SNFI 8-K
Stark Novus Financial Inc. (SNFI)
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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| OTC Pink Market |
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Explanatory Note
As previously disclosed, on June 27, 2023, Lordstown Motors Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”), commenced voluntary proceedings under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (“Chapter 11”) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”). The Chapter 11 proceedings currently are being jointly administered under the caption In re: Lordstown Motors Corp., et al., Cases No. 23-10831 through 23-10833 (the “Chapter 11 Cases”). We expect the case caption to reflect the Company’s name change to Nu Ride Inc. in the near future.
As previously disclosed, on March 5, 2024, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation Order”) confirming the Third Modified First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Lordstown Motors Corp. and Its Affiliated Debtors (as may be further modified, amended, or supplemented, the “Plan”). Following the entry of the Confirmation Order and all conditions to Plan effectiveness being satisfied, the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy on March 14, 2024 (the “Effective Date”) under the name “Nu Ride Inc.” In connection with its emergence from bankruptcy, the Company relocated its headquarters from Lordstown, Ohio to New York, New York. The Company remains incorporated in Delaware.
Post-emergence, the Company’s equity interests remain outstanding, with the same CUSIP number (54405Q209) as before the Chapter 11 Cases. The Class A common stock of the Company continues to trades on the OTC Pink Market and, as of the Effective Date, the ticker symbol has changed from “RIDEQ” to “NRDE.”
The summary descriptions of the Plan and the Confirmation Order in this Form 8-K (this “Form 8-K”) do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Confirmed Plan and the Confirmation Order, which were previously filed as exhibits to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 7, 2024 (the “Confirmation Form 8-K”), and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 1.01 | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
Amendment to 2020 Equity Incentive Plan
In accordance with the Plan, on March 14, 2024, the New Board (as defined below) approved, adopted and ratified an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended to increase the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance thereunder to an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares. The Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan provides for the award of stock options (including incentive and non-qualified), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock unit awards, restricted stock awards, performance unit awards, and performance stock awards. Employees, consultants and directors of the Company are eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.
| Item 3.03 | Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders. |
The information set forth in Item 5.03 is incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Departure of Directors
Pursuant to the Plan, as of the Effective Date, the following persons no longer serve on the board of directors of the Company: Daniel A. Ninivaggi, Joseph B. Anderson, Jr., Keith Feldman, David T. Hamamoto, Edward T. Hightower, Jane Reiss, Laura J. Soave, Dale Spencer, and Angela Strand.
Termination of Executives
Pursuant to the Plan, as of the Effective Date, the employment of the following executive officers of the Company was terminated: Messrs. Ninivaggi and Hightower and Adam Kroll. In connection with such termination, each entered into a severance agreement with the Company on terms previously approved by the board of directors and the Bankruptcy Court.
Severance Agreements
Pursuant to the Plan, on March 13, 2024, the Company entered into a Severance Settlement Agreement (the “Severance Agreement”) with each of Messrs. Ninivaggi, Hightower and Kroll (each, a “Former Executive”). The Severance Agreements provide for certain payments and benefits to each Former Executive in consideration of obligations that existed under employment agreements with each Former Executive and in connection with providing consulting services to the Company upon emergence.
The Severance Agreements provide that each Former Executive receives an allowed general unsecured claim for severance on the Effective Date in the following amounts: Mr. Ninivaggi: $550,000; Mr. Hightower: $975,267; and Mr. Kroll: $685,000; (each, a “Proposed Allowed Employee Claim”), in exchange for their agreement to (a) release certain claims against the Debtors, (b) comply with restrictive covenants, including confidentiality and assignment of inventions covenants, under the Employment Agreements and other agreements with the Company containing these terms and (c) consult with the post-Effective Date Company for a specified number of hours over a six-month period for no additional consideration in the case of Messrs. Ninivaggi and Hightower and for a specified rate with respect to continuing SEC reporting obligations and certain other responsibilities for Mr. Kroll. In each case, the Former Executives will provide support with respect to the claims reconciliation process, satisfaction of applicable SEC and other regulatory requirements, filing of tax returns, and assistance with respect to prosecution of causes of action retained by the Company pursuant to the Plan.
Distributions with respect to the Proposed Allowed Employee Claims will be made as follows: (a) distribution on account of two thirds of the Proposed Allowed Employee Claim is to be made within 30 days of the Effective Date and (b) the remainder is to be made within 120 days of the Effective Date. The Former Executives are not entitled to a greater percentage recovery than other allowed general unsecured claims and are entitled to any subsequent “holdback” distributions that are made under the Plan.
Any unvested RSUs and options held by the Former Executives as of the Effective Date vested in full. PSUs held as of the Effective Date by Mr. Kroll vested in full, while those held by Messrs. Ninivaggi and Hightower terminated. Vested options will remain exercisable for three months following the Effective Date.
Appointment of New Board
Pursuant to the Plan, the following persons were appointed to the board of directors of the Company as of the Effective Date (the “New Board”): Alexander C. Matina, Andrew L. Sole, Michael J. Wartell, Neil Werner and Alexandre Zyngier. Biographical information about each of the members of the New Board is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company on February 28, 2024 and such biographical information is hereby incorporated by reference.
As required by the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as defined below), the New Board has been divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The term of the initial Class I directors (Mr. Weiner) shall expire at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company to be held in 2025; the term of the initial Class II directors shall expire at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company to be held in 2026 (Messrs. Zyngier and Wartell), and the term of the initial Class III directors (Messrs. Sole and Matina) shall expire at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company to be held in 2027, or, in each case, on the earlier of such persons death, resignation or removal.
The New Board has approved quarterly compensation of board members of $12,000 in cash and $8,000 in fair market value equity compensation to be issued under the Company’s 2020 Equity Compensation Plan, both paid in arrears.
Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer
On the Effective Date, in accordance with the Plan, William Gallagher was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Company. Biographical information about Mr. Gallagher is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company on February 28, 2024 and such biographical information is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
Amended and Restated Charter
Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, on the Effective Date, the Company's Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was amended and restated in its entirety (the "Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation"). The Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for, as compared to the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incoproration, among other things, (i) the Company’s new name; (ii) the classification of the New Board into three classes as described under Item 5.02 above, and (iii) the adoption of certain net operating loss (NOL) trading restrictions, as set forth in the Plan and described in the Confirmation Form 8-K. The indemnification provisions were amended to incorporate certain provisions of the Plan with respect to the treatment of matters arising prior to the Effective Date. The Certificate of Designation of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock remains in effect.
Amended and Restated Bylaws
Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, on the Effective Date, the Company's bylaws, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, were amended and restated in their entirety (the "Second Amended and Restated Bylaws"). The indemnification provisions were amended to incorporate certain provisions of the Plan with respect to the treatment of matters arising prior to the Effective Date.
Copies of the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
The information set forth under “Explanatory Note” is incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.
Share Retention
On March, 14, 2024, the New Board has approved, adopted and ratified the retention of an aggregate of 193,221 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock from the Former Executives and other former employees at value of $1.71 per share to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to the vesting and settlement of certain outstanding equity incentive awards held by such persons as of the Effective Date.
Press Release
On March 14, 2023, the Company issued a press release reporting its emergence from bankruptcy. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(a) Exhibits
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | |
| 3.1 | Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Nu Ride Inc. | |
| 3.2 | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Nu Ride Inc. | |
| 99.1 | Press release, dated March 14, 2024. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| NU RIDE INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ William Gallagher | |
| Name: | William Gallagher | |
| Date: March 15, 2024 | Title: | Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary, and Treasurer |
Exhibit 3.1
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
LORDSTOWN MOTORS CORP.
March 13, 2024
Lordstown Motors Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:
1. The name of the Corporation is “Lordstown Motors Corp.” The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 13, 2018 (the “Original Certificate”) under its initial name, “DIAMONDPEAK HOLDINGS CORP”.
2. The Corporation amended and restated the Original Certificate on February 27, 2019 (as amended and restated, the “First Amended and Restated Certificate”).
3. The Corporation amended and restated the First Amended and Restated Certificate on October 23, 2020 (as amended and restated, the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate”).
4. The Corporation amended the Second Amended and Restated Certificate on August 18, 2022 (the “First Amendment”).
5. The Corporation amended the Second Amended and Restated Certificate further on May 22, 2023 (the “Second Amendment”).
6. This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Third Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate, as amended by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, was duly approved and authorized in accordance with Sections 242, 245 and 303(a), (b) and (c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”), by an order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) entered on March 6, 2024, confirming the Third Modified First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Lordstown Motors Corp. and Its Affiliated Debtors, dated February 27, 2024 (the “Plan”), filed in the cases commenced under title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532, jointly administered as Case No. 23-10831 pending before the Bankruptcy Court).
7. This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
8. The text of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate, as amended by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE I.
NAME
The name of the corporation is Nu Ride Inc. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
ARTICLE III.
REGISTERED AGENT
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19808, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE IV.
CAPITALIZATION
Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 462,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 450,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (the “Common Stock”) and (b) 12,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”).
Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.
(a) Pursuant to the authority conferred by this Article Fourth, Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has been designated, with such series consisting of such number of shares, with such voting powers and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions therefor as are stated and expressed in that certain Certificate of Designation, Preferences, and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 of Lordstown Motors Corp. filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on November 18, 2022, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A without amendment or modification and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 4.3 Common Stock.
| (a) | Voting. |
(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the shares of Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.
(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.
(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.
(b) Dividends. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.
(c) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law, the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.
Section 4.4 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.
Section 4.5 Non-Voting Equity. The Corporation shall not issue nonvoting equity securities to the extent prohibited by Section 1123(a)(6) of title 11 of the United States Code (as amended, the “Bankruptcy Code”); provided, however, that the foregoing restriction shall (a) have no further force and effect beyond that required under Section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) only have such force and effect for so long as Section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code is in effect and applicable to the Corporation, and (c) in all event may be amended or eliminated in accordance with applicable law as from time to time may be in effect.
ARTICLE V.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Third Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation (“Bylaws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Third Amended and Restated Certificate, and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.
Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term.
(a) Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the total number of directors of the Corporation shall be no less than three (3) and no more than nine (9) as fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board then in office.
(b) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, the Board shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible and designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I, Class II or Class III. Following the effectiveness of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate and subject to the election and qualification of their respective successors in office: the term of the initial Class I Directors shall expire at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation to be held in 2025; the term of the initial Class II Directors shall expire at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation to be held in 2026, and the term of the initial Class III Directors shall expire at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation to be held in 2027. Beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate, which shall be held in 2025, and at each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, each of the successors elected to replace the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three (3) year term or until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, if the number of directors that constitute the Board is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shorten the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions thereof, to assign members of the Board already in office to the aforesaid classes at the time this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (and therefore such classification) becomes effective in accordance with the DGCL.
(c) Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, a director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.
(d) Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.
Section 5.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.
Section 5.4 Removal. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Section 5.5 Preferred Stock - Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.
ARTICLE VI.
BYLAWS
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board then in office or by unanimous written consent. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders of the Corporation to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided further, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.
ARTICLE VII.
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Section 7.1 Special Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board then in office, and the ability of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by another person or persons.
Section 7.2 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
Section 7.3 Action by Written Consent. Except as may be otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) relating to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders.
ARTICLE VIII.
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability. A person who becomes a director or officer of the Corporation after the effectiveness of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If the DGCL is amended after the effectiveness of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Corporation serving after the effectiveness of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring after the date hereof and prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that such person following the effective date of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (or prior to such effective date as limited by subsections (i) and (ii) below) (x) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or (y) while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), (i) except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee or arising from any action or inaction occurring prior to the effective date of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate, in each case only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board, and (ii) any obligations of the Corporation pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, or agreements, including amendments, adopted or entered into any time prior to the effective date of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate, to indemnify, reimburse or limit the liability of any Person pursuant to the Corporation’s Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, policy of providing employee indemnification, applicable state law or specific agreement in respect of any claims, demands, suits, causes of action or proceedings against such Persons based upon any act or omission related to such Persons’ service with, for or on behalf of the Corporation prior to the effective date of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate with respect to all present and future actions, suits and proceedings relating to the Corporation shall survive and except as set forth in the Plan, remain unaffected by the provisions of these Bylaws or this Third Amended and Restated Certificate adopted to take effect as of or after the Effective Time, and shall not be discharged, irrespective of whether such defense, indemnification, reimbursement or limitation of liability accrued or is owed in connection with an occurrence before or after June 27, 2023; provided, however, that, except as otherwise set forth in a final order of the Bankruptcy Court, all monetary obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to such matters shall be limited solely to available insurance coverage and neither the Corporation nor any of its assets shall be liable for any such obligations in any manner whatsoever. For the further avoidance of doubt, this Section 8.2(a) is not intended to, nor shall it, limit any recoveries of any Person under the Plan on account of any Allowed Claims (as defined in the Plan) held by such Person for indemnification, reimbursement, limitation of liability, or otherwise, which Claims, to the extent Allowed (as defined in the Plan), shall receive the treatment set forth in Article III of the Plan in full satisfaction, release, and discharge of the Corporation’s obligations with respect to such Claims.
(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Third Amended and Restated Certificate, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto and then only to the extent adopted by the Corporation), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.
ARTICLE IX.
AMENDMENT OF THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Third Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Third Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article IX.
ARTICLE X.
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS
Section 10.1 Forum.
(a) Subject to Section 10.1(b), unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for any internal or intra-corporate claim or any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine as defined by the laws of the State of Delaware, including, but not limited to: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders; or (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Third Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).
(b) Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for any action asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder (in each case, as amended) shall be the federal district court for the District of Delaware (or, if such court does not have jurisdiction over such action, any other federal district court of the United States); provided, however, that if the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.1(b) are, or the application of such provisions to any person or entity or any circumstance is, illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the sole and exclusive forum for any action asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder (in each case, as amended) shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Third Amended and Restated Certificate, the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.1 shall not apply to any action seeking to enforce any liability, obligation or duty created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder (in each case, as amended).
(d) To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 10.1.
ARTICLE XI
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS OF SECURITIES
| A. | Definitions and Interpretation. |
The following capitalized terms have the meanings ascribed below when used in this Article XI with initial capital letters (and any references in this Article XI to any portions of Treasury Regulation § 1.382- 2T shall include any successor provisions):
| (i) | “4.5% Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section B. |
(ii) “4.5% Stockholder” means a Person whose Percentage Stock Ownership equals or exceeds 4.5% of the Corporation’s then-outstanding Capital Stock, whether directly or indirectly, and including Capital Stock such Person would be deemed to constructively own or which otherwise would be aggregated with Capital Stock owned by such Person pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, or any successor provision or replacement provision and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder.
| (iii) | “Agent” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section E. |
(iv) “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Corporation (or a duly authorized committee thereof).
(v) “Capital Stock” means any interest that would be treated as “stock” of the Corporation pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2(a)(3) or § 1.382-2T(f)(18).
| (vi) | “CDS” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section B. |
(vii) “Common Stock” means the Common Stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation.
(viii) “Corporation Securities” means (1) Capital Stock, including Common Stock and Preferred Stock (other than Preferred Stock described in Section 1504(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code), and (2) warrants, rights, or options (including options within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T(h)(4)(v)) to purchase Securities.
| (ix) | “DTC” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section B. |
| (x) | “Effective Date” means the date of filing of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. |
| (xi) | “Excess Securities” has the meaning given such term in Article XI, Section D. |
(xii) “Expiration Date” means the earliest of (1) the repeal of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor statute, if the Board of Directors determines that this Article XI is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of Tax Benefits, (2) the close of business on the first day of a taxable year of the Corporation as to which the Board of Directors determines that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward, (3) such date as the Board of Directors shall fix in accordance with Article XI, Section L and (4) the date of the Corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held during calendar year 2027.
(xiii) “Internal Revenue Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(xiv) “Percentage Stock Ownership” means the percentage Stock Ownership interest of any Person or group (as the context may require) for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code as determined in accordance with the Treasury Regulation § 1.382-2T(g), (h), (j) and (k) or any successor provision.
(xv) “Person” means any individual, firm, corporation or other legal entity, including persons treated as an entity pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.382-3(a)(1)(i); and includes any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
(xvi) “Preferred Stock” means the Preferred Stock of the Corporation described in Section 4.1 hereof.
(xvii) “Prohibited Distributions” means any and all dividends or other distributions paid by the Corporation with respect to any Excess Securities received by a Purported Transferee.
(xviii) “Prohibited Transfer” means any Transfer or purported Transfer of Corporation Securities to the extent that such Transfer is prohibited or void under this Article XI.
| (xix) | “Proposed Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section C. |
| (xx) | “Purported Transferee” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section D. |
| (xxi) | “Request” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section C. |
| (xxii) | “Requesting Person” has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section C. |
| (xxiii) | “Securities” and “Security” each has the meaning set forth in Article XI, Section G. |
| (xxiv) | “Stock Ownership” means any direct or indirect ownership of Capital Stock, including any ownership by virtue of application of constructive ownership rules, with such direct, indirect, and constructive ownership determined under the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder. |
(xxv) “Tax Benefits” means the net operating loss carryforwards, capital loss carryforwards, general business credit carryforwards, alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards and foreign tax credit carryforwards, as well as any loss or deduction attributable to a “net unrealized built-in loss” of the Corporation or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof, within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(xxvi) “Transfer” means any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance, pledge or other disposition or other action taken by a Person (other than the Corporation) that alters the Percentage Stock Ownership of any Person. A Transfer also shall include the creation or grant of an option (including an option within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.382-4(d)). To avoid doubt, a Transfer shall not include the creation or grant of an option by the Corporation, nor shall a Transfer include the issuance of Capital Stock by the Corporation.
| (xxvii) | “Transferee” means any Person to whom Corporation Securities are Transferred. |
| (xxviii) | “Treasury Regulations” means the regulations, including temporary regulations or any successor regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended from time to time. |
| B. | Transfer and Ownership Restrictions. |
(i) In order to preserve the Corporation’s ability to use the Tax Benefits to offset income until the Expiration Date, no Person (including, without limitation, the U.S. Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof) other than the Corporation shall, except as provided in Article XI, Section C, Transfer to any Person (and any such attempted Transfer shall be void ab initio) any direct or indirect interest in any Corporation Securities to the extent that such Transfer, if effective, would cause the transferee or any other Person to become a 4.5% Stockholder, or would cause the Percentage Stock Ownership of any 4.5% Stockholder to increase(any such Transfer, a “4.5% Transaction”).
(ii) Until the third anniversary of the Effective Date, any Person that was a 4.5% Stockholder on the Effective Date shall not Transfer any Corporation Securities without the authorization of the Board of Directors. The procedures of Article XI, Section C(ii) shall apply to any Person who desires to effect a Transfer under this Article XI, Section B(ii). A purported Transfer under this Article XI, Section B(ii) without the authorization of the Board of Directors shall constitute a Prohibited Transfer and the purported Transfer shall be void ab initio. The purported Transferee shall be deemed to hold the Corporation Securities involved in the Prohibited Transfer as agent for the purported Transferor and the purported Transferor shall be deemed to hold the consideration received for the Corporation Securities involved in the Prohibited Transfer as agent for the purported Transferee. The purported Transferee of a Prohibited Transfer under this Article XI, Section B(ii) may be subject to liability to the extent set forth in Article XI, Section I.
(iii) This Article XI, Section B shall not preclude either the Transfer to the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), Clearing and Depository Services (“CDS”) or to any other securities intermediary, as such term is defined in § 8102(14) of the Uniform Commercial Code, of Corporation Securities not previously held through DTC, CDS or such intermediary or the settlement of any transactions in the Corporation Securities entered into through the facilities of a national securities exchange, any national securities quotation system or any electronic or other alternative trading system; provided that, if such Transfer or the settlement of the transaction would result in a Prohibited Transfer, such Transfer shall nonetheless be a Prohibited Transfer subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in the remainder of this Article XI.
| C. | Exceptions to Transfer and Ownership Restrictions. |
(i) Any Transfer of Corporation Securities that would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to Article XI, Section B shall nonetheless be permitted if:
(1) prior to such Transfer being consummated (or, in the case of an involuntary Transfer, as soon as practicable after such Transfer is consummated), the Board of Directors approves the Transfer in accordance with Article XI, Section C(ii) (such approval may relate to a Transfer or series of identified Transfers and may provide the effective time of such Transfer which could be retroactive);
(2) such Transfer is pursuant to any transaction, including, without limitation, a merger, consolidation, mandatory share exchange or other business combination in which all holders of Common Stock receive, or are offered the same opportunity to receive, cash or other consideration for all such Corporation Securities, and upon the consummation of which the acquirer owns at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; or
(3) such Transfer is a Transfer to any employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation (or any entity or trustee holding shares of Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of the Corporation or of any subsidiary of the Corporation).
(ii) The restrictions contained in this Article XI are for the purposes of reducing the risk that any “ownership change” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) with respect to the Corporation may limit the Corporation’s ability to utilize its Tax Benefits. The restrictions set forth in Article XI, Section B shall not apply to a proposed Transfer that is a 4.5% Transaction if the transferor or the transferee obtains the authorization of the Board of Directors in the manner described below.
(1) In connection therewith, and to provide for effective policing of these provisions, any Person who desires to effect a transaction that may be a 4.5% Transaction (a “Requesting Person”) shall, prior to the date of such transaction for which the Requesting Person seeks authorization (the “Proposed Transaction”), request in writing (a “Request”) that the Board of Directors review the Proposed Transaction and authorize or not object to the Proposed Transaction in accordance with this Article XI, Section C(ii). A Request shall be delivered by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation at the Corporation’s principal executive office. Such Request shall be deemed to have been made when actually received by the Corporation. A Request shall include: (a) the name and address and telephone number of the Requesting Person; (b) the number of Corporation Securities beneficially owned by, and Percentage Stock Ownership of, the Requesting Person; and (c) a reasonably detailed description of the Proposed Transaction or Proposed Transactions by which the Requesting Person would propose to effect a 4.5% Transaction and the proposed tax treatment thereof.
(2) The Board of Directors shall, in good faith, endeavor to respond to a Request within sixty (60) days of receiving such Request; provided that the failure of the Board of Directors to make a determination within such period shall be deemed to constitute the denial by the Board of Directors of the Request.
(3) The Requesting Person shall respond promptly to reasonable and appropriate requests for additional information from the Corporation or the Board of Directors and its advisors to assist the Board of Directors in making its determination. The Board of Directors shall only authorize a Proposed Transaction if (a) it receives, at its request, a report from the Corporation’s advisors to the effect that the Proposed Transaction does not create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Corporation or
(b) it otherwise determines in its sole discretion that granting the Request is in the best interests of the Corporation. Any Request may be submitted on a confidential basis and, except to the extent (x) required by applicable law or regulation, (y) required pursuant to a valid and effective subpoena, order, or request issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental or regulatory body or authority or (z) provided to any regulatory or governmental authorities with jurisdiction over the Corporation and its affiliates, the Corporation shall maintain the confidentiality of such Request and the determination of the Board of Directors with respect thereto for a period of three years from the date of the Request, unless the information contained in the Request or the determination of the Board of Directors with respect thereto otherwise becomes publicly available.
(4) The Request shall be considered and evaluated by directors serving on the Board of Directors who are independent of the Corporation and the Requesting Person and disinterested with respect to the Request, who shall constitute a committee of the Board for this purpose, and the action of a majority of such independent and disinterested directors, or any committee of the Board consisting solely of these directors, shall be deemed to be the determination of the Board of Directors for purposes of such Request. Furthermore, the Board of Directors shall approve within thirty (30) days of receiving a Request as provided in this Article XI, Section C(ii) of any proposed Transfer that does not cause any aggregate increase in the Percentage Stock Ownership by 4.5% Stockholders (as determined after giving effect to the proposed Transfer) over the lowest Percentage Stock Ownership of such 4.5% Stockholders (as determined immediately before the proposed Transfer) at any time during the relevant testing period, in all cases for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(iii) In addition to Article XI, Section C(ii), the Board of Directors may determine that the restrictions set forth in Article XI, Section B shall not apply to any particular transaction or transactions, whether or not a request has been made to the Board of Directors, including, without limitation, a Request pursuant to Article XI, Section C(ii). Any determination of the Board of Directors hereunder may be made prospectively or retroactively.
(iv) The Board of Directors may impose any conditions that it deems reasonable and appropriate in connection with any approval pursuant to this Article XI, Section C, including, without limitation, restrictions on the ability of any Transferee to Transfer Capital Stock acquired through a Transfer.
| D. | Excess Securities. |
(i) Neither the Corporation or any of its employees or agents shall record any Prohibited Transfer, and the purported transferee of such a Prohibited Transfer (the “Purported Transferee”) shall not be recognized as a stockholder of the Corporation for any purpose whatsoever in respect of the Corporation Securities which are the subject of the Prohibited Transfer (the “Excess Securities”). Until the Excess Securities are acquired by another Person in a Transfer that is not a Prohibited Transfer, the Purported Transferee shall not be entitled, with respect to such Excess Securities, to any rights of stockholders of the Corporation, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Excess Securities and to receive dividends or distributions, whether liquidating or otherwise, in respect thereof, if any, and the Excess Securities shall be deemed to remain with the transferor unless and until the Excess Securities are transferred to the Agent pursuant to Article XI, Section E or until an approval is obtained under Article XI, Section C. After the Excess Securities have been acquired in a Transfer that is not a Prohibited Transfer, the Corporation Securities shall cease to be Excess Securities. For this purpose, any Transfer of Excess Securities not in accordance with the provisions of Article XI, Section D or Section E shall also be a Prohibited Transfer.
(ii) The Corporation may require, as a condition to the registration of any Transfer of Corporation Securities or the payment of any distribution on any Corporation Securities, that the proposed Transferee or payee furnish to the Corporation all information reasonably requested by the Corporation with respect to such proposed Transferee’s or payee’s direct or indirect ownership interests in such Corporation Securities. The Corporation may make such arrangements or issue such instructions to its stock transfer agent as may be determined by the Board of Directors to be necessary or advisable to implement this Article XI, including, without limitation, authorizing such transfer agent to require an affidavit from a Purported Transferee regarding such Person’s actual and constructive ownership of Capital Stock and other evidence that a Transfer will not be prohibited by this Article XI as a condition to registering any transfer.
| E. | Transfer to Agent. |
If the Board of Directors determines that a Transfer of Corporation Securities constitutes a Prohibited Transfer then, upon written demand by the Corporation sent within thirty (30) days of the date on which the Board of Directors determines that the attempted Transfer would result in Excess Securities, the Purported Transferee shall transfer or cause to be transferred any certificate or other evidence of ownership of the Excess Securities within the Purported Transferee’s possession or control, together with any Prohibited Distributions, to an agent designated by the Board of Directors (the “Agent”). The Agent shall thereupon sell to a buyer or buyers, which may include the Corporation, the Excess Securities transferred to it in one or more arm’s-length transactions (on the public securities market on which such Excess Securities are traded, if possible, or otherwise privately); provided, however, that any such sale must not constitute a Prohibited Transfer and provided, further, that the Agent shall effect such sale or sales in an orderly fashion and shall not be required to effect any such sale within any specific time frame if, in the Agent’s discretion, such sale or sales would disrupt the market for the Corporation Securities, would otherwise adversely affect the value of the Corporation Securities or would be in violation of applicable securities laws. If the Purported Transferee has resold the Excess Securities before receiving the Corporation’s demand to surrender Excess Securities to the Agent, the Purported Transferee shall be deemed to have sold the Excess Securities for the Agent, and shall be required to transfer to the Agent any Prohibited Distributions and proceeds of such sale, except to the extent that the Corporation grants written permission to the Purported Transferee to retain a portion of such sales proceeds not exceeding the amount that the Purported Transferee would have received from the Agent pursuant to Article XI, Section F if the Agent rather than the Purported Transferee had resold the Excess Securities (taking into account the actual costs incurred by the Agent).
| F. | Application of Proceeds and Prohibited Distributions. |
The Agent shall apply any proceeds of a sale by it of Excess Securities and, if the Purported Transferee has previously resold the Excess Securities, any amounts received by it from a Purported Transferee, together, in either case, with any Prohibited Distributions, as follows:
(i) first, such amounts shall be paid to the Agent to the extent necessary to cover its costs and expenses incurred in connection with its duties hereunder;
(ii) second, any remaining amounts shall be paid to the Purported Transferee, up to the amount paid by the Purported Transferee for the Excess Securities (or the fair market value at the time of the Transfer, in the event the purported Transfer of the Excess Securities was, in whole or in part, a gift, inheritance or similar Transfer) which amount shall be determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors; and
(iii) third, any remaining amounts shall be paid to one or more organizations qualifying under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or any comparable successor provision) selected by the Board of Directors.
The Purported Transferee of Excess Securities shall have no claim, cause of action or any other recourse whatsoever against any transferor of Excess Securities. The Purported Transferee’s sole right with respect to such shares shall be limited to the amount payable to the Purported Transferee pursuant to this Article XI, Section F. In no event shall the proceeds of any sale of Excess Securities pursuant to this Article XI, Section F inure to the benefit of the Corporation or the Agent, except to the extent used to cover costs and expenses incurred by Agent in performing its duties hereunder.
| G. | Modification of Remedies for Certain Indirect Transfers. |
In the event of any Transfer which does not involve a transfer of securities of the Corporation within the meaning of Delaware law (“Securities,” and individually, a “Security”) but which would cause the transferee or any other Person to become a 4.5% Stockholder, or would increase the Percentage Stock Ownership of a 4.5% Stockholder, the application of Article XI, Sections E and F shall be modified as described in this Article XI, Section G. In such case, no such 4.5% Stockholder shall be required to dispose of any interest that is not a Security, but such 4.5% Stockholder or any Person whose ownership of Securities is attributed to such 4.5% Stockholder shall be deemed to have disposed of and shall be required to dispose of sufficient Securities (which Securities shall be disposed of in the inverse order in which they were acquired) to cause such 4.5% Stockholder, following such disposition, not to be in violation of this Article XI. Such disposition shall be deemed to occur simultaneously with the Transfer giving rise to the application of this provision, and such number of Securities that are deemed to be disposed of shall be considered Excess Securities and shall be disposed of through the Agent as provided in Article XI, Sections E and F, except that the maximum aggregate amount payable either to such 4.5% Stockholder, or to such other Person that was the direct holder of such Excess Securities, in connection with such sale shall be the fair market value of such Excess Securities at the time of the purported Transfer. All expenses incurred by the Agent in disposing of such Excess Stock shall be paid out of any amounts due such 4.5% Stockholder or such other Person. The purpose of this Article XI, Section G is to extend the restrictions in Article XI, Sections B and F to situations in which there is a 4.5% Transaction without a direct Transfer of Corporation Securities, and this Article XI, Section G, along with the other provisions of this Article XI, shall be interpreted to produce the same results, with differences as the context requires, as a direct Transfer of Corporation Securities.
| H. | Legal Proceedings and Prompt Enforcement. |
If the Purported Transferee fails to surrender the Excess Securities or the proceeds of a sale thereof to the Agent within thirty days from the date on which the Corporation makes a written demand pursuant to Article XI, Section E (whether or not made within the time specified in Article XI, Section E), then the Corporation may take such actions as it deems appropriate to enforce the provisions hereof, including the institution of legal proceedings to compel the surrender. Nothing in this Article XI, Section H shall (i) be deemed inconsistent with any Transfer of the Excess Securities provided in this Article XI being void ab initio, (ii) preclude the Corporation in its discretion from immediately bringing legal proceedings without a prior demand or (iii) cause any failure of the Corporation to act within the time periods set forth in Article XI, Section E to constitute a waiver or loss of any right of the Corporation under this Article XI. The Board of Directors may authorize such additional actions as it deems advisable to give effect to the provisions of this Article XI.
| I. | Liability. |
To the fullest extent permitted by law, any stockholder subject to the provisions of this Article XI who knowingly violates the provisions of this Article XI and any Persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with such stockholder shall be jointly and severally liable to the Corporation for, and shall indemnify and hold the Corporation harmless against, any and all damages suffered as a result of such violation, including but not limited to damages resulting from a reduction in, or elimination of, the Corporation’s ability to utilize its Tax Benefits, and attorneys’ and auditors’ fees incurred in connection with such violation.
| J. | Obligation to Provide Information. |
As a condition to the registration of the Transfer of any Capital Stock, any Person who is a beneficial, legal or record holder of Capital Stock, and any proposed Transferee and any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the proposed Transferee, shall provide such information as the Corporation may request from time to time in order to determine compliance with this Article XI or the status of the Tax Benefits of the Corporation.
| K. | Legends. |
The Board of Directors may require that any certificates issued by the Corporation evidencing ownership of shares of Capital Stock, or any other evidence issued by the Corporation of uncertificated shares of Capital Stock, that are subject to the restrictions on transfer and ownership contained in this Article XI bear the following legend:
THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED (THE “CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION”), OF LORDSTOWN MOTORS CORP. (THE “CORPORATION”) CONTAINS RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITING THE TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION) OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION (INCLUDING THE CREATION OR GRANT OF CERTAIN OPTIONS, RIGHTS AND WARRANTS) WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION (THE “BOARD OF DIRECTORS”) IF SUCH TRANSFER AFFECTS THE PERCENTAGE OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 382 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER), THAT IS TREATED AS OWNED BY A 4.5% STOCKHOLDER (AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION). IF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE VIOLATED, THEN THE TRANSFER WILL BE VOID AB INITIO AND THE PURPORTED TRANSFEREE OF THE STOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO TRANSFER EXCESS SECURITIES (AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION) TO THE CORPORATION’S AGENT. IN THE EVENT OF A TRANSFER WHICH DOES NOT INVOLVE SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (“SECURITIES”) BUT WHICH WOULD VIOLATE THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, THE PURPORTED TRANSFEREE (OR THE RECORD OWNER) OF THE SECURITIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO TRANSFER SUFFICIENT SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE TERMS PROVIDED FOR IN THE CORPORATION’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CAUSE THE 4.5% STOCKHOLDER TO NO LONGER BE IN VIOLATION OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, CONTAINING THE ABOVE-REFERENCED TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATION AT ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS.
The Board of Directors may also require that any certificates issued by the Corporation evidencing ownership of shares of Capital Stock, or any other evidence issued by the Corporation of uncertificated shares of Capital Stock, that are subject to conditions imposed by the Board of Directors under Article XI, Section C also bear a conspicuous legend referencing the applicable restrictions.
The Corporation may make appropriate notations upon its stock transfer records or other evidence of ownership and to instruct any transfer agent, registrar, securities intermediary or depository with respect to the requirements of this Article XI for any uncertificated Corporation Securities or Corporation Securities held in an indirect holding system.
| L. | Authority of Board of Directors. |
(i) All determinations and interpretations of the Board of Directors shall be interpreted or determined, as the case may be, by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion and shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of this Article XI.
(ii) The Board of Directors shall have the power to determine all matters necessary for assessing compliance with this Article XI, including, without limitation, (1) the identification of 4.5% Stockholders, (2) whether a Transfer is a 4.5% Transaction or a Prohibited Transfer, (3) the Percentage Stock Ownership in the Corporation of any 4.5% Stockholder, (4) whether any instrument constitutes Corporation Securities, (5) the amount (or fair market value) due to a Purported Transferee pursuant to Article XI, Section F, and (6) any other matters which the Board of Directors determines to be relevant; and the good faith determination of the Board of Directors on such matters shall be conclusive and binding for all the purposes of this Article XI. In addition, the Board of Directors may, to the extent permitted by law, from time to time establish, modify, amend or rescind by-laws, regulations and procedures of the Corporation not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article XI for purposes of determining whether any Transfer of Corporation Securities would jeopardize or endanger the Corporation’s ability to preserve and use the Tax Benefits and for the orderly application, administration and implementation of this Article XI.
(iii) Nothing contained in this Article XI shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action to the extent permitted by law as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and its stockholders in preserving the Tax Benefits. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event of a change in law making one or more of the following actions necessary or desirable, the Board of Directors may, by adopting a written resolution, (1) accelerate the Expiration Date, (2) modify the ownership interest percentage in the Corporation or the Persons or groups covered by this Article XI, (3) modify the definitions of any terms set forth in this Article XI or (4) modify the terms of this Article XI as appropriate, in each case, in order to prevent an ownership change for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code as a result of any changes in applicable Treasury Regulations or otherwise; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall not cause there to be such acceleration or modification unless it determines, by adopting a written resolution, that such action is reasonably necessary or advisable to preserve the Tax Benefits or that the continuation of these restrictions is no longer reasonably necessary for the preservation of the Tax Benefits. Stockholders of the Corporation shall be notified of such determination through a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or such other method of notice as the Secretary of the Corporation shall deem appropriate.
(iv) In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article XI, including any definition used herein, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of such provisions with respect to any situation based on its reasonable belief, understanding or knowledge of the circumstances. In the event this Article XI requires an action by the Board of Directors but fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of this Article XI. All such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations which are done or made by the Board of Directors in good faith shall be conclusive and binding on the Corporation, the Agent, and all other parties for all other purposes of this Article XI. The Board of Directors may delegate all or any portion of its duties and powers under this Article XI to a committee of the Board of Directors as it deems necessary or advisable and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, may exercise the authority granted by this Article XI through duly authorized officers or agents of the Corporation.
(v) Nothing contained in this Article XI shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, to waive the application of the provisions of this Article XI for all stockholders.
(vi) Nothing in this Article XI shall be construed to limit or restrict the Board of Directors in the exercise of its fiduciary duties under applicable law.
| M. | Reliance. |
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation and the members of the Board of Directors shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the information, opinions, reports or statements of the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer or the corporate controller of the Corporation and the Corporation’s legal counsel, independent auditors, transfer agent, investment bankers or other employees and agents in making the determinations and findings contemplated by this Article XI. The members of the Board of Directors shall not be responsible for any good faith errors made in connection therewith. For purposes of determining the existence and identity of, and the amount of any Corporation Securities owned by any stockholder, the Corporation is entitled to rely on the existence and absence of filings of Schedule 13D or 13G under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or similar filings), as of any date, subject to its actual knowledge of the ownership of Corporation Securities.
| N. | Benefits of this Article XI. |
Nothing in this Article XI shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Corporation or the Agent any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Article XI. This Article XI shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Corporation and the Agent.
| O. | Severability. |
The purpose of this Article XI is to facilitate the Corporation’s ability to maintain or preserve its Tax Benefits. If any provision of this Article XI or the application of any such provision to any Person or under any circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Article XI.
| P. | Waiver. |
With regard to any power, remedy or right provided herein or otherwise available to the Corporation or the Agent under this Article XI, (i) no waiver will be effective unless expressly contained in a writing signed by the waiving party and (ii) no alteration, modification or impairment will be implied by reason of any previous waiver, extension of time, delay or omission in exercise, or other indulgence.
ARTICLE XII
SEVERABILITY
If any provision or provisions (or any part thereof) of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (ii) the provisions of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed this 13th day of March, 2024.
| LORDSTOWN MOTORS CORP. |
| By: | /s/ Edward T. Hightower | |
| Name: Edward T. Hightower Title: Chief Executive Officer & President |
Exhibit A
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION, PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS
OF
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
PAR VALUE $0.0001
OF
LORDSTOWN MOTORS CORP.
Pursuant to Section 151 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “DGCL”), Lordstown Motors Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 of the DGCL, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
That, the Certificate of Amendment of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Amendment”), authorizes the issuance of 462,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 450,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and 12,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”);
That, subject to the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (as amended by the Certificate of Amendment, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) is authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the powers, including voting powers, if any, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of any series of Preferred Stock, and to fix the number of shares constituting any such series.
That, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board, on November 4, 2022, adopted the following resolution designating a new series of Preferred Stock as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”:
RESOLVED, that, pursuant to the authority vested in the Board in accordance with the provisions of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation and the provisions of Section 151 of the DGCL, a series of Preferred Stock of the Company is hereby authorized, and the number of shares to be included in such series, and voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of Preferred Stock included in such series, shall be as follows:
SECTION 1. Designation and Number of Shares. The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The number of authorized shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 1,000,000. That number from time to time may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding and subject to Section 12(b)(iii)) by further resolution duly adopted by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof and by the filing of a certificate pursuant to the provisions of the DGCL stating that such increase or decrease, as applicable, has been so authorized. The Company shall not have the authority to issue fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
SECTION 2. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company:
(a) on a parity basis with each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity basis with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, “Parity Stock”);
(b) junior to each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, “Senior Stock”); and
(c) senior to the Common Stock and each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity basis with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, “Junior Stock”).
SECTION 3. Definitions. As used herein with respect to Series A Preferred Stock:
“Accrued Dividends” means, as of any date, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, all dividends that have accrued on such share pursuant to Section 4(c), whether or not declared, but that have not, as of such date, been paid.
“Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the Investor or any of its Affiliates. For this purpose, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.
“Base Amount” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Liquidation Preference and (b) the Base Amount Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of such date.
“Base Amount Accrued Dividends” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of determination, (a) if a Preferred Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of the Preferred Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding such date of determination (taking into account the payment of Dividends, if any, on such Preferred Dividend Payment Date) or (b) if no Preferred Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, zero.
Any Person shall be deemed to “beneficially own,” to have “beneficial ownership” of, or to be “beneficially owning” any securities (which securities shall also be deemed “beneficially owned” by such Person) that such Person together with such Person’s Affiliates is deemed to “beneficially own” within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that any Person shall be deemed to beneficially own any securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether or not such right is exercisable within sixty (60) days or thereafter (including assuming conversion of all Series A Preferred Stock, if any, owned by such Person into Common Stock).
“Board” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“Business Day” means any weekday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.
“By-Laws” means the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, as may be amended from time to time.
“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares of, interests in, rights to purchase, warrants to purchase, options for, participations in or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by such Person.
“Cash Dividend” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(d).
“Certificate of Amendment” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“Certificate of Designations” means this Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights, as may be amended from time to time.
“Certificate of Incorporation” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence, directly or indirectly, of one of the following, whether in a single transaction or a series of transactions:
(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than (i) any of the Investor Parties (or any “group” that includes any of the Investor Parties), and (ii) the Company, its wholly-owned Subsidiaries and the employee benefit plans of the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, who files a Schedule TO or any schedule, form or report under the Exchange Act disclosing or with respect to whom it otherwise becomes known (through public disclosure or otherwise) to the Company that such person or group has become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, other than as a result of any such transaction in which (i) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction are substantially the same as the holders of securities that represent a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its parent entity immediately following such transaction and (ii) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its parent entity in substantially the same proportion to each other as immediately prior to such transaction; or
(b) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person (other than any of the Investor Parties (or any “group” that includes any of the Investor Parties)) or the merger of another Person (other than any of the Investor Parties (or any “group” that includes any of the Investor Parties)) with or into the Company, or the sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, to another Person (other than any of the Investor Parties (or any “group” that includes any of the Investor Parties)), or any recapitalization, reclassification or other transaction in which all or substantially all of the Common Stock is exchanged for or converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a transaction following which (i) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly (in substantially the same proportion to each other as immediately prior to such transaction, other than changes in proportionality as a result of any cash/stock election provided under the terms of the definitive agreement regarding such transaction) at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or parent entity in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction, and (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a Subsidiary or a Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Change of Control Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(c).
“Change of Control Purchase Date” means, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, (i) in the case of a conversion pursuant to Section 9(a)(i), the date on which the Company issues the shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such share and (ii) in the case of a Change of Control Put, the date on which the Company makes the payment in full of the Change of Control Purchase Price for such share to the Holder thereof or to the Transfer Agent, irrevocably, for the benefit of such Holder.
“Change of Control Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a)(ii).
“Change of Control Put” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a)(ii).
“close of business” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).
“Closing Price” of the Common Stock on any date of determination means the closing sale price or, if no closing sale price is reported, the last reported sale price of the shares of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ on such date. If the Common Stock is not traded on the NASDAQ on any date of determination, the Closing Price of the Common Stock on such date of determination means the closing sale price as reported in the composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is so listed or quoted, or, if no closing sale price is reported, the last reported sale price on the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is so listed or quoted, or if the Common Stock is not so listed or quoted on a United States securities exchange or automated quotation system, the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or any similar organization, or, if that bid price is not available, the market price of the Common Stock on that date as determined by an Independent Financial Advisor retained by the Company for such purpose.
“Common Dividend” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).
“Common Stock” has the meaning set forth above in the recitals above.
“Common Stock Dividend Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e).
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“Constituent Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).
“Conversion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
“Conversion Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a)(i).
“Conversion Price” means, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, a dollar amount equal to $100 divided by the Conversion Rate.
“Conversion Rate” means, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, 51.6529 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth herein.
“Covered Repurchase” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a)(iii).
“Current Market Price” per share of Common Stock, as of any date of determination, means the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding such day, appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence during such period of any event described in Section 10.
“DGCL” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“Distributed Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a)(iv).
“Distribution Transaction” means any dividend or other distribution of equity securities of a Subsidiary of the Company to holders of Common Stock in which such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company by reason of such dividend or distribution of equity securities, whether by means of a spin-off, split-off, redemption, reclassification, exchange, stock dividend, share distribution, rights offering or similar transaction.
“Dividend Rate” means 8% per annum.
“Dividend Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any security or other property, the fair market value of such security or other property as reasonably determined by a majority of the Board acting in good faith, (a) after consultation with an Independent Financial Advisor, as to any security or other property with a Fair Market Value of more than $20,000,000 but less than $50,000,000, or (b) as to any security or other property with a Fair Market Value of $50,000,000 or more, using an Independent Financial Advisor to provide a valuation opinion.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name any Series A Preferred Stock is registered in the Register.
“HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date, the product of (a) the Base Amount of such share on the first day of the applicable Preferred Dividend Payment Period (or in the case of the first Preferred Dividend Payment Period for such share, as of the Issuance Date of such share) multiplied by (b) one-fourth of the Dividend Rate applicable on such date.
“Indebtedness” means (a) all obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind; (b) all obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all letters of credit and letters of guaranty in respect of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is an account party; (d) all securitization or similar facilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (e) all guarantees by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the foregoing.
“Indebtedness Agreement” means any agreement, document or instrument governing or evidencing any Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
“Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing; provided, however, that such firm or consultant shall not be an Affiliate of the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Holders of at least a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at such time.
“Initial Change of Control Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(b).
“Initial Dividend Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Preferred Dividend Payment Date.”
“Investment Agreement” means that certain Investment Agreement between the Company and the Investor dated as of November 7, 2022, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, with respect to certain terms and conditions concerning, among other things, the rights of and restrictions on the Holders.
“Investor” has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.
“Investor Designee” means an individual nominated by the Board as a “Investor Designee” for election to the Board pursuant to Section 5.09(a), Section 5.09(c) or Section 5.09(d) of the Investment Agreement.
“Investor Parties” means Investor and its Affiliates.
“Issuance Date” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, the date of issuance of such share.
“Junior Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
“Liquidation Preference” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date, $100 per share.
“Mandatory Conversion” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
“Mandatory Conversion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
“Mandatory Conversion Price” means 200% of the Conversion Price, as adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a). The Mandatory Conversion Price shall initially be $3.88.
“Market Disruption Event” means any of the following events:
(a) any suspension of, or limitation imposed on, trading of the Common Stock by any exchange or quotation system on which the Closing Price is determined pursuant to the definition of the term “Closing Price” (the “Relevant Exchange”) during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the Relevant Exchange (or for purposes of determining the VWAP per share of Common Stock, any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer during the regular trading session on the relevant day) and whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Relevant Exchange as to securities generally, or otherwise relating to the Common Stock or options contracts relating to the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange; or
(b) any event that disrupts or impairs (as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion) the ability of market participants during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the Relevant Exchange (or for purposes of determining the VWAP per share of Common Stock, any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer during the regular trading session on the relevant day) in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange or to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, options contracts relating to the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange.
(c) “NASDAQ” means the NASDAQ Global Select Market (or its successor).
“Notice of Mandatory Conversion” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).
“Optional Conversion” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
“Original Issuance Date” means the Initial Closing Date, as defined in the Investment Agreement.
“Ownership Limitation” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(f)(i).
“Parity Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Participating Dividend” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).
“Person” means any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity.
“Preferred Dividend” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
“Preferred Dividend Payment Date” means March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each, a “Quarterly Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Date immediately following the Original Issuance Date (the “Initial Dividend Payment Date”); provided, however, that if any such Quarterly Date is not a Business Day, then the applicable Dividend shall be payable on the next Business Day immediately following such Quarterly Date, without any interest.
“Preferred Dividend Payment Period” means (a) in respect of any share of Series A Preferred Stock issued on the Original Issuance Date, the period from and including the Original Issuance Date to but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date and, subsequent to the Initial Dividend Payment Date, the period from and including any Preferred Dividend Payment Date to but excluding the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date, and (b) for any share of Series A Preferred Stock issued subsequent to the Original Issuance Date, the period from and including the Issuance Date of such share to but excluding the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date and, subsequently, in each case the period from and including any Preferred Dividend Payment Date to but excluding the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date.
“Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above
“Quarterly Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Preferred Dividend Payment Date.”
“Record Date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board or by statute, contract or otherwise).
“Register” means the securities register maintained in respect of the Series A Preferred Stock by the Company, or, to the extent the Company has engaged a transfer agent, such transfer agent.
“Relevant Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the definition of the term “Market Disruption Event”.
“Reorganization Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii).
“Required Number of Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(g).
“Requisite Stockholder Approval” means the stockholder approval contemplated by Rule 5635 of the NASDAQ listing rules (as in effect on the date this Certificate of Designations is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State) with respect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock in excess of the limitations imposed by such rule (as in effect on the date this Certificate of Designations is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State).
“Satisfaction of Indebtedness Obligations” means, in connection with any Change of Control, (i) the payment in full in cash of all principal, interest, fees and all other amounts due or payable in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including in respect of any penalty or premium) that is required to be prepaid, repaid, redeemed, repurchased or otherwise retired as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, (ii) the cancellation or termination, or if permitted by the terms of such Indebtedness, cash collateralization, of any letters of credit or letters of guaranty that are required to be cancelled or terminated or cash collateralized as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, (iii) compliance with any requirement to effect an offer to purchase any bonds, debentures, notes or other instruments of Indebtedness as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, and the purchase of any such instruments tendered in such offer and the payment in full of any other amounts due or payable in connection with such purchase and (iv) the termination of any lending commitments required to be terminated as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement.
“Senior Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Series A Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.
“Stockholder Voting Power” means the aggregate number of shares of Voting Stock of the Company, with the calculation of such aggregate number of shares of Voting Stock being conclusively made for all purposes under this Certificate of Designations and the Certificate of Incorporation, absent manifest error, by the Company based on the Company’s review of the Register, the Company’s other books and records, each Holder’s public filings pursuant to Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and any other written evidence satisfactory to the Company regarding any Holder’s beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company.
A “Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests) are owned by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the NASDAQ is open for the transaction of business and on which there has not occurred a Market Disruption Event.
“Trading Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
“Treasury Rate” shall mean the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Change of Control Purchase Date (or, if such statistical release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the Average Assumed Dividend Period; provided, however, that if such Average Assumed Dividend Period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Company shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the Average Assumed Dividend Period is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used; and, provided, further, that the Treasury Rate shall not in any event be less than zero. For purposes of this definition, “Average Assumed Dividend Period” shall mean the average number of months (weighted based on the amount of the assumed dividends) from the Change of Control Purchase Date to the applicable Preferred Dividend Payment Date for each dividend assumed to be paid for purposes of the calculation.
“Trigger Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a)(vi).
“Voting Stock” means (a) with respect to the Company, the Common Stock, the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Capital Stock of the Company, in each case, having the right to vote generally in any election of directors of the Board and with respect to any other Person, all Capital Stock of such Person having the right to vote generally in any election of directors of the board of directors of such Person or other similar governing body.
“VWAP” per share of Common Stock on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on Bloomberg (or, if Bloomberg ceases to publish such price, any successor service reasonably chosen by the Company) page “RIDE <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume- weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one (1) share of Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by an Independent Financial Advisor retained by the Company for such purpose).
SECTION 4. Dividends. (a) Holders shall be entitled to receive dividends of the type and in the amount determined as set forth in this Section 4.
(b) Participating Dividends. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4, dividends or distribution may be authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and declared and paid by the Company, or any duly authorized committee thereof, on any Junior Stock and Parity Stock from time to time (a “Common Dividend”); provided that at the time of such authorization, the Board or such committee authorizes an equivalent dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock (a “Participating Dividend”) such that (i) the Record Date and the payment date for such Participating Dividend occur on the same respective date as the Record Date and payment date for such Common Dividend and (ii) the kind and amount of consideration payable per share of Series A Preferred Stock in such Participating Dividend is the same kind and amount of consideration that would be payable in the Common Dividend in respect of a number of shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein or in Section 8(f)) immediately prior to the Record Date for such Common Dividend.
(c) Preferred Dividends. In addition to the Participating Dividends, dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Dividends”) (i) shall accrue and accumulate on a daily basis from and including the Issuance Date of such share, whether or not declared and whether or not the Company has funds legally available to make payment thereof, at a rate per annum equal to the Dividend Rate as further specified below and compound quarterly on each Preferred Dividend Payment Date (to the extent not paid on such Preferred Dividend Payment Date) and (ii) shall, subject to the terms of Section 4(d), be payable quarterly in arrears, if, as and when authorized by the Board and declared by the Company, only out of funds legally available therefor, on each Preferred Dividend Payment Date, commencing on the first Preferred Dividend Payment Date following the Issuance Date of such share. The amount of Preferred Dividends accruing with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any day shall be determined by dividing (x) the Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount as of such day by (y) the actual number of days in the Preferred Dividend Payment Period in which such day falls; provided, however, that if during any Preferred Dividend Payment Period any Accrued Dividends in respect of one (1) or more prior Preferred Dividend Payment Periods are paid, then after the date of such payment the amount of Preferred Dividends accruing with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any day shall be determined by dividing (x) the Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount (recalculated to take into account such payment of Accrued Dividends) by (y) the actual number of days in such Preferred Dividend Payment Period. The amount of Preferred Dividends accrued with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any Preferred Dividend Payment Period shall equal the sum of the daily Preferred Dividend amounts accrued in accordance with the prior sentence of this Section 4(b) with respect to such share during such Preferred Dividend Payment Period. For the avoidance of doubt, for any share of Series A Preferred Stock with an Issuance Date that is not a Preferred Dividend Payment Date, the amount of Preferred Dividends accrued with respect to the Preferred Dividend Payment Period for such share shall equal the product of (A) the daily accrual determined as specified in the prior sentence, assuming a full Preferred Dividend Payment Period in accordance with the definition of such term, and (B) the number of days from and including such Issuance Date to but excluding the next Preferred Dividend Payment Date.
(d) Payment of Preferred Dividends. Preferred Dividends may be paid only if, as and when authorized by the Board and declared by the Company. Preferred Dividends that have accrued in a Preferred Dividend Payment Period may, at the option of the Company in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, be paid fully or partially in cash on the Preferred Dividend Payment Date immediately following such Preferred Dividend Payment Period (any Preferred Dividend or portion of a Preferred Dividend paid in such manner, a “Cash Dividend”); provided, however, that Cash Dividend payments shall be aggregated per Holder and shall be made to the nearest cent (with $.005 being rounded upward).
(e) Record Date. Each Participating Dividend or Preferred Dividend shall be paid pro rata to the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock entitled thereto. Each Participating Dividend or Preferred Dividend shall be payable to the Holders of Preferred Stock as they appear on the Register at the close of business on the record date designated by the Board for such dividends (each such date, a “Dividend Record Date”) which (i) with respect to Participating Dividends, shall be the same day as the record date for the payment of dividends to the holders of shares of Common Stock (the “Common Stock Dividend Record Date”); and (ii) with respect to Preferred Dividends (including Accrued Dividends that were not declared and paid on the Preferred Dividend Payment Date immediately following the Preferred Dividend Payment Period in which they accrued), shall be not more than thirty (30) days nor less than ten (10) days preceding the applicable Preferred Dividend Payment Date.
(f) Priority of Dividends. So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless full Preferred Dividends on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have accrued from and including the date of issuance have been declared and paid in cash, or have been or contemporaneously are declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those Preferred Dividends has been or is set aside for the benefit of the Holders, the Company may not declare any cash dividend on, or make any cash distributions relating to, Junior Stock or Parity Stock, or redeem, purchase, acquire (either directly or through any Subsidiary) or make a liquidation payment relating to, any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, other than:
(i) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of Junior Stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of current or former employees, officers, directors or consultants, including acquisitions in connection with tax withholding upon vesting or settlement of options, restricted stock units, performance share units or other similar equity awards or upon forfeiture or cashless exercise of options or other equity awards);
(ii) purchases of Junior Stock through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock;
(iii) as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock for any other class or series of Parity Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock or Junior Stock);
(iv) purchases of fractional interests in shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such Parity Stock or Junior Stock or the security being converted or exchanged;
(v) payment of any dividends in respect of Junior Stock where the dividend is in the form of the same stock or rights to purchase the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid;
| (vi) | distributions of Junior Stock or rights to purchase Junior Stock; or |
(vii) any dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights or similar plan, or the redemption, repurchase or exchange of any rights under any such plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, if dividends are not declared and paid in full upon the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock will be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that all accrued and unpaid dividends as of the end of the most recent Preferred Dividend Payment Period per share of Series A Preferred Stock and accrued and unpaid dividends as of the end of the most recent dividend period per share of any Parity Stock bear to each other.
(g) Conversion Following a Record Date. If the Conversion Date for any shares of Series A Preferred Stock is prior to the close of business on a Dividend Record Date, the Holder of such shares will not be entitled to any dividend in respect of such Dividend Record Date, other than through the inclusion of Accrued Dividends as of the Conversion Date in the calculation under Section 6(a) or Section 7, as applicable. If the Conversion Date for any shares of Series A Preferred Stock is after the close of business on a Dividend Record Date but prior to the corresponding payment date for such dividend, the Holder of such shares as of such Dividend Record Date shall be entitled to receive such dividend, notwithstanding the conversion of such shares prior to the applicable dividend payment date; provided, however, that the amount of such dividend shall not be included for the purpose of determining the amount of Accrued Dividends under Section 6(a) or Section 7, as applicable, with respect to such Conversion Date.
SECTION 5. Liquidation Rights. (a) Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, the Holders shall be entitled, out of assets legally available therefor, before any distribution or payment out of the assets of the Company may be made to or set aside for the holders of any Junior Stock and subject to the rights of the holders of any Senior Stock or Parity Stock and the rights of the Company’s existing and future creditors, to receive in full a liquidating distribution in cash and in the amount per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the greater of (i) the sum of (A) the Liquidation Preference plus (B) the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the date of such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company and (ii) the amount such Holders would have received had such Holders, immediately prior to such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, converted such shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein or in Section 8(f)). Holders shall not be entitled to any further payments in the event of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company other than what is expressly provided for in this Section 5 and will have no right or claim to any of the Company’s remaining assets.
(b) Partial Payment. If in connection with any distribution described in Section 5(a) above, the assets of the Company or proceeds therefrom are not sufficient to pay in full the aggregate liquidating distributions required to be paid pursuant to Section 5(a) above to all Holders and the liquidating distributions payable all holders of any Parity Stock, the amounts distributed to the Holders and to the holders of all such Parity Stock shall be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.
(c) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation. For purposes of this Section 5, the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company shall not be deemed a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, nor shall the merger, consolidation, statutory exchange or any other business combination transaction of the Company into or with any other Person or the merger, consolidation, statutory exchange or any other business combination transaction of any other Person into or with the Company be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company.
SECTION 6. Right of the Holders to Convert.
(a) Subject to the terms of Section 8(f), from and after the later of (1) May 7, 2023 and (2) the earlier of (x) the date of the Subsequent Common Purchase (as defined in the Investment Agreement) and (y) November 7, 2023 each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, subject to the conversion procedures set forth in Section 8, to convert (an “Optional Conversion”) each share of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Stock at any time into (i) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of the Liquidation Preference and the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the applicable Conversion Date divided by (B) the Conversion Price as of the applicable Conversion Date plus (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 8(e); provided that no such conversion by any Holder shall be permitted until the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period, if any, under the HSR Act with respect to any conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock by such Holder. The right of Optional Conversion may be exercised as to all or any portion of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Stock from time to time; provided, that, in each case, no right of Optional Conversion may be exercised by a Holder in respect of fewer than 10,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (unless such conversion relates to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder).
(b) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding (without regard to Section 8(f)). Any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will not be subject to preemptive rights or subscription rights of any other stockholder of the Company.
SECTION 7. Mandatory Conversion by the Company.
(a) At any time after the three (3) year anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, if the VWAP per share of Common Stock was greater than the Mandatory Conversion Price for each of at least twenty (20) Trading Days in any period of thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (such thirty (30) consecutive Trading Day period, the “Trading Period”), the Company may elect to convert (a “Mandatory Conversion”), subject to Section 8(f), all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock (the date selected by the Company for any Mandatory Conversion pursuant to this Section 7(a), the “Mandatory Conversion Date”); provided, however, that the Company may not require a Mandatory Conversion if such Mandatory Conversion is prohibited by the Investment Agreement. In the case of a Mandatory Conversion, subject to Section 8(f), each share of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be converted into (A) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (1) the sum of the Liquidation Preference and the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the Mandatory Conversion Date divided by (2) the Conversion Price of such share in effect as of the Mandatory Conversion Date plus (B) cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 8(e).
(b) Notice of Mandatory Conversion. If the Company elects to effect a Mandatory Conversion, the Company shall, within twenty (20) Business Days following the completion of the applicable thirty (30) day Trading Period referred to in Section 7(a) above, provide notice of the Mandatory Conversion to each Holder (such notice, a “Notice of Mandatory Conversion”). For the avoidance of doubt, delivery of a Notice of Mandatory Conversion does not limit a Holder’s right to convert on a Conversion Date prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date. The Mandatory Conversion Date selected by the Company shall be no less than ten (10) Business Days and no more than thirty (30) Business Days after the date on which the Company provides the Notice of Mandatory Conversion to the Holders. The Notice of Mandatory Conversion shall state, as appropriate:
| (i) | the Mandatory Conversion Date selected by the Company; and |
(ii) the Conversion Rate as in effect on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the amount of Accrued Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder as of the Mandatory Conversion Date, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such Holder upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder (including in respect of the Accrued Dividends thereon) and, if applicable, the cash in lieu of fractional shares to be paid thereon.
SECTION 8. Conversion Procedures and Effect of Conversion.
(a) Conversion Procedure.
A Holder must do each of the following in order to receive shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 8:
(i) in the case of an Optional Conversion, complete and manually sign the conversion notice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the “Conversion Notice”), and deliver such notice to the Company; provided, however, that a Conversion Notice may be conditional on the completion of a Change of Control or other corporate transaction as such Holder may specify;
(ii) deliver to the Company the certificate or certificates (if any) representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted;
| (iii) | if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and |
(iv) if required, pay any stock transfer, documentary, stamp or similar taxes not payable by the Company pursuant to Section 18.
The “Conversion Date” means (A) with respect to an Optional Conversion pursuant to Section 6(a), the date on which such Holder complies with the procedures in this Section 8 (including the satisfaction of any conditions to conversion set forth in the Conversion Notice) and (B) with respect to Mandatory Conversion pursuant to Section 7, the Mandatory Conversion Date.
(b) Effect of Conversion. Effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Conversion Date applicable to any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to Section 8(f), Preferred Dividends shall no longer accrue or be declared on any such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and on conversion, such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding.
(c) Record Holder of Underlying Securities as of Conversion Date. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Stock and, to the extent applicable, cash on a Conversion Date shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock and, to the extent applicable, cash as of the close of business on such Conversion Date. As promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date and compliance by the applicable Holder with the relevant procedures contained in this Section 8 (and in any event no later than three (3) Trading Days thereafter), the Company shall issue the number of whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion (and deliver payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 8(e)). Such delivery of shares of Common Stock, securities or other property shall be made, at the option of the Company, in certificated form or by book-entry. Any such certificate or certificates shall be delivered by the Company to the appropriate Holder on a book-entry basis or by mailing certificates evidencing the shares to the Holders at their respective addresses as set forth in the Conversion Notice (in the case of an Optional Conversion) or in the records of the Company (in the case of a Mandatory Conversion). In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which shares of Common Stock (and payments of cash in lieu of fractional shares) to be delivered upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock should be registered or paid, or the manner in which such shares and cash should be delivered, the Company shall be entitled to register and deliver such shares, and make such payment, in the name of the Holder and in the manner shown on the records of the Company.
(d) No Adjustment. No adjustment to shares of Series A Preferred Stock being converted on a Conversion Date or to the shares of Common Stock deliverable to the Holders upon the conversion thereof shall be made in respect of dividends or other distributions payable to holders of the Common Stock as of any date prior to the close of business on such Conversion Date (it being understood that the foregoing shall not limit any Holder’s right to receive Participating Dividends payable prior to such time or the operation of Section 10(a) in respect of events occurring prior to such time). Until the Conversion Date with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock has occurred, such share of Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights provided herein.
(e) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be delivered to the Holders upon conversion. In lieu of fractional shares otherwise issuable, the Holders will be entitled to receive, at the Company’s sole discretion, either (i) an amount in cash equal to the fraction of a share of Common Stock multiplied by the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Conversion Date or (ii) one (1) additional whole share of Common Stock. To determine whether the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered to a Holder upon the conversion of such Holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock will include a fractional share, such determination shall be based on the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of such Holder that are being converted on any single Conversion Date.
| (f) | Limitation on Conversion Right. |
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Certificate of Designations, (A) unless and until CFIUS Clearance (as defined in the Investment Agreement), is obtained, no shares of Common Stock will be issued or delivered upon any proposed conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock of any Investor Party, and no Series A Preferred Stock of any Investor Party will be convertible, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such issuance, delivery, conversion or convertibility would result in the Investor Parties or a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) beneficially owning in excess of nine and ninety-nine-one- hundredths percent (9.99%) of the then-outstanding Stockholder Voting Power and (B) unless and until the Requisite Stockholder Approval is obtained, no shares of Common Stock will be issued or delivered upon any proposed conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock of any Holder, and no Series A Preferred Stock of any Holder will be convertible, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such issuance, delivery, conversion or convertibility would result in such Holder or a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) beneficially owning in excess of nineteen and ninety-nine-one-hundredths percent (19.99%) of the then-outstanding Stockholder Voting Power (the restrictions set forth in the preceding clauses (A) and (B) of this sentence, the “Ownership Limitation”). For these purposes, beneficial ownership and calculations of percentage ownership will be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company is not required to obtain, or to try to obtain, the Requisite Stockholder Approval.
(ii) Any purported conversion (and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock) will be void and have no effect to the extent, but only to the extent, that such conversion and delivery would result in any Holder becoming the beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock outstanding at such time in excess of the Ownership Limitation. For the avoidance of doubt, a Holder may effect an Optional Conversion, and the Company may, upon exercise of its Mandatory Conversion right, force conversion of, a portion of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Stock up to the Ownership Limitation, in each case subject to the other requirements of this Certificate of Designations applicable to such Optional Conversion or Mandatory Conversion, as applicable.
(iii) Except as otherwise provided herein, if any consideration otherwise due upon the proposed conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to an Optional Conversion or Mandatory Conversion is not delivered as a result of the Ownership Limitation, then the Company’s obligation to deliver such consideration will not be extinguished, and the Company will deliver such consideration (and the relevant shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed converted) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Holder of such Series A Preferred Stock provides written evidence satisfactory to the Company that such delivery will not contravene the Ownership Limitation. A Holder will provide such evidence as soon as reasonably practicable after its beneficial ownership is such that additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock may be delivered without contravening the Ownership Limitation. For the avoidance of doubt, until consideration due upon the conversion of any Series A Preferred Stock is delivered, such Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed not to have converted, Preferred Dividends shall continue to accrue thereon and consideration ultimately paid out in respect thereof shall take into account such accrued Preferred Dividends (to the extent not previously paid as Cash Dividends).
(g) Status of Converted or Reacquired Shares. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted in accordance with this Certificate of Designations, or otherwise acquired by the Company in any manner whatsoever, shall be retired promptly after the conversion or acquisition thereof and shall not be reissued as shares of such series. All such shares shall, upon their retirement and any filing required by the DGCL, become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation as to series until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular series by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
(h) Partial Conversion. In case any certificate for shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall, at its expense, execute and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder of the certificate so surrendered a new certificate for the shares of Series A Preferred Stock not converted.
SECTION 9. Change of Control. (a) Holder Rights Upon Change of Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock may, at such Holder’s election: (i) effective as of immediately prior to the Change of Control, convert all or a portion of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to an Optional Conversion (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(f)), or (ii) require the Company to purchase (a “Change of Control Put”), any or all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share of Series A Preferred Stock, payable in cash, equal to the greater of (A) the sum of (x) the Liquidation Preference of such share of Series A Preferred Stock plus (y) the Accrued Dividends in respect of such share of Series A Preferred Stock, in each case as of the applicable Change of Control Purchase Date and (B) the amount of cash and the Fair Market Value of any other property that the Holder would have received if such Holder had converted such share of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to the Change of Control (the greater of (A) and (B), the “Change of Control Purchase Price”); provided, the Company shall only be required to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price to the extent such purchase can be made out of funds legally available therefor and not in the event where such holder actually converts its shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock.
(b) Initial Change of Control Notice. On or before the twentieth (20th) Business Day prior to the date on which the Company anticipates consummating a Change of Control (or, if later, promptly after the Company discovers that a Change of Control may occur), a written notice (the “Initial Change of Control Notice”) shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders as they appear in the records of the Company, which notice shall contain (i) the date on which the Change of Control is anticipated to be effected (or, if applicable, the date on which a Schedule TO or other schedule, form or report disclosing a Change of Control was filed), (ii) a description of the material terms and conditions of the Change of Control and (iii) the then applicable Conversion Rate. No later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the date on which the Company anticipates consummating the Change of Control as set forth in the Initial Change of Control Notice (or, if the Change of Control has already occurred as provided in the Initial Change of Control Notice, promptly, but no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day following receipt thereof), any Holder that desires to exercise its rights pursuant to Section 9(a) shall notify the Company in writing thereof and shall specify (x) whether such Holder is electing to exercise its rights pursuant to Section 9(a)(i), (ii) or both, and (y) the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock subject thereto.
| (c) | Final Change of Control Notice. If a Holder elects to exercise its rights pursuant to Section 9(a)(ii), within two (2) days following the effective date of the Change of Control (the “Change of Control Effective Date”) (or if the Company discovers later than such date that a Change of Control has occurred, promptly following the date of such discovery), a final written notice shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders as they appear in the records of the Company on such Change of Control Effective Date, which notice shall contain: |
(i) a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the Change of Control Purchase Price with respect to such Holder;
(ii) the Change of Control Purchase Date, which shall be no later than sixty (60) days after such notice is sent; provided, that a reasonable amount of time shall be provided between delivery of such notice and the Change of Control Purchase Date to allow such Holder to comply with the instructions delivered pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii) below; and
(iii) the instructions a Holder must follow to receive the Change of Control Purchase Price in connection with such Change of Control.
(d) Change of Control Put Procedure. To receive the Change of Control Purchase Price, a Holder must surrender to the [Company] [Transfer Agent] in accordance with the instructions delivered pursuant to Section 9(c)(iii), the certificates representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be repurchased by the Company or lost stock affidavits therefor, to the extent applicable.
(e) Delivery upon Change of Control Put. Upon a Change of Control Put, after Satisfaction of Indebtedness Obligations and subject to Section 9(g), the Company (or its successor) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder by mail or wire transfer the Change of Control Purchase Price of such Holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Until a share of Series A Preferred Stock is purchased by the payment in full of the applicable Change of Control Purchase Price, such share of Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights provided herein; provided that no such shares of Series A Preferred Stock may be converted into shares of Common Stock following the Change of Control Effective Date.
(f) Partial Exercise of Change of Control Put. In the event that a Change of Control Put is effected with respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a Holder, promptly following such Change of Control Put, the Company shall reflect in the Register the remaining shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder.
(g) Sufficient Funds. If the Company shall not have sufficient funds legally available under the DGCL to purchase all shares of Series A Preferred Stock that Holders have requested to be purchased under Section 9(a) (the “Required Number of Shares”), the Company shall (i) purchase, pro rata among the Holders that have requested their shares be purchased pursuant to Section 9(a), a number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock with an aggregate Change of Control Purchase Price equal to the amount legally available for the purchase of shares of Series A Preferred Stock under the DGCL and (ii) purchase any shares of Series A Preferred Stock not purchased because of the foregoing limitations at the applicable Change of Control Purchase Price as soon as practicable after the Company is able to make such purchase out of assets legally available for the purchase of such share of Series A Preferred Stock. The inability of the Company (or its successor and assigns) to make a purchase payment for any reason shall not relieve the Company (or its successor and assigns) from its obligation to effect any required purchase when, as and if permitted by applicable law. If the Company fails to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price in full when due in accordance with this Section 9 in respect of some or all of the shares or Series A Preferred Stock to be repurchased pursuant to the Change of Control Put, the Company will pay Preferred Dividends on such shares not repurchased at the then applicable Dividend Rate per annum until such shares are repurchased, payable quarterly in arrears on each Preferred Dividend Payment Date, for the period from and including the Initial Dividend Payment Date (or the Issuance Date, as applicable) upon which the Company fails to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price in full when due in accordance with this Section 9 through but not including the latest of the day upon which the Company pays the Change of Control Purchase Price in full in accordance with this Section 9. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Holder exercises a Change of Control Put pursuant to this Section 9 at a time when the Company is restricted or prohibited (contractually or otherwise) from redeeming some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock subject to the Change of Control Put, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the requisite consents to remove or obtain an exception or waiver to such restrictions or prohibition. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations under this Section 9.
(h) Change of Control Agreements. The Company shall not enter into any agreement for, or otherwise willingly engage in, a transaction constituting a Change of Control, unless (i) such agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) the exercise by the Holders of their Change of Control Put in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to this Section 9, and (ii) the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control represents or covenants, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board acting in good faith, that at the closing of such Change of Control, to the effect that such Person shall have sufficient funds (which may include, without limitation, cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s balance sheet, the proceeds of any debt or equity financing, available lines of credit or uncalled capital commitments) to consummate such Change of Control and effect the Satisfaction of Indebtedness Obligations and the payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price in respect of all shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have not been converted into Common Stock prior to the Change of Control Effective Date pursuant to Section 6, Section 7 or this Section 9, as applicable.
(i) Conversion Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event that Section 8(f) would operate to limit the number of shares of Common Stock that a Holder may receive upon exercise of its Optional Conversion right in connection with a Change of Control, such Holder shall be entitled to exercise its Optional Conversion right to receive the proceeds (as opposed to a right to receive shares of Common Stock) of the Change of Control on its Series A Preferred Stock as converted to Common Stock without regard to Section 8(f).
SECTION 10. Anti-Dilution Adjustments. (a) Adjustments. The Conversion Rate will be subject to adjustment, without duplication, upon the occurrence of the following events, except that the Company shall not make any adjustment to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock participate, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of Common Stock and solely as a result of holding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in any transaction described in this Section 10, without having to convert their Series A Preferred Stock, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate multiplied by the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holders:
(i) The issuance of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock, or a subdivision or combination (including, without limitation, a stock split or a reverse stock split) of Common Stock or a reclassification of Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, in which event the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x (OS1 / OS0)
where,
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to (i) the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification;
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after (i) the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification;
OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification; and
OS1 = the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, the completion of such dividend, distribution, subdivision, combination or reclassification.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 10(a)(i) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on (A) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or (B) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification. If any such dividend, distribution, subdivision, combination or reclassification is announced or declared but does not occur, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such dividend, distribution, subdivision, combination or reclassification shall not occur to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend, distribution, subdivision, combination or reclassification had not been declared.
(ii) The dividend, distribution or other issuance to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock of rights (other than rights, options or warrants distributed in connection with a stockholder rights plan (in which event the provisions of Section 10(a)(vi) shall apply)), options or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock for a period expiring forty-five (45) days or less from the date of issuance thereof, at a price per share that is less than the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such issuance, in which event the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [(OS0+X)] / (OS0+Y)
where,
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or other issuance;
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or other issuance;
OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or other issuance;
X = the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and
Y = the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants divided by the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or other issuance.
For purposes of this Section 10(a)(ii), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to purchase the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance, there shall be taken into account any consideration the Company receives for such rights, options or warrants, and any amount payable on exercise thereof, with the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be the Fair Market Value thereof.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 10(a)(ii) shall become effective immediately following the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or other issuance. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board publicly announced its decision not to issue such rights, options or warrants to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend, distribution or issuance had not been declared. To the extent that such rights, options or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or shares of Common Stock are otherwise not delivered pursuant to such rights, options or warrants upon the exercise of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the dividend, distribution or other issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered.
(iii) The Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries purchases Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer (other than an exchange offer that constitutes a Distribution Transaction subject to Section 10(a)(v)) by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company for all or any portion of the Common Stock, or otherwise acquires Common Stock (except (A) in an open market purchase in compliance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act, (B) through an “accelerated share repurchase” on customary terms or (C) in connection with tax withholding upon vesting or settlement of options, restricted stock units, performance share units or other similar equity awards or upon forfeiture or cashless exercise of options or other equity awards) (a “Covered Repurchase”), if the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Common Stock validly tendered, exchanged or otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase exceeds the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last day on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) or shares of Common Stock are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase (the “Expiration Date”), in which event the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [(FMV + (SP1 x OS1)) / (SP1 x OS0)]
where,
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date;
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Expiration Date;
FMV = the Fair Market Value, on the Expiration Date, of all cash and any other consideration paid or payable for all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn, or otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase, as of the Expiration Date;
OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (including the shares to be purchased in such tender or exchange offer) or shares are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase;
OS1 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (after giving effect to the purchase of shares in such tender or exchange offer) or shares are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase; and
SP1 = the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date.
Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Expiration Date. If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required under this Section 10(a)(iii), delivery of any additional shares of Common Stock that may be deliverable upon conversion as a result of an adjustment required under this Section 10(a)(iii) shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 10(a)(iii).
In the event that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer, exchange offer or other commitment to acquire shares of Common Stock through a Covered Repurchase but is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would have been then in effect if such tender offer, exchange offer or Covered Repurchase had not been made.
The Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock (other than for cash in lieu of fractional shares), shares of any class of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, assets, other property or securities, but excluding (A) dividends or distributions referred to in Section 10(a)(i) or Section 10(a)(ii) hereof; (B) Distribution Transactions as to which Section 10(a)(v) shall apply; (C) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash; and (D) rights, options or warrants distributed in connection with a stockholder rights plan as to which Section 10(a)(vi) shall apply (any of such shares of its Capital Stock, indebtedness, assets or property that are not so excluded are hereinafter called the “Distributed Property”), then, in each such case the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [SP0 / (SP0 - FMV)]
where,
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution;
SP0 = the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend or distribution; and
FMV = the Fair Market Value of the portion of Distributed Property distributed with respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution; provided, however, that, if FMV is equal or greater than SP0, then in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, the Company shall distribute to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock on the date the applicable Distributed Property is distributed to holders of Common Stock, but without requiring such holder to convert its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in respect of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder, the amount of Distributed Property such holder would have received had such holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution; provided, that such holder’s receipt or ownership of such Distributed Property is not otherwise limited or prohibited by the provisions hereof.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 10(a)(iv) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution. If any such dividend or distribution is declared but does not occur, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such dividend or distribution shall not occur to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
(iv) The Company effects a Distribution Transaction, in which case the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Distribution Transaction shall be increased based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [(FMV + MP0) / MP0]
where,
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction;
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction;
FMV = the arithmetic average of the volume-weighted average prices for a share of the capital stock or other interest distributed to holders of Common Stock on the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which such capital stock or other interest trades, as reported by Bloomberg (or, if Bloomberg ceases to publish such price, any successor service chosen by the Company) in respect of the period from the open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume- weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one
(1) share of such capital stock or other interest on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by an Independent Financial Advisor retained for such purpose by the Company), for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing with, and including, the effective date of the Distribution Transaction; and
MP0 = the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
Such adjustment shall become effective immediately following the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction. If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required under this Section 10(a)(v), delivery of any additional shares of Common Stock that may be deliverable upon conversion as a result of an adjustment required under this Section 10(a)(v) shall be delayed only to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 10(a)(v).
(v) If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Stock on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, Holders of such shares will receive, in addition to the applicable number of shares of Common Stock, the rights under such rights plan relating to such Common Stock, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have (A) become exercisable or (B) separated from the shares of Common Stock (the first of such events to occur, a “Trigger Event”), in which case, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted, effective automatically at the time of such Trigger Event, as if the Company had made a distribution of such rights to all holders of the Company Common Stock as described in Section 10(a) (ii) (without giving effect to the forty-five (45)-day limit on the exercisability of rights, options or warrants ordinarily subject to such Section 10(a)(ii)), subject to appropriate readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights prior to the exercise, deemed exercise or exchange thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any such stockholder rights are exchanged by the Company for shares of Common Stock or other property or securities, the Conversion Rate shall be appropriately readjusted as if such stockholder rights had not been issued, but the Company had instead issued such shares of Common Stock or other property or securities as a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 10(a)(i) or Section 10(a)(iv), as applicable.
To the extent that such rights are not exercised prior to their expiration, termination or redemption, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the occurrence of the Trigger Event been made on the basis of the issuance of, and the receipt of the exercise price with respect to, only the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued pursuant to such rights.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10(a)(vi), no adjustment shall be required to be made to the Conversion Rate with respect to any Holder which is, or is an “affiliate” or “associate” of, an “acquiring person” under such stockholder rights plan or with respect to any direct or indirect transferee of such Holder who receives Series A Preferred Stock in such transfer after the time such Holder becomes, or its affiliate or associate becomes, such an “acquiring person.”
(b) Calculation of Adjustments. All adjustments to the Conversion Rate shall be calculated by the Company to the nearest 1/10,000th of one (1) share of Common Stock (or if there is not a nearest 1/10,000th of a share, to the next lower 1/10,000th of a share). No adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be required, unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) of the Conversion Rate; provided, however, that any such adjustment that is not required to be made will be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
(c) When No Adjustment Required. (i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing, or for the repurchase of Common Stock.
(ii) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted as a result of the issuance of, the distribution of separate certificates representing, the exercise or redemption of, or the termination or invalidation of, rights pursuant to any stockholder rights plans.
| (iii) | No adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made: |
(A) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Company and the investment of additional optional amounts in Common Stock under any plan in which purchases are made at market prices on the date or dates of purchase, without discount, and whether or not the Company bears the ordinary costs of administration and operation of the plan, including brokerage commissions;
(B) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase such shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or of any employee agreements or arrangements or programs;
(C) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security; or
| (D) | for a change solely in the par value of the Common Stock. |
(d) Successive Adjustments. After an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 10, any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under this Section 10 shall cause an adjustment to each such Conversion Rate as so adjusted.
(e) Multiple Adjustments. For the avoidance of doubt, if an event occurs that would trigger an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 10 under more than one subsection hereof, such event, to the extent fully taken into account in a single adjustment, shall not result in multiple adjustments hereunder; provided, however, that if more than one subsection of this Section 10 is applicable to a single event, the subsection shall be applied that produces the largest adjustment.
(f) Notice of Adjustments. Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as provided under this Section 10, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an event that requires such adjustment (or if the Company is not aware of such occurrence, as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming so aware) or the date the Company makes an adjustment pursuant to Section 10(f):
| (i) | compute the adjusted applicable Conversion Rate in accordance with this Section 10; and |
(ii) (A) in the event that the Company shall give notice or make a public announcement to the holders of Common Stock of any action of the type described in this Section 10 (but only if the action of the type described in this Section 10 would result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price or a change in the type of securities or property to be delivered upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock), the Company shall, at the time of such notice or announcement, and in the case of any action that would require the fixing of a record date, at least ten (10) days prior to such record date, give notice to each Holder by mail, first-class postage prepaid, at the address appearing in the Register, which notice shall specify the record date, if any, with respect to any such action, the approximate date on which such action is to take place and the facts with respect to such action as shall be reasonably necessary to indicate the effect on the Conversion Price and the number, kind or class of shares or other securities or property, which shall be deliverable upon conversion or redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock or (B) in the event that the Company does not give notice or make a public announcement as set forth in Section 10(f)(ii)(A), the Company shall, as soon as practicable following the occurrence of an event that requires an adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to one or more provisions of this Section 10 (or if the Company is not aware of such occurrence, as soon as practicable after becoming so aware), provide, or cause to be provided, a written notice to the Holders of the occurrence of such event, in the same manner and with the same detail as the notice set forth in Section 10(f)(ii)(A); and
(iii) whenever the Conversion Price shall be adjusted pursuant to one or more provisions of this Section 10, the Company shall, as soon as practicable following the determination of the revised Conversion Price, (A) file at the principal office of the Company, a statement showing in reasonable detail the facts requiring such adjustment, the Conversion Price that shall be in effect after such adjustment and the method by which the adjustment to the Conversion Price was determined and (B) cause a copy of such statement to be sent in the manner set forth in Section (10) (f)(ii)(A) to each Holder.
SECTION 11. Adjustment for Reorganization Events.
| (a) | Reorganization Events. In the event of: |
(i) any reclassification, statutory exchange, merger, consolidation or other similar business combination of the Company with or into another Person, in each case, pursuant to which at least a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company is changed or converted into, or exchanged for, cash, securities or other property of the Company or another Person;
(ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another Person of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Company, in each case pursuant to which the Common Stock is converted into cash, securities or other property; or
(iii) any statutory exchange of securities of the Company with another Person (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition) or reclassification, recapitalization or reorganization of the Common Stock into other securities; other than, in each case, any such transaction that constitutes a Change of Control, with respect to which, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 9 shall apply (each of which is referred to as a “Reorganization Event”), each share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event will, without the consent of the Holders and subject to Section 11(d) and Section 12(b), remain outstanding but shall become convertible into, out of funds legally available therefor, the number, kind and amount of securities, cash and other property (the “Exchange Property”) (without any interest on such Exchange Property and without any right to dividends or distribution on such Exchange Property which have a record date that is prior to the applicable Conversion Date) that the Holder of such share of Series A Preferred Stock would have received in such Reorganization Event had such Holder converted its shares of Series A Preferred Stock into the applicable number of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective date of the Reorganization Event using the Conversion Rate applicable immediately prior to the effective date of the Reorganization Event and the Liquidation Preference applicable at the time of such subsequent conversion; provided that the foregoing shall not apply if such Holder is a Person with which the Company consolidated or into which the Company merged or which merged into the Company or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (any such Person, a “Constituent Person”), or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person, to the extent such Reorganization Event provides for different treatment of Common Stock held by such Constituent Persons or such Affiliate thereof. If the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such Reorganization Event is not the same for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to such Reorganization Event by a Person (other than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof), then for the purpose of this Section 11(a), the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon conversion following such Reorganization Event will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Stock.
(b) Successive Reorganization Events. The above provisions of this Section 11 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events.
(c) Reorganization Event Notice. The Company (or any successor and assigns) shall, no less than thirty (30) days prior to the anticipated effective date of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the Holders of such occurrence of such event and of the kind and amount of the cash, securities or other property that constitutes the Exchange Property. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 11.
(d) Reorganization Event Agreements. The Company shall not enter into any agreement for a transaction constituting a Reorganization Event, unless (i) such agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into the Exchange Property in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to this Section 11, and (ii) to the extent that the Company is not the surviving corporation in such Reorganization Event or will be dissolved in connection with such Reorganization Event, proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing such Reorganization Event for the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into stock of the Person surviving such Reorganization Event or such other continuing entity in such Reorganization Event.
SECTION 12. Voting Rights.
(a) General. The Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote with the holders of the Common Stock on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company, except as otherwise provided herein or as required by applicable law, voting together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class; provided, that shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are in excess of the Ownership Limitation shall not be entitled to vote with holders of the Common Stock on any matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company. For such purposes, each Holder shall be entitled to a number of votes in respect of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock owned of record by it equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Series A Preferred Stock could be converted (taking into account the Ownership Limitation in Section 8(f), applied ratably with respect to each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock) as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote on such matters or, if no such record date is established, as of the date such vote is taken or any written consent of stockholders is solicited; provided that no Holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote with the holders of Common Stock or any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company until the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, if a filing under the HSR Act is required for such Holder with respect to either its acquisition of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock or any conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Investor Parties that hold shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, at any stockholders’ meeting or in any written consent of stockholders, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Investor Parties would have the right to a number of votes in respect of such Investor Parties’ shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other Capital Stock of the Company in excess of the Ownership Limitation. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any voting rights in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that the issuance, delivery, conversion or convertibility of such Series A Preferred Stock would result in such Holder or a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) beneficially owning in excess of the Ownership Limitation. The Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the By- Laws as if they were holders of record of Common Stock for such meeting.
(b) Adverse Changes. So long as 25% Beneficial Ownership Requirement (as defined in the Investment Agreement) is satisfied, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law, the Company may not take any of the following actions (including by means of merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) without the prior affirmative vote or written consent from the Holders of at least a majority of the then-issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred, voting as a separate class:
(i) amend, alter, repeal or otherwise modify (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation (including this Certificate of Designations) or By-Laws in a manner that would adversely affect the powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock;
(ii) any amendment or alteration (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of, or any supplement (whether by a certificate of designations or otherwise) to, the Certificate of Incorporation or any provision thereof, or any other action to authorize or create, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, or any securities convertible into shares of, or reclassify any security into, or issue, any Parity Stock or Senior Stock or any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company ranking senior to, or on a parity basis with, the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, in each case other than the issuance of Parity Stock with an aggregate liquidation preference or par amount of no more than $30,000,000;
(iii) any increase or decrease in the authorized number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock or issuance of shares of Series A Preferred Stock after the Issuance Date other than issuances of Series A Preferred Stock under the Investment Agreement;
| (iv) | increase the size of the Board; |
(v) sell, license or lease or encumber any material portion of the Company’s hub motor technology and production line other than the disposition of obsolete, replaced, no longer used or useful, or worn out property, in the ordinary course of business.
For purposes of this Section 12, the filing in accordance with applicable law of a certificate of designations or any similar document setting forth or changing the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of any class or series of stock of the Company shall be deemed an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.
(c) Each Holder of Series A Preferred Stock will have one (1) vote per share on any matter on which Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote separately as a class, whether at a meeting or by written consent.
(d) The vote or consent of the Holders of a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at such time, voting together as a single class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be sufficient to waive or amend the provisions of Section 9(h), and any amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 9(h) approved by such percentage of the Holders shall be binding on all of the Holders.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Certificate of Incorporation or By- Laws, the Holders shall have the exclusive consent and voting rights set forth in Section 12(b) and may take action or consent to any action with respect to such rights without a meeting by delivering a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of the Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize, take or consent to such action at a meeting of stockholders.
SECTION 13. Transfer Agent. The Company may appoint a transfer agent and remove its transfer agent in accordance with the agreement between the Company and such transfer agent; provided, however, that the Company shall appoint a successor transfer agent of recognized standing who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal. Upon any such removal or appointment, the Company shall send notice thereof by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders. When a Holder requests to register the transfer of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company or the Company’s transfer agent, as applicable, shall register the transfer as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met.
SECTION 14. Status of Shares. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have been issued and reacquired in any manner, whether by redemption, repurchase or otherwise or upon any conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to Common Stock, shall thereupon be retired and shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company undesignated as to series, and may be redesignated as any series of preferred stock of the Company and reissued.
SECTION 15. Term. Except as expressly provided in this Certificate of Designations, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable or otherwise mature and the term of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be perpetual.
SECTION 16. Creation of Capital Stock. Subject to Section 12(b)(ii), the Board, without the vote of the Holders, may authorize and issue additional shares of Capital Stock of the Company.
SECTION 17. No Sinking Fund. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.
SECTION 18. Taxes. (a) Transfer Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all stock transfer, documentary, stamp and similar taxes imposed in the United States that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Series A Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities issued on account of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax that may be payable in respect of any jurisdiction outside the United States or any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock or other securities in a name other than the name in which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to which such shares or other securities are issued or delivered were registered, or in respect of any payment to any Person other than a payment to the registered holder thereof, and shall not be required to make any such issuance, delivery or payment, unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance, delivery or payment has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
(b) Withholding. All payments and distributions (or deemed distributions) on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (and on the shares of Common Stock received upon their conversion) shall be subject to withholding and backup withholding of taxes to the extent required by law, subject to applicable exemptions, and amounts withheld, if any, shall be treated as received by the Holders.
SECTION 19. Notices. All notices referred to herein shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, all notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given upon the earlier of receipt thereof or three (3) Business Days after the mailing thereof if sent by registered or certified mail (unless first-class mail shall be specifically permitted for such notice under the terms of this Certificate of Designations) with postage prepaid, addressed, (i) if to the Company, to its office at 2300 Hallock Young Road, Lordstown, Ohio 44481 (Attention: General Counsel), or to any transfer or other agent of the Company designated to receive such notice as permitted by this Certificate of Designations; (ii) if to any Holder, to such Holder at the address of such Holder as listed in the Register; or (iii) to such other address as the Company or any such Holder, as the case may be, shall have designated by notice similarly given.
SECTION 20. Facts Ascertainable. When the terms of this Certificate of Designations refer to a specific agreement or other document to determine the meaning or operation of a provision hereof, the Secretary of the Company shall maintain a copy of such agreement or document at the principal executive offices of the Company and a copy thereof shall be provided free of charge to any Holder who makes a request therefor. The Secretary of the Company shall also maintain a written record of the Issuance Date, the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to a Holder and the date of each such issuance, and shall furnish such written record free of charge to any Holder who makes a request therefor.
SECTION 21. Waiver. Notwithstanding any provision in this Certificate of Designations to the contrary, any provision contained herein and any right of the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock granted hereunder may be waived as to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock (and the Holders thereof) upon the written consent of the Holders of a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.
SECTION 22. Severability. If any term of the Series A Preferred Stock set forth herein is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other terms set forth herein, which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable term will, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no term herein set forth will be deemed dependent upon any other such term, unless so expressed herein.
SECTION 23. Business Opportunities. To the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL (or any successor provision) and except as may be otherwise expressly agreed in writing by the Company and the Investor Parties, the Company, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company and its Subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities, that are from time to time presented to the Investor Parties or any of their respective officers, representatives, directors, agents, stockholders, members, partners, Affiliates, Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries), or any of their respective designees on the Company’s Board and/or any of their respective representatives who, from time to time, may act as officers of the Company, even if the opportunity is one that the Company or its Subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and no such person shall be liable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Company or its Subsidiaries unless, in the case of any such person who is a director or officer of the Company, such business opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of Capital Stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 23. Neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this Section 23, nor the adoption of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations inconsistent with this Section 23, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, any modification of law, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 23 in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Section 23, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal, adoption or modification. If any provision or provisions of this Section 23 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Section 23 (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Section 23 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Section 23 (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Section 23 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Company to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Section 23 shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company under the Certificate of Incorporation, the By- Laws, any other agreement between the Company and such director, officer, employee or agent or applicable law.
Exhibit I
LORDSTOWN MOTORS CORP.
CONVERSION NOTICE
Reference is made to the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Lordstown Motors Corp. (the “Certificate of Designations”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), of Lordstown Motors Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), indicated below into shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), [as of the date specified below] [[upon/immediately prior to], and subject to the occurrence of, [●]].
| Date of Conversion (if applicable): | |||
| Number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted: | |||
| Share certificate no(s). of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted: | |||
| Tax ID Number (if applicable): |
Please confirm the following information:
| Conversion Price: | |||
| Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued: |
Please issue the shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are being converted in the following name and to the following address:
| Issue to: | |||
| Address: | |||
| Telephone Number: | |||
| Email: | |||
| Authorization: | |||
| By: | |||
| Title: | |||
| Dated: | |||
| Account Number (if electronic book entry transfer): | |||
| Transaction Code Number (if electronic book entry transfer): | |||
| Payment instructions for cash payment in lieu of fractional shares: |
[NOTE TO HOLDER — THIS FORM MUST BE SENT CONCURRENTLY TO TRANSFER AGENT (IF ANY).]
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Company hereby acknowledges the attached Conversion Notice and hereby directs [Transfer Agent] to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions dated [_] from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by [_].
| Lordstown Motors Corp. |
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
NU RIDE INC.
(THE “CORPORATION”)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be located at the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.
Section 1.2 Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.
Section 1.3 Effective Date. These Bylaws have been duly authorized and adopted in connection with an order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) entered on March 6, 2024 (the “Effective Date”), confirming the ThirdModified First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Lordstown Motors Corp. and Its Affiliated Debtors, dated February 27, 2024 (the “Plan”), filed in the cases commenced under title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532, jointly administered as Case No. 23-10831 pending before the Bankruptcy Court) .
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 2.1 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, or in whole or in part by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a), and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the resolution of a majority the entire Board and stated in the Corporation’ notice of such meeting. At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. For purposes of these Bylaws, “entire Board” means the total number of directors then serving on the Board, excluding vacancies.
Section 2.2 Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”) expressly as set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (as amended or restated from time to time) (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, or in whole or in part by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a), and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the resolution of a majority the entire Board and stated in the Corporation’ notice of such meeting.
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Section 2.3 Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and 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 the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, in each case at the sole discretion of and pursuant to a resolution of the majority of the entire Board and upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.
Section 2.4 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
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Section 2.5 Voting of Shares.
(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours 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 principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. The authorization of a person to act as proxy may be documented, signed, and delivered in accordance with Section 116 of the DGCL provided that such authorization shall set forth, or be delivered with, information enabling the Corporation to determine the identity of the stockholder granting such authorization.
(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.
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(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.
Section 2.6 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 2.7 Advance Notice for Business.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either:
(i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of a majority of the entire Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a).
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Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.2 will be considered for election at such meeting.
(ii) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, even if such matter is already the subject of any notice to the stockholders or public announcement from the Board, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to Section 2.7(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 140th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 160th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date (or if there has been no prior annual meeting), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 160th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 140th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).
(iii) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.
(iv) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Exchange Act, and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.7(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation.
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(v) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.2.
(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).
Section 2.8 Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board by majority resolution of the entire Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board, pursuant to a majority resolution of the entire Board, may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these Bylaws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1 Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of a majority of the entire Board, which number of directors shall not be less than three or more than nine. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect or removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.
Section 3.2 Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.
(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board by resolution of a majority of the entire Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the number of nominees any stockholder may nominate for the election of directors at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected by stockholders generally at such annual or special meeting of stockholders.
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(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date (or if there has been no prior annual meeting), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 3.2.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.
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(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person, (D) a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such proposed nominee, completed and executed by such proposed nominee, in the form to be provided by the Secretary upon written request of any stockholder of record within 10 days of such request, and a written statement and agreement executed by each such nominee acknowledging that such person (I) consents to being named as a nominee in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the meeting at which directors are to be elected and to serving as a director if elected, (II) intends to serve as a director for the full term for which such person is standing for election, and (III) makes the following representations: (1) that the director nominee has read and agrees to adhere to the Corporation’s policies and guidelines applicable to directors, and (2) that the director nominee is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any nomination or other business proposal, issue, or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, and (3) that the director nominee is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification (“Compensation Arrangement”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation in connection with such person’s nomination for director or service as a director, and (E) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (the “Proposing Stockholder”) (A) the name and record address of the Proposing Stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made and any control person, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by the Proposing Stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, and any control person, and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of the class and number of such shares owned of record and beneficially by the Proposing Stockholder, the beneficial owner, and any control person as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, (C) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to such nomination between or among, or to be made by, the Proposing Stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, any control person, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), including, without limitation, (I) any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act and (II) any plans or proposals which relate to or would result in any action that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 4 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (in each case, regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act is applicable), and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of any such agreement, arrangement, or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice, (E) a representation whether the Proposing Stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, any control person, or any other participant (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) will engage in a solicitation with respect to such nomination and, if so, the name of each participant in such solicitation; and a statement: (I) confirming whether, the stockholder, beneficial owner, or any control person intends, or is part of a group that intends to solicit proxies or votes in support of such director nominees or nomination in accordance with Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, including by delivering a proxy statement and form of proxy and soliciting the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than the Corporation’s nominees, and (II) whether or not any such stockholder, beneficial owner, or any control person intends to otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such nomination, (F) the names and addresses of other stockholders (including beneficial and record owners and control persons) known by the Proposing Stockholder to support the nomination, and to the extent known, the class and number of all shares of the Corporation’s capital stock owned beneficially or of record by such other stockholders (including beneficial and record owners and control persons), and (G) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made and any control person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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(e) If the Board or the chairman of the meeting determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 3.2, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, if the stockholder does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.
(f) If any stockholder provides notice pursuant to Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation, no later than five business days prior to the applicable meeting, reasonable evidence that it has met all of the applicable requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. Without limiting the other provisions and requirements of this Section 3.2, unless otherwise required by law, if any Proposing Stockholder provides such notice and either (A) fails to comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, or (B) fails to provide reasonable evidence of such compliance as required by this Section 3.2(f), then the Corporation shall disregard any proxies or votes solicited for such stockholder’s nominees.
(g) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 3.2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.3 Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board by a resolution of a majority of the entire Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.
Section 3.4 Removal. Members of the Board of Directors may only be removed for cause as set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.
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ARTICLE IV
BOARD MEETINGS
Section 4.1 Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.
Section 4.2 Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the entire Board.
Section 4.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of the entire Board, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the directors or the sole director as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.
Section 4.4 Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.
Section 4.5 Consent In Lieu of 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 or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board 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 (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board 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.
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Section 4.6 Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Establishment. The Board may by resolution of a majority of the entire Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.
Section 5.2 Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of a majority of the entire Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board 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.
Section 5.3 Alternate Members. The Board by resolution of a majority of the entire Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.
Section 5.4 Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee, provided that each committee shall provide notice of each of its meeting to the Secretary. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the resolution of a majority of the entire Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board by resolution of a majority of the entire Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these Bylaws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these Bylaws.
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ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 6.1 Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including without limitation, a Chairman of the Board, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and a Treasurer) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.
(a) Chairman of the Board. By resolution of a majority of the entire Board, the Board shall select the Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board determined by resolution of a majority of the entire board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.
(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.
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(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.
(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.
| (e) | Secretary. |
(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.
(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.
(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.
(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).
(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.
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Section 6.2 Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the resolution of a majority of the entire Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.
Section 6.3 Other Officers. The Board by the resolution of a majority of the entire Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.
Section 6.4 Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES
Section 7.1 Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.
Section 7.2 Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause 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 to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice 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 or rights.
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Section 7.3 Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all 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 shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.
Section 7.4 Consideration and Payment for Shares.
(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.
(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.
Section 7.5 Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.
(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.
(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.
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Section 7.6 Transfer of Stock.
(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:
(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;
(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;
(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;
(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and
(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.
(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.
Section 7.7 Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.
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Section 7.8 Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.
(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.
(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.
Section 7.9 Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.
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ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1 Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person following the Effective Date (or prior to the Effective Date as limited by subsections (A) and (B) below) (x) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or (y) while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, (A) except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee or arising from any action or inaction occurring prior to the Effective Date, in each case only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board, and (B) any obligations of the Corporation pursuant to these Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation or agreements, including amendments, adopted or entered into any time prior to the Effective Date, to indemnify, reimburse or limit the liability of any Person pursuant to the Corporation’s Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, policy of providing employee indemnification, applicable state law or specific agreement in respect of any claims, demands, suits, causes of action or proceedings against such Persons based upon any act or omission related to such Persons’ service with, for or on behalf of the Corporation prior to the Effective Date with respect to all present and future actions, suits and proceedings relating to the Corporation shall survive and except as set forth in the Plan, remain unaffected by the provisions of these Bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation adopted to take effect as of or after the Effective Time, and shall not be discharged, irrespective of whether such defense, indemnification, reimbursement or limitation of liability accrued or is owed in connection with an occurrence before or after June 27, 2023; provided, however, that, except as otherwise set forth in a final order of the Bankruptcy Court, all monetary obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to such matters shall be limited solely to available insurance coverage and neither the Corporation nor any of its assets shall be liable for any such obligations in any manner whatsoever. For the further avoidance of doubt, this Section 8.1 is not intended to, nor shall it, limit any recoveries of any Person under the Plan on account of any Allowed Claims (as defined in the Plan) held by such Person for indemnification, reimbursement, limitation of liability, or otherwise, which Claims, to the extent Allowed (as defined in the Plan), shall receive the treatment set forth in Article III of the Plan in full satisfaction, release, and discharge of the Corporation’s obligations with respect to such Claims.
Section 8.2 Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.
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Section 8.3 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
Section 8.4 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Section 8.5 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 8.6 Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.
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Section 8.7 Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board, which shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VIII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that, in all cases, amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 662/3 of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.
Section 8.8 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person 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 interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.
Section 8.9 Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.
Section 8.10 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these Bylaws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.
Section 9.2 Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board by resolution of a majority of the entire Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 9.3 Means of Giving Notice.
(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows:
(i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.
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(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
(c) Electronic Transmission. “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, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.
(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, 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 single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation 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 such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. 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 that 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 with the Secretary of State of Delaware, 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.
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Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.
Section 9.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 9.5 Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.
(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:
| (i) | participate in a meeting of stockholders; and |
(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
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(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 9.6 Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 9.7 Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.
Section 9.8 Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.
Section 9.9 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.
Section 9.10 Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.
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Section 9.11 Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.
Section 9.12 Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 9.13 Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.
Section 9.14 Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 9.15 Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws.
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Exhibit 99.1
Press release
Nu Ride Inc., Formerly Known as Lordstown Motors Corp., Emerges from Chapter 11 with the New Ticker Symbol “NRDE” on the OTC Pink Market
New York, NY – March 14, 2024 – Nu Ride Inc., formerly known as Lordstown Motors Corp (“Nu Ride” or the “Company”) announced today that it has successfully emerged from bankruptcy pursuant to its confirmed plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Plan was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) on March 6, 2024. Upon emergence the Company’s common stock was issued a new ticker symbol: “NRDE” on the OTC Pink Market.
Additional information about the Company and the Plan is available on the company’s website (www.nurideinc.com) and in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov/edgar.
Please send inquiries to ‘[email protected]’