UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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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:
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| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
In connection with Hugues Meyrath’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Corporation (the “Company”), on June 12, 2025, Mr. Meyrath entered into an offer letter (the “Offer Letter”) with the Company providing for the following terms: (a) annual base salary of $550,000; (b) participation in the Company’s bonus program with a target bonus equal to 100% of his base salary, with the actual payout to be based on company and individual performance; and (c)(i) 100,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and (ii) an option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock (collectively, the “New Hire Awards”), each of which will vest annually in four equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment. Subject to approval by the Leadership and Compensation Committee (the “LCC”) of the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and the availability of shares under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, the New Hire Awards will be granted effective as of July 1, 2025. In addition, subject to approval by the LCC and the Board, Mr. Meyrath will also have the opportunity to be granted additional performance-based RSUs, which will vest according to achievement of specific performance metrics approved by the Board.
Mr. Meyrath also entered into a Change of Control Agreement with the Company (the “Change of Control Agreement”) on June 12, 2025, under which, if a Change of Control (as defined in the Change of Control Agreement) of the Company occurs and within the period beginning three (3) months prior to and ending twelve (12) months following the Change of Control (the “Change of Control Period”), Mr. Meyrath’s employment with the Company ends as a result of an Involuntary Termination (as defined in the Change of Control Agreement), the Company will provide to Mr. Meyrath the following severance payments and benefits:
| • | a lump sum cash payment equal to eighteen (18) months of his then-annual base salary and target bonus, |
| • | 100% accelerated vesting of his then-outstanding equity awards, and |
| • | a lump sum cash payment equal to eighteen (18) months’ worth of COBRA premiums. |
In addition, under the terms of the Offer Letter and outside of the Change of Control Period, if Mr. Meyrath’s employment with the Company is Involuntarily Terminated, the Company will provide to Mr. Meyrath the following severance payments and benefits:
| • | a lump sum cash payment equal to twelve (12) months of his then-annual base salary, and |
| • | reimbursement of premiums for twelve (12) months continued COBRA coverage for Mr. Meyrath and his eligible dependents (or such earlier date that Mr. Meyrath is no longer eligible for COBRA), subject to the terms set forth in the Offer Letter. |
The severance payments described above are subject to Mr. Meyrath entering into and not revoking a release of claims in favor of the Company.
The foregoing descriptions of the Offer Letter and the Change of Control Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Offer Letter and the Change of Control Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On June 12, 2025, the Board approved an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws to reduce the quorum requirement for transacting business at meetings of stockholders to one-third of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. The foregoing summary of the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Bylaws (as amended as of June 12, 2025). | |
| 10.1# | Offer Letter dated June 12, 2025 by and between the Company and Hugues Meyrath. | |
| 10.2# | Change of Control Agreement dated June 12, 2025 by and between the Company and Hugues Meyrath. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |
| # | Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: June 18, 2025 | QUANTUM CORPORATION | |||||
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By: | /s/ Lewis W. Moorehead | ||||
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Name: | Lewis W. Moorehead | ||||
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Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS OF
QUANTUM CORPORATION
(as amended on June 12, 2025)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES | 1 | |||||
| 1.1 |
REGISTERED OFFICE | 1 | ||||
| 1.2 |
OTHER OFFICES | 1 | ||||
| ARTICLE II - MEETINGS STOCKHOLDERS | 1 | |||||
| 2.1 |
PLACE OF MEETINGS | 1 | ||||
| 2.2 |
ANNUAL MEETING | 1 | ||||
| 2.3 |
SPECIAL MEETING | 1 | ||||
| 2.4 |
ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES | 1 | ||||
| 2.5 |
NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 4 | ||||
| 2.6 |
QUORUM | 5 | ||||
| 2.7 |
ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE | 5 | ||||
| 2.8 |
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS | 5 | ||||
| 2.9 |
VOTING | 5 | ||||
| 2.10 |
STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 5 | ||||
| 2.11 |
RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS | 5 | ||||
| 2.12 |
PROXIES | 6 | ||||
| 2.13 |
LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE | 6 | ||||
| 2.14 |
INSPECTORS OF ELECTION | 6 | ||||
| ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS | 7 | |||||
| 3.1 |
POWERS | 7 | ||||
| 3.2 |
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS | 7 | ||||
| 3.3 |
ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS | 7 | ||||
| 3.4 |
RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES | 7 | ||||
| 3.5 |
PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE | 8 | ||||
| 3.6 |
REGULAR MEETINGS | 8 | ||||
| 3.7 |
SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE | 8 | ||||
| 3.8 |
QUORUM; VOTING | 8 | ||||
| 3.9 |
BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING | 9 | ||||
| 3.10 |
FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS | 9 | ||||
| 3.11 |
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS | 9 | ||||
| ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES | 9 | |||||
| 4.1 |
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS | 9 | ||||
| 4.2 |
COMMITTEE MINUTES | 9 | ||||
| 4.3 |
MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES | 10 | ||||
| 4.4 |
SUBCOMMITTEES | 10 | ||||
| ARTICLE V - OFFICERS | 10 | |||||
| 5.1 |
OFFICERS | 10 | ||||
| 5.2 |
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS | 10 | ||||
| 5.3 |
SUBORDINATE OFFICERS | 10 | ||||
| 5.4 |
REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS | 11 | ||||
| 5.5 |
VACANCIES IN OFFICES | 11 | ||||
| 5.6 |
REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS | 11 | ||||
| 5.7 |
AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS | 11 | ||||
| ARTICLE VI - STOCK | 11 | |||||
| 6.1 |
STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES | 11 | ||||
| 6.2 |
SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES | 12 | ||||
| 6.3 |
LOST CERTIFICATES | 12 | ||||
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| 6.4 |
DIVIDENDS | 12 | ||||
| 6.5 |
TRANSFER OF STOCK | 12 | ||||
| 6.6 |
STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS | 12 | ||||
| 6.7 |
REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS | 13 | ||||
| ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER | 13 | |||||
| 7.1 |
NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS | 13 | ||||
| 7.2 |
NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION | 13 | ||||
| 7.3 |
NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS | 14 | ||||
| 7.4 |
NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL | 14 | ||||
| 7.5 |
WAIVER OF NOTICE | 14 | ||||
| ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION | 14 | |||||
| 8.1 |
THIRD PARTY ACTIONS | 14 | ||||
| 8.2 |
ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION | 14 | ||||
| 8.3 |
SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE | 15 | ||||
| 8.4 |
DETERMINATION OF CONDUCT | 15 | ||||
| 8.5 |
GOOD FAITH DEFINED | 15 | ||||
| 8.6 |
PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE | 15 | ||||
| 8.7 |
INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE | 16 | ||||
| 8.8 |
INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION | 16 | ||||
| 8.9 |
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS | 16 | ||||
| 8.10 |
INDEMNITY FUND | 16 | ||||
| 8.11 |
INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHER PERSONS | 16 | ||||
| 8.12 |
SAVINGS CLAUSE | 17 | ||||
| 8.13 |
CONTINUATION OF INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES | 17 | ||||
| 8.14 |
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR REPEAL | 17 | ||||
| ARTICLE IX - GENERAL MATTERS | 17 | |||||
| 9.1 |
EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS | 17 | ||||
| 9.2 |
FISCAL YEAR | 17 | ||||
| 9.3 |
SEAL | 17 | ||||
| 9.4 |
CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS | 17 | ||||
| ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS | 18 | |||||
| QUANTUM CORPORATION | 19 | |||||
| CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS | 19 | |||||
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
QUANTUM CORPORATION
ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES
1.1 REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered office of Quantum Corporation shall be fixed in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.
1.2 OTHER OFFICES
The corporation’s board of directors may at any time establish other offices at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 PLACE OF MEETINGS
Meetings of stockholders shall be held at any place, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the board of directors. The board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the corporation’s principal executive office.
2.2 ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year. The board of directors shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business may be transacted.
2.3 SPECIAL MEETING
(i) A special meeting of the stockholders, other than those required by statute, may be called only by either (i) the board of directors, (ii) the chairman of the board of directors of the corporation, if there be one, or (iii) the president of the corporation. The board of directors may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.
(ii) The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors, chairperson of the board of directors, or president. Nothing contained in this Section 2.3(ii) shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the board of directors may be held.
2.4 ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES
(i) Advance Notice of Stockholder Business (Other than Director Nominations). At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be brought: (A) pursuant to the corporation’s proxy
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materials with respect to such meeting, (B) by or at the direction of the board of directors, or (C) by a stockholder of the corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(i) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has timely complied in proper written form with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(i). In addition, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to these bylaws and applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to bring business (other than relating to director nominations) before an annual meeting of stockholders.
(a) To comply with clause (C) of Section 2.4(i) above, a stockholder’s notice must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(i) and must be timely received by the secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the 45th day nor earlier than the 75th day before the one-year anniversary of the date on which the corporation first mailed its proxy materials or a notice of availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be so received by the secretary not earlier than the close of business on 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, or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of such annual meeting is first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.4(i)(a). “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto (the “1934 Act”).
(b) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth as to each matter of business the stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting: (1) a brief description of the business intended to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, (5) any material interest of the stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person in such business, and (6) a statement whether either such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (1) through (6), a “Business Solicitation Statement”). In addition, to be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the secretary must be supplemented not later than ten days following the record date to disclose the information contained in clauses (3) and (4) above as of the record date. For purposes of this Section 2.4, a “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).
(c) Without exception, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(i) and, if applicable, Section 2.4(ii). In addition, business proposed to be brought by a stockholder may not be brought before the annual meeting if such stockholder or a Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business or if the Business Solicitation Statement applicable to such business contains an untrue statement of a material
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fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.4(i), and, if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting that any such business not properly brought before the annual meeting shall not be conducted.
(ii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations at Annual Meetings. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii) shall be eligible for election or re-election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of the corporation shall be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (B) by a stockholder of the corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(ii) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting and (2) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the secretary of the corporation.
(a) To comply with clause (B) of Section 2.4(ii) above, a nomination to be made by a stockholder must set forth all information required under this Section 2.4(ii) and must be received by the secretary of the corporation at the principal executive offices of the corporation at the time set forth in, and in accordance with, the final three sentences of Section 2.4(i)(a) above.
(b) To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth:
(1) as to each person (a “nominee”) whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are held of record or are beneficially owned by the nominee and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the nominee, (D) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of the nominee with respect to any securities of the corporation, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of the nominee, (E) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (F) a written statement executed by the nominee acknowledging that as a director of the corporation, the nominee will owe a fiduciary duty under Delaware law with respect to the corporation and its stockholders, and (G) any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed about such nominee if proxies were being solicited for the election of the nominee as a director, or that is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and
(2) as to such stockholder giving notice, (A) the information required to be provided pursuant to clauses (2) through (5) of Section 2.4(i)(b) above, and the supplement referenced in the second sentence of Section 2.4(i)(b) above (except that the references to “business” in such clauses shall instead refer to nominations of directors for purposes of this paragraph), and (B) a statement whether either such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a number of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person to be necessary to elect such nominee(s) (such information provided and statements made as required by clauses (A) and (B) above, a “Nominee Solicitation Statement”).
(c) At the request of the board of directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director must furnish to the secretary of the corporation (1) that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination of such person as a director as of a date subsequent to the date on which the notice of such person’s nomination was given and (2) such other information as may reasonably be required by the corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee; in the absence of the furnishing of such information if requested, such stockholder’s nomination shall not be considered in proper form pursuant to this Section 2.4(ii).
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(d) Without exception, no person shall be eligible for election or re-election as a director of the corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders unless nominated in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 2.4(ii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The chairperson of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the annual meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the annual meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(iii) Advance Notice of Director Nominations for Special Meetings.
(a) For a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to Section 2.3, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors shall be made only (1) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (2) by any stockholder of the corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice required by this Section 2.4(iii) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting and (B) delivers a timely written notice of the nomination to the secretary of the corporation that includes the information set forth in Sections 2.4(ii)(b) and (ii)(c) above. 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 later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board of directors to be elected at such meeting. A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director at a special meeting unless the person is nominated (i) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (ii) by a stockholder in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(iii). In addition, a nominee shall not be eligible for election or re-election if a stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, as applicable, takes action contrary to the representations made in the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee or if the Nominee Solicitation Statement applicable to such nominee contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(b) The chairperson of the special meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination or business was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these bylaws, and if the chairperson should so determine, he or she shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination or business shall be disregarded.
(iv) Other Requirements and Rights. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4, including, with respect to business such stockholder intends to bring before the annual meeting that involves a proposal that such stockholder requests to be included in the corporation’s proxy statement, the requirements of Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect any right of the corporation to omit a proposal from the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act.
2.5 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Whenever stockholders 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 hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be 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. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the written notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
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2.6 QUORUM
The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting, or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.
2.7 ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place if any thereof, and the means of remote communications if any by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
2.8 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business.
2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.
Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
2.10 STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING
Subject to the rights of the holders of the shares of any series of Preferred Stock or any other class of stock or series thereof having a preference over the Common Stock as dividend or upon liquidation, 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 may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
2.11 RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDER NOTICE; VOTING; GIVING CONSENTS
In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or 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 of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other such action.
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If the board of directors does not so fix a record date:
(i) 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.
(ii) The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
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; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
2.12 PROXIES
Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL.
2.13 LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The corporation shall not be required 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 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) 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 (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the corporation’s principal place of business. 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. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.
2.14 INSPECTORS OF ELECTION.
A written proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the person.
Before any meeting of stockholders, the board of directors shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairperson of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.
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Such inspectors shall:
(i) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies;
(ii) receive votes, ballots or consents;
(iii) hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
(iv) count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(v) determine when the polls shall close;
(vi) determine the result; and
(vii) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders.
The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are three (3) inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS
3.1 POWERS
The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation.
3.2 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.
3.4 RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES
Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the corporation. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. A resignation which is conditioned upon the director failing to receive a specified vote for reelection as a director may provide that it is irrevocable. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, when one or more directors resign from the board of directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. If the directors are divided into classes, a person so elected by the directors then in office to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
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If at any time, by reason of death or resignation or other cause, the corporation should have no directors in office, then any officer or any stockholder or an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of a stockholder, or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of a stockholder, may call a special meeting of stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, or may apply to the Court of Chancery for a decree summarily ordering an election as provided in Section 211 of the DGCL.
If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board of directors (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the voting stock at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office as aforesaid, which election shall be governed by the provisions of Section 211 of the DGCL as far as applicable.
3.5 PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE
The board of directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the board of directors, or any committee designated by the board of directors, may participate in a meeting of the board of directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
3.6 REGULAR MEETINGS.
Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board of directors.
3.7 SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE
Special meetings of the board of directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary or a majority of the authorized number of directors.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:
(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;
(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;
(iii) sent by facsimile; or
(iv) sent by electronic mail,
directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, as the case may be, as shown on the corporation’s records.
If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or (iii) sent by electronic mail, it shall be delivered or sent at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice may be communicated to the director. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the corporation’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting.
3.8 QUORUM; VOTING
At all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the total authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the board of directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
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The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
If the certificate of incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in these bylaws to a majority or other proportion of the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.
3.9 BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING.
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the board of directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board of directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
3.10 FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.
3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Any director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the corporation only for cause.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES
4.1 COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The board of directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, 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 of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the corporation.
4.2 COMMITTEE MINUTES
Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required.
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4.3 MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES.
Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:
(i) Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);
(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);
(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice);
(iv) Section 3.8 (quorum; voting);
(v) Section 7.5 (waiver of notice); and
(vi) Section 3.9 (action without a meeting)
with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the board of directors and its members. However:
(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the board of directors or by resolution of the committee;
(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the board of directors; and
(iii) notice of special meetings of committees shall also be given to all alternate members, who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee. The board of directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.
Any provision in the certificate of incorporation providing that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter shall apply to voting in any committee or subcommittee, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
4.4 SUBCOMMITTEES
Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the board of directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
5.1 OFFICERS
The officers of the corporation shall be a president and a secretary. The corporation may also have, at the discretion of the board of directors, a chairperson of the board of directors, a vice chairperson of the board of directors, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistant secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
5.2 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.
The board of directors shall appoint the officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
5.3 SUBORDINATE OFFICERS
The board of directors may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, or any other officer specified in Section 5.1 to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the board of directors (or, as applicable, the chief executive officer, president or other officer specified in Section 5.1 of these bylaws to whom such officer reports) may from time to time determine.
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5.4 REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of the majority of the board of directors at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the board of directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the board of directors.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.
5.5 VACANCIES IN OFFICES
Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the board of directors or as provided in Section 5.3.
5.6 REPRESENTATION OF SHARES OF OTHER CORPORATIONS
The chairperson of the board of directors, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this corporation, or any other person authorized by the board of directors or the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent, and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.
5.7 AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
All officers of the corporation shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the corporation as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or the stockholders (or, as applicable, the chief executive officer, president or other officer specified in Section 5.1 of these bylaws to whom such officer reports) and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the board of directors.
ARTICLE VI - STOCK
6.1 STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES
The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the corporation by the chairperson of the board of directors or vice-chairperson of the board of directors, or the president or a vice-president, and by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The corporation shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.
The corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly-paid shares, or upon the books and records of the corporation in the case of uncertificated partly-paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully-paid shares, the corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly-paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.
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6.2 SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES
If the corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this section 6.2 or Sections 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the DGCL or with respect to this section 6.2 a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
6.3 LOST CERTIFICATES
Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the corporation and cancelled at the same time. The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
6.4 DIVIDENDS
The board of directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the corporation’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.
The board of directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, and meeting contingencies.
6.5 TRANSFER OF STOCK
Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer.
6.6 STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.
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6.7 REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS
The corporation:
(i) 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;
(ii) shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares; and
(iii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER
7.1 NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Notice of any meeting of stockholders, if mailed, is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the corporation’s records. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
7.2 NOTICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:
(i) the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent; and
(ii) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice.
However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:
(i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
(ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;
(iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and
(iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.
An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
An “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.
Notice by a form of electronic transmission shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.
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7.3 NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
7.4 NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL
Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
7.5 WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting 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 stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 THIRD PARTY ACTIONS
Subject to Section 8.4 of these bylaws, the corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
8.2 ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION
Subject to Section 8.4 of these bylaws, the corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
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corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
8.3 SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE
To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 8.1 or 8.2 of this Article VIII, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
8.4 DETERMINATION OF CONDUCT
Subject to any rights under any contract between this corporation and any person seeking indemnification pursuant to this Article VIII, any indemnification under this Article VIII (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of such person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 8.1 or 8.2 of this Article VIII. Such determination shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors (or by an executive committee thereof) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders (but only if a majority of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, if they constitute a quorum of the board of directors, presents the issue of entitlement to indemnification to the stockholders for their determination). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Agent of the corporation shall be able to contest any determination that the director or officer has not met the applicable standard of conduct, set forth in Section 8.1 or 8.2 of this Article VIII, by petitioning a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
8.5 GOOD FAITH DEFINED
For purposes of any determination under Section 8.4 of this Article VIII, to the fullest extent permitted the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful, if such person’s action is based on the records or books of account of the corporation or any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or on information supplied to such person by the officers of the corporation or any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the corporation or any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the corporation or any other corporation or any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the corporation or such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The provisions of this Section 8.5 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 8.1 or 8.2 of this Article VIII, as the case may be.
8.6 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES IN ADVANCE
To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, expenses incurred by a person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation in defending or settling any civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article VIII.
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8.7 INDEMNITY NOT EXCLUSIVE
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subparagraphs of this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of, and shall be subject to, any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
8.8 INSURANCE INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.
8.9 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Article VIII, references to
(a) “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director or officer of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 8.4 of these bylaws) with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued;
(b) “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans;
(c) “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and
(d) “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Article VIII.
8.10 INDEMNITY FUND
Upon resolution passed by the Board of Directors, the corporation may establish a trust or other designated account, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit), to ensure the payment of any or all of its obligations arising under this Article VIII and/or agreements which may be entered into between the corporation and its officers and directors from time to time.
8.11 INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHER PERSONS
The provisions of this Article VIII shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not a current or former director or officer of the corporation but whom the corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or otherwise. The corporation may, in its sole discretion, indemnify an employee, trustee or other agent as permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The corporation shall indemnify an employee, trustee or other agent where required by law.
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8.12 SAVINGS CLAUSE
If this Article VIII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then, subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each person seeking indemnification hereunder against expense (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and whether internal or external, including a grand jury proceeding and an action or suit brought by or in the right of the corporation, to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VIII that shall not have been invalidated or by any other applicable law.
8.13 CONTINUATION OF INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
8.14 EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR REPEAL
Neither any amendment or repeal of any section of this Article VIII, nor the adoption of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall adversely affect any right or protection of any director, officer, employee or other agent established pursuant to this Article VIII existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision, including, without limitation, by eliminating or reducing the effect of this Article VIII, for or in respect of any act, omission or other matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising (or that, but for this Article VIII, would accrue or arise), prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
ARTICLE IX - GENERAL MATTERS
9.1 EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS
Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the board of directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
9.2 FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors and may be changed by the board of directors.
9.3 SEAL
The corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the board of directors. The corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
9.4 CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS
Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.
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ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote. However, the corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws upon the directors. The fact that such power has been so conferred upon the directors shall not divest the stockholders of the power, nor limit their power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.
A bylaw amendment adopted by stockholders which specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be further amended or repealed by the board of directors.
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QUANTUM CORPORATION
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The undersigned hereby certifies that he or she is the duly elected, qualified, and acting Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Quantum Corporation, a Delaware corporation and that the foregoing bylaws, comprising 23 pages, were amended and restated on November 18, 2008 by the corporation’s board of directors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand this 18th day of November, 2008.
| /s/ Shawn D. Hall |
| Shawn D. Hall, Secretary |
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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE BYLAWS OF
QUANTUM CORPORATION
The undersigned, Shawn D. Hall, hereby certifies that he is the duly appointed, qualified, and acting Secretary of Quantum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and that on January 20, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) amended such Bylaws as set forth below:
Implementation of Majority Voting Policy
WHEREAS: The Board deems it advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to implement a majority voting policy with respect to uncontested elections of directors to the Board; and
WHEREAS: The Board may adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Article II, Section 2.9 of the Bylaws are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:
“2.9 VOTING
The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.
Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.
Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected in accordance with Section 3.3 of these bylaws. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.”
RESOLVED FURTHER: That Article III, Section 3.3 of the Bylaws are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:
“3.3 ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS
Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. A nominee for director shall be elected to the board of directors if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election; provided, however, that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting of stockholders for which (i) the secretary of the corporation receives notice that a stockholder has nominated a person for election to the board of directors in
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compliance with the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominees for director set forth in Section 2.4 of these bylaws and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such stockholder on or prior to the date that is ten (10) calendar days in advance of the date the corporation files its definitive proxy statement (regardless of whether thereafter revised or supplemented) for such meeting with the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Votes cast” shall include votes to withhold authority in each case but shall exclude abstentions with respect to that director’s election. If directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, stockholders shall not be permitted to vote against a nominee. Each director, including a director elected or appointed to fill a vacancy (including vacancies from newly created directorships), shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 21st day of January, 2010.
| By: | /s/ Shawn D. Hall | |
| Signature | ||
| Shawn D. Hall, | ||
| Secretary, General Counsel, and Senior Vice President |
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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE BYLAWS OF
QUANTUM CORPORATION
The undersigned, Shawn D. Hall, hereby certifies that he is the duly appointed, qualified, and acting Secretary of Quantum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and that on February 3, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) amended such Bylaws as set forth below:
Removal of Directors
WHEREAS: Following the ruling on December 21, 2015 of the Delaware Chancery Court in the In re: Vaalco Energy Inc. matter, the Board believes it to be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to amend its bylaws as set forth below; and
WHEREAS: The Board may adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Article III, Section 3.11 of the Bylaws are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:
“3.11 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Any director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the corporation in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL.
No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 8th day of February, 2016.
| By: | /s/ Shawn D. Hall | |
| Signature | ||
| Shawn D. Hall, | ||
| Secretary, General Counsel, and Senior Vice President |
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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE BYLAWS OF
QUANTUM CORPORATION
The undersigned, Lewis W. Moorehead, hereby certifies that he is the duly appointed, qualified, and acting Chief Financial Officer of Quantum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and that on June 12, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) amended such Bylaws as set forth below:
Quorum
WHEREAS: the Board believes it is advisable and in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to amend Section 2.6 of the bylaws of the Company; and
WHEREAS: The Board may adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Article II, Section 2.6 of the Bylaws is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
“2.6 QUORUM
The holders of one-third of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, one-third of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.
If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting, or (ii) the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 12th day of June, 2025.
| By: | /s/ Lewis W. Moorehead | |
| Signature | ||
| Lewis W. Moorehead | ||
| Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 10.1
Quantum Corporation
224 Airport Parkway
Suite 550
San Jose, CA 95110
USA
+1 [408] 944-4000
Via email
Mr. Hugues Meyrath
June 11, 2025
Dear Hugues:
I am pleased to offer to you the opportunity to join Quantum Corporation (Quantum or the Company) as our President and Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors (Board). Your start date will be recorded as June 2, 2025 and you will be considered a field-based employee.
Base Salary: You will receive an annual base salary of $550,000.00, subject to applicable tax and other required withholding and paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll procedures.
Bonus Opportunity: In addition, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus program, the Quantum Incentive Plan (QIP). Your target bonus opportunity will be 100% of your eligible annual salary. The actual amount earned will be determined based on Quantum’s performance against metrics approved by the Board and your own performance, and paid in accordance with the QIP terms. The QIP bonus targets and terms are subject to annual re-evaluation and Board approval.
Equity Grant: The Company will recommend to the Leadership and Compensation Committee (LCC) of the Board that you be granted 100,000 time-vested restricted stock units (RSUs) and an option to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the Option and collectively with the RSUs, the New Hire Awards), both vesting in 4 equal installments on each anniversary of the Grant Date (as defined below). The exercise price of the Option will be the closing sales price of the Company’s Common Stock on the Grant Date. Subject to LCC and Board approval, you will also have the future opportunity to be granted additional performance-based RSUs (PSUs), which will vest according to specific performance metrics approved by the Board. Vesting for any RSUs, options, or PSUs granted is subject to your continued employment. All equity awards shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan (the Plan) and the standard forms of award agreements approved by the Board.
Subject to approval by the Board and the availability of shares, the New Hire Awards will be granted effective on the first day of the first month following your start date (the Grant Date). In the event that the Company does not have sufficient shares available under the Plan on such date to cover the New Hire Awards, the Company may either (a) elect to grant all or a portion of such awards contingent on approval of an increase to share reserve by the Company’s stockholders at its next stockholder meeting, or (b) delay the grant of such awards until sufficient shares become available under the Plan.
Severance: You will be eligible to enter into Quantum’s standard form of Change of Control Agreement, which we will provide to you after you accept this offer. In addition, in the event that (a) you incur an Involuntary Termination other than for Cause or your death or Disability, and (b) your termination occurs outside of the Change of Control Period (all terms as defined in the Change of Control Agreement), Quantum will provide to you the following severance payments and benefits (the Severance):
| 1. | a lump sum cash payment equal to 12 months of your then-annual base salary; and |
| 2. | if you elect continuation coverage for you or your eligible dependents (if any) under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA) within the time period prescribed, the Company will provide monthly reimbursements of applicable COBRA premiums for continued coverage under the Company’s group health plans in which you participated on the day immediately before your termination date through the earlier of (A) 12 months after the date of termination of your employment with the Company, or (B) the date you and your eligible dependents (if any) are no longer are eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage (the COBRA Benefits). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA Benefits without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then in lieu of the COBRA Benefits, the Company will provide to you during the 12 months following your termination a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that you would be required to pay to continue coverage under the COBRA Benefits. Such payments would be made regardless of whether you elect COBRA continuation coverage, solely if Quantum is unable to provide the COBRA Benefits. |
The Severance is subject to your entering into and not revoking a release of claims in favor of the Company (the Release), within the period required by the Release. Any salary Severance due to you under clause 1. above will be paid on the 61st day following the date of termination of your employment with the Company, or such later date required by applicable law, including Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code.)
If the termination of your employment with the Company occurs on a date during the Change of Control Period, then the terms of the Change of Control Agreement will govern the eligibility and payment of any severance benefits to you and no Severance will be payable to you under this letter. Any Severance under this offer letter also will be subject to the relevant provisions set forth in the Change of Control Agreement.
Other Benefits: Quantum’s flexible benefit program provides a full range of benefits for you and your qualified dependents. A benefit overview packet will be provided following your acceptance and a detailed benefits review will be included in your orientation.
Additionally, you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Deferred Compensation Program. Program information will be sent to you following your acceptance of this offer.
Confidential Information: During your employment with Quantum, you will have access to confidential and proprietary information, which Quantum vigorously protects. Therefore, this offer is conditioned on your execution and delivery to Quantum of its Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement. You will receive the agreement for electronic signature during your onboarding process.
Offer Terms: This offer is contingent upon your successful completion of a background verification process and proof of your employment eligibility. As a condition of this offer, if you resign or are terminated as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, you agree to resign from the Board immediately upon the Board’s request.
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|
This offer supersedes any and all other written or verbal offers. Employment at Quantum is at will. Either you or Quantum has the right to terminate your employment at any time for any reason, with or without cause.
To confirm your acceptance of our offer, please sign a copy of this letter electronically through DocuSign. Please contact me directly with any questions about your offer.
Hugues, we look forward to having you join the Quantum executive team.
Sincerely,
/s/ Donald J. Jaworski
Donald J. Jaworski
Chairman of the Board
Acceptance
I understand and accept the terms of this offer of employment.
| /s/ Hugues Meyrath | June 12, 2025 | |||
| Hugues Meyrath | Date |
|
|
Exhibit 10.2
Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
THIS CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of June 12, 2025, by and between Hugues Meyrath (the “Employee”) and QUANTUM CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”). This Agreement supersedes any previously signed Change of Control Agreement between the parties.
RECITALS
A. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders to assure that the Corporation will have the continued dedication and objectivity of the Employee, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Corporation.
B. The Board believes that it is important to provide the Employee with compensation arrangements and stock benefits upon a Change of Control that provide the Employee with enhanced financial security, are competitive with those of other corporations, and provide sufficient incentive to the Employee to remain with the Corporation following a Change of Control.
C. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 4 below.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and in consideration of the continuing employment of the Employee by the Corporation, the parties agree as follows:
1. Change of Control Severance Benefits. If the Employee’s employment terminates at any time during the Change of Control Period, then the following shall apply:
(a) Voluntary Resignation; Termination For Cause. If the Employee’s employment terminates during the Change in Control Period in a voluntary resignation, including termination due to death or Disability (and not an Involuntary Termination), or if the Employee is terminated for Cause, then the Employee shall not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits hereunder.
(b) Involuntary Termination. If the Employee’s employment with the Corporation terminates during the Change of Control Period due to an Involuntary Termination, and the Employee signs and does not revoke a standard release of claims with the Corporation in a form acceptable to the Corporation (the “Release”) within fifty (50) days following the later of the Change of Control or the Termination Date (or such shorter period as the Corporation may require), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive the following severance payments and benefits:
(i) A lump sum payment equal to 150% of the Employee’s Base Compensation as in effect immediately prior to the Involuntary Termination, but without taking into account any reduction of Base Compensation as described under Section 4(d)(iii);
(ii) A lump sum payment equal to 150% of the Employee’s Incentive Pay as in effect immediately prior to the Involuntary Termination, but without taking into account any reduction of Incentive Pay (as described in the definition of Involuntary Termination in Section 4); and
(iii) a lump sum payment equal to eighteen (18) months of premiums under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or corresponding provision of state law (“COBRA”) for health insurance coverage for the Employee and the Employee’s eligible dependents, at the same level and for the same eligible dependents covered as of the Employee’s Termination Date. If the Employee is eligible and chooses to continue health coverage through COBRA, the Employee is solely responsible for timely electing COBRA continuing coverage and for making all COBRA premium payments.
(c) Offset. In the event the Corporation becomes liable to the Employee for any severance payments or benefits required under any applicable statute, law or regulation, whether federal, state, local, foreign or otherwise, the severance pay (including any payments under Section 1(b)(iii)) the Employee would otherwise be entitled to receive under this Section 1 will be reduced by any liability the Corporation may have to the Employee with respect to such statutes, laws or regulations. In addition, in the event the Employee is entitled to severance payments or benefits pursuant to any agreement or arrangement with the Corporation (including agreements or arrangements with predecessor employers which have been assumed by the Corporation by operation of law or otherwise), the severance pay (including any payments under Section 1(b)(iii)) the Employee would otherwise be entitled to receive under this Section 1 will be reduced by any liability the Corporation may have to the Employee with respect to such agreement(s) or arrangement(s).
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Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
(d) Accrued Wages and Vacation; Expenses. If the Employee’s employment with the Corporation terminates, without regard to the reason for, or the timing of, the Employee’s termination of employment, then (i) the Corporation shall pay the Employee any unpaid wages due for periods prior to the Termination Date; (ii) the Corporation shall pay the Employee all of the Employee’s accrued and unused vacation through the Termination Date; and (iii) following submission of proper expense reports by the Employee, the Corporation shall reimburse the Employee for all expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Employee in connection with the business of the Corporation prior to the Termination Date. These payments shall be made promptly upon termination and within the period of time mandated by law.
2. Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation Awards.
(a) Acceleration of Service-Based Vesting on an Involuntary Termination. If the Employee suffers an Involuntary Termination during the Change of Control Period, then the unvested portion of any Equity Award then held by the Employee and that is subject to vesting based only on the Employee’s service over a specified time period, including any award converted from a performance-based award to a time-based award pursuant to Section 2(c) of this Agreement, shall automatically become fully vested and exercisable (as applicable) as of the Termination Date; provided, however, that notwithstanding any contrary term of the applicable award agreement, if the Employee is entitled to accelerated vesting (or if the Employee’s performance-based Equity Awards become subject to the provisions of Section 2(c)) as a result of an Involuntary Termination within three (3) months prior to a Change of Control: (x) the portion of the Equity Award subject to such accelerated vesting shall not be forfeited or terminated upon the Termination Date pending the Change of Control, (y) the accelerated vesting shall be deemed to take place immediately prior to the effective date of the Change of Control (subject to the effectiveness of the Release), and (z) the period within which the Equity Award may be exercised following the Termination Date, if applicable, will expire no less than one (1) month following the effective date of the Change of Control (but no later than the expiration of the term of the Equity Award).
(b) Stock Price Performance-Based Equity Awards. For each Equity Award with vesting conditioned all or in part on the per share fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock exceeding one or more target levels (including appreciation relative to one or more other publicly-traded securities), the performance measurement period will terminate on the date of the Change of Control, and the Employee will vest in that percentage of the Corporation shares covered by the equity award determined by applying the formula set forth in the award agreement as if the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the last day of the performance measurement period was the per share consideration paid pursuant to the transaction(s) constituting the Change of Control. The portion of the equity award for which the stock price performance condition is not deemed satisfied pursuant to this Section 2(b) will be forfeited. The effective date of the foregoing vesting credit and forfeiture will be the date of the Change of Control. This provision will apply to all such Equity Awards that are outstanding as of the Effective Date, and all such future Equity Awards unless specifically provided otherwise by the Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) in the applicable Equity Award agreement.
(c) Performance-Based Equity Awards not based on Stock Price. For each Equity Award comprising performance-based restricted stock units with vesting conditioned on performance other than stock price that is outstanding as of the Effective Date, and for all such future Equity Awards unless specifically provided otherwise by the Committee in the applicable award agreement, the performance criteria will be deemed satisfied at 100% of target for any unfinished performance period and the Equity Award will convert to time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for such target number of shares, which continue to vest in accordance with any service-based vesting condition specified in the applicable award agreement, subject to the provisions of Section 2(a). The portion of the equity award for which the performance condition is not deemed satisfied pursuant to this Section 2(c) will be forfeited. The effective date of the foregoing vesting credit and forfeiture will be the date of the Change of Control.
3. Code Section 409A.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits (as defined below) will be considered due or payable until the Employee has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”). In addition, if the Employee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of the Employee’s separation from service (other than due to death), then the severance benefits payable to the Employee under this
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Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
Agreement, if any, and any other severance payments or separation benefits that may be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits”) otherwise due to the Employee on or within the six (6) month period following the Employee’s separation from service will accrue during such six (6) month period and will become payable in a lump sum payment (without interest and less any applicable tax withholdings) on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of the Employee’s separation from service. All subsequent payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Employee dies following his or her separation from service but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of his or her date of separation, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum (less any applicable tax withholdings) to the Employee’s estate as soon as administratively practicable after the date of the Employee’s death and all other Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit.
(b) This provision is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so comply. The Corporation and the Employee agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to the Employee under Section 409A.
4. Definition of Terms. The following terms referred to in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:
(a) Base Compensation. “Base Compensation” shall mean the annual base salary the Corporation pays the Employee for his or her services.
(b) Cause. “Cause” shall mean: (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by the Employee in connection with his or her responsibilities as an employee that is intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Employee; (ii) the conviction of a felony; (iii) a willful act by the Employee which constitutes gross misconduct injurious to the Corporation; and (iv) continued violations by the Employee of the Employee’s obligations to the Corporation under the Corporation’s established personnel policies and procedures which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Employee’s part after the Corporation has delivered a written demand for performance to the Employee that describes the basis for the Corporation’s belief that the Employee has not substantially performed his or her duties and afforded the Employee at least fifteen (15) days to cure.
(c) Change of Control. “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule l3d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing forty percent (40%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities; or
(ii) A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a twenty-four (24) month period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date hereof or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of those directors whose election or nomination was not in connection with any transactions described in subsections (i), or (iii) or in connection with an actual or threatened action by a shareholder, including but not limited to solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a shareholder or person; or
(iii) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Corporation or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Corporation of all or substantially all the Corporation’s assets.
(d) Change of Control Period. “Change of Control Period” shall mean the period (i) commencing three (3) months before a Change of Control, and (ii) ending twelve (12) months after a Change of Control.
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Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
(e) Disability. “Disability” shall mean that the Employee has been unable to perform his or her duties under this Agreement as the result of his or her incapacity due to physical or mental illness with or without reasonable accommodation, and such inability, at least twenty-six (26) weeks after its commencement, is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Corporation or its insurers and acceptable to the Employee or the Employee’s legal representative (such statement as to acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld). Termination resulting from Disability may only be effected after at least thirty (30) days’ written notice by the Corporation of its intention to terminate the Employee’s employment. In the event that the Employee resumes the performance of substantially all of his or her duties hereunder before the termination of his or her employment becomes effective, the notice of intent to terminate shall automatically be deemed to have been revoked.
(f) Equity Award. “Equity Award” shall mean any equity-based compensation award held by the Employee, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-vested stock units, and any compensation into which such equity awards are converted upon the Change of Control.
(g) Incentive Pay. “Incentive Pay” shall mean any annual cash target bonus opportunity.
(h) Involuntary Termination. “Involuntary Termination” shall mean any purported termination of the Employee’s employment by the Corporation which (x) is not effected due to the Employee’s Disability or death and is not effected for Cause, or (y) any termination of the Employee’s employment by the Employee within ninety (90) days following the end of the Cure Period (as defined below) as a result of the occurrence of any of the following without his or her written consent: (i) the assignment to the Employee of any duties or the reduction of the Employee’s duties, either of which results in a significant diminution in the Employee’s title, position or responsibilities with the Corporation in effect immediately prior to such assignment, or the removal of the Employee from such position and responsibilities; (ii) a substantial reduction of the facilities and perquisites (including office space and location) available to the Employee immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) a reduction by the Corporation in the Base Compensation and/or Incentive Pay of the Employee as in effect immediately prior to such reduction, other than a uniform reduction applicable to all executives generally; (iv) a material reduction by the Corporation in the kind or level of employee benefits to which the Employee is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the Employee’s overall benefits package is significantly reduced, other than a uniform reduction applicable to all executives generally; (v) the relocation of the Employee to a facility or a location more than fifty (50) miles from the Employee’s then present location; (vi) the failure of the Corporation to obtain the assumption of this Amended Agreement by any successors contemplated in Section 8 below; or (vii) without limiting the generality or the effect of the foregoing, any material breach of this Amended Agreement. For purposes of clause (y) in the immediately preceding sentence, the Employee must provide written notice to the Corporation of the condition that could constitute an “Involuntary Termination” event no later than ninety (90) days following the initial existence of such condition and such condition must not have been remedied by the Corporation within thirty (30) days (the “Cure Period”) following such written notice.
5. Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable or provided to the Employee (a) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and (b) but for this Section 5, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Employee’s severance benefits hereunder shall be either:
(i) delivered in full, or
(ii) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to the Excise Tax,
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by the Employee on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Unless the Corporation and the Employee otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 5 shall be made in writing in good faith by the accounting firm serving as the Corporation’s independent public accountants immediately prior to the Change of Control (the “Accountants”).
In the event that a reduction in benefits as described in clause (ii) above is required under this Section 5 of this Agreement:
(x) The phrase “stock options” as used in this Agreement will mean stock options, stock appreciation rights and similar awards for which the exercise price is at least equal to the fair market value of the shares underlying the award on the date of grant (the “Options”); and
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Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
(y) The phrase “restricted stock awards” as used in Section 5 of this Agreement will mean restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and other similar awards, excluding Options.
In the event of a reduction in benefits hereunder, the reduction will occur in the following order: the vesting acceleration of stock options, then cash severance benefits, then vesting acceleration of restricted stock awards. In the event that acceleration of vesting of stock options or restricted stock awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting shall be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant (that is, the latest first) for the Employee’s stock options or restricted stock awards, as applicable. If two or more stock options or restricted stock awards are granted on the same day, the stock options or
For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 5, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Corporation and the Employee shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section.
In the event that the Corporation’s independent public accountants immediately prior to the Change of Control (as defined in this Agreement) are unable to make the determinations regarding parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any final regulations and guidance thereunder (the “Code”), as described in Section 5 of this Agreement, then the Accountants (as defined in this Agreement) will mean a nationally recognized accounting or valuation firm selected by the Corporation. The Corporation shall bear all costs and be responsible for the payment of any reasonable fees to the Accountants in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 5.
6. At-Will Employment. The Corporation and the Employee acknowledge that the Employee’s employment is at will and may be terminated at any time and for any reason, with or without notice. On termination of the Employee’s employment, the Employee shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this Agreement, or as may otherwise be available in accordance with the Corporation’s established employee plans and policies at the time of termination.
7. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate upon the date that all obligations of the parties hereto under this Agreement have been satisfied.
8. Successors.
(a) Corporation’s Successors. Any successor to the Corporation (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Corporation’s business and/or assets shall assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Corporation would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Corporation” shall include any successor to the Corporation’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this subsection (a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.
(b) Employee’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of the Employee hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Employee’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
(c) Employment By Subsidiaries. If the Employee is employed by a wholly owned subsidiary of Quantum Corporation, then: (i) “Corporation” as defined herein shall be deemed to include such subsidiary; and (ii) the effects intended to result from a Change of Control under this Agreement shall apply to such subsidiary, and the Employee shall be entitled to all the benefits and subject to all the obligations provided herein.
9. Notice.
(a) General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of the Employee, mailed notices shall be addressed to him at the home address which he most recently communicated to the Corporation in writing. In the case of the Corporation, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.
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Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Corporation for Cause or by the Employee as a result of an Involuntary Termination shall be communicated by a notice of termination of the other party hereto given in accordance with this Section 9 of this Agreement. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and shall specify the termination date (which shall be not more than fifteen (15) days after the giving of such notice, or, in the case of an Involuntary Termination pursuant to clause (y) of Section 4(h), in accordance with the timing requirements set forth in Section 4(h)). The failure by the Employee to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Involuntary Termination shall not waive any right of the Employee hereunder or preclude the Employee from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his or her rights hereunder.
10. Release of Claims. In order to receive any of the benefits provided for pursuant to this Agreement upon the Employee’s Involuntary Termination, the Employee (or his or her legal representative in the event of death or disability as the case may be) shall be required to execute and not revoke a release of claims (in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit A) in favor of the Corporation within the period required by the release and in no event later than sixty (60) days following the Employee’s Involuntary Termination, inclusive of any revocation period set forth in the release, which release will include a provision prohibiting the solicitation of employees of the Corporation for a period of one year.
11. Timing of Benefits. Subject to Section 3 of this Agreement, benefits provided for pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid on the sixty-first (61st) day following Employee’s separation from service, but only if the Employee has signed and not revoked the release of claims required pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement.
12. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) No Duty to Mitigate. The Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement (whether by seeking new employment or in any other manner), nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that the Employee may receive from any other source.
(b) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and by an authorized officer of the Corporation (other than the Employee). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.
(c) Whole Agreement. No agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement have been made or entered into by either party with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(d) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.
(e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(f) Arbitration. Any claim or dispute, whether in contract, tort, statute or otherwise (including the interpretation and scope of this Arbitration Clause, and the arbitrability of the claim or dispute), between the Employee and the Corporation as well as their respective employees, agents, successors or assigns, which arises out of or relates to this Agreement shall be resolved by neutral, binding arbitration and not by a court action. Any claim or dispute is to be arbitrated by a single arbitrator from JAMS (www.jamsadr.com).
The arbitrator shall be an attorney or retired judge and shall be agreed upon by the parties within ten (10) business days of the demand for arbitration being filed with the arbitration organization. If the parties are unable to select an arbitrator, then the arbitration organization will provide a list of five (5) arbitrators and each party shall strike two names within five (5) business days and one of the remaining individuals will be appointed by the arbitration organization as the arbitrator within five (5) business days of receipt of the parties’ submissions.
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Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
Unless otherwise provided for by law, the Corporation will pay all costs and expenses of such arbitration, with the exception of any filing fees associated with any arbitration initiated by Employee, but only so much of the filing fees as Employee instead would have paid had Employee filed a complaint in a court of law.
The arbitrator shall apply California substantive law to the proceeding, except to the extent Federal substantive law, including the Federal Arbitration Act, would apply to any claim. The arbitration hearing shall be conducted in Santa Clara County, California. If the chosen arbitration organization’s rules conflict with this Arbitration Clause, then the provisions of this Arbitration Clause shall control.
Discovery during arbitration will be conducted pursuant to the California Discovery Act. All of the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure section 1283.05 as well as any amendments or revisions thereto, are incorporated into this Agreement. The arbitrator shall follow the California Evidence Code as it relates to the trial of civil actions. The parties are free to waive or modify any evidentiary rule or procedure with the consent of the arbitrator.
The arbitrator’s written award with findings of fact law shall be issued in writing within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the proceedings and shall be final and binding on all parties, except that a party may request a new arbitration under the rules of the arbitration organization by a three-arbitrator panel. The appealing party requesting new arbitration shall be responsible for the filing fee and other arbitration costs subject to a final determination by the arbitrators of a fair apportionment of costs. Any court having jurisdiction may enter judgment on the arbitrator’s award.
The Parties retain any and all injunctive relief rights. This Arbitration Clause shall survive any termination of this contract. If any part of this Arbitration Clause is deemed or found to be unenforceable for any reason, the remainder shall remain enforceable.
THE PARTIES UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THEY ARE WAIVING THEIR RIGHTS TO TRIAL BEFORE A JURY AND TO SUBMIT ANY CLAIMS TO BINDING ARBITRATION.
(g) Advancement of Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that the Employee brings an action to enforce or effect the Employee’s rights under this Agreement, then, without regard to the reason or reasons resulting in the termination of the Employee’s employment with the Corporation and to the extent not prohibited by law, the Corporation will advance all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Employee in connection with the action (the “Advance Payments”). The Advance Payments will be paid to the Employee by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of the underlying action and within thirty (30) days following the Employee’s submission of proper documentation of the fees and costs incurred by the Employee, but in no event later than the last day of the Employee’s taxable year that immediately follows the Employee’s taxable year in which the fees and costs are incurred by the Employee. The Employee’s rights to the Advance Payments are, in each case, subject to the following additional requirements: (i) the right to this benefit is limited to fees and costs incurred during the Employee’s lifetime; (ii) the Employee must submit documentation of the fees to be advanced no later than thirty (30) days following the end of the Employee’s taxable year in which the fees were incurred; (iii) the amount of any Advance Payments provided during one taxable year will not affect the expenses eligible for payment by the Corporation as an Advance Payment in any other taxable year; and (iv) the right to any Advance Payment will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit or payment. These Advance Payments will be unsecured and interest free, and paid to the Employee without regard to his or her ability to repay the fees incurred by him or her. The arbitrator will determine whether or not the Employee is the prevailing party consistent with California Civil Code section 1717 and if the Corporation is the prevailing party whether or not any portion of the Advance Payments shall be repaid to the Corporation. If any repayment is ordered then it shall take place no later than thirty (30) days following the final adjudication of the action.
(h) No Assignment of Benefits. The rights of any person to payments or benefits under this Agreement shall not be made subject to option or assignment, either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including (without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditor’s process, and any action in violation of this subsection (g) shall be void.
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Quantum Corporation Executive Change of Control Agreement
(i) Withholding and Taxes. The provisions under this Agreement are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A, so that none of the payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to so comply or be exempt. Any payments or benefits under this Agreement will be subject to all applicable tax withholdings. Each payment and benefit to be paid or provided under Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment under Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. The Corporation and the Employee agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to the Employee under Section 409A. In no event will the Corporation reimburse the Employee for any taxes that may be imposed on the Employee as a result of Section 409A.
(j) Assignment by Corporation. The Corporation may assign its rights under this Agreement to an affiliate, and an affiliate may assign its rights under this Agreement to another affiliate of the Corporation or to the Corporation provided, however, that no assignment shall be made if the net worth of the assignee is less than the net worth of the Corporation at the time of assignment. In the case of any such assignment, the term “Corporation” when used in a section of this Agreement shall mean the Corporation that actually employs the Employee.
(k) Amendment of Award Agreements. The Corporation and the Employee agree that the provisions of this Agreement shall supersede any conflicting provisions of any equity-based compensation award agreement of the Employee, and the Corporation and the Employee agree to execute such further documents as may be necessary to amend any such agreement. With respect to equity-based compensation awards granted on or after the date hereof, the provisions of this Agreement will apply to such awards except to the extent otherwise explicitly provided in the applicable equity-based compensation award agreement.
(l) Headings. The headings of sections herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any provisions of this Agreement.
(m) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Corporation by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.
| QUANTUM CORPORATION | EMPLOYEE | |||||||
| By: | /s/ Tara Ilges | /s/ Hugues Meyrath | ||||||
| Name: | Tara Ilges | Name: Hugues Meyrath | ||||||
| Title: | Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Secretary | Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
8
Exhibit A
Any conflicts between the terms of this release and the Change of Control Agreement to which it is attached
shall be governed by the Change of Control agreement.
SUBSTANTIAL FORM OF SEVERANCE AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT
I understand that this Severance and General Release Agreement (“Agreement” or “Release”) is made by and between Quantum Corporation (“Quantum” or the “Company”) and myself, ______________. I agree that my employment with the Company will terminate on _________(“Termination Date”). I wish to release the Company from any claims I have or may have against the Company.
I understand that this Release constitutes the entire agreement between Quantum Corporation (“Quantum” or “Company”) and me with regard to the subject matter of this Release. I am not relying on any promise or representation by the Company that is not expressly stated in this Release.
1. Consideration For Agreement:
a. Beginning __________________ (“Transition Date”), I agree to voluntarily relinquish my position with Quantum and shall cooperate fully with Quantum to affect a smooth transition of my duties and responsibilities. I understand that my access to Quantum facilities, infrastructure networks, systems, and directories will be terminated. After the Transition Date and until the Termination Date (“Transition Period”), I agree not to report to work during this period or engage in any work for Quantum, unless instructed to do so by Quantum in writing. I will continue to remain available to Quantum during the Transition Period as requested for transition purposes, and I will receive my current compensation including salary and benefits through the Termination Date. I will provide any such requested services to Quantum to the best of my ability and in good faith.
During the Transition Period, I understand the employment relationship between me and Quantum shall continue to be governed by the general employment policies and practices of Quantum, including those relating to protection of confidential information, except that when the terms of this Agreement differ from or are in conflict with Quantum’s general employment policies or practices, this Agreement shall control. I understand this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to give me the right to be retained in the service of Quantum or to deny Quantum any right to terminate my employment at any time.
b. As consideration for my release of claims in this Release, Quantum will pay me a lump sum severance payment equal to ____ months of salary (or _____________ less all required and applicable withholdings and deductions), provided that I do not revoke this Agreement pursuant to paragraph 9 below. I understand that such lump sum severance payment will be paid as soon as administratively possible, but in no event later than the first regular payroll period following the Effective Date of this Agreement as described in paragraphs 8 and 9 below.
c. If I am enrolled in a medical, dental, vision, or Employee Assistance Program plan sponsored by Quantum on the Termination Date, I shall be entitled to continuation of such benefits through______________.
Beginning _______________, I shall be entitled to continuation of such benefits through COBRA. If I choose to elect healthcare continuation coverage under COBRA, Quantum will pay for up to ____ (___) months of such continuation coverage at the same monthly cost Quantum would have paid for such healthcare coverage had I remained employed at Quantum. Thereafter, I have the option to continue coverage for the remainder of the COBRA period at my own cost.
d. Any restricted stock units or performance stock units granted to me by Quantum that are scheduled to vest on or before ___________________, will vest as described in the applicable stock grant agreement. Performance stock units will continue to be subject to any applicable performance targets that must be met for issuance. I understand that I am not entitled to accelerated vesting of any stock units scheduled to vest on or after_____________________.
e. I will receive outplacement assistance via a cash stipend of_______.
f. I acknowledge and agree that the payments described (1) are sufficient consideration for my voluntary release of all claims, and (2) are in addition to anything of value that I am already entitled to in the absence of this Release.
g. I acknowledge and agree that the Company has paid me all salary, wages, accrued vacation, bonus and any and all other compensation and benefits which were earned by me during my employment with the Company and except for the severance payments described above and any ordinary payroll I earn before the Termination Date. I agree that I am not entitled to any other compensation or benefits from the Company.
2. Waiver of All Legal Claims: In consideration for the payments and promises described above, I completely release and forever discharge Quantum and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, agents, attorneys, predecessors, successors, parent and subsidiary entities, insurers, affiliates, and assigns from all claims, obligations, and causes of action of any kind, known or unknown, which I may now have, or have ever had, arising from or in any way connected with events, acts, conduct, or omissions occurring at any time prior to and including the date I sign this Release, including, without limitation, anything related to the employment relationship between the parties, any actions during that relationship, or the termination of that relationship.
This release includes but is not limited to: a) all “wrongful discharge” or “wrongful termination” claims; b) all claims relating to any contracts of employment, express or implied; c) all claims for breach of any covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied; d) all claims for any tort of any nature; e) all claims for attorney’s and accountant’s fees and costs; and f) all claims under any federal, state, or municipal statute, ordinance, regulation or constitution, including specifically any claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Labor Code, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (the “ADEA”) the Americans With Disabilities Act, and any other laws or regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination. I understand and agree that this Release is intended to be all encompassing and to act as a full release of any claim, except for those claims that cannot be released by private agreement, whether specifically enumerated here or not, that I might have or have had, that exists or ever has existed on or to the Effective Date of this Agreement.
I represent that I have not filed any complaints, claims, or actions against the Company, or its agents, shareholders, members, officers, employees, or representatives with any state, federal, or local agency or court. Except as otherwise stated below, I agree not to file any suit, complaint, charge, claim, grievance or demand for arbitration against the Company or its agents, shareholders, members, officers, employees, or representatives in any court, administrative agency, or other forum with regard to any claim, demand, liability,
or obligation with respect to any matters relating to my employment as of the date of the Effective Date of this Agreement. I understand that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit me from filing a charge with, or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and/or any federal, state or local agency. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I waive all rights to recover monetary damages in any charge, complaint, or lawsuit filed by me or by anyone else on my behalf.
3. Confidentiality Provision: I agree that the terms and conditions of this Agreement are strictly confidential and shall not be disclosed to any other person except my immediate family, legal counsel, taxing authorities in connection with my filing of federal or state tax returns, or as otherwise required by legal process or applicable law. If I make authorized disclosures of this Agreement to such third persons, I shall do whatever possible to prevent further disclosure of that information by those persons. The parties agree that damages for breach of this confidentiality provision would be difficult to prove with certainty. Accordingly, I agree that if I breach this confidentiality provision I shall pay to Quantum liquidated damages of five hundred dollars ($500) for each breach, which sum is a reasonable estimate of the damages to Quantum likely to result from such breach. Quantum shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief to enforce this confidentiality provision and I shall be further liable for Quantum’s reasonable attorney fees incurred in any effort to remedy my breach of this provision.
4. Acknowledgment of Civil Code § 1542: I acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.
I expressly waive all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to my release of any claims.
5. Unemployment Compensation: The parties agree that termination of my employment by Quantum should be considered an involuntary termination for purposes of determining my eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits, subject to the ultimate determination of eligibility for benefits by the applicable governmental agencies.
6. Non-Admission Clause: Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an admission by Quantum of any wrongdoing by the Company or any liability arising from the subjects covered in this Agreement.
7. Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. I expressly warrant that: a) I have read and fully understand this Agreement; b) I have had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of my own choosing and to have the terms of the Agreement fully explained to me; c) I am not executing this Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations or inducements other than those contained in this document; and d) I am executing this Agreement voluntarily, free of any duress or coercion.
8. Effective Date: This Agreement shall become effective on the eighth (8th) day following the date on which I sign it. It is understood that I may revoke my consent to this Agreement within seven days following the date on which I sign the Agreement. I understand that if I revoke this Agreement it will not become effective or enforceable and I will not receive the benefits described in this Agreement. It is understood that I may revoke this Agreement only by giving Quantum written notice of my revocation of this Agreement addressed to the human resources department at Quantum, before the seven-day period expires.
9. Compliance with Older Workers Benefit Protection Act: I acknowledge that I knowingly and voluntarily waive and release any rights I have under the ADEA, and that the consideration given under this Release for the waiver and release contained here is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled under law, such as accrued but unused vacation or certain other accrued compensation and/or benefits. I further acknowledge that I have been advised by this writing, as required by the ADEA, that: (a) my waiver and release do not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date I sign this Release; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to signing this Release (although I may choose voluntarily not to do so); (c) I have forty-five (45) days to consider this Release (although I may choose voluntarily to sign this Release earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the date I sign this Release to revoke the Release by providing written notice to the human resources department of the Company; and (e) this Release shall not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired, which shall be the eighth day after I sign this Release (“Effective Date”).
10. Return of Property: To the extent I have not already done so, I shall, upon my last day of regular employment, return to Quantum, all Quantum property, including all keys, credit cards, files, documents, business records, customer records, computer discs, computer, telephone and other Quantum property and assets that may be in my possession or control.
11. Non-Disparagement: I agree not to make statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take any action, which may, directly or indirectly, disparage Quantum, its officers, directors, employees, advisors, businesses, or reputations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude me or Quantum from making truthful statements or disclosures that are required by applicable law, regulation, or legal process or are pursuant to an investigation by an administrative agency.
12. Arbitration: The Company and I agree that any and all disputes arising out of the terms of this Agreement, their interpretation, and any of the matters released here, shall be subject to final, binding and confidential arbitration in Santa Clara County, California before Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS) under its Employment Arbitration Rules. The Company and I agree that the prevailing party in any arbitration shall be entitled to their reasonable attorneys’ fees and to injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration award. The Company and I agree to waive our right to have any dispute arising out of this Agreement resolved by a jury or judge.
13. Governing Law: I understand this Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California.
14. Construction of Agreement: I understand this Agreement will be interpreted according to the plain meaning of its terms and not strictly for or against any of the parties.
15. Counterparts: I understand this Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
16. Severability: If any provisions of this Agreement are determined to be invalid or unenforceable it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.
| Read and Accepted by: | Read and Accepted by: Quantum Corporation | |||||||
| Employee Name: | Company Representative: | |||||||
| Signature: | Signature: | |||||||
| Date: | Date: | |||||||