Shenandoah Telecommunications Co DEFA14A, filed Apr 5, 2024
Shenandoah Telecommunications Co (SHEN)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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| ☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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| ☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
500 Shentel Way
Edinburg, Virginia 22824
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
April 30, 2024
| SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROXY STATEMENT |
Dear Shareholders,
On March 14, 2024, we filed our definitive proxy statement for our upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2024 Annual Meeting”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and provided access to our proxy materials, including our definitive proxy statement, the proxy card and our 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders, over the Internet.
Proposal 5 on the notice and proxy card for the 2024 Annual Meeting relates to the proposal to approve our 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”). Our Board of Directors recommends voting FOR this proposal. We are providing the following additional information to help shareholders evaluate the 2024 Plan. This additional information supplements the information in Proposal 5 regarding the 2024 Plan in, and should be read in conjunction with, the definitive proxy statement. This additional information is being filed with the SEC and is first being made available to our shareholders on April 5, 2024.
We are providing this additional information to clarify that the 2024 Plan requires shareholder approval to reprice outstanding options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). As stated in the definitive proxy statement in Proposal 5 under the heading “Amendment; Termination,” “[o]ur shareholders must approve any amendment if such approval is required under applicable law or stock exchange requirements (including the repricing of outstanding options and SARs).” A copy of the 2024 Plan is attached to these additional proxy materials as Appendix A, in which Section 4(b) has been clarified to eliminate the language that indicated that repricing without shareholder approval might be allowed pursuant to the 2024 Plan. The copy of the 2024 Plan attached to these additional proxy materials as Appendix A replaces the version previously filed as Appendix II to the definitive proxy statement.
Except as specifically amended herein, all information in the definitive proxy statement remains unchanged. No other changes have been made to the definitive proxy statement.
Based on the foregoing, our Board of Directors continues to recommend a vote FOR Proposal 5, which seeks approval of the 2024 Plan.
Your vote is important! Whether or not you plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares by proxy prior to the meeting in one of the following ways. This will ensure your representation even if you do not attend. Please refer to the information under “General Information” beginning on page 4 of our definitive proxy statement for additional information on voting and how to attend the meeting. If you have already voted, you do not need to take any action unless you wish to change your vote.
| • | By Internet: Visit the website listed in your notice of internet availability of proxy materials or your proxy card or voting instruction form |
| • | By Phone: Call the toll-free voting number on your voting materials |
| • | By Mail: Mail your completed and signed proxy card or voting instruction form |
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2024 or their proxy holders may vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement for the Shenandoah Telecommunications Company 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, including these additional proxy materials, and the 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at: www.proxyvote.com.
APPENDIX A
SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY
2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purposes of this Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to: (i) attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, (ii) provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and (iii) promote the success of the Company's business by offering these individuals an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, or to increase this interest, by permitting them to receive Shares of the Company. This Plan permits the grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Performance Shares, and Other Stock-Based Awards.
| 2. | Definitions. As used in this Plan, the following definitions apply: |
(a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees that are administering this Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of this Plan.
(b) "Affiliate" means a corporation or other entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.
(c) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the administration of, and the issuance of securities under, equity-based awards or equity compensation plans, including, without limitation, the requirements of U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or may be, granted under this Plan. For all purposes of this Plan, references to statutes and regulations shall be deemed to include any successor statutes or regulations, to the extent reasonably appropriate as determined by the Administrator.
(d) "Acquiror" means the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be, in a Change in Control.
(e) "Award" means, individually or collectively, a grant under this Plan of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Performance Shares or Other Stock-Based Awards.
(f) "Award Agreement" means the written agreement evidencing the grant of an Award executed by the Company and the Participant, including any amendments thereto. The Award Agreement may be in written or electronic format, in such form and with such terms as may be specified by the Administrator, evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. Each Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.
| (g) | "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. |
(h) "Cause" means, with respect to a Participant's termination by the Company as a Service Provider, for "Cause" as such term (or word of like import) is expressly defined in a then- effective written agreement between the Participant and the Company. In the absence of an effective written agreement that contains a definition of Cause, the term Cause shall mean any of the following:
(i) any act or omission by the Participant that constitutes a material breach by the Participant of any of his or her obligations under this Plan or an applicable Award Agreement; (ii) the Participant's conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, (A) any felony or (B) another crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude or a crime which could reflect negatively upon the Company or otherwise impair or impede its operations; (iii) the Participant engaging in any misconduct, negligence, act of dishonesty, violence or threat of violence (including any violation of federal securities laws) that is injurious to the Company or any of its Affiliates; (iv) the Participant's material breach of a written policy of the Company or the rules of any governmental or regulatory body applicable to the Company; (v) the Participant's refusal to follow the directions of his or her superiors; and (vi) any other willful misconduct by the Participant which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, if the Participant's status as a Service Provider is terminated without Cause, the Company shall have the sole discretion to later use after-acquired evidence to retroactively re-characterize the prior termination as a termination for Cause if such after-acquired evidence supports such an action. If after-acquired evidence would support a termination for Cause and the Participant has already exercised an Option or vested in an Award, the Participant agrees as a condition of his or her receiving the Option that the Company shall repurchase the Shares at the price paid by the Participant, and if instead the Award was granted with no purchase price, then the Award or Shares shall be immediately and automatically forfeited for no consideration, with or without the Participant's consent.
(i) "Change in Control" means, except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, 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 Exchange Act, other than (A) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate, or (B) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Common Stock) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent 50% or more of the combined voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;
(ii) there is consummated a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (or any transaction having a similar effect, including a liquidation) other than (A) a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale, or (B) pursuant to a spin-off type transaction, directly or indirectly, of such assets to the Company's stockholders
(iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than (A) a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (ii), or (iv) of this Section 2(i) or (B) a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of trustees of the Company) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;
(iv) there is consummated a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (or any transaction having a similar effect, including a liquidation) other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power and common stock of which is owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common shares of the Company immediately prior to such sale.
(j) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the U.S. Treasury regulations and administrative guidance promulgated thereunder.
(k) "Committee" means a committee of Directors or other individuals that satisfies Applicable Laws and was appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of this Plan.
(l) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.
(m) "Company" means Shenandoah Telecommunications Company, a Virginia corporation, and any successor to thereto.
(n) "Consultant" means any natural person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render services to such entity.
(o) "Continuous Service" means that the Participant's service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Consultant or Director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant's Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant's Continuous Service; provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code.
(p) "Director" means a member of the Board.
(q) "Disability" means either: (i) a total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code (applicable only to Incentive Stock Options); or (ii) the Participant (x) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; (y) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering Participants of the Company; or (z) is determined by the Social Security Administration to be disabled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(r) "Dividend Equivalent Right" means a credit, made at the sole discretion of the Administrator, to the account of a Participant in an amount equal to the value of dividends paid on one Share for each Share represented by an Award held by such Participant. Under no circumstances will the payment of a Dividend Equivalent Right be made contingent on the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(s) "Employee" means any person, including officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Affiliate. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company is sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.
(t) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(u) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the day of determination.
(v) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, as designated in the applicable Award Agreement.
(w) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, as designated in the applicable Award Agreement, or an intended Incentive Stock Option that does not so qualify.
(x) "Option" means an option to purchase Shares that is granted pursuant to this Plan in accordance with Section 7 hereof.
(y) "Other Stock-Based Awards" means any other awards not specifically described in this Plan that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares and are created by the Administrator pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan.
(z) "Parent" means a "parent corporation" with respect to the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(aa) "Participant" means a Service Provider who has been granted an Award under this Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.
(bb) "Performance Goals" means goals which have been established by the Administrator in connection with an Award and are based on one or more criteria as established by the Administrator in its sole discretion from time to time.
(cc) "Performance Period" means the time period during which the Performance Goals must be met.
(dd) "Performance Share" means Shares issued pursuant to a Performance Share Award under Section 11 of this Plan.
(ee) "Performance Stock Unit" means, pursuant to Section 11 of this Plan, an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash or other securities equal to the value set forth in the Award Agreement.
(ff) "Plan" means this 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time. (gg) "Restricted Stock" means Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award under Section 8 of this Plan or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.
(hh) "Restricted Stock Unit" means, pursuant to Section 10 of this Plan, an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash or other securities equal in value to the Fair Market Value of one Share in the Company on the date of vesting or settlement, or as otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement.
(ii) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to this Plan.
(jj) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(kk) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(ll) "Service Provider" means a natural person that is an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(mm) "Share" means a share of Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of this Plan.
(nn) "Stock Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means, pursuant to Section 9 of this Plan, an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash or other securities equal in value to the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date such SAR is exercised and the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date such SAR was granted, or as otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement.
(oo) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation" with respect to the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to this Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of this Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under this Plan is three million (3,000,000) Shares, all of which may be subject to Incentive Stock Option treatment. Shares will not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to this Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash. Upon payment in Shares pursuant to the exercise or settlement of an Award, the number of Shares available for issuance under this Plan will be reduced only by the number of Shares actually issued in such exercise or settlement. If a Participant pays the exercise price (or purchase price, if applicable) of an Award through the tender or withholding of Shares as full or partial payment of such exercise price, or if Shares are tendered or withheld to satisfy any withholding obligations of the Company, the number of Shares so tendered or withheld will again be available for issuance pursuant to future Awards under this Plan.
(a) Lapsed Awards. If any outstanding Award expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if Shares acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or repurchased by the Company, the Shares allocable to the terminated portion of the Award or the forfeited or repurchased Shares will again be available for grant under this Plan.
(b) Share Reserve. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as are sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan. The Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized but unissued Shares, treasury shares or Shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.
(c) Shares under Plans of Acquired Companies. Shares issued or transferred pursuant to an Award granted in substitution for outstanding awards, or in connection with assumed awards, previously granted by a company or other entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines, shall not count against the limits in the first sentence of Section 3(a) hereof.
| 4. | Administration of this Plan. |
| (a) | Procedure. |
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer this Plan.
(ii) Rule 16b-3. If a transaction is intended to be exempt under Rule 16b-3, then it will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, this Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(iv) Delegation of Authority for Day-to-Day Administration. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day- to-day administration of this Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to the Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities, the Administrator has the authority, in its discretion to:
(i) determine the Fair Market Value of Awards;
(ii) select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted under this Plan;
(iii) determine the number of Shares or cash to be covered by each Award granted under this Plan;
(iv) determine when Awards are to be granted under this Plan and the applicable date of grant;
(v) approve forms of Award Agreements for use under this Plan;
(vi) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan, of any Award granted under this Plan, including but not limited to, the exercise price, the purchase price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on Performance Goals), any acceleration of vesting or waiver of forfeiture or repurchase restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine;
(vii) construe and interpret the terms of this Plan and Awards granted pursuant to this Plan;
(viii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan, including rules and regulations relating to the creation and administration of sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable laws of jurisdictions other than the United States;
(ix) amend the terms of any outstanding Award, including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercise period of Awards and accelerate the satisfaction of any vesting criteria or waiver of forfeiture or repurchase restrictions, but any amendment that would adversely affect the Participant's rights under an outstanding Award will not be made without the Participant's written consent;
(x) allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares or cash to be issued upon exercise or vesting of an Award up to the number of Shares or cash having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld up to the maximum individual income tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction. The Fair Market Value of any Shares to be withheld is to be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined, and all elections by a Participant to have Shares or cash withheld for this purpose are to be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;
(xi) authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xii) allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to the Participant under an Award;
(xiii) determine whether Awards are to be settled in Shares, cash or in a combination of Shares and cash;
(xiv) determine whether Awards are to be adjusted for Dividend Equivalent Rights;
(xv) create Other Stock-Based Awards for issuance under this Plan;
(xvi) establish a program whereby Service Providers designated by the Administrator can reduce compensation otherwise payable in cash in exchange for Awards under this Plan;
(xvii) impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an Award, including without limitation, (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy, and (B) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers;
(xviii) establish one or more programs under this Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of Performance Goals, or other event that absent the election, would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of Shares or other consideration under an Award;
(xix) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in this Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award;
(xx) to correct administrative errors; and
(xxi) make all other determinations that the Administrator deems necessary or advisable for administering this Plan.
The express grant in this Plan of any specific power to the Administrator will not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Administrator. However, the Administrator may not exercise any right or power reserved to the Board.
(c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's decisions, determinations, actions and interpretations will be final, conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this Plan.
5. Eligibility. With the exception of Incentive Stock Options, Awards may be granted to Employees, Directors, and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
6. $100,000 Limitation for Incentive Stock Options. Each Option must be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Options with respect to such Shares are granted.
7. Options.
(a) Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine.
(b) Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option must be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the exercise price, the term of the Option, the number of Shares subject to the Option, the exercise restrictions (if any) applicable to the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine.
(c) Term of Option. The term of each Option must be stated in the Award Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term must be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option must be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
(d) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
(i) Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option is to be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:
(1) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option:
(a) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price must be no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(b) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price must be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(2) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price will be determined by the Administrator, but must not be less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant unless the terms of such Nonstatutory Stock Option comply with Section 409A of the Code.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.
(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the satisfaction of such conditions at any time.
(e) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, may consist entirely of:
(i) cash or cash equivalents;
(ii) check;
(iii) in the discretion of the Administrator, surrendering or attesting to the ownership of Shares that are already owned by the Participant that meet the conditions established by the Administrator to avoid adverse accounting consequences, valued at their Fair Market Value on the date the Option is exercised;
(iv) in the discretion of the Administrator, payment may be made in whole or in part by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company in payment of all or part of the exercise price and/or any withholding taxes;
(v) in the discretion of the Administrator, through a "net exercise" such that, without the payment of any funds, the Participant may exercise the Option and receive the net number of Shares equal to (A) the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Fair Market Value per Share (on such date as is determined by the Administrator) less the exercise price per Share, and the denominator of which is such Fair Market Value per Share. The number of net Shares to be received shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of Shares;
(vi) in the discretion of the Administrator, a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant;
(vii) in the discretion of the Administrator, any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(viii) in the discretion of the Administrator, any other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares permitted by Applicable Laws.
(f) Exercise of Option.
(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted under this Plan will be exercisable according to the terms of this Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (x) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, (y) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (including provision for any applicable tax withholding), and (z) all representations and documents reasonably requested by the Administrator. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and this Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option must be issued in the name of the Participant. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment is to be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 15 or the applicable Award Agreement. Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider (Other than Death or Disability). If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant's death or Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested portion of his or her Option within the time period specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). If the Award Agreement does not specify a time period within which the vested portion of such Option must be exercised after the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, the vested portion of such Option will be exercisable for three (3) months after the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider (other than upon the Participant's death or Disability). Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option on the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider (other than upon the Participant's death or Disability), then immediately thereafter, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall be forfeited. Additionally, if the Participant does not exercise his or her Option as to all of the vested Shares within the time period specified herein, then immediately thereafter, the Option will terminate and the Shares covered by the unexercised portion of the Option shall be forfeited.
(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested portion of his or her Option within the time period specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). If the Award Agreement does not specify a time period within which the vested portion of such Option must be exercised after the Participant ceasing to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability, the vested portion of such Option will be exercisable for twelve (12) months after the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if the Participant is not vested as to the Participant's entire Option on the date he or she ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Disability, then immediately thereafter, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall be forfeited. Additionally, if the Participant does not exercise his or her Option as to all of the vested Shares within the time period specified herein, then immediately thereafter, the Option will terminate and the Shares covered by the unexercised portion of the Option shall be forfeited.
(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised within the time period specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the beneficiary designated by the Participant prior to his or her death; provided that such designation must be acceptable to the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then the vested portion of the Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant's estate, or by the persons to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant's will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. If the Award Agreement does not specify a time period within which the vested portion of such Option must be exercised after a Participant's death, the vested portion of such Option will be exercisable for twelve (12) months after his or her death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option on the date he or she ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant's death, then immediately thereafter, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall be forfeited. Additionally, if the Participant's beneficiary, personal representative or permitted transferee does not exercise the Option as to all of the vested Shares within the time period specified herein, then immediately thereafter, the Option will terminate.
| 8. | Restricted Stock. |
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines.
(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock must be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine.
(c) Removal of Restrictions. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(d) Voting Rights. Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(e) Dividends and Other Distributions. Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares; provided, however, that if so determined by the Administrator and provided by the Award Agreement, such dividends and distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitaibility as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such dividends or distributions were paid, and otherwise shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year in which such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders (or, if later, the fifteenth (15th) day of the third month following the date such dividends or distributions are paid to stockholders).
| 9. | Stock Appreciation Rights. |
(a) Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, a SAR may be granted to a Service Provider at any time and from time to time as may be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator has complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Service Provider. The Administrator has complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under this Plan, including the sole discretion to accelerate exercisability at any time, but the per Share exercise price that will determine the amount of the payment the Company receives upon exercise of a SAR will not be less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant unless the terms of such SAR comply with Section 409A of the Code.
(b) SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant must be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the exercise price, the term, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine.
(c) Expiration of SARs. A SAR granted under this Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, as set forth in the Award Agreement; but no SAR may be exercisable later than ten (10) years after the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 7(f)(ii), 7(f)(iii) and 7(f)(iv) also apply to SARs.
(d) Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise and the exercise price; by
(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
At the sole discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon the exercise of a SAR may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.
| 10. | Restricted Stock Units. |
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock Units to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines.
(b) Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units must be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine.
(c) Removal of Restrictions. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(d) Voting Rights. Participants holding Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).
(e) Dividends Equivalent Rights. The Administrator, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Restricted Stock Unit Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Shares during the period beginning on the date such Award is granted and ending, with respect to each Share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date the Award is settled or the date on which it is terminated. Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be paid by crediting the Participant with a cash amount or with additional whole Restricted Stock Units as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Shares, as determined by the Administrator. The number of additional Restricted Stock Units (rounded to the nearest whole number), if any, to be credited shall be determined by dividing (a) the amount of cash dividends paid on the dividend payment date with respect to the number of Shares represented by the Restricted Stock Units previously credited to the Participant by (b) the Fair Market Value per Share on such date. If so determined by the Administrator and provided by the Award Agreement, such cash amount or additional Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions and shall be settled in the same manner and at the same time as the Restricted Stock Units originally granted. If the Award Agreement provides for current payment of Dividend Equivalent Rights in cash, such amounts shall be paid no later than the end of the calendar year in which the corresponding dividends are paid to stockholders (or, if later, the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the date such dividends are paid to stockholders).
| 11. | Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares. |
(a) Grant of Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator has complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares granted to each Service Provider.
(b) Value of Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares. Each Performance Stock Unit and Performance Share must have an initial value established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share must have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(c) Performance Goals and Other Terms. The Administrator may set Performance Goals in its sole discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares that will be paid out to the Participant. Each award of Performance Stock Units or Performance Shares must be evidenced by an Award Agreement that specifies the Performance Period and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator in its sole discretion may determine. The Administrator may set Performance Goals based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or individual goals (including solely continued service), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(d) Earning of Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Stock Units or Performance Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Stock Units or Performance Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals have been achieved. After the grant of Performance Stock Units or Performance Shares, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, reduce or waive any performance objectives for the Performance Stock Units or Performance Shares.
(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Stock Units. Payment of earned Performance Stock Units, if any, will be made after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period at the time determined by the Administrator. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Stock Units in the form of cash, in Shares or in a combination of cash and Shares.
(f) Cancellation of Performance Stock Units or Performance Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and the Shares subject to such Awards (if any) will again be available for grant under this Plan as set forth in Section 3.
12. Other Stock-Based Awards. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, other Awards granted under this Plan and/or cash awards made outside of this Plan. The Administrator has authority to determine the Service Providers to whom and the time or times at which Other Stock-Based Awards are to be made, the amount of such Other Stock-Based Awards, and all other conditions of the Other Stock-Based Awards, including any dividend or distribution rights and whether the Award should be paid in cash.
13. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted under this Plan will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence and will resume on the date the Participant returns to work on a regular schedule as determined by the Company; provided, that no vesting credit will be awarded for the time vesting has been suspended during such leave of absence. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company or any Affiliate. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no leave of absence may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not guaranteed by statute or contract, then at the end of three (3) months after the expiration of the leave of absence, any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
14. Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.
15. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock split, stock dividend or other non-recurring dividends or distributions, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of stock, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction that affects the Common Stock, an adjustment will be made, as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan. Such adjustment may include an adjustment to the number and class of Shares which may be delivered under this Plan, the number, class and price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, the number and class of Shares issuable pursuant to Options, and the numerical limits contained in Section 3. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the number of Shares subject to any Award always will be a whole number.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practical prior to the effective date of the proposed transaction. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award, to the extent applicable, until ten (10) days prior to the transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any Award will lapse with respect to one hundred percent (100%) of the Shares underlying such Award, and that any Award vesting will accelerate in full, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised or vested, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such liquidation or dissolution.
(c) Change in Control. This Section 15(c) will apply except to the extent otherwise provided in the Award Agreement.
(i) Assumption, Continuation or Substitution. In the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. With respect to Awards that are assumed or substituted, if on the date of or following the assumption or substitution, the Participant's status as a Service Provider is terminated without Cause within eighteen (18) months following the date of the Change in Control, then all restrictions on Awards granted to such Participant will lapse, and the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise, if applicable, his or her Awards, and, to the extent applicable, all Performance Goals and other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, if the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant shall fully vest in the Award, all applicable restrictions shall lapse, all performance objectives and other vesting criteria shall be deemed achieved at targeted levels and, with respect to Options or SARS, Participants shall have the right to exercise the Option or SAR as to all of the Awarded Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option or SAR is not assumed or substituted on the Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or SAR shall be exercisable, to the extent vested, for a period of up to 15 days from the date of such notice, and the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this Section 15(c)(i), an Award shall be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to an Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether securities, cash, or property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares). However, if the consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received for each Share, and upon the exercise of the Option or SAR for each share of Awarded Stock subject to the Option or SAR, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned, or is paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance objectives shall not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of the performance objectives without the Participant's consent; provided, however, a modification to performance objectives only to reflect the successor corporation's post-Change in Control corporate structure shall not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
(ii) Cash-Out of Outstanding Stock-Based Awards. Notwithstanding any provision of Section 15(c)(i) to the contrary, the Administrator may, in its discretion and without the consent of any Participant, determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each or any Award denominated in Shares or portion thereof outstanding immediately prior to the Change in Control and not previously exercised or settled shall be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to each vested Share (and each unvested Share, if so determined by the Administrator) subject to such canceled Award in (i) cash, (ii) stock of the Company or of a corporation or other business entity a party to the Change in Control, or (iii) other property which, in any such case, shall be in an amount having a Fair Market Value equal to the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per Share in the Change in Control, reduced (but not below zero) by the exercise or purchase price per Share, if any, under such Award. In the event such determination is made by the Administrator, an Award having an exercise or purchase price per share equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be paid per share of Stock in the Change in Control may be canceled without payment of consideration to the holder thereof. Payment pursuant to this Section 15 (reduced by applicable withholding taxes, if any) shall be made to Participants in respect of the vested portions of their canceled Awards as soon as practicable following the date of the Change in Control and in respect of the unvested portions of their canceled Awards in accordance with the vesting schedules applicable to such Awards.
16. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or a later date as is determined by the Administrator. The Administrator will provide a notice of the determination to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
17. Board and Stockholder Approval; Term of Plan. The Board approved this Plan on Februrary 13, 2024 and the Company's stockholders approved this Plan on April 30, 2024, to be effective March 1, 2024 . From its effectiveness, this Plan will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 18.
18. Amendment and Termination of this Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate this Plan.
(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws. To the extent it is desired to grant Incentive Stock Options under this Plan, then approval of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company must occur within twelve (12) months before or after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board. Such approval by stockholders of the Company shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under Applicable Law. Incentive Stock Options may be granted, but Incentive Stock Options may not be exercised, prior to approval of this Plan by stockholders of the Company.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of this Plan will materially or adversely impair the rights of any Participant, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of this Plan will not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise the powers granted to it under this Plan with respect to Awards granted under this Plan prior to the date of termination. No Shares shall be issued or sold under this Plan after the termination thereof, except upon exercise of an Award granted prior to the termination of this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, or anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Administrator shall have unilateral authority to amend an Award, without Participant consent, to the minimum extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code and such amendment shall not be deemed to materially impair the rights of such Participant.
| 19. | Conditions upon Issuance of Shares. |
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of the Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving the Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute the Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
(c) Taxes. As a condition to the exercise or settlement of an Award, the Participant shall make such arrangements as the Administrator may require for the satisfaction of any applicable withholding taxes arising in connection with the exercise or settlement of an Award under the laws of
U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. jurisdictions. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares under this Plan until the foregoing obligations are satisfied. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the exercise or settlement of any Award, the Company shall have the right to withhold taxes from any compensation or other amounts that the Company may owe to the Participant, or to require the Participant to pay to the Company the amount of any taxes that the Company may be required to withhold with respect to the Shares issued to the Participant. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator in its sole discretion may authorize the Participant to satisfy all or part of any withholding tax liability by: (i) having the Company withhold from the Shares that would otherwise be issued upon the exercise or settlement of an Award up to that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value, as of the date the withholding tax liability arises, sufficient to satisfy the withholding obligations based on the maximum individual income tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction; and/or (ii) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered Shares having a Fair Market Value, as of the date the withholding tax liability arises, equal to the amount of the Company's withholding tax liability to be so satisfied. Subject to the preceding sentence, the exercisability or settlement of any Award Agreement shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
20. Severability. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Plan or an Award to the contrary, if any one or more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan or any Award Agreement are invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such provision will be modified so as to make it valid, legal, and enforceable, and the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan or Award, as applicable, will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
21. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.
22. No Rights to Awards. No Participant, eligible Service Provider, or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under this Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of a Service Provider, Participant, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under this Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to different Participants.
23. No Stockholders Rights. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, a Participant has none of the rights of a stockholders with respect to Shares covered by an Award until the Participant becomes the record owner of the Shares.
24. Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares will be issued and the Administrator will determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash will be paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares will be eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.
25. Governing Law. This Plan, all Award Agreements, and all related matters, are to be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to choice of law principles that direct the Applicable Laws of another state.
26. No Effect on Terms of Employment or Consulting Relationship. This Plan does not confer upon any Participant any right as a Service Provider, nor does it interfere in any way with his or her right or the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the Participant's service at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without notice.
27. No Trust or Fund Created. Neither this Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other person. To the extent that any Participant acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
28. Section 409A. It is the intention of the Company that no Award be "deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless and to the extent that the Administrator specifically determines otherwise, and this Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards are to be interpreted accordingly. The following rules will apply to Awards that are intended to comply with Section 409A:
(a) Any distribution of a 409A Award following a separation from service that would be subject to Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code as a distribution following a separation from service of a "specified employee" (as defined under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) will occur no earlier than the expiration of the six-month (6) period following such separation from service.
(b) In the case of any distribution of any other 409A Award, if the timing of such distribution is not otherwise specified in this Plan or Award Agreement or other governing document, the distribution will be made not later than the end of the calendar year during which the settlement of the 409A Award is specified to occur.
(c) Each payment that a Participant may receive with respect to a 409A Award will be treated as a "separate payment" for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
29. Construction. Headings in this Plan are included for convenience and are not to be considered in the interpretation of this Plan. References to sections are to Sections of this Plan unless otherwise indicated. Pronouns include the masculine, feminine, neutral, singular or plural as the identity of the antecedent may require. This Plan is to be construed according to its fair meaning and is not to be strictly construed against the Company.
30. Compensation Recoupment. All compensation and Awards payable or paid under this Plan and any sub-plans will be subject to the Company's ability to recover incentive-based compensation from executive officers, as is or may be required by the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, any regulations or rules promulgated thereunder, or any other "clawback" provision required by applicable law or the listing standards of any applicable stock exchange or national market system.
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