incorporation,
in the
manner now
or hereafter
prescribed by
this
Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL,
and all rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred
upon
stockholders of the Corporation by and
pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation
in its present form or as
hereafter amended are
granted subject to
the right reserved
in this
Article IX, Section 2.
Notwithstanding
any other
provision of
this Certificate
of Incorporation,
and in
addition to
any other
vote that
may be
required
by law, applicable stock exchange rule or the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of
the
holders
of
at
least
66
2
/
3
%
of
the
voting
power
of
all
then
outstanding
shares
of
capital
stock
of
the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors, voting together as a single class, shall
be
required to amend, alter, repeal or adopt any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation.
3.
Severability.
If any provision or provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held
to be
invalid, illegal
or unenforceable
as applied
to any
circumstance for
any reason
whatsoever, the validity,
legality and enforceability
of such provision
in any other
circumstance and of
the remaining provisions
of
this Certificate
of Incorporation
(including, without
limitation, each
portion of
any Section,
paragraph or
subparagraph of this Certificate of Incorporation
containing any such provision held to
be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall
not in any way be affected
or impaired thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Third Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation has
been
signed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation, as of the [●] day of [●], 2025.
__________________________________________
[●]
Title:
[●]
exhibit993
1
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.
ARTICLE I
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.1.
Place
of
Meetings.
Meetings
of
the
stockholders
of
Cal-Maine
Foods,
Inc.
(the
“Corporation”) shall be held
at such time and
place, if any, either
within or without the
State of Delaware,
as shall
be designated
from time
to time
by the
board of
directors of
the Corporation
(the “Board”).
The
Board may, in
its sole discretion,
determine that a
meeting shall not
be held at
any place, but
shall instead
be
held
solely
by
means
of
remote
communication
in
accordance
with
Section 211(a)
of
the
General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “DGCL”).
Section 1.2.
Annual
Meetings.
The
annual
meeting
of
stockholders
of
the
Corporation
for
the
election of
directors and
for the
transaction of
such other
business as
may properly
be brought
before the
meeting in accordance with these amended and restated
bylaws of the Corporation (as amended, restated or
amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof, these “Bylaws”) shall be
held on such date
and at such time
as may be designated
from time to time
by the Board.
The Board may
postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.
Section 1.3.
Special
Meetings.
Unless
otherwise
required
by
law
or
by
the
certificate
of
incorporation of the
Corporation (including
the terms of
any certificate of
designation with respect
to any
series of preferred stock), as amended, restated or amended and restated from time to time (the “Certificate
of Incorporation”),
special meetings
of the
stockholders of
the Corporation,
for any
purpose or
purposes,
may be called only
by the Board Chair
or the Board.
The ability of the
stockholders of the Corporation
to
call a special
meeting of stockholders
is hereby specifically
denied.
At a special
meeting of stockholders,
only such business shall
be conducted as shall
be specified in the
notice of meeting.
The Board Chair or
the
Board may postpone, reschedule
or cancel any special
meeting of stockholders previously
called by either
of them.
Section 1.4.
Notice.
Whenever stockholders of the Corporation are required or
permitted to take
any action
at a
meeting, a
written notice
of the
meeting shall
be given,
which shall
state the
place, if
any,
date and
time of
the meeting,
the record
date for
determining the
stockholders entitled
to vote
at the
meeting,
if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled
to notice of meeting, the
means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and
proxy holders may be deemed present
in person and vote at such meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is
called.
Unless otherwise required
by law or
the Certificate of
Incorporation, written notice
of any meeting shall be given either personally, by
mail or by electronic transmission (as defined below) (if
permitted under the circumstances by the DGCL) not
less than ten nor more than 60 days before
the date of
the meeting,
by or
at the
direction of
the Board
Chair, the
Chief Executive
Officer or
the Board,
to each
stockholder entitled
to vote
at such
meeting as
of the
record date
for determining
stockholders entitled
to
notice
of the
meeting.
If
mailed, such
notice shall
be deemed
to be
given when
deposited in
the United
States
with
postage
thereon
prepaid,
addressed
to
the
stockholder
at
the
stockholder’s
address
as
it
appears
on
the
stock
transfer
books
of
the
Corporation.
If
notice
is
given
by
means
of
electronic
transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be given
at the times provided in the DGCL.
Any stockholder
may waive
notice of
any meeting
before or
after the
meeting.
The attendance
of a
stockholder at
any meeting
shall constitute a waiver
of notice of such
meeting, except where
the stockholder attends the
meeting for the
1
Note
:
Adopted by the Board of Directors on February 25, 2025, but to be effective upon the effective filing of the
Corporation’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
express purpose of
objecting, and does
so object, at
the beginning of
the meeting to
the transaction of
any
business
because
the
meeting
is
not
lawfully
called
or
convened.
For
the
purposes
of
these
Bylaws,
“electronic
transmission”
means
any
form
of
communication,
not
directly
involving
the
physical
transmission
of
paper,
that
creates
a
record
that
may
be
retained,
retrieved
and
reviewed
by
a
recipient
thereof and that
may be directly
reproduced in paper
form by such
a recipient through
an automated
process.
Section 1.5.
Adjournments.
Any meeting of
stockholders of the
Corporation may be
adjourned or
recessed from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, by holders of a majority of
the
voting
power
of
the
Corporation’s
capital
stock
issued
and
outstanding
and
entitled
to
vote
thereat,
present in person
or represented by
proxy, though less
than a quorum,
or by any
officer entitled to
preside
at or
to act
as secretary
of such
meeting, and
notice need
not be
given of
any such
adjourned or
recessed
meeting (including
an adjournment
taken to
address a
technical failure
to convene
or continue
a meeting
using remote
communication) if
the time
and place,
if any,
thereof, and
the means
of remote
communication,
if any, by
which stockholders and
proxy holders may
be deemed to
be present in
person or represented
by
proxy
and
vote
at
such
adjourned
or
recessed
meeting,
are
(a) announced
at
the
meeting
at
which
the
adjournment
or
recess
is
taken,
(b) displayed
during
the
time
scheduled
for
the
meeting,
on
the
same
electronic network used to enable stockholders and proxy holders to participate in the meeting by means of
remote communication or (c) set forth in
the notice of meeting given in accordance
with these Bylaws.
At
the
adjourned
or
recessed
meeting,
the
Corporation
may
transact
any
business
that
might
have
been
transacted
at the
original
meeting.
If
the
adjournment
is
for
more
than
30 days,
notice
of
the
adjourned
meeting
in
accordance
with
the
requirements
of
Section 1.4
of
these
Bylaws
shall
be
given
to
each
stockholder
of
record
entitled
to
vote
at
the
meeting.
If,
after
the
adjournment,
a
new
record
date
for
determination of stockholders entitled to vote
is fixed for the adjourned meeting,
the Board shall fix as the
record date for determining stockholders entitled
to notice of such adjourned meeting
the same or an earlier
date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote
at the adjourned meeting and shall give
notice of
the adjourned
meeting to
each stockholder
of record
as of
the record
date so
fixed for
notice of
such adjourned meeting.
Section 1.6.
Quorum.
Unless
otherwise
required
by
applicable
law
or
the
Certificate
of
Incorporation, the
holders of
a majority
of the
voting power
of the
Corporation’s capital
stock issued
and
outstanding and
entitled to
vote thereat,
present in
person, present
by means
of remote
communication, if
any, or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at a
meeting of stockholders.
Where a separate vote
by a class
or classes or
series is required,
a majority of
the voting power
of the shares
of such class
or classes
or series present
in person, present
by means of
remote communication, if
any, or represented
by proxy shall
constitute a
quorum entitled
to take
action with
respect to
such vote.
If a
quorum shall
not be
present or
represented at
any meeting
of stockholders,
either the
chairperson of
the meeting
or the
stockholders entitled
to vote
thereat, present
in person
or represented
by proxy,
shall have
power to
adjourn the
meeting from
time
to
time,
in
the
manner
provided
in
Section 1.5
of
these
Bylaws,
until
a
quorum
shall
be
present
or
represented.
A quorum, once established,
shall not
be broken by
the withdrawal
of enough votes
to leave
less than a quorum.
Section 1.7.
Voting
.
(a)
General.
Except as
provided in
the Certificate
of Incorporation,
every stockholder
having
the
right
to
vote
shall
have
one
vote
for
each
share
of
stock
having
voting
power registered in such stockholder’s name
on the books of the Corporation.
Such
votes may be cast in
person, by means of remote
communication (if any) or by
proxy
as
provided
in
Section 1.10
of
these
Bylaws.
The
Board,
in
its
discretion,
or
the
person
presiding
at
a
meeting
of
stockholders,
in
such
person’s
discretion,
may
require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
(b)
Matters Other
Than Election
of Directors.
Any matter
brought before
any meeting
of
stockholders
of
the
Corporation,
other
than
the
election
of
directors,
shall
be
decided by
the affirmative
vote of
the holders
of a
majority of
the voting
power of
the
Corporation’s
capital
stock
present
in
person,
present
by
means
of
remote
communication, if any, or
represented by proxy at
the meeting and entitled
to vote on
such matter, voting as a single class, unless the matter is one upon which, by
express
provision
of
law,
the
Certificate
of
Incorporation,
these
Bylaws
or
the
rules
or
regulations of
any stock
exchange applicable
to the
Corporation, a
different vote
is
required, in which case such express provision shall
govern and control the decision
of such matter.
(c)
Election of Directors.
Subject to the
rights of the
holders of any
series of preferred
stock
to
elect
directors
under
specified
circumstances,
election
of
directors
at
all
meetings of
the stockholders
at which
directors are
to be
elected shall
be by
a plurality
of
the
votes cast
at any
meeting
for
the
election
of
directors
at
which
a
quorum
is
present.
Section 1.8.
Voting of
Stock of
Certain Holders.
Shares of
stock of
the Corporation
standing in
the name
of another
corporation or
entity, domestic
or foreign,
and entitled
to vote
may be
voted by
such
officer, agent
or proxy
as the
bylaws or
other internal
regulations of
such corporation or
entity may
prescribe
or, in
the absence
of such
provision, as
the board
of directors
or comparable
body of
such corporation
or
entity
may
determine.
Shares
of
stock
of
the
Corporation
standing
in
the
name
of
a
deceased
person,
a
minor, an incompetent or a debtor in a case under Title 11, United States Code, and entitled to vote may be
voted by an administrator, executor, guardian, conservator, debtor-in-possession or trustee, as the case may
be, either in person or by proxy, without transfer
of such shares into the name of the official
or other person
so voting.
A stockholder
whose shares of stock of
the Corporation are pledged
shall be entitled to
vote such
shares,
unless
on
the
transfer
records
of
the
Corporation
such
stockholder
has
expressly
empowered
the
pledgee to vote such shares, in which case only the pledgee, or the pledgee’s proxy, may vote such shares.
Section 1.9.
Treasury Stock.
Shares of stock of the Corporation belonging to the Corporation, or
to another corporation a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of which are held
by the
Corporation, shall
not be
voted at
any meeting
of stockholders
of the
Corporation and
shall not
be
counted
in
the
total
number
of
outstanding
shares
for
the
purpose
of
determining
whether
a
quorum
is
present.
Nothing in
this Section 1.9
shall limit
the right
of the
Corporation to
vote shares
of stock
of the
Corporation held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
Section 1.10.
Proxies.
Each
stockholder
entitled
to
vote
at
a
meeting
of
stockholders
of
the
Corporation may
authorize another
person or
persons to
act for
such stockholder
by proxy
filed with
the
secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) before or at the time of the meeting.
No such proxy shall be
voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy expressly provides for
a longer period.
A duly executed proxy shall be
irrevocable if it states
that it is irrevocable
and if, and only
as long as, it
is
coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.
Section 1.11.
No
Consent
of
Stockholders
in
Lieu
of
Meeting.
Except
as
otherwise
expressly
provided by
the terms
of any
series of
preferred stock
permitting the
holders of
such series
of preferred
stock
to act by
written consent,
any action required
or permitted
to be
taken by the
stockholders of the
Corporation
must
be
effected
at
a
duly
called
annual
or
special
meeting
of
stockholders
of
the
Corporation,
and,
as
specified
by
the
Certificate
of
Incorporation,
the
ability
of
the
stockholders
to
consent
in
writing
to
the
taking of any action is specifically denied.
Section 1.12.
List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote.
The officer of the Corporation who has charge
of the stock ledger of the Corporation
shall prepare and make or have
prepared and made, at least ten
days
before every meeting of stockholders of the
Corporation, a complete list of the stockholders
entitled to vote
at the meeting
(provided, however, that
if the record
date for determining
the stockholders entitled
to vote
is less than ten days
before the meeting date, the
list shall reflect the stockholders
entitled to vote as of the
tenth
day
before
the
meeting
date),
arranged
in
alphabetical
order,
and
showing
the
address
of
each
stockholder
and
the
number
of
shares
registered
in
the
name
of
each
stockholder.
Nothing
in
this
Section 1.12 shall
require the
Corporation to
include electronic
mail addresses
or other
electronic contact
information
on
such
list.
Such
list
shall
be
open to
the
examination
of any
stockholder
for
any
purpose
germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten days ending
on the day before the meeting date:
(a) on a
reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that
the information required to gain access to
such list
is provided
with the
notice of
the meeting,
or (b) during
ordinary business hours,
at the
principal place
of
business of the
Corporation.
In the event
that the Corporation
determines to make
the list available
on an
electronic network, the Corporation
may take reasonable steps
to ensure that such
information is available
only to stockholders of the Corporation.
Section 1.13.
Record Date.
In order that the Corporation
may determine the stockholders entitled
to notice of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation or any adjournment thereof, the
Board may fix
a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date
is adopted by the Board, and which record
date shall not be more than 60 days
nor less than ten days before
the date of
such meeting.
If the Board
so fixes a
date, such date
shall also be
the record date
for determining
the stockholders entitled
to vote at
such meeting unless
the Board determines,
at the time
it fixes such
record
date, that a later date
on or before the date
of the meeting shall be
the date for making such
determination.
If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to
notice of or
to vote at
a meeting of
stockholders shall be
at the close
of business on
the day next
preceding the day
on
which notice is given, or,
if notice is waived, at
the close of business on
the day next preceding the
day on
which the
meeting is
held.
A determination of
stockholders of
record entitled
to notice
of or
to vote
at a
meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment
of the meeting, but the Board may fix
a new record
date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also
fix as
the record
date for
stockholders entitled
to notice
of such
adjourned meeting
the same
or an
earlier
date
as
that
fixed
for
determination
of
stockholders
entitled
to
vote
in
accordance
with
the
foregoing
provisions of this Section 1.13 at the adjourned meeting.
Section 1.14.
Organization and Conduct of Meetings.
The Board Chair shall act as chairperson of
meetings
of
stockholders
of
the
Corporation.
The
Board
may
designate
any
director
or
officer
of
the
Corporation to act as
chairperson of any meeting
in the absence of
the Board Chair, and
only the Board may
further provide for determining who shall act as chairperson
of any meeting of stockholders in the absence
of
the
Board
Chair
and
such
designee.
The
Board
may
adopt
by
resolution
such
rules,
regulations
and
procedures for the
conduct of any
meeting of stockholders
as it shall
deem appropriate.
Except to the
extent
inconsistent with
such rules,
regulations and
procedures as
adopted by
the Board,
the chairperson
of any
meeting of stockholders
shall have
the right and
authority to convene
and (for any
or no reason)
to recess
or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the
judgment
of
such
chairperson,
are
necessary,
appropriate
or
convenient
for
the
proper
conduct
of
the
meeting.
Such
rules,
regulations
or
procedures,
whether
adopted
by
the
Board
or
prescribed
by
the
chairperson
of
the
meeting,
may
include
the
following:
(a) the
establishment
of
an
agenda
or
order
of
business for the meeting; (b) the determination of when the
polls shall open and close for any given matter
to be voted on
at the meeting; (c) rules,
regulations and procedures for
maintaining order at the
meeting and
the safety
of those
present; (d) limitations
on attendance
at or
participation in
the meeting
to stockholders
of record of
the Corporation, their
duly authorized proxies
or such other
persons as the
chairperson of the
meeting shall determine; (e) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement
of the meeting; (f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (g) removal of
any
stockholder
or
any
other
individual
who
refuses
to
comply
with
meeting
rules,
regulations
or
procedures;
(h) the
conclusion, recess
or
adjournment
of the
meeting,
regardless of
whether a
quorum
is
present, to a
later date and
time and at
a place, if any,
announced at the meeting;
(i) restrictions on the use
of
audio
and
video
recording
devices,
cell
phones
and
other
electronic
devices;
(j) rules,
regulations
or
procedures
for
compliance
with
any
state
or
local
laws
or
regulations
including
those
concerning
safety,
health and
security; (k) procedures
(if any)
requiring attendees
to provide
the Corporation
advance notice
of
their
intent
to
attend
the
meeting;
and
(l) any
rules,
regulations
or
procedures
as
the
chairperson
may
deem
appropriate
regarding
the
participation
by
means
of
remote
communication
of
stockholders
and
proxyholders not physically present
at a meeting, whether
such meeting is to
be held at a
designated place
or solely
by means
of remote
communication.
The Board
or the
chairperson of
a stockholder
meeting, in
addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate regarding the conduct of the meeting,
shall determine
and declare
to the
meeting that
a matter
of business
was not
properly brought
before the
meeting, and, if the chairperson (or the Board) should so determine, the chairperson (or the Board) shall so
declare to the meeting and any
such matter of business not properly brought
before the meeting shall not be
transacted
or
considered.
Except
to
the
extent
determined
by
the
Board
or
the
person
presiding
at
the
meeting,
meetings
of
stockholders
shall
not
be
required
to
be
held
in
accordance
with
the
rules
of
parliamentary procedure.
Section 1.15.
Inspectors of
Election.
In advance
of any
meeting of
stockholders of
the Corporation,
the
Board
Chair,
the
Chief
Executive
Officer
or
the
Board,
by
resolution,
shall
appoint
one
or
more
inspectors
to
act
at
the
meeting
and
make
a
written
report
thereof.
One
or
more
other
persons
may
be
designated as
alternate inspectors
to replace
any inspector
who fails
to act.
If no
inspector or
alternate is
able to act at a
meeting of stockholders, the chairperson
of the meeting shall appoint
one or more inspectors
to act at
the meeting.
Unless otherwise required by
applicable law, inspectors may
be officers, employees
or agents of the Corporation.
Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector,
shall take and sign an
oath faithfully to execute the
duties of inspector with strict
impartiality and according
to the best of
such inspector’s ability.
The inspector shall have
the duties prescribed by
law and shall take
charge of the polls
and, when the vote
is completed, shall make
a certificate of the
result of the vote
taken
and of such other facts as may be required by applicable law.
Section 1.16.
Notice of Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.
(a)
Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board
and
the
proposal
of
business
other
than
nominations
to
be
considered
by
the
stockholders may be made
at an annual meeting
of stockholders only:
(i) pursuant to
the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) with respect to such
annual
meeting
given by
or
at
the
direction
of
the
Board
(or
any
duly
authorized
committee thereof), (ii) as
otherwise properly brought
before such annual
meeting by
or at the direction of the Board (or
any duly authorized committee thereof) or (iii) by
any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) is
a stockholder of record at the time
of
the
giving
of
the
notice
provided
for
in
this
Section 1.16
through
the
date
of
such
annual meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (C) complies with
the
notice
procedures
set
forth
in
this
Section 1.16.
For
the
avoidance
of
doubt,
compliance
with
the
foregoing
clause (iii)
shall
be
the
exclusive
means
for
a
stockholder
to
make
nominations,
or
to
propose
any
other
business
(other
than
a
proposal included in
the Corporation’s
proxy materials pursuant
to and in
compliance
with Rule 14a-8
under the
Securities Exchange Act
of 1934,
as amended
(such act,
and
the
rules
and
regulations
promulgated
thereunder,
the
“Exchange Act”)),
at
an
annual meeting of stockholders.
(b)
Timing
of
Notice
for
Annual
Meetings.
In
addition
to
any
other
applicable
requirements,
for
nominations
or
other
business
to
be
properly
brought
before
an
annual
meeting
by
a
stockholder
pursuant
to
Section 1.16(a)(iii)
above,
the
stockholder
must
have
given
timely
notice
thereof
in
proper
written
form
to
the
Secretary, and, in the case of business
other than nominations, such business must be
a proper matter for
stockholder action.
To be timely, such
notice must be received
by
the Secretary
at the
principal executive
offices of
the Corporation
not later
than the
Close
of
Business
on
the
90th day,
or
earlier
than
the
120th day,
prior
to
the
first
anniversary
of
the
date
of
the
preceding
year’s
annual
meeting
of
stockholders;
provided, however, that
if the date
of the annual
meeting of stockholders
is more than
30 days prior
to, or
more than
60 days after,
the first
anniversary of
the date
of the
preceding year’s
annual meeting
or if
no annual
meeting was
held in
the preceding
year,
to
be
timely,
a
stockholder’s
notice
must
be
so
received
not
earlier
than
the
120th day prior
to such
annual meeting
and not
later than
the Close
of Business
on
the
later
of
(i) the
90th day
prior
to
such
annual
meeting
and
(ii) the
tenth
day
following the
day on
which Public
Disclosure (as
defined below)
of the
date of
the
meeting is first made by the
Corporation.
In no event shall the adjournment, recess,
postponement,
judicial
stay
or
rescheduling
of
an
annual
meeting
(or
the
Public
Disclosure thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the
giving of notice as described above.
(c)
Form of Notice.
To be in
proper written form,
the notice of
any stockholder of
record
giving notice under this Section 1.16 (each, a “Noticing Party”) must set forth:
(i)
as to
each person
whom such
Noticing Party
proposes to
nominate for
election
or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), if any:
(A)
the
name,
age,
business
address
and
residential
address
of
such
Proposed Nominee;
(B)
the principal occupation and
employment of such Proposed
Nominee;
(C)
a
written
questionnaire
with
respect
to
the
background
and
qualifications
of
such
Proposed
Nominee,
completed
by
such
Proposed
Nominee
in
the
form
required
by
the
Corporation
(in
the
form
to
be
provided
by
the
Secretary
upon
written
request
of
any
stockholder of record within ten days after receiving such request);
(D)
a written
representation and
agreement completed
by such
Proposed
Nominee in
the form
required by
the Corporation
(in the
form to
be
provided by the Secretary upon
written request of any stockholder
of
record
within
ten
days
after
receiving
such
request)
providing
that
such Proposed Nominee:
(I) is not and will
not become a party
to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding with,
and has not given any
commitment
or
assurance
to,
any
person
or
entity
as
to
how
such
Proposed Nominee, if
elected as a
director of the
Corporation, will act
or vote on
any issue
or question
(a “Voting Commitment”)
that has not
been
disclosed
to
the
Corporation
or
any
Voting
Commitment
that
could
limit
or
interfere
with
such
Proposed
Nominee’s
ability
to
comply, if
elected as
a director
of the
Corporation, with
such Proposed
Nominee’s fiduciary
duties under
applicable law;
(II) is not
and will
not become
a party
to any
agreement, arrangement
or understanding
with any
person or
entity other
than the
Corporation with
respect to
any
direct
or
indirect
compensation,
reimbursement
or
indemnification in
connection with
service or
action as
a director
or
nominee with
respect to
the Corporation
that has
not been
disclosed
to
the
Corporation;
(III) will,
if
elected
as
a
director
of
the
Corporation,
comply
with
all
applicable
rules
of
any
securities
exchanges
upon
which
the
Corporation’s
securities
are
listed,
the
Certificate
of
Incorporation,
these
Bylaws,
all
applicable
publicly
disclosed
corporate
governance,
ethics,
conflict
of
interest,
confidentiality,
stock
ownership
and
trading
policies
and
all
other
guidelines
and
policies
of
the
Corporation
generally
applicable
to
directors (which other
guidelines and
policies will be
provided to such
Proposed
Nominee
within
five
business
days
after
the
Secretary
receives any
written request
therefor from
such Proposed
Nominee),
and
all
applicable
fiduciary
duties
under
state
law;
(IV) consents
to
being named
as a
nominee in
the Corporation’s
proxy statement
and
form of proxy for the
meeting and consents to the
public disclosure of
information regarding or
relating to such
Proposed Nominee provided
to the Corporation
by such Proposed
Nominee or otherwise
pursuant
to these
Bylaws; (V) intends
to serve
a full
term as
a director
of the
Corporation,
if
elected;
and
(VI) will
provide
facts,
statements
and
other information in all communications with the
Corporation and its
stockholders that are
or will be
true and correct
in all material
respects
and that
do not and
will not omit
to state
any fact necessary
in order
to
make
the
statements
made,
in
light
of
the
circumstances
under
which they are made, not misleading in any material respect;
(E)
a description
of all
direct and
indirect compensation
and other
material
monetary
agreements,
arrangements
or
understandings,
written
or
oral, during the past three years, and any other material relationships,
between or among such Proposed Nominee, on the one
hand, and any
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
(as
defined
below) (other
than such
Proposed Nominee),
on the
other hand,
or that
such
Proposed
Nominee
knows
any
of
such
Proposed
Nominee’s
Associates
(as
defined
below)
has
with
any
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder Associated Person,
including all
information that
would
be required
to be
disclosed pursuant
to Item 404
promulgated under
Regulation S-K
as
if
such
Noticing
Party
and
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
(other
than
the
Proposed
Nominee)
were
the
“registrant” for purposes
of such rule
and the Proposed
Nominee were
a director or executive officer of such registrant;
(F)
a
description
of
any
business
or
personal
interests
that
would
reasonably be expected
to place such
Proposed Nominee in
a potential
conflict of interest with the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries;
(G)
the
date(s)
of
first
contact
between
the
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder Associated
Person,
on
the
one
hand,
and
the
Proposed
Nominee,
on
the
other
hand,
with
respect
to
any
proposed
nomination(s) of any person(s) (including the Proposed Nominee) for
election as a director of the Corporation; and
(H)
all
other
information
relating
to
such
Proposed
Nominee
or
such
Proposed Nominee’s
Associates that
would be
required to
be disclosed
in a proxy statement
in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by
such
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
for
the
election
of
directors
in
a
contested
election
pursuant
to
the
Proxy
Rules (as defined below);
(ii)
as to any other business that such Noticing
Party proposes to bring before the
meeting:
(A)
a description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting
and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting;
(B)
the text of
the proposal or
business (including the
complete text of
any
resolutions
proposed
for
consideration
and,
in
the
event
that
such
business includes a
proposal to amend
the Certificate of
Incorporation
or these Bylaws, the text of the proposed amendment); and
(C)
all other information relating to such
business that would be required
to be disclosed
in a proxy
statement in connection
with the solicitation
of
proxies
by
such
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
in
support
of
such
proposed
business
pursuant
to
the
Proxy
Rules; and
(iii)
as to such Noticing Party and each Stockholder Associated Person:
(A)
the
name
and
address
of
such
Noticing
Party
and
each
Stockholder
Associated
Person
(including,
as
applicable,
as
they
appear
on
the
Corporation’s books and records);
(B)
the class, series and number
of shares of each class
or series of capital
stock (if any) of
the Corporation that are,
directly or indirectly, owned
beneficially or
of record
(specifying the
type of
ownership) by
such
Noticing Party
or any
Stockholder Associated Person
(including any
right to
acquire beneficial
ownership at
any time
in the
future, whether
such right is exercisable
immediately or only after
the passage of time
or the fulfillment of
a condition) and the date
or dates on which
such
shares were acquired;
(C)
the name of each
nominee holder for,
and number of, any
securities of
the Corporation
owned beneficially
but not
of record
by such
Noticing
Party or
any Stockholder Associated
Person and
any pledge
by such
Noticing Party
or any Stockholder Associated
Person with respect
to
any of such securities;
(D)
(I) a
description
of
all
agreements,
arrangements
or
understandings,
written
or
oral,
(including
any
derivative
or
short
positions,
profit
interests,
hedging
transactions,
forwards,
futures,
swaps,
options,
warrants,
convertible
securities, stock
appreciation
or
similar rights,
repurchase
agreements
or
arrangements,
borrowed
or
loaned
shares
and
so-called
“stock
borrowing”
agreements
or
arrangements)
that
have been entered into by, or on behalf of, such Noticing Party or
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person,
the
effect
or
intent
of
which
is
to
mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the price of any
securities
of
the
Corporation,
or
maintain,
increase
or
decrease
the
voting
power of
such Noticing
Party or
any
Stockholder Associated
Person
with
respect
to
securities
of
the
Corporation,
whether
or
not
such instrument
or right
shall be
subject to
settlement in
underlying
shares
of
capital
stock
of
the
Corporation
(any
of
the
foregoing,
a
“Derivative
Instrument”)
and
(II) all
other
information
relating
to
Derivative
Instruments
that
would
be
required
to
be
disclosed
in
a
proxy statement in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by such
Noticing Party or
any Stockholder
Associated Person in
support of the
business proposed
by such
Noticing Party,
if any,
or for
the election
of any
Proposed Nominee
in a
contested election
pursuant to
the Proxy
Rules
if
the
creation,
termination
or
modification
of
Derivative
Instruments were
treated the
same as
trading in
the securities
of the
Corporation under the Proxy Rules;
(E)
any
substantial
interest,
direct
or
indirect
(including
any
existing
or
prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the
Corporation),
of
such
Noticing
Party
or,
to
the
knowledge
of
such
Noticing
Party
(or
the
beneficial
owner(s)
on
whose
behalf
such
Noticing
Party
is
submitting
a
notice
to
the
Corporation),
any
Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any
Affiliate (as
defined below)
thereof or
in the
proposed business
or nomination(s)
to be
brought before
the meeting
by such
Noticing Party,
other than
an interest arising
from the ownership
of Corporation securities
where
such Noticing
Party or
such Stockholder Associated
Person receives
no extra or
special benefit not
shared on a
pro rata
basis by all
other
holders of the same class or series;
(F)
a
description
of
all
agreements,
arrangements
or
understandings,
written
or
oral,
(I) between
or
among
such
Noticing
Party
and
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
or
(II) between
or
among
such
Noticing
Party
or,
to
the
knowledge
of
such
Noticing
Party
(or
the
beneficial owner(s)
on whose
behalf such
Noticing Party
is submitting
a notice
to the
Corporation), any
Stockholder Associated Person and
any other person
or entity
(naming each such
person or
entity), in each
case,
relating
to
acquiring,
holding,
voting
or
disposing
of
any
securities
of
the
Corporation,
including
any
proxy
(other
than
any
revocable proxy given in
response to a solicitation
made pursuant to,
and
in
accordance
with,
the
Proxy
Rules
by
way
of
a
solicitation
statement filed on Schedule 14A);
(G)
any
rights
to
dividends
on
the
shares
of
the
Corporation
owned
beneficially
by
such
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder Associated
Person that
are separated
or separable
from the
underlying shares
of
the Corporation;
(H)
any proportionate
interest in
shares of
the Corporation
or Derivative
Instruments
held,
directly
or
indirectly,
by
a
general
or
limited
partnership, limited liability company or
similar entity in which
such
Noticing Party
or any
Stockholder Associated Person
(I) is a
general
partner
or,
directly
or
indirectly,
beneficially
owns
an
interest
in
a
general
partner
of
such
general
or
limited
partnership
or
(II) is
the
manager,
managing
member
or,
directly
or
indirectly,
beneficially
owns an interest in the manager or managing member of such limited
liability company or similar entity;
(I)
any
Derivative
Instruments
in
or
beneficial
ownership
of
any
securities of
(in each
case, with
a market
value of
more than
$100,000)
any
competitor
of
the
Corporation
identified
in
Part I,
Item 1
of
the
annual report on
Form 10-K or amendment
thereto most recently
filed
by the Corporation with
the Securities and Exchange
Commission or
in
Item 8.01
of
any
current
report
on
Form
8-K
filed
by
the
Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission thereafter
but prior to
the tenth day
before the deadline
for a
stockholder’s notice
under this Section 1.16 (each, a “Principal Competitor”) held by such
Noticing Party or any Stockholder Associated Person;
(J)
any direct or indirect interest
(other than solely as a result
of security
ownership)
of
such
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
in
any
agreement
with
the
Corporation,
any Affiliate
of
the
Corporation or any Principal
Competitor (including any employment
agreement, collective bargaining
agreement or consulting
agreement);
(K)
a
representation
that
(I) neither
such
Noticing
Party
nor
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
has
breached
any
agreement,
arrangement
or
understanding
with
the
Corporation
except
as
disclosed
to
the
Corporation
pursuant
hereto
and
(II) such
Noticing
Party and each Stockholder
Associated Person has complied, and will
comply,
with
all
applicable
requirements
of
state
law
and
the
Exchange Act
with respect to
the matters set
forth in this
Section 1.16;
(L)
a description
of the
investment strategy
or objective,
if any,
of such
Noticing
Party
(or
the
beneficial
owner(s)
on
whose
behalf
such
Noticing Party is submitting a notice to the Corporation);
(M)
all
information
that
would
be
required
to
be
set
forth
in
a
Schedule 13D filed
pursuant to
Rule 13d-1(a) under
the Exchange
Act
or an
amendment pursuant
to Rule 13d-2(a)
under the
Exchange Act
if such a
statement were required
to be filed
under the Exchange Act
by
such
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder Associated
Person
with
respect to
the Corporation
(regardless of
whether such
person or
entity
is actually required to file
a Schedule 13D), including a description
of
any agreement, arrangement or understanding that
would be required
to be disclosed by such Noticing Party or any Stockholder
Associated
Person pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Schedule 13D;
(N)
a
certification
that
such
Noticing
Party
and
each
Stockholder
Associated Person has complied with all
applicable federal, state and
other legal
requirements in
connection with
such Noticing Party’s
or
Stockholder Associated
Person’s acquisition of shares of capital
stock
or
other
securities
of
the
Corporation
and
such
Noticing
Party’s
or
Stockholder Associated
Person’s acts or omissions
as a stockholder of
the
Corporation,
if
such
Stockholder
Associated
Person
is
a
stockholder of the Corporation; and
(O)
all
other
information
relating
to
such
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder Associated Person that
would be required to be disclosed
in a proxy statement
in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by
such Noticing Party or any Stockholder Associated Person in support
of
the
business
proposed
by
such
Noticing
Party,
if
any,
or
for
the
election of any Proposed Nominee in a contested election pursuant to
the Proxy Rules;
provided,
however,
that
the
disclosures
described
in
the
foregoing
subclauses (A) through
(O) shall
not include
any such
disclosures with
respect
to
the
ordinary
course
business
activities
of
any
depositary
or
any
broker,
dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or
other nominee who
is a Noticing
Party solely
as a
result of
being the
stockholder directed
to prepare
and submit
the notice required by
these Bylaws on
behalf of a
beneficial owner (any
such
entity, an “Exempt Party”).
(iv)
a
representation
that
such
Noticing
Party
intends
to
appear
or
cause
a
Qualified Representative (as defined below) of such
Noticing Party to appear
at
the
meeting
to
bring
such
business
before
the
meeting
or
nominate
any
Proposed
Nominees,
as
applicable,
and
an
acknowledgment
that,
if
such
Noticing
Party
(or
a
Qualified
Representative
of such
Noticing
Party)
does
not appear to
present such business
or Proposed Nominees,
as applicable, at
such
meeting,
the
Corporation
need
not
present
such
business
or
Proposed
Nominees for a vote at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies
in respect
of such vote may have been received by the Corporation;
(v)
a description of any pending
or, to the knowledge of
such Noticing Party (or
the beneficial owner(s)
on whose behalf
such Noticing Party
is submitting a
notice
to
the
Corporation),
threatened
legal
proceeding
or
investigation
in
which such Noticing Party
or any Stockholder
Associated Person is a
party or
participant directly involving or directly relating to the Corporation or, to the
knowledge of
such Noticing
Party (or
the beneficial
owner(s) on
whose behalf
such Noticing Party is submitting a notice to the Corporation), any current or
former officer, director or Affiliate of the Corporation;
(vi)
identification
of
the
names
and
addresses
of
other
stockholders
(including
beneficial owners) known by such Noticing Party (or the beneficial owner(s)
on whose
behalf such
Noticing Party
is submitting
a notice
to the
Corporation)
to provide
financial support
of the
nomination(s) or
other business
proposal(s)
submitted
by
such
Noticing
Party
and,
to
the
extent
known,
the
class
and
number of shares of
the Corporation’s capital stock owned
beneficially or of
record by such other stockholder(s) or other beneficial owner(s); and
(vii)
a representation from such Noticing
Party as to whether such
Noticing Party
or any
Stockholder Associated Person
intends or
is part
of a
group (as
such
term is used in Rule 13d-5
under the Exchange
Act) that intends to (A) solicit
proxies
in
support
of
the
election
of
any
Proposed
Nominee
in
accordance
with
Rule 14a-19
under
the
Exchange
Act
or
(B) engage
in
a
solicitation
(within
the
meaning
of
Exchange
Act
Rule 14a-1(l))
with
respect
to
the
nomination of any Proposed Nominee or proposed business to
be considered
at
the
meeting,
as
applicable,
and,
if
so,
the
name
of
each
participant
(as
defined in
Instruction 3 to
Item 4 of
Schedule 14A under the
Exchange Act)
in such solicitation.
(d)
Additional
Information.
In
addition
to
the
information
required
pursuant
to
the
foregoing provisions of this Section 1.16, the Corporation
may require any Noticing
Party
to
furnish
such
other
information
that
would
reasonably
be
expected
to
be
material
to
a
reasonable
stockholder’s
understanding
of
(i) any
item
of
business
proposed
by
such
Noticing
Party
under
this
Section 1.16,
(ii) the
solicitation
of
proxies
from
the
Corporation’s
stockholders
by
the
Noticing
Party
(or
any
Stockholder Associated Person) or (iii) the
eligibility, suitability or
qualifications of
a Proposed Nominee to
serve as a director
of the Corporation
or the independence, or
lack thereof,
of such
Proposed Nominee, under
the listing
standards of
each securities
exchange upon which
the Corporation’s securities
are listed, any
applicable rules of
the Securities and
Exchange Commission, any
publicly disclosed standards
used by
the Board
in selecting
nominees for
election
as a
director
and for
determining
and
disclosing
the
independence
of
the
Corporation’s
directors,
including
those
applicable
to
a
director’s
service
on
any
of
the
committees
of
the
Board,
or
the
requirements
of
any
other
laws
or
regulations
applicable
to
the
Corporation.
If
requested
by
the
Corporation,
any
supplemental
information
required
under
this
paragraph
shall
be
provided
by
a
Noticing
Party
within
ten
days
after
it
has
been
requested by the Corporation.
(e)
Special Meetings
of Stockholders.
Only such
business shall
be conducted
at a
special
meeting of
stockholders as
shall have
been brought
before the
meeting pursuant
to
the
Corporation’s
notice
of
meeting
(or
any
supplement
thereto).
Nominations
of
persons for election
to the Board
may be made
at a special
meeting of stockholders
at which
directors are
to be
elected pursuant
to the
Corporation’s notice
of meeting
(or
any
supplement
thereto)
(i) by
or
at
the
direction
of
the
Board
(or
any
duly
authorized
committee
thereof)
or
(ii) provided
that
one
or more
directors are
to
be
elected
at
such
meeting
pursuant
to
the
Corporation’s
notice
of
meeting,
by
any
stockholder of the Corporation who (A)
is a stockholder of record on
the date of the
giving
of
the
notice
provided
for
in
this
Section 1.16(e)
through
the
date
of
such
special meeting, (B) is
entitled to vote
at such special
meeting and upon
such election
and
(C) complies
with
the
notice
procedures
set
forth
in
this
Section 1.16(e).
In
addition to any
other applicable
requirements, for
director nominations
to be properly
brought
before
a
special
meeting
by
a
stockholder
pursuant
to
the
foregoing
clause (ii), such stockholder must have given
timely notice thereof in proper written
form to the Secretary.
To be timely, such notice must be received by the Secretary
at
the
principal
executive
offices
of
the
Corporation
not
earlier
than
the
Close
of
Business on the 120th day prior
to such special meeting and not
later than the Close
of Business on the
later of (x) the 90th day prior
to such special meeting and
(y) the
tenth day following the day on which Public Disclosure of the date of the meeting is
first
made
by
the
Corporation.
In
no
event
shall
an
adjournment,
recess,
postponement,
judicial
stay
or
rescheduling
of
a
special
meeting
(or
the
Public
Disclosure thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the
giving of
a stockholder’s
notice as
described above.
To be
in proper
written form,
such notice shall include all information required pursuant
to Section 1.16(c) above,
and such stockholder and any
Proposed Nominee shall comply
with Section 1.16(d)
above, as if such notice
were being submitted in connection
with an annual meeting
of stockholders.
(f)
General.
(i)
No person shall be
eligible for election as
a director of the
Corporation unless
the person
is nominated by
a stockholder
in accordance with
the procedures
set forth in this Section 1.16 or the person is nominated by the Board, and no
business shall
be conducted
at a
meeting of
stockholders of
the Corporation
except pursuant to Rule 14a-8
under the Exchange Act and business brought
by
a
stockholder
in
accordance
with
the
procedures
set
forth
in
this
Section 1.16
or
by
the
Board.
The
number
of
Proposed
Nominees
a
stockholder may
include in
a notice
under this
Section 1.16 may
not exceed
the
number
of
directors
to
be
elected
at
such
meeting
(based
on
public
disclosure
by
the
Corporation
prior
to
the
date
of
such
notice),
and
for
the
avoidance of doubt, no
stockholder shall be entitled
to identify any additional
or substitute
persons as
Proposed Nominees
following the
expiration of
the
time
periods
set
forth
in
Section 1.16(b)
or
Section 1.16(e),
as
applicable.
Except
as
otherwise
provided
by
law,
the
Board
or
the
chairperson
of
a
meeting shall have
the power and
the duty to
determine whether a
nomination
or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting
has been made or
proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws, and, if
the
Board
or
the
chairperson
of
the
meeting
determines
that
any
proposed
nomination
or
business
was
not
properly
brought
before
the
meeting,
the
chairperson (or the Board)
shall declare to the
meeting that such nomination
shall be disregarded
or such
business shall not
be transacted, and
no vote shall
be taken with respect to such nomination
or proposed business, in each case,
notwithstanding
that
proxies
with
respect
to
such
vote
may
have
been
received
by
the
Corporation.
Notwithstanding
the
foregoing
provisions
of
this Section 1.16, unless
otherwise required by
law, if the
Noticing Party (or
a
Qualified
Representative
of
the
Noticing
Party)
proposing
a
nominee
for
director
or
business
to
be
conducted
at
a
meeting
does
not
appear
at
the
meeting
of
stockholders
of
the
Corporation
to
present
such
nomination
or
propose such
business, such
proposed nomination
shall be
disregarded or
such
proposed business shall not be transacted, as applicable, and no vote
shall be
taken with respect to such nomination or proposed business, notwithstanding
that
proxies
with
respect
to
such
vote
may
have
been
received
by
the
Corporation.
(ii)
A
Noticing Party shall
update such
Noticing Party’s notice
provided under the
foregoing
provisions
of
this
Section 1.16,
if
necessary,
such
that
the
information provided
or required
to be
provided in
such notice
shall be
true
and correct
in all
material respects
as of (A) the
record date
for determining
the stockholders entitled to
receive notice of the
meeting and (B) the date
that
is ten business days prior to the
meeting (or any postponement, rescheduling
or
adjournment
thereof),
and
such
update
shall
(I) be
received
by
the
Secretary
at
the
principal
executive
offices
of
the
Corporation
(x) not
later
than
the
Close
of
Business
five
business
days
after
the
record
date
for
determining the stockholders
entitled to receive
notice of such
meeting (in the
case of an update required
to be made under clause (A))
and (y) not later than
the Close of Business seven business days prior to the date of the meeting or,
if practicable,
any postponement,
rescheduling or
adjournment thereof
(and,
if not
practicable, on
the first
practicable date
prior to
the date
to which
the
meeting
has
been
postponed,
rescheduled
or
adjourned)
(in
the
case
of
an
update required
to be
made pursuant
to clause (B)),
(II) be made
only to
the
extent
that
information
has
changed
since
such
Noticing
Party’s
prior
submission and (III) clearly identify
the information that has
changed in any
material
respect
since
such
Noticing
Party’s
prior
submission.
For
the
avoidance
of
doubt,
any
information
provided
pursuant
to
this
Section 1.16(f)(ii)
shall
not
be
deemed
to
cure
any
deficiencies
or
inaccuracies in a
notice previously
delivered pursuant to
this Section 1.16 and
shall
not
extend
the
time
period
for
the
delivery
of
notice
pursuant
to
this
Section 1.16.
If a
Noticing Party
fails to
provide any
update in
accordance
with the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.16(f)(ii), the information
as to
which such written update relates
may be deemed not to have
been provided
in accordance with this Section 1.16.
(iii)
If
any
information
submitted
pursuant
to
this
Section 1.16
by
any
Noticing
Party
nominating
individuals
for
election
or
reelection
as
a
director
or
proposing
business
for
consideration
at
a
stockholder
meeting
shall
be
inaccurate in
any material
respect (as
determined by
the Board
or a
committee
thereof),
such
information
may
be
deemed
not
to
have
been
provided
in
accordance with this
Section 1.16.
Any such Noticing
Party shall notify
the
Secretary in
writing at
the principal
executive offices
of the
Corporation of
any material
inaccuracy or
change in
any information
submitted pursuant
to
this
Section 1.16
(including
if
any
Noticing
Party
or
any
Stockholder
Associated Person no longer intends to solicit proxies in accordance with the
representation made pursuant to Section 1.16(c)(vii)(A)) within two business
days
after
becoming aware
of such
material
inaccuracy
or change,
and any
such
notification
shall
clearly
identify
the
inaccuracy
or
change,
it
being
understood that
no such
notification may
cure any
deficiencies or
inaccuracies
with respect
to any
prior submission
by such
Noticing Party.
Upon written
request
of
the
Secretary
on
behalf
of
the
Board
(or
a
duly
authorized
committee
thereof),
any
such
Noticing
Party
shall
provide,
within
seven
business
days
after
delivery
of
such
request
(or
such
other
period
as
may
reasonably be specified in such request),
(A) written verification, reasonably
satisfactory to the Board, any
committee thereof or any authorized
officer of
the Corporation,
to demonstrate
the accuracy
of any
information submitted
by
such
Noticing
Party
pursuant
to
this
Section 1.16
and
(B) a
written
affirmation of any information submitted
by such Noticing Party pursuant to
this Section 1.16
as of an
earlier date.
If a Noticing
Party fails
to provide such
written verification
or affirmation
within such
period, the
information as
to
which written
verification or
affirmation was
requested may
be deemed
not
to have been provided in accordance with this Section 1.16.
(iv)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if (A) any Noticing Party or
any
Stockholder
Associated
Person
provides
notice
pursuant
to
Rule 14a-
19(b)
under
the
Exchange Act
with
respect
to
any
Proposed
Nominee
and
(B) (1) such
Noticing
Party
or
Stockholder Associated
Person
subsequently
either
(x) notifies
the
Corporation
that
such
Noticing
Party
or
Stockholder
Associated
Person
no
longer
intends
to
solicit
proxies
in
support
of
the
election
or
reelection
of
such
Proposed
Nominee
in
accordance
with
Rule 14a-19(b)
under
the
Exchange
Act
or
(y) fails
to
comply
with
the
requirements of Rule 14a-19(a)(2)
or Rule 14a-19(a)(3) under
the Exchange
Act
(or
fails
to
timely
provide
reasonable
evidence
sufficient
to
satisfy
the
Corporation that
such Noticing
Party or
Stockholder Associated
Person has
met
the
requirements
of
Rule 14a-19(a)(3)
under
the
Exchange
Act
in
accordance with
the following
sentence) and
(2) no other
Noticing Party
or
Stockholder
Associated Person that
has provided notice
pursuant to Rule 14a-
19(b) under the Exchange Act with respect to
such Proposed Nominee (x) to
the
Corporation’s
knowledge
based
on
information
provided
pursuant
to
Rule 14a-19 under
the Exchange Act or
these Bylaws,
still intends
to solicit
proxies in support of the
election or reelection of such
Proposed Nominee in
accordance
with
Rule 14a-19(b)
under
the
Exchange
Act
and
(y) has
complied with
the requirements
of Rule 14a-19(a)(2)
and Rule 14a-19(a)(3)
under
the
Exchange
Act
and
the
requirements
set
forth
in
the
following
sentence, then
the nomination
of such
Proposed Nominee
shall be
disregarded
and
no
vote
on
the
election
of
such
Proposed
Nominee
shall
occur
(notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have
been received
by the Corporation).
Upon request by the Corporation, if any Noticing Party
or any Stockholder Associated Person
provides notice pursuant
to Rule 14a-
19(b)
under
the
Exchange
Act,
such
Noticing
Party
shall
deliver
to
the
Secretary, no
later than
five business
days prior
to the
applicable meeting
date,
reasonable
evidence
that
the
requirements
of
Rule 14a-19(a)(3)
under
the
Exchange Act have been satisfied.
(v)
In addition to complying with
the foregoing provisions of this
Section 1.16, a
stockholder
shall
also
comply
with
all
applicable requirements
of
state
law
and the
Exchange
Act with
respect to
the matters
set forth
in this
Section 1.16.
Nothing
in
this
Section 1.16
shall
be
deemed
to
affect
any
rights
of
(A) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy
statement pursuant
to Rule 14a-8
under the
Exchange Act, (B) stockholders
to
request
inclusion
of
nominees
in
the
Corporation’s
proxy
statement
pursuant to the Proxy
Rules or (C) the
holders of any series
of preferred stock
to elect
directors pursuant
to any
applicable provisions
of the
Certificate of
Incorporation.
(vi)
Any written
notice,
supplement, update
or other
information required
to be
delivered
by
a
stockholder
to
the
Corporation
pursuant
to
this
Section 1.16
must be
given by
personal delivery, by
overnight courier
or by
registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, to
the Secretary at the Corporation’s
principal
executive offices
and shall
be deemed
not to
have been
delivered unless
so
given.
(vii)
For purposes of these Bylaws:
(A)
“Affiliate” and
“Associate” each
shall have
the respective
meanings
set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act;
(B)
“beneficial owner”
or “beneficially
owned” shall
have the
meaning set
forth for such terms in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act;
(C)
“Close
of
Business”
shall
mean
5:00 p.m. Eastern
Time
on
any
calendar day, whether or not the day is a business day;
(D)
“Proxy
Rules”
shall
mean
Section 14
of
the
Exchange Act
and
the
rules promulgated thereunder;
(E)
“Public Disclosure” shall
mean disclosure in
a press release
reported
by
a
national
news
service
or
in
a
document
publicly
filed
by
the
Corporation with
the Securities
and Exchange
Commission pursuant
to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
(F)
a
“Qualified
Representative”
of
a
Noticing
Party
means
(I) a
duly
authorized officer, manager or partner of such Noticing Party or (II) a
person authorized by a writing
executed by such Noticing Party (or
a
reliable
reproduction
or
electronic
transmission
of
the
writing)
delivered
by
such
Noticing
Party
to
the
Corporation
prior
to
the
making of
any nomination
or proposal
at a
stockholder meeting
stating
that such person is authorized to act for
such Noticing Party as proxy
at
the
meeting
of
stockholders,
which
writing
or
electronic
transmission,
or
a
reliable
reproduction
of
the
writing
or
electronic
transmission, must be produced at the meeting of stockholders; and
(G)
“Stockholder
Associated
Person”
shall
mean,
with
respect
to
a
Noticing
Party
and
if
different
from
such
Noticing
Party,
any
beneficial owner
of shares
of stock
of the
Corporation on
whose behalf
such
Noticing
Party
is
providing
notice
of
any
nomination
or
other
business
proposed:
(I) any
person
or
entity
who
is
a
member
of
a
group
(as
such term
is
used in
Rule 13d-5 under
the
Exchange Act)
with such
Noticing Party
or such
beneficial owner(s)
with respect
to
acquiring,
holding,
voting
or
disposing
of
any
securities
of
the
Corporation,
(II) any
Affiliate
or
Associate
of
such
Noticing
Party
(other
than
any
Noticing
Party
that
is
an
Exempt
Party)
or
such
beneficial owner(s),
(III) any
participant (as
defined in
Instruction 3
to
Item 4
of
Schedule 14A)
with
such
Noticing
Party
or
such
beneficial
owner(s)
with
respect
to
any
proposed
business
or
nomination,
as
applicable,
under
these
Bylaws,
(IV) any
beneficial
owner of shares of stock of
the Corporation owned of record
by such
Noticing Party
(other than
a Noticing
Party that
is an
Exempt Party)
and (V) any Proposed Nominee.
ARTICLE II
DIRECTORS
Section 2.1.
Number; Eligibility.
Within the limit set forth in the Certificate
of Incorporation, the
number of
directors that shall
constitute the entire
Board shall be
fixed, from time
to time, exclusively
by
the Board, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock with respect to the election of
directors, if
any.
No person
shall be
eligible for
election or
appointment as
a director
unless such
person
has, within
ten days
following any
reasonable request
therefor from
the Board
or any
committee thereof,
made himself or herself available
to be interviewed by the
Board (or any committee or
other subset thereof)
with respect to
such person’s qualifications
to serve as
a director or
any other matter
reasonably related to
such person’s candidacy or service as a director of the Corporation.
Section 2.2.
Duties and Powers.
The business and affairs of
the Corporation shall be managed by
or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such
lawful
acts
and
things
as
are
not
by
law,
the
Certificate
of
Incorporation
or
these
Bylaws
required
to
be
exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 2.3.
Meetings.
The Board may
hold meetings, both
regular and special,
either within or
without the State of
Delaware.
Regular meetings of the
Board may be held
at such time and
at such place
as may from time to time be determined by the Board.
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the
Board Chair (if there
be one), the Chief
Executive Officer or the
Board and shall be
held at such place,
on
such date and at such time as he, she or it shall specify.
Section 2.4.
Notice.
Notice of
any meeting
of the
Board stating
the place,
date and
time of
the
meeting shall be given
to each director by
mail posted not less
than five days before
the date of the
meeting,
by nationally recognized overnight courier
deposited not less than two
days before the date of
the meeting
or
by
email,
facsimile
or other
means
of
electronic
transmission
delivered
or
sent
not less
than
24 hours
before
the
date
and
time
of
the
meeting,
or
on
such
shorter
notice
as
the
person
or
persons
calling
such
meeting may
deem necessary
or appropriate
under the
circumstances.
If mailed
or sent
by overnight
courier,
such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when it is
deposited in the United States mail with first
class
postage
prepaid
or
deposited
with
the
overnight
courier.
Notice
by
facsimile
or
other
electronic
transmission shall be deemed
given when the notice
is transmitted.
Any director may waive
notice of any
meeting before or
after the meeting.
The attendance of
a director at
any meeting shall
constitute a waiver
of notice
of such
meeting, except
where the
director attends
the meeting
for the
express purpose
of objecting,
and does so
object, at the
beginning of the
meeting to the
transaction of any
business because the
meeting
is not lawfully called or convened.
Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular
or special meeting of the Board
need be specified in any
notice of such meeting unless
so required by law.
A meeting may be
held at any
time without notice
if all of
the directors are
present or if
those not present
waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 5.6 of these Bylaws.
Section 2.5.
Board Chair;
Board Vice
Chair.
The Board
Chair shall
be chosen
from among
the
directors and may be
the Chief Executive Officer.
Except as otherwise provided
by law, the Certificate
of
Incorporation or Section 2.6 or Section
2.7 of these Bylaws, the
Board Chair shall preside at
all meetings of
stockholders and of the Board.
The Board Chair shall have such other powers and duties as may from time
to time be
assigned by the
Board.
The Board may
also choose a
Board Vice
Chair from among
the directors,
and such Board Vice Chair shall have such powers
and duties as may from time to time
be assigned by the
Board.
Section 2.6.
Lead Independent
Director.
If the
Board Chair
does not
qualify as
independent in
accordance with
the applicable
rules of
any securities
exchanges upon
which the
Corporation’s securities
are
listed, the
Independent Directors
(as
defined below)
shall appoint
a Lead
Independent Director.
The
Lead Independent
Director shall
be one
of the
directors who
has been
determined by
the Board
to be
an
“independent director” (any
such director, an
“Independent Director”).
The Lead Independent
Director, if
any, shall preside
at all executive
sessions of the
Board, serve as
a liaison to
the Chief Executive Officer
and
other directors not
present at executive
sessions of the
Board regarding topics
discussed in executive
session
or other matters
as may be
raised from time
to time by
one or more
Independent Directors, work
with the
Board
Chair
and
other
directors
to
determine
agenda
items
for
Board
meetings,
have
the
power
to
call
meetings
of the
Independent Directors,
and
have such
other responsibilities,
and
perform
such duties,
as
may from time to time be assigned
to him or her by the Board.
The Independent Directors may remove or
replace the Lead Independent
Director from the position
of Lead Independent Director at
any time with or
without
cause
by
the
vote
of
a
majority
of
the
Independent
Directors
present
at
a
duly
convened
Board
meeting.
The
Independent
Directors
shall
periodically
consider
whether
and,
if
so,
when
to
rotate
the
position of Lead Independent
Director, and may appoint a
Lead Independent Director for a
specified term,
which may be renewed.
Section 2.7.
Organization.
At each
meeting of
the Board,
the Board
Chair, or,
in the
Board Chair’s
absence, the Lead Independent Director (if any), or, in the Lead Independent Director’s absence, the Board
Vice Chair (if
any), or, in
the Board Vice Chair’s
absence, a director
chosen by a
majority of the
directors
present, shall act as chairperson.
The Secretary shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board.
In case
the Secretary shall be absent from any meeting of the Board, an assistant secretary
shall perform the duties
of secretary
at such
meeting, and
in the
absence from
any such
meeting of
the Secretary
and all
assistant
secretaries, the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.8.
Director Resignation
and Removal.
Any director
of the
Corporation may
resign at
any time, by giving notice in writing
or by electronic transmission to the Board
Chair, the Chief Executive
Officer or the
Secretary.
Such resignation shall
be effective upon
receipt unless it
is specified to
be effective
at
some
other
time
or
upon
the
occurrence
of
some
other
event,
and,
unless
otherwise
specified
in
such
notice, the acceptance of such
resignation shall not be necessary
to make it effective.
Subject to the rights
of holders
of any
series of
preferred stock
with respect
to the
election of
directors, a
director may
be removed
from office
by the
stockholders of
the Corporation
only for
cause and
only by
the affirmative
vote of
the
holders
of
at
least
a
majority
of
the
voting
power
of
all
then
outstanding
shares
of
capital
stock
of
the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Section 2.9.
Quorum.
At all meetings of the Board,
a majority of directors constituting the Board
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and the act of a majority of
the directors present at
any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of
the Board.
If a quorum shall not be present at
any meeting of the Board, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
notice
other
than
announcement
at
the
meeting
of
the
time
and
place
of
the
adjourned
meeting,
until
a
quorum shall be present.
Section 2.10.
Actions
of
the
Board
by
Unanimous
Written
Consent.
Any
action
required
or
permitted
to
be
taken
at
any
meeting
of
the
Board
or
of
any
committee
thereof
may
be
taken
without
a
meeting, if all the members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by
electronic transmission, and the
writing or electronic transmission is
filed with the minutes of
proceedings
of the Board or committee.
Section 2.11.
Telephonic
Meetings.
Members
of
the
Board,
or
any
committee
thereof,
may
participate
in
a
meeting
of
the
Board
or
such
committee
by
means
of
a
conference
telephone
or
other
communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear and
speak
with
each
other,
and
participation
in
a
meeting
pursuant
to
this
Section 2.11
shall
constitute
presence
in
person at such meeting.
Section 2.12.
Committees.
The Board may designate one or
more committees, each committee to
consist of one
or more of
the directors of
the Corporation and,
to the extent
permitted by law,
to have and
exercise
such
authority
as
may
be
provided
for
in
the
resolutions
creating
such
committee,
as
such
resolutions may be
amended from time
to time.
The Board may
designate one or
more directors as
alternate
members of any
committee, who may
replace any absent
or disqualified member
at any meeting
of any such
committee.
In
the
absence
or
disqualification
of
a
member
of
a
committee,
and
in
the
absence
of
a
designation by the Board of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member
or members thereof
present at any
meeting and not
disqualified from voting,
whether or not
such member
or
members
constitute
a
quorum,
may
unanimously
appoint
another
member
of
the
Board
to
act
at
the
meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member.
Each committee shall keep regular minutes and
report to the Board when required.
A majority of the members of any committee present at any committee
meeting at
which there
is a
quorum present
may determine
such committee’s
action and
fix the
time and
place
of
its
meetings,
unless
the
Board
shall
otherwise
provide.
Except
as
may
be
provided
in
any
resolutions establishing or
designating a committee
of the Board,
the Board shall
have the power
at any time
to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of or to dissolve any committee of the Board.
Section 2.13.
Compensation.
The
Board
shall
have
the
authority
to
fix
the
compensation
of
directors, which
may be
payable in
cash or
securities (or
a combination
of cash
and securities),
and may
delegate the authority
to recommend or
determine all or
part of such
compensation to a
Board committee.
The directors shall be paid their reasonable
expenses, if any, of attendance at each
meeting of the Board or
any committee thereof.
No such payment
shall preclude any
director from serving
the Corporation in
any
other
capacity
and
receiving
compensation
therefor.
Directors
who
are
full-time
employees
of
the
Corporation shall not receive any compensation for their service as director.
Section 2.14.
Interested Directors.
No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or
more
of
its
directors
or
officers,
or
between
the
Corporation
and
any
other
corporation,
partnership,
association or
other organization
in which
one or
more of
the Corporation’s
directors or
officers are
directors
or officers or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the
director
or
officer
is
present
at
or
participates
in
the
meeting
of
the
Board
or
committee
thereof
that
authorizes the contract or
transaction, or solely because
any such director’s or
officer’s vote is counted
for
such purpose if:
(a) the material facts
as to
the director’s or
officer’s relationship or
interest and as
to the
contract or transaction
are disclosed
or are
known to
the Board
or the
committee and
the Board
or committee
in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested
directors,
even
though
the
disinterested
directors
be
less
than
a
quorum;
(b) the
material
facts
as
to
the
director’s or officer’s relationship
or interest and as
to the contract or
transaction are disclosed or
are known
to the stockholders entitled to
vote thereon and the contract
or transaction is specifically
approved in good
faith by vote of the
stockholders; or (c) the contract
or transaction is fair
as to the Corporation
as of the time
it
is
authorized,
approved
or
ratified
by
the
Board,
a
committee
thereof
or
the
stockholders.
Interested
directors
may
be
counted
in
determining
the
presence
of
a
quorum
at
a
meeting
of
the
Board
or
of
a
committee that authorizes the contract or transaction.
ARTICLE III
OFFICERS
Section 3.1.
General.
The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board and
shall be a
Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer,
a Chief Operating Officer, a Vice President,
a Secretary
and a
Treasurer.
The Board,
in its
discretion, may
also choose,
or may
delegate to
the Chief
Executive Officer the authority to appoint, additional
Vice Presidents and one or more
Assistant Secretaries
and Assistant Treasurers.
Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, but
no officer may act
in more than one capacity
where action of two or
more officers is required and
no Vice President may
at the
same
time
hold
the
office
of
President.
The
officers
of
the
Corporation
need
not
be
stockholders
of
the
Corporation.
Section 3.2.
Election; Term.
The Board shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold
their offices for such
terms and shall exercise such
powers and perform such
duties as shall be
determined
from time
to time
by the
Board, and
each officer
of the
Corporation shall
hold office
until such
officer’s
successor is elected and qualified, or
until such officer’s earlier death, resignation
or removal.
Any officer
may be
removed at any
time by the
Board, and any
officer appointed
by the Chief
Executive Officer may
be removed at
any time by
the Chief Executive
Officer.
Any officer may
resign upon notice
given in writing
or electronic
transmission to
the Chief
Executive Officer
or the
Secretary.
Such resignation
shall be
effective
upon receipt unless
it is specified
to be effective
at some other
time or upon
the occurrence of
some other
event.
Any vacancy occurring
in any office
of the Corporation
shall be
filled in
the manner
prescribed in
this Article III for the regular election to such office.
Section 3.3.
Voting
Securities Owned
by the
Corporation.
Powers of attorney,
proxies, waivers
of notice
of meeting,
consents and
other instruments
relating to
securities owned
by the
Corporation may
be executed in the
name of and on behalf
of the Corporation by the
Chief Executive Officer,
the Secretary
or any other
officer authorized to
do so
by the Board,
and any such
officer may, in the name
of and on
behalf
of the
Corporation, take
all such
action as
any such
officer may deem
advisable to
vote in
person or
by proxy
at any meeting
of security holders
of any corporation
in which the
Corporation may own
securities and at
any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to
the ownership of
such securities
and that,
as the
owner thereof,
the Corporation
might have
exercised and
possessed if
present.
The Board may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 3.4.
Chief Executive Officer.
The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the control of
the Board,
have general
supervision over
the business
of the
Corporation and
shall
direct
the affairs
and
policies of the Corporation.
The Chief Executive Officer
may also serve as
the Board Chair or
as President,
if
so
elected
by
the
Board.
The
Chief
Executive
Officer
shall
also
perform
such
other
duties
and
may
exercise such other powers as may from time to time be assigned to such officer
by these Bylaws or by the
Board.
Section 3.5.
President.
The President shall act in a general executive capacity and shall assist the
Chief
Executive
Officer
in
the
administration
and
operation
of
the
Corporation’s
business
and
general
supervision of its
policies and affairs.
The President shall,
in the absence
of or because
of the inability
to
act of
the Chief
Executive Officer,
perform all
duties of
the Chief
Executive Officer.
The President
shall
also perform such other duties and
may exercise such other powers as
may from time to time be
assigned to
such officer by these Bylaws, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.6.
Chief Financial Officer.
The Chief Financial Officer
shall be the principal
financial
officer
of
the
Corporation.
The
Chief
Financial
Officer
shall
also
perform
such
other
duties
and
may
exercise such other powers
as may from time
to time be assigned
to such officer by
these Bylaws, the Board
or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.7.
Chief
Operating
Officer.
The
Chief
Operating
Officer
shall
have
general
responsibility for the
day-to-day operational activities
of the Corporation.
The Chief Operating
Officer may
also
serve
as
the
President,
if
so
elected
by
the
Board,
if
the
Board
has
not
elected
the
Chief
Executive
Officer or another person to serve as
President.
The Chief Operating Officer shall also perform
such other
duties and
may exercise
such other
powers as
may from
time to
time be
assigned to
such officer
by these
Bylaws or by these Bylaws, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.8.
Vice Presidents.
The Vice Presidents shall have such powers and shall perform such
duties as shall be assigned to them by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.9.
Secretary.
The Secretary shall
give the requisite
notice of meetings
of stockholders
and
directors
and
shall
record
the
proceedings
of
such
meetings,
shall
have
custody
of
the
seal
of
the
Corporation and
shall affix
it or
cause it
to be
affixed to
such instruments
as require
the seal
and attest
it
and, besides the Secretary’s powers
and duties prescribed by law,
shall have such other powers and
perform
such other duties as shall be
provided in these Bylaws or
shall at any time be
assigned to such officer by the
Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.10.
Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over
the receipt, custody
and disbursement of
corporate funds.
The Treasurer
shall cause the
funds of the
Corporation to be
deposited
in such banks as
may be authorized by
the Board or in
such banks as may
be designated as depositaries
in
the manner provided
by resolution of the
Board.
The Treasurer shall have
such other powers and
perform
such other duties as shall be
provided in these Bylaws or
shall at any time be
assigned to such officer by
the
Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.11.
Assistant Secretaries.
Assistant Secretaries, if there be any, shall assist the Secretary
in the discharge of
the Secretary’s duties, shall
have such powers and
perform such other duties as
shall at
any time be assigned
to them by the
Board and, in the
absence or disability of the
Secretary, shall perform
the duties of the Secretary’s office, subject to the control of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.12.
Assistant Treasurers.
Assistant Treasurers, if there
be any, shall
assist the Treasurer
in the discharge of
the Treasurer’s duties, shall have
such powers and perform
such other duties as shall
at
any time be assigned to
them by the Board and,
in the absence or disability
of the Treasurer, shall perform
the duties of the Treasurer’s office, subject to the control of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3.13.
Other
Officers.
Such
other
officers
as
the
Board
may
appoint
shall
perform
such
duties and have such
powers as from time
to time may be assigned
to them by the Board.
The Board may
delegate to
any other
officer of
the Corporation
the power
to choose
such other
officers and
to prescribe
their respective duties and powers.
ARTICLE IV
STOCK
Section 4.1.
Evidence of Stock Ownership.
The shares of the
Corporation shall be represented
by
certificates unless the Board shall by resolution provide that some or all of any class or series of
stock shall
be uncertificated shares.
Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until the
certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.
Notwithstanding the adoption of any resolution providing for
uncertificated
shares,
every
holder
of
stock
represented
by
certificates
and
upon
request
every
holder
of
uncertificated shares shall
be entitled to
have a certificate
signed by, or
in the name
of the corporation
by,
the Board Chair or the
Chief Executive Officer, or the
President or a Vice
President, and by the
Treasurer or
an
Assistant
Treasurer,
or
the
Secretary
or
an
Assistant
Secretary,
representing
the
number
of
shares
registered in certificate form.
Section 4.2.
Record Date.
In order that the Corporation
may determine the stockholders entitled
to
receive
payment
of
any
dividend
or
other
distribution
or
allotment
of
any
rights
or
the
stockholders
entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose
of any
other lawful
action, the
Board may
fix a
record date,
which record
date shall
not precede
the date
upon which
the resolution
fixing the
record date
is adopted
and which
record date
shall be
not more
than
60 days prior to such action.
If no record date is fixed,
the record date for determining stockholders
for any
such purpose
shall be
the Close
of Business
on the
day on
which the
Board adopts
the resolution
relating
thereto.
Section 4.3.
Record Owners.
The Corporation shall be
entitled to recognize the
exclusive right of
a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such
owner, and
to hold liable for calls
and assessments a person
registered on its books
as the owner of
shares, and shall not
be bound to recognize
any equitable or other
claim to or interest
in such share or
shares on the part
of any
other person,
whether or
not it
shall have
express or
other notice
thereof, except
as otherwise
required by
law.
Section 4.4.
Transfer and Registry Agents.
The Corporation may from time to time maintain one
or
more
transfer
offices
or
agencies
and
registry
offices
or
agencies
at
such
place
or
places
as
may
be
determined from time to time by the Board.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 5.1.
Contracts.
The Board may authorize any officer or officers or any agent or agents to
enter into
any contract
or execute
and deliver
any instrument
or other document
in the
name of
and on
behalf
of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 5.2.
Disbursements.
All checks or demands for
money and notes of the
Corporation shall
be signed
by such
officer or
officers or
such other
person or
persons as
the Board
may from
time to
time
designate.
Section 5.3.
Fiscal Year.
The fiscal
year of
the Corporation
shall be
fixed from
time to
time by
resolution of the Board.
Section 5.4.
Corporate
Seal.
The
corporate
seal
shall
have
inscribed
thereon
the
name
of
the
Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.”
The seal may be used
by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.
Section 5.5.
Offices.
The
Corporation
shall
maintain
a
registered
office
inside
the
State
of
Delaware and may also
have other offices outside
or inside the State
of Delaware.
The books and records
of the Corporation
may be kept
(subject to any
applicable law) outside
the State of
Delaware at the
principal
executive offices of the Corporation
or at such other place
or places as may be
designated from time to time
by the Board.
Section 5.6.
Waiver of Notice.
Whenever any notice is required
to be given to any
stockholder or
director of the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing,
signed by the person or
persons entitled to such notice,
or a waiver by electronic
transmission by the person
or persons entitled
to such notice,
whether before or
after the time
stated therein, shall
be deemed equivalent
to
the
giving
of
such
notice.
Neither
the
business
to
be
transacted
at, nor
the
purpose
of,
any
annual
or
special
meeting
of the
stockholders or
any regular
or special
meeting
of the
Board or
committee thereof
need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting unless so required by law.
Section 5.7.
Severability.
To the extent
any provision of
these Bylaws would
be, in the
absence
of
this
Section 5.7,
invalid,
illegal
or
unenforceable
for
any
reason
whatsoever,
such
provision
shall
be
severable from the other provisions of
these Bylaws, and all provisions of these
Bylaws shall be construed
so as to give
effect to the intent
manifested by these Bylaws,
including, to the maximum
extent possible, the
provision that would be otherwise invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the
Board or by the stockholders of
the
Corporation
by
the
affirmative
vote
of
the
holders
of
at
least
66
2
/
3
%
of
the
voting
power
of
all
then
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class.
exhibit994

Exhibit 99.4
-MORE-
Contacts:
Sherman Miller, President and CEO
Max P. Bowman, Vice President and CFO
(601) 948-6813
CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC. ANNOUNCES
AGREEMENT WITH COMPANY’S FOUNDER’S FAMILY
ALSO ANNOUNCES
NEW $500 MILLION SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
Announces Potential Transition to Non-Controlled Company
RIDGELAND, Miss.
(February 25, 2025) -
Cal-Maine Foods,
Inc. (NASDAQ:
CALM) (“Cal-Maine
Foods”
or the “Company”)
today announced that
it has entered
into an agreement
with members of
the family of
its
founder
Fred
R. Adams, Jr.,
relating
to
the
potential
diversification
of
their
individual
financial
portfolios.
As discussed below, the
agreement creates a process
for the potential conversion
of all of their
super
voting
Class A
Common
Stock
(“Class
A
Shares”)
to Cal-Maine
Foods’
Common Stock
(“Common
Shares”).
Should the conversion occur, all the Company’s shares would be a single class, with one vote per
share. Because
the family-owned
controlling stockholder
owns all
of the
Company’s super
voting shares,
converting those shares
into Common Shares
would cause the
controlling stockholder’s voting
power to fall
from 53.2% to
12.0%, although
its economic
interest in
the Company would
remain unchanged
at 12.0%.
The potential diversification could result
in the Company ceasing to
be a “controlled company” pursuant
to
the
rules
of
The
Nasdaq
Stock
Market.
The
timing
and
manner
of
these
potential
diversification
transactions
have
not been
decided. The
Board of
Directors
(the
“Board”) has
taken
the
steps described
below to position the Company for the potential loss of controlled company status.
The Company also announced that its Board
has approved a new share repurchase program which
authorizes repurchases of
up to $500 million
of Cal-Maine Foods’
Common Stock.
The actual timing,
value
and
manner
of
share
repurchases
will
be
determined
by
management
in
its
discretion.
The
Company
expects
to
strategically
and
opportunistically
repurchase
shares
from
time
to
time
in
the
open
market,
subject to market conditions and other factors.
As described below, the
Company has granted
registration rights to the
family members to facilitate
the sale of
Common Shares in
the open market,
should they decide
to sell their
shares.
It is also
possible
that the
Company could use
a portion of
its new
share repurchase program
to repurchase some
of the family
members’ Common
Shares as
part of
the family’s
portfolio diversification
efforts.
Any repurchases
from
the family members would require approval from the Special Committee of the Board described below.
Sherman
Miller,
President
and
Chief
Executive
Officer
of
Cal-Maine
Foods,
added,
“Our
share
repurchase program underscores our continued confidence in the strength of our business and future cash
flow generation,
as well
as our
commitment to
returning capital
to our
valued shareholders.
We enjoy
a
strong
cash
balance
and
strong
balance
sheet.
Our
management
and
Board
are
continually
evaluating
opportunities
to
deploy
our
cash
in
a
manner
to
achieve
the
best
value
for
our
stockholders.
The
share
repurchase program provides us with another tool to achieve that objective.”
Agreement with Founder’s Family
Cal-Maine
Foods
has
entered
into
an
Agreement
Regarding
Conversion
(the
“Conversion
Agreement”) with DLNL, LLC (“Daughters’ LLC”) and its members (the “Members”), who include
-MORE-
Mr. Adams’
four
daughters
and
Adolphus
B. Baker,
Board
Chair
(and
Mr. Adams’
son-in-law).
The
Conversion Agreement was unanimously approved and recommended to the
Board by a special committee
consisting solely of independent directors.
Daughters’
LLC
holds
4.8 million
shares
of
the
Class
A
Shares,
representing
100%
of
the
outstanding Class A
Shares.
The Class
A Shares
have ten
votes per
share and
are convertible
on a
share-
for-share
basis
into
Common
Shares,
which
have
one
vote
per
share.
Generally,
the
Class
A
Shares
automatically convert to Common Shares upon transfer to persons not related to the family.
The outstanding
Class A
Shares currently
represent approximately
52.0% of
the Company’s
total
voting
power.
In
addition
to
the
Class A
Shares,
Daughters’
LLC
also
holds
approximately
1.1 million
Common Shares,
bringing the
total voting
power of
the shares
held by
Daughters’ LLC
to approximately
53.2%.
The
Members
have
advised
the
Company
that
they
are
potentially
interested
in
selling
all
or
a
portion
of
the
Common
Shares
held
by
Daughters’
LLC,
including
shares
that
would
be
issued
upon
conversion of its Class A Shares.
The Members indicated that they were willing to work with the Company
towards achieving a smooth
transition.
Before giving effect to
any potential sales, if
Daughters’ LLC were
to convert all of
its Class A Shares into Common
Shares, Daughters’ LLC’s total voting
power would decline
from 53.2%
to 12.0%
of the
voting power
of the
Company’s then
-outstanding Common
Shares but
there
would be no impact on Daughters’
LLC’s economic interest in the Company,
which would remain at 12.0%.
Pursuant
to
the
Conversion
Agreement,
Daughters’
LLC
has
agreed
not
to
convert
any
Class A
Shares
into
Common
Shares
until
after
the
effectiveness
of
the
Restated
Charter
(as
defined
below).
Daughters’
LLC
has
also
agreed
that
if
it
converts
any
Class
A
Shares
into
Common
Shares,
it
will
simultaneously
convert
all
(but
not
less
than
all)
Class
A
Shares
into
Common
Shares
(the
“Class
A
Conversion”).
The Conversion Agreement does
not require Daughters’ LLC
to convert any Class A
Shares
or to sell any shares.
If
the
Class A
Conversion
does
occur,
the
Company
would
have
a
single
class
of
common
stock
outstanding with one vote per share, resulting in the following benefits to stockholders:
●
A reduction in the concentration of voting power
●
Simplification of the Company’s equity capital structure
●
Better alignment of the voting rights and economic interests of all stockholders
●
Broader
appeal
of
the
Company’s
shares
to
investors,
many
of
which
prefer
single
voting
class common stock structures
The
Conversion
Agreement
grants
registration
rights
to
the
Members,
but
those
rights
do
not
become
effective
until
after
the
Class
A
Conversion
occurs.
The
registration
rights
expire
on
(1) the
12-
month anniversary of the date of the Class A Conversion or (2) December 31, 2026, whichever
is earlier.
In connection
with the
approval of
the Conversion
Agreement,
the Board
unanimously approved
the adoption
of the
Company’s
Third Amended
and Restated
Certificate of
Incorporation (the
“Restated
Charter”),
which
was
approved
by
Daughters’
LLC
by
majority
written
consent
in
lieu
of
a
meeting
of
stockholders.
The Restated Charter
will become effective
upon filing with
the Secretary of
State of the
State
of
Delaware
(the
“Delaware
Secretary
of
State”).
The
Board
also
amended
and
restated
the
Company’s
bylaws to
align them
with the
Restated Charter.
The amended
and restated
bylaws will
become effective
when the Restated Charter becomes effective.
Because Daughters’ LLC has approved the Restated Charter
by majority written consent, no further stockholder action is required at this time.
Among other things,
the Restated Charter
divides the Board
into three classes
of directors serving
staggered three-year terms.
Cal-Maine Foods expects the term of the first
class of directors to expire at the
2025 annual meeting of stockholders.
-MORE-
The
Board
plans
to
establish
a
fully
independent
Nominating
and
Corporate
Governance
Committee, and
the independent
directors will
appoint a
lead independent
director, to
be effective
upon
the effectiveness of the Restated Charter.
Dolph Baker, Board
Chair of Cal-Maine
Foods, stated, “I
am confident in
the future of
the Company,
its
strategy
and
its
management
team.
The
decisions
to
consider
diversifying
our
family’s
individual
financial portfolios are personal decisions made
in connection with our own respective financial
and estate
planning
efforts.
The
Board
has
asked
me
to
remain
as
executive
Board
Chair
at
least
through
the
Company’s
2027
annual
meeting
of
stockholders,
and
I
look
forward
to
working
with
our
Board
and
management as we continue to successfully execute our strategy.”
Miller
stated,
“These
arrangements
will
provide
the
Company
with
stability
of
governance
and
management
during
its
transition
from
controlled
to
non-controlled
company
status
and
facilitate
the
Members’
portfolio
diversification
in
an
orderly
manner
in
compliance
with
legal
requirements.
Since
1986,
Dolph
Baker has
contributed
to
the
tremendous
growth
and success
of
Cal-Maine
Foods.
We
are
pleased that
he will
remain executive
Board Chair
at least
through our
2027 annual
meeting, and
we will
continue
to
benefit
from
his
deep
understanding
of
the
Company’s
operations,
depth
and
breadth
of
experience and continued poultry industry engagement.”
$500 Million Share Repurchase Program
The
share
repurchase
program
authorizes
Cal-Maine
Foods,
in
management’s
discretion,
to
repurchase
up
to
$500 million
of
Common
Shares
from
time
to
time,
subject
to
market
conditions
and
other
factors.
The
actual
timing,
number
and
value
of
shares
repurchased
under
the
program
will
be
determined by
management in
its discretion
and will
depend on
a number
of factors,
including, but
not
limited to, the market price of Common Shares and general market and economic conditions.
Share
repurchases
under
the
program
may
be
made
from
time
to
time
through
solicited
or
unsolicited
transactions
in
the
open
market,
in
privately
negotiated
transactions
or
by
other
means
in
accordance with securities
laws.
The Company expects
that share repurchases
under the program
will be
funded from
one or
a combination
of existing
cash balances
and future
free cash
flow.
The share
repurchase
program does not obligate Cal-Maine Foods to repurchase any specific amount of shares, does not have an
expiration date, and may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice.
Additional Information and Where To Find It
The Company intends
promptly to file
a preliminary Information
Statement with the
U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding the Restated Charter and related
matters.
The Restated
Charter will become effective upon filing with the Delaware Secretary
of State, which the Company expects
to occur on or promptly after the
20th calendar day following the distribution of the
definitive Information
Statement to stockholders.
Because the Restated Charter has
been approved by the Board
and by the stockholder vote
required
by
law,
the
Company
will
not
be
soliciting
proxies
or
holding
a
meeting
of
stockholders
to
consider
the
Restated Charter.
Additional details
regarding the
Conversion Agreement,
the Restated Charter
and related
matters
are contained
in a Form
8-K filed by
the Company
with the
SEC contemporaneously
with the
issuance of
this press release and will also be contained in the Information Statement.
Investors may obtain copies of
all documents filed by Cal-Maine with the SEC, free of charge, at the
SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or at Cal-
Maine Food’s website at www.calmainefoods.com/sec-filings.
About Cal-Maine Foods
Cal-Maine
Foods
is
primarily
engaged
in
the
production,
grading,
packaging,
marketing
and
distribution
of
fresh
shell
eggs,
including
conventional,
cage-free,
organic,
brown,
free-range,
pasture-
raised and nutritionally enhanced eggs.
The Company, which is headquartered
in Ridgeland, Mississippi,
is
the
largest
producer
and
distributor
of
fresh
shell
eggs
in
the
nation
and
sells
most
of
its
shell
eggs
throughout the majority of the United States.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements
contained
in
this
press
release
that
are
not
historical
facts
are
forward-looking
statements as that term
is defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995.
The forward-
looking
statements
are
based
on
management’s
current
intent,
belief,
expectations,
estimates
and
projections
regarding our
Company
and
our
industry.
These statements
are not
guarantees
of future
performance and involve risks,
uncertainties, assumptions and
other factors that are
difficult to predict
and may be
beyond our control.
The factors that
could cause actual
results to differ
materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements
include, among others, (i) the risk factors
set forth in Part I
Item 1A Risk Factors
of our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for
the year ended June 1, 2024,
as well as those
included in other
reports we
file from
time to
time with
the SEC (including
our Quarterly Reports
on Form
10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K), (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances
that could give
rise to the
Board’s decision to
abandon the Restated
Charter or to
the termination of
the
Conversion Agreement, (iii) the effect of the announcement of
the Conversion Agreement on the Common
Shares’
trading
price,
the
ability
of
the
Company
to
retain
and
hire
key
personnel
and
maintain
relationships
with
its
customers
and
suppliers,
and
on
the
Company’s
operating
results
and
business
generally, (iv) the impact on the
Common Shares’ trading price of
the sale or marketing, or
potential sale
or marketing, of a significant number of Common Shares as part of the family’s portfolio diversification,
(v) the risks and hazards inherent in the shell egg business (including
disease, pests, weather conditions,
and
potential
for
product
recall),
including
but
not
limited
to
the
current
outbreak
of
HPAI
affecting
poultry in the U.S., Canada and other countries that was first detected
in commercial flocks in the U.S. in
February 2022 and that first impacted our flocks in December 2023,
(vi) changes in the demand for and
market prices of shell eggs and feed costs, (vii) our ability
to predict and meet demand for cage-free and
other
specialty
eggs,
(viii) risks,
changes,
or
obligations
that
could
result
from
our
recent
or
future
acquisition of
new flocks
or businesses
and risks
or changes
that may
cause conditions
to completing
a
pending
acquisition
not
to
be
met,
(ix) risks
relating
to
changes
in
inflation
and
interest
rates,
(x) our
ability
to
retain
existing
customers,
acquire
new
customers
and
grow
our
product
mix,
(xi) adverse
results
in
pending
litigation
matters,
and
(xii) global
instability,
including
as
a
result
of
the
war
in
Ukraine, the conflicts
in Israel and
surrounding areas and
attacks on shipping
in the Red Sea.
Readers
are cautioned
not to
place undue
reliance on
forward-looking statements
because, while
we believe
the
assumptions
on
which
the
forward-looking
statements
are
based
are
reasonable,
there
can
be
no
assurance
that
these
forward-looking
statements
will
prove
to
be
accurate.
Further,
forward-looking
statements included herein
are only made
as of the
respective dates thereof,
or if no
date is stated,
as of
the
date
hereof.
Except
as
otherwise
required
by
law,
we
disclaim
any
intent
or
obligation
to
update
publicly
these
forward-looking
statements,
whether
because
of
new
information,
future
events,
or
otherwise.
-END-