2007 LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
This 2007 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is being established to (a) provide incentives and awards to non-employee directors, consultants and those employees largely responsible for the long-term success of Aceto Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), (b) enable the Company to attract and retain executives, non-employee directors and consultants in the future, and (c) encourage employees, non-employee directors and consultants to acquire a proprietary interest in the performance of the Company by owning shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
The adoption of the Plan is subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s shareholders and shall not become effective until so approved.
2. GENERAL PROVISIONS
2.1 Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless otherwise required by the context:
(a) “Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b) “Award” means an Equity Award granted to an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant.
(c) “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) “Change in Control” means, except as provided in Section 10.3, the date on which:
(i) any person (a “Person”), as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act (other than (A) the Company and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries; (B) any “employee stock ownership plan” (as that term is defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) or other employee benefit plan of the Company and any trustee or other fiduciary in such capacity holding securities under such plan; (C) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; or (D) any other Person who, within the one year prior to the event which would otherwise be a Change in Control, is an executive officer of the Company or any group of Persons of which he or she voluntarily is a part), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or such lesser percentage of voting power, but not less than 15%, as determined by the Independent Directors (as defined below).
(ii) during any two-year period after the effective date of the Plan, Directors of the Company in office at the beginning of such period plus any new Director (other than a Director designated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction within the purview of subsections (i) or (iii) hereof) whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors;
(iii) the consummation of (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which the Company’s Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities, and/or other property, other than a merger of the Company in which holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of voting securities of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger as they had in the Common Stock immediately before; or (B) any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the assets or earning power of the Company; or
(iv) the Company’s shareholders or the Company’s Board of Directors shall approve the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(f) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
(g) “Common Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
(h) “Consultant” shall mean an individual who is not an Employee or a Non-employee Director and who has entered into a consulting arrangement with the Company to provide substantial bona fide services that (i) are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (ii) do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.
(i) “Covered Employee” means each person who is either the chief executive officer of the Company or whose total compensation is required to be reported to shareholders of the Company under the Act by reason of being among the four highest compensated officers (other than the chief executive officer) of the Company. The intent of this definition is to identify those persons who are “covered employees” for purposes of the applicable provisions of Code Section 162(m) and this definition is to be interpreted consistent with this intent. The provisions of the Plan that specifically apply only to Covered Employees shall apply to a Participant if he or she is reasonably expected to be a Covered Employee with respect to the taxable year in which the Performance Period begins, or the taxable year in which the Performance Award is to be paid.
(j) “Employee” means an individual who is employed by the Company.
(k) “Equity Award” means a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan.
(l) “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to the applicable date, the last reported sales price for a share of Common Stock as quoted on the principal stock exchange on which the common stock is traded for that date; provided, however, if no such sales are made on such date, then on the next preceding date on which there are such sales. If for any day the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock is not determinable by any of the foregoing means, then the Fair Market Value for such day shall be determined in good faith by the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, under a method that complies with Code Sections 422 and 409A.
(m) “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted under the Plan which is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Code Section 422.
(n) “Independent Directors” means the members of the Board of Directors who qualify as an independent director under the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, as an “outside director” (as that term is used for purposes of Code Section 162(m)) and as a “non-employee director” (as that term is used for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Act) with respect to the Plan.
(o) “Non-employee Director” means a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.
(p) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an option granted under the Plan which is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(q) “Participant” means an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant to whom an Award has been granted under the Plan.
(r) “Performance Award” means Performance Stock and Performance Incentive Units.
(s) “Performance Incentive Unit” means a unit granted pursuant to Article 7.
(t) “Performance Period” means a period of one or more consecutive calendar years or other periods as set by the Committee, and approved by a majority of the Independent Directors. Nothing herein shall prohibit the creation of multiple Performance Periods which may overlap with other Performance Periods established under the Plan. In no event, however, shall a Performance Period begin on or after the first shareholder meeting that occurs in 2012 unless shareholder approval is obtained as required under Code Section 162(m).
(u) “Performance Program Target” means a performance program target set by the Committee, and approved by a majority of the Independent Directors, for a particular Performance Period as provided in Article 7.
(v) “Performance Stock” means a type of Restricted Stock, where the lapse of restrictions is based on achievement of one or more Performance Program Targets.
(w) “Restricted Stock” means Common Stock granted pursuant to Article 5 subject to restrictions determined by the Committee and approved by a majority of the Independent Directors.
(x) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a unit granted pursuant to Article 6 subject to restrictions determined by the Committee and approved by a majority of the Independent Directors.
(y) “Retirement” means Termination of Service after attainment of “Normal Retirement Age” or “Early Retirement Age” as defined in the Company’s 401(k) Plan when the Participant does not intend to continue gainful employment.
(z) “Short-Term Deferral Date” means, with respect to a Performance Incentive Unit, the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Performance Period for which such Award was made, payment shall be treated as made on the Short-Term Deferral Date if payment is made on such Date or on a later date that is as soon as practicable after such Date and within the same calendar year, and a Participant shall have no right to interest as a result of payment on such later date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the date payment “would otherwise be made” with respect to a Performance Incentive Unit under Sections 7.3 and 8.4, the date payment is actually made to similarly situated Participants with respect to the Performance Period shall be determinative, and not the Short-Term Deferral Date (if the actual payment date is not the Short-Term Deferral Date).
(aa) “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Article 4.
(bb) “Stock Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option granted pursuant to Article 3.
(cc) “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, the equity of which is more than 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
(dd) “Termination of Service” shall mean (i) with respect to an Award granted to an Employee, the termination of the employment relationship between the Employee and the Company and all Subsidiaries; (ii) with respect to an Equity Award granted to a Non-employee Director, the cessation of the provision of services as a Director of the Company; and (iii) with respect to an Equity Award granted to a Consultant, the termination of the consulting arrangement between the Consultant and the Company; provided, however, that if a Participant’s status changes from Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant to any other status eligible to receive an Award under the Plan, the Committee may provide, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, that no Termination of Service occurs for purposes of the Plan until the Participant’s new status with the Company and all Subsidiaries terminates. For purposes of this paragraph, if a Participant is an Employee of a Subsidiary and not the Company, the Participant shall incur a Termination of Service when such corporation ceases to be a Subsidiary, unless the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors determine otherwise.
(ee) “Total Disability” shall mean the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months. Such determination shall be made by a physician selected by the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors which is reasonably acceptable to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative. However, if the condition constitutes total disability under the federal Social Security Acts, the Administrator may rely on such determination for the purposes of this Plan.
2.2 Administration of the Plan.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, provided that any decisions made by the Committee shall be subject to the subsequent approval and consent of a majority of the Independent Directors. The Committee and the Independent Directors together shall have the full power, subject to and within the limits of the Plan, to interpret and administer the Plan and Awards granted under it, make and interpret rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, and make changes in and revoke such rules and regulations. The Committee and the Independent Directors together also shall have the authority to adopt modifications, amendments, procedures, sub-plans and the like, which may be inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as are necessary to comply with the laws and regulations of other countries in which the Company operates in order to assure the viability of Awards granted under the Plan to individuals in such other countries. The Committee and the Independent Directors, in the exercise of these powers, shall (i) generally determine all questions of policy and expediency that may arise and may correct any defect, omission, or inconsistency in the Plan or any agreement evidencing the grant of an Award in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to make the Plan fully effective; (ii) determine those Employees, Non-employee Directors and Consultants to whom Awards shall be granted, the type of Award to be granted and the number of Awards to be granted, consistent with the provisions of the Plan; (iii) determine the terms of Awards granted consistent with the provisions of the Plan; and (iv) generally, exercise such powers and perform such acts in connection with the Plan as are deemed necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company.
(b) The Committee and the Independent Directors shall further be permitted, in connection with the granting of Equity Awards to Employees who are not Covered Employees and who are not subject to Section 16(b) of the Act, to delegate authority under the Plan to determine any individual grants to such Employees to a subcommittee which may include members of senior management of the Company, provided that the total amount of Equity Awards available for grant by any such subcommittee, and the pricing of such Equity Awards, shall be fixed exclusively by the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors, and any Equity Awards thereafter made by the subcommittee shall be subject in all respects to the provisions of the Plan
(c) The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, select one or more of its Independent Directors who are eligible to be members of the Committee as alternate members of the Committee who may take the place of any absent member or members of the Committee at any meeting of the Committee. The Committee may act only by a majority vote of its members then in office; the Committee may authorize any one or more of its members or any officer of the Company to execute and deliver documents on behalf of the Committee.
2.3 Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and ratified by the Company’s shareholders at a duly authorized meeting (Special or Annual) of the Company’s shareholders. No awards may be granted hereunder unless and until all such approvals are obtained. If the Plan is not so approved by the Company’s shareholders, the Plan will become null and void.
2.4 Duration. If approved by the shareholders of the Company as provided in Section 2.3, unless sooner terminated by the Committee subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Plan shall remain in effect for 10 years from the date of that approval.
2.5 Shares Subject to the Plan; Equity Award Limits. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Equity Awards granted under the Plan shall be 700,000 (which is also the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be subject to Incentive Stock Options under the Plan), subject to the following limits:
(a) No Employee shall be granted during any one calendar year Stock Options entitling such Employee to purchase more than two hundred thousand (200,000) shares of Common Stock;
(b) No Employee shall be granted during any one calendar year Stock Appreciation Rights entitling such Employee to appreciation with respect to more than two hundred thousand (200,000) shares of Common Stock;
(c) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Performance Stock granted to an Employee during any one calendar year shall not exceed two hundred thousand (200,000) shares;
(d) No more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) shares of Common Stock shall be available for the granting of non-performance based Restricted Stock under the Plan;
(e) No more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) shares of Common Stock shall be available for the granting of non-performance based Restricted Stock Units under the Plan;
(f) No more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) shares of Common Stock shall be available for the granting of non-performance based Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan;
Each limit in the preceding sentence shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 10.2.
2.6 Amendments and Termination. The Plan may be suspended, terminated, or reinstated, in whole or in part, at any time by the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. The Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, may from time to time make such amendments to the Plan as it may deem advisable, and/or may amend any outstanding Award at any time (including an amendment that applies to a Participant who has incurred a Termination of Service); provided, however, that, without the approval of the Company’s shareholders, no amendment shall be made which:
(a) Increases the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Awards granted under the Plan (other than as provided in Section 10.2);
(b) Materially modifies the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan with respect to Incentive Stock Options;
(c) To the extent compliance with Code Section 162(m) is desired, modifies the Plan in a manner that would cause any Award to fail to meet the requirements to be treated under Code Section 162(m) as “performance-based compensation”
(d) Requires shareholder approval under the rules of the exchange or market on which the Common Stock is listed or traded;
or
(e) Reduces the exercise price of, or otherwise reprices, an Award.
No amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan or amendment of an outstanding Award shall affect the Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award or cause the modification (within the meaning of Code Section 424(h)) of any Award, without the consent of the Participant affected thereby. The foregoing limitation on amendments, suspension and termination shall not apply to any amendment, suspension or termination (i) pursuant to Section 10.2, or (ii) that the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors determine is necessary or appropriate to avoid the additional tax under Code Section 409A(a)(1)(B).
2.7 Participants and Grants. The Committee may recommend the grant of one or more Awards to Non-employee Directors, Consultants and Employees, which grants shall be subject in all respects to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. In determining the number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Equity Award and the number of Performance Incentive Units to be granted to an Employee, the Committee (and the Independent Directors) shall consider the Employee’s base salary, his or her expected contribution to the long-term performance of the Company, and such other relevant facts as the Committee (and the Independent Directors) shall deem appropriate. More than one Award may be granted to any Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant, and terms and conditions of Awards and types of Awards need not be consistent from Participant to Participant nor from year to year.
3. STOCK OPTIONS
3.1 General. Each Stock Option granted under the Plan to an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant shall be granted by the Committee, subject in all cases, however, to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. The granting of any such Stock Option, including the terms thereof in accordance with Sections 3.2 to 3.7, shall be evidenced by an agreement which shall state the number of shares of Common Stock which may be purchased upon the exercise thereof and shall contain such investment representations and other terms and conditions as the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors may from time to time determine that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, Code Section 409A and, for Incentive Stock Options, Code Section 422.
3.2 Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.6(d), the purchase price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Stock Option is granted.
3.3 Period. The duration or term of each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be for such period as the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors shall determine but in no event more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof.
3.4 Exercise. A Stock Option shall be exercisable in such installments, upon fulfillment of such conditions (such as performance-based requirements), or on such dates as the Committee may specify. Once exercisable, a Stock Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivery of a notice of exercise to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company or to the Company’s designated administrator specifying the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the Stock Option is then being exercised together with payment of the full purchase price for the shares being purchased upon such exercise. Until the shares of Common Stock as to which a Stock Option is exercised are paid for in full and issued, the Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to such Common Stock.
3.5 Payment. The Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, shall determine from the alternatives set forth in subsections (a) through (d) the methods by which the exercise price may be paid.
(a) In United States dollars in cash, or by check, bank draft, or money order payable in United States dollars to the order of the Company;
(b) By the delivery by the Participant to the Company of whole shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate of the purchase price of Common Stock as to which the Stock Option is then being exercised;
(c) In United States dollars in cash, or by check, bank draft, or money order payable in United States dollars to the order of the Company delivered to the Company by a broker in exchange for its receipt of stock certificates from the Company in accordance with instructions of the Participant to the broker pursuant to which the broker is required to deliver to the Company the amount required to pay the purchase price; or
(d) By a combination of any number of the foregoing.
The Committee may impose limitations, conditions, and prohibitions on the use by a Participant of shares of Common Stock to pay the purchase price payable by such Participant upon the exercise of a Stock Option, subject to the approval of such limitations, conditions, and prohibitions by a majority of the Independent Directors.
3.6 Special Rules for Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the following provisions shall apply to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan:
(a) Incentive Stock Options shall only be granted to Participants who are United States based Employees.
(b) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year under this Plan and under any other plan of the Company or a Subsidiary under which “incentive stock options” (as that term is defined in Code Section 422) are granted exceeds $100,000, such Stock Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.
(c) Any Participant who disposes of shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option by sale or exchange either within two (2) years after the date of the grant of the Incentive Stock Option under which the shares were acquired or within one (1) year of the acquisition of such shares, shall promptly notify the Assistant Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company of such disposition, the amount realized, the purchase price per share paid upon exercise, and the date of disposition.
(d) No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to a Participant who, at the time of the grant, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock either of the Company or any parent or Subsidiary of the Company, unless the purchase price of the shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value (at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted) of the Common Stock and the Incentive Stock Option is not exercisable more than five (5) years from the date it is granted.
3.7 Termination of Service.
(a) In the event a Participant incurs a Termination of Service because of involuntary termination by the Company while a Participant holds Stock Options under the Plan, all Stock Options held by the Participant shall expire immediately upon such Termination of Service.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a) , if a Participant, while holding exercisable Stock Options, (i) incurs a Termination of Service because of Total Disability, (ii) dies prior to Termination of Service, or (iii) incurs a Termination of Service because of Retirement, then each such exercisable Stock Option held by the Participant shall be exercisable by the Participant (or, in the case of death, by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or by the person or persons to whom the deceased Participant’s rights thereunder shall have passed by will or by the laws of descent or distribution) until the earlier of (A) its stated expiration date or (B) the date occurring one (1) year after the date of such Termination of Service or death, as the case may be.
(c) If a Participant while holding exercisable Stock Options incurs a Termination of Service because of a voluntary resignation, other than Retirement, then each such exercisable Stock Option held by the Participant shall be exercisable by the Participant until the earlier of (A) its stated expiration date or (B) ninety (90) days after such Termination of Service.
(d) The Committee may accelerate the date as of which a Stock Option becomes exercisable, if the Committee in its discretion deems such acceleration to be desirable and a majority of the Independent Directors consent to same.
(e) To the extent a Stock Option held by a Participant is not exercisable at the time of (or as a result of) his or her Termination of Service, such Stock Option shall terminate.
3.8 Effect of Leaves of Absence. It shall not be considered a Termination of Service when a Participant is on military or sick leave or such other type of leave of absence which is considered as continuing intact the relationship of the Participant with the Company or its Subsidiaries. In case of such leave of absence, the relationship shall be continued until the later of the date when such leave equals ninety (90) days, the date when the Participant’s right to reemployment shall no longer be guaranteed either by statute or contract, or the date when the Participant incurs a Termination of Service.
4. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
4.1 General. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan to an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant shall be granted by the Committee. The granting of any Stock Appreciation Right, including the terms thereof in accordance with Sections 4.2 to 4.6, shall be subject in all respects to the approval of a majority of a majority of the Independent Directors and shall be evidenced by an agreement which shall state the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which appreciation shall be measured and shall contain such investment representations and other terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time determine that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan and Code Section 409A.
4.2 Amount Payable on Exercise. A Stock Appreciation Right entitles the Participant to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, the excess of the Fair Market Value of the share on the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value of the share on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted (the “Spread”). Such excess will be paid in shares of Common Stock (having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Spread).
4.3 Period. The duration or term of each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be for such period as the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, shall determine but in no event more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof.
4.4 Exercise. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable in such installments, upon fulfillment of such conditions (such as performance-based requirements), or on such dates as the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, may specify. Once exercisable, a Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivery of a notice of exercise to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company or to its designated administrator specifying the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is then being exercised.
4.5 Termination of Service. For purposes of determining the extent to which, and the period during which, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised following a Participant’s Termination of Service, Section 3.7 shall be applied by replacing the terms “Stock Option” and “Stock Options” in each place such terms appear in Section 3.7, with the terms “Stock Appreciation Right” and “Stock Appreciation Rights,” respectively.
4.6 Effect of Leaves of Absence. It shall not be considered a Termination of Service when a Participant is on military or sick leave or such other type of leave of absence which is considered as continuing intact the relationship of the Participant with the Company or its Subsidiaries. In case of such leave of absence, the relationship shall be continued until the later of the date when such leave equals ninety (90) days, the date when the Participant’s right to reemployment shall no longer be guaranteed either by statute or contract, or the date when the Participant incurs a Termination of Service.
5. RESTRICTED STOCK
5.1 Grant. Restricted Stock may be granted by the Committee to an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant under this Article for no consideration in the form of an award of Common Stock subject to restrictions. At the time Restricted Stock is granted, the Committee shall determine whether the Restricted Stock is Performance Stock (where the lapse of restrictions is based on Performance Program Targets), or Restricted Stock that is not Performance Stock (where the lapse of restrictions is based on times and/or conditions determined by the Committee). The period beginning on the date of grant and ending on the date the restrictions lapse is the “Restriction Period.” The granting of any Restricted Stock, including the terms thereof in accordance with this Section 5.1 and Sections 5.2 to 5.5, shall be subject in all respects to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
5.2 Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, Restricted Stock shall not be sold, exchanged, transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restriction Period.
5.3 Lapse of Restrictions.
(a) Restricted Stock Other Than Performance Stock. With respect to Restricted Stock that is not Performance Stock, the restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse at the earliest of (i) such time or times, and on such conditions, as shall have been specified at the time of grant, (ii) the Participant’s death prior to Termination of Service, (iii) the Participant’s Total Disability prior to Termination of Service, (iv) the Participant’s Retirement, (v) the Participant’s involuntary Termination of Service without cause, or (vi) a Change in Control. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service because of voluntary resignation (other than Retirement) or involuntary termination for cause, as determined by the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors, prior to the date the Restriction Period would otherwise lapse, the Participant shall forfeit all Restricted Stock that is still within Restriction Period. The Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, may at any time accelerate the time at which the restrictions on all or any part of the shares of Restricted Stock (other than Performance Stock) will lapse.
(b) Performance Stock. With respect to Performance Stock granted to a Participant, the restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse after the end of the relevant Performance Period based on the Performance Program Targets established in accordance with Article 8 and achieved for such Period. As promptly as practicable after the end of the Performance Period, the Committee shall, in accordance with Article 8 and subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, determine the extent to which the Performance Program Targets have been achieved. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4, the extent to which such restrictions lapse shall be based solely on the achievement of Performance Program Targets, in accordance with Article 8; the Committee shall not have the discretion to increase the extent to which such restrictions lapse. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any reason prior to the date the Restriction Period would otherwise lapse with respect to Performance Stock, the Participant shall forfeit all Performance Stock granted with respect to such Performance Period. The Restriction Period with respect to Performance Stock shall end on the date the Committee and the Independent Directors make their determination regarding achievement of Performance Program Targets in accordance with Article 8, but only to the extent such targets are achieved.
(c) In General. Upon the lapse of restrictions in accordance with this Section 5.3 with respect to a share of Restricted Stock, the Restriction Period shall end and such share of Common Stock shall cease to be Restricted Stock for purposes of the Plan. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Article 9, any Restricted Stock with respect to which the Restriction Period has not lapsed at the time of (or as a result of) the Participant’s Termination of Service, shall be forfeited.
5.4 Custody of Shares. The Committee may require under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate or desirable that the certificates for shares of Restricted Stock be held in custody by a bank or other institution or that the Company may itself hold such certificates in custody until the lapse of restrictions under Section 5.3 and may require additional documents as it deems necessary. The shares of Common Stock that cease to be Restricted Stock under Section 5.3(c) shall be issued promptly after the conclusion of the Restriction Period and the satisfaction of any applicable withholding requirements.
5.5 Shareholder Rights. Each Participant who receives Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such shares, subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 5.2, including the right to vote the shares and receive dividends and other distributions. Any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company received by a Participant with respect to a share of Restricted Stock, as a stock dividend, or in connection with a stock split or combination, share exchange or other recapitalization, shall have the same status and be subject to the same restrictions as such Restricted Stock.
6. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
6.1 Nature of Restricted Stock Units. A Restricted Stock Unit entitles the Participant to receive one share of Common Stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of vesting, or a combination thereof, with respect to each Restricted Stock Unit that vests in accordance with Section 6.3; any fractional Restricted Stock Unit shall be payable in cash. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the medium of payment.
6.2 Grant of Restricted Stock Units. At the time of grant, the Committee shall determine (a) the Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant receiving the grant, (b) the number of Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award, (c) whether the Restricted Stock Unit is a Performance Stock Unit (where vesting is based on Performance Program Targets), or a Restricted Stock Unit that is not a Performance Stock Unit (where vesting is based on times and/or conditions determined by the Committee), and (d) when such Restricted Stock Units shall vest in accordance with Section 6.3. The Company shall establish a bookkeeping account in the Participant’s name which reflects the number and type of Restricted Stock Units standing to the credit of the Participant.
6.3 Vesting.
(a) Restricted Stock Units Other Than Performance Stock Units. With respect to Restricted Stock Units that are not Performance Stock Units, the Committee shall determine the time period and conditions (such as continued employment or performance measures) that must be met in order for such Restricted Stock Units to vest. Restricted Stock Units that are not Performance Stock Units and have not vested shall vest in full upon the earliest of (i) the Participant’s death prior to Termination of Service, (ii) the Participant’s Total Disability prior to Termination of Service, (iii) the Participant’s Retirement, (iv) the Participant’s involuntary Termination of Service without cause, or (v) a Change in Control. Restricted Stock Units that have not vested shall be forfeited upon the Participant’s voluntary Termination of Service (other than Retirement) or the Participant’s involuntary Termination of Service for cause, as determined by the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors.
(b) Performance Stock Units. The Committee shall determine the extent to which a Participant’s Performance Stock Units vest after the end of the relevant Performance Period, based on the Performance Program Targets established in accordance with Article 8 and achieved for such Period. As promptly as practicable after the end of the Performance Period, the Committee shall, in accordance with Article 8, determine the extent to which the Performance Program Targets have been achieved. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4, the extent to which Performance Stock Units vest shall be based solely on the achievement of Performance Program Targets, in accordance with Article 8; the Committee shall not have the discretion to increase the extent to which such Performance Stock Units vest. Except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any reason prior to the date Performance Stock Units would otherwise vest, the Participant shall forfeit all Performance Stock Units granted with respect to such Performance Period. Performance Stock Units shall vest on the date the Committee makes its determinations regarding achievement of Performance Program Targets in accordance with Article 8, but only to the extent such targets are achieved.
(c) Payment. Except as otherwise provided in the agreement evidencing the Participant’s Restricted Stock Unit grant, payment with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit shall be made on the Short-Term Deferral Date.
6.4 Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Company shall credit to the Participant’s bookkeeping account, on each date that the Company pays a cash dividend to holders of Common Stock generally, an additional number of Restricted Stock Units equal to the total number of Restricted Stock Units credited to the Participant’s bookkeeping account on such date, multiplied by the dollar amount of the per share cash dividend, and divided by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such date. Restricted Stock Units attributable to such dividend equivalent rights shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Stock Units to which such dividend equivalent rights relate.
7. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE UNITS
7.1 Grants. The Committee may grant Performance Incentive Units to an Employee with respect to a Performance Period. However, no Participant shall receive, under the terms of the Plan, compensation payable in cash attributable to his or her Performance Incentive Units during any one calendar year in an amount in excess of the lesser of five (5) times the Participant’s base salary, or five million dollars ($5,000,000). The granting of any Performance Incentive Unit, including the terms thereof in accordance with Sections 6.2 and 6.3, shall be subject in all respects to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
7.2 Stated Value and Change in Performance Targets.
(a) Stated Value. Within the period set forth in Section 8.2, and subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, the Committee shall establish the value (which shall be expressed in dollars) of Performance Incentive Units (the “Stated Value”) to be granted to a Participant with respect to a Performance Period, and shall fix the percentage, if any, of the Stated Value to be earned upon the achievement of the Performance Program Targets established for the relevant Performance Period. In no event, however, shall the percentage of Stated Value to be earned upon achievement of the maximum Performance Program Target established with respect to a Performance Period exceed 200% of Stated Value fixed for that Performance Period.
(b) Change in Performance Targets. If the Committee determines that an unforeseen change during a Performance Period in the Company’s business operations, corporate structure, capital structure, or manner in which it conducts business is significant, nonrecurring and material and that the Performance Program Targets established for the Performance Period are no longer suitable, the Committee may, but only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, modify the Performance Program Targets as it deems appropriate and equitable; provided, however, that no such modification shall increase the Performance Program Targets in effect for any Performance Period (i.e., establish a target that is more difficult to achieve than the original Performance Program Target); and provided, further, that no such modification shall be made that would cause the benefits payable to a Covered Employee with respect to such Performance Program Target to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m).
7.3 Payment. As promptly as practicable after the end of each Performance Period, the Committee shall determine, subject to completion of any necessary audits and the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, its determination of the earned percentage of Stated Value of the Performance Incentive Units granted with respect to such completed Performance Period. The Company shall, on the Short-Term Deferral Date, pay to each Participant holding Performance Incentive Units granted with respect to such completed Performance Period, for each such Performance Incentive Unit held by him or her, an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying Stated Value by the earned percentage of Stated Value; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8.4 and Section 9.4, no amounts shall be due or payable with respect to any Performance Incentive Units if the Participant to whom such Performance Incentive Units have been granted incurs a Termination of Service for any reason prior to the date the payment would otherwise be made with respect to such Performance Incentive Units.
8. COMMON RULES FOR PERFORMANCE AWARDS
8.1 In General. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, this Article 8 shall apply to Performance Awards. This Article 8 is intended to ensure that Performance Awards granted to any Participant who is a Covered Employee shall qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m). All discretionary actions taken under the Plan with respect to such Performance Awards shall be exercised by the Committee, subject at all times to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
8.2 Committee Determinations. With respect to Performance Awards, the Committee shall determine and make a recommendation to the Independent Directors:
(a) The Employee to whom the Award shall be granted;
(b) The type of Award to be granted;
(c) The Performance Period applicable to the Award;
(d) The Performance Program Target(s) applicable to the Award; and
(e) Other terms and conditions of the Award consistent with the terms of the Plan.
All such determinations shall be made within the first ninety (90) days of the Performance Period or, if shorter, within the first 25% of such Performance Period, provided in either case that the outcome is substantially uncertain when the Performance Program Targets are established. Each of the above determinations shall be made by the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, without any requirement for consistency among, for example, (i) the types of Awards granted to Participants, and (ii) the Performance Periods or Performance Program Targets applicable to Participants or to different types of Awards.
8.3 Performance Program Targets.
(a) The Performance Program Targets shall provide an objective method for determining whether the Performance Program Targets have been achieved, and an objective method for computing the amount to be paid, or the number of shares of Common Stock which shall vest or be distributed, to the Participant based on the attainment of one or more goals included in the Performance Program Targets.
(b) Performance Program Targets shall be based upon one or more of the following business criteria (which may be determined for these purposes by reference to (i) the Company as a whole, (ii) any of the Company’s subsidiaries, operating divisions, regional business units or other operating units, or (iii) any combination thereof): profit before taxes, stock price, market share, gross revenue, net revenue, pre-tax income, operating income, cash flow, earnings per share, return on equity, return on invested capital or assets, cost reductions and savings, return on revenues or productivity, or any other business criteria the Committee deems appropriate that are approved by a majority of the Independent Directors, which may be modified at the discretion of the Committee to take into account significant nonrecurring items or which may be adjusted to reflect such costs or expense as the Committee deems appropriate, provided that any modifications are approved by majority of the Independent Directors; provided, however, that with respect to Performance Awards granted to a Covered Employee, any such modification or adjustment shall be established not later than the end of the period stated in Section 8.2. Performance Program Targets may also be based upon a Participant’s attainment of personal objectives with respect to any of the foregoing business criteria or implementing policies and plans, negotiating transactions and sales, developing long-term business goals or exercising managerial responsibility, or any other criteria the Committee deems appropriate that are approved by majority of the Independent Directors; provided, however, that with respect to a Covered Employee, such objectives and criteria are consistent with the goal of providing for deductibility under Code Section 162(m).
(c) Measurements of actual performance against the Performance Program Targets shall be objectively determinable and shall, to the extent applicable, be determined according to generally accepted accounting principles as in existence on the date on which the Performance Program Targets are established and, without regard to any changes in such principles after such date, except where the Committee has specified that such changes shall be taken into account and, with respect to Covered Employees, such specification is made not later than the end of the period set forth in Section 8.2. The Committee may provide for appropriate adjustments to any business criteria used in connection with measuring attainment of Performance Program Targets to take into account fluctuations in exchange rates, where relevant, provided that the adjustments are approved by the Independent Directors.
8.4 Termination of Service Prior to End of Restriction Period, Vesting or Payment Date.
(a) Employment Requirement. Except as provided in Section 9.4, no Performance Award shall be payable under the Plan to any Participant who incurs a Termination of Service prior to the date the Restriction Period ends (with respect to Performance Stock), or the date the Performance Period ends (with respect to Performance Incentive Units) unless the Participant incurs a Termination of Service prior to such date, but after one-half of the Performance Period has elapsed, on account of his or her death or Total Disability, or after attainment of his or her “normal retirement age” or “early retirement age” as such terms are defined in the Aceto Corporation 401(k) Plan, or under such other circumstances as the Committee shall determine and the Independent Directors shall approve; except as provided in Section 9.4, if a Participant incurs a Termination of Service prior to the date the Restriction Period ends (with respect to Performance Stock), the date of vesting (with respect to Performance Stock Units), or the date the payment would otherwise be made (with respect to Performance Incentive Units) under any circumstances other than those described above or unless the Committee, in its sole discretion, specifically provides for payment of the Participant’s Performance Award if the Participant incurs a Termination of Service after the end of the Performance Period but before such date payment would otherwise be made, the Performance Award shall be forfeited on the date of such Termination of Service.
(b) Proration of Performance Award.
(i) If a Participant is on a leave of absence during a Performance Period, the Participant’s Performance Award shall be prorated based on active service during the Performance Period, except as provided in Section 9.4.
(ii) If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service under the circumstances set forth in Section 8.4(a), any Performance Award payable shall be prorated based on active service during the Performance Period, except as provided in Section 9.4.
8.5 Conditions to Payment or Vesting. No Participant may receive any payment (of unrestricted Common Stock or cash) with respect to a Performance Award unless and until (A) the Plan is approved by the Company’s shareholders, and (B) except as provided in Section 9.4, the Committee has certified in writing that the Performance Program Target or Targets for a Performance Period have been achieved and the Independent Directors have approved the Performance Program Target or Targets set by the Committee.
9. CHANGE IN CONTROL
9.1 Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted and outstanding under the Plan to such Participant shall become immediately exercisable in full regardless of any terms of such an Award to the contrary; provided, however, that the extent to which a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable shall not be increased under this Section if the Participant incurred a Termination of Service before the Change in Control.
9.2 Restricted Stock other than Performance Stock. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse with respect to all Restricted Stock other than Performance Stock outstanding on the date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that this section shall not apply and the provisions of Section 5.3 shall apply to a participant who before the Change in Control incurred a Termination of Service because of a voluntary resignation (other than a Retirement) or an involuntary termination for cause as determined by the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors .
9.3 Restricted Stock Units other than Performance Stock Unit. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the restrictions described in Section 6.2 shall lapse with respect to all Restricted Stock Units other than Performance Stock Units outstanding on the date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that this section shall not apply and the provisions of Section 6.3 shall apply to a participant who before the Change in Control incurred a voluntary Termination of Service (other than a Retirement) or an involuntary termination for cause as determined by the Committee and a majority of the Independent Directors.
9.4 Performance Awards.
(a) In General. This Section 9.4 shall apply in the case of a Performance Award to a Participant who is an Employee, Non-employee Director or Consultant on the day before the Change in Control.
(b) Performance Stock. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control, (i) with respect to Performance Stock that is (A) held by a Participant described in subsection (a), and (B) relates to a Performance Period that ended before the date of the Change in Control, the restrictions described in Section 5.2 shall lapse on the date of such Change in Control based on achievement during the applicable Performance Period, and (ii) the Company (or any successor thereto as a result of the Change in Control) shall pay (in cash or unrestricted Common Stock) to each Participant described in subsection (a) (or his or her beneficiary) the pro rata portion of the Participant’s Performance Stock with respect to any Performance Period in which such Change in Control occurs, such payment to be made on as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following such Change in Control. The pro rata portion shall be calculated on the fractional portion (the numerator of the fraction being the number of days between the first day of the applicable Performance Period and the date of such Change in Control, and the denominator being the total number of days in the applicable Performance Period) of the Performance Stock for which the restrictions described in Section 5.2 would have lapsed had the Change in Control not occurred, and the target level of performance been achieved for the applicable Performance Period.
(c) Performance Stock Units. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control, (i) with respect to a Performance Stock Unit that is (A) held by a Participant described in subsection (a), and (B) relates to a Performance Period that ended before the date of the Change in Control, the restrictions described in Section 6.2 shall lapse on the date of such Change in Control based on achievement during the applicable Performance Period, and (ii) the Company (or any successor thereto as a result of the Change in Control) shall pay (in cash or unrestricted Common Stock) to each Participant described in subsection (a) (or his or her beneficiary) the pro rata portion of the Participant’s Performance Stock with respect to any Performance Period in which such Change in Control occurs, such payment to be made on as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following such Change in Control. The pro rata portion shall be calculated on the fractional portion (the numerator of the fraction being the number of days between the first day of the applicable Performance Period and the date of such Change in Control, and the denominator being the total number of days in the applicable Performance Period) of the Performance Stock Unit for which the restrictions described in Section 6.2 would have lapsed had the Change in Control not occurred, and the target level of performance been achieved for the applicable Performance Period.
(d) Performance Incentive Units. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, this subsection (d) shall apply in the event of a Change in Control; provided, however, that in the event any payment under this subsection (d) on account of a Change in Control would not qualify as a short-term deferral (within the meaning of regulations under Code Section 409A), this subsection (d) shall apply to such payment only in the event such Change in Control is also a change in control within the meaning of regulations issued under Code Section 409A:
(i) Performance Incentive Units that are (A) held by a Participant described in subsection (a), and (B) relate to a Performance Period that ended before the date of the Change in Control, shall be paid to such Participant on the date of such Change in Control (or as soon as practicable thereafter), based on achievement during the applicable Performance Period; and
(ii) The Company (or any successor thereto as a result of the Change in Control) shall pay to each Participant described in subsection (a) (or his or her beneficiary) the pro rata portion of the Participant’s Performance Incentive Units (in cash) with respect to any Performance Period in which such Change in Control occurs, such payment to be made on the as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following such Change in Control. The pro rata portion shall be calculated on the fractional portion (the numerator of the fraction being the number of days between the first day of the applicable Performance Period and the date of such Change in Control, and the denominator being the total number of days in the applicable Performance Period) of the amount that would have been payable had the Change in Control not occurred, and the target level of performance been achieved for the applicable Performance Period.
10. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
10.1 Agreement. Each Equity Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an agreement between the Company and the Participant which shall set forth the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Equity Award, and such terms and conditions of the Equity Award as the Committee may determine that are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, Code Section 409A and, for Incentive Stock Options, Code Section 422, subject in all respects to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors.
10.2 Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of changes to the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company through reorganization, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock splits, stock dividend, spin-off, stock consolidation or otherwise, or in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares as to which Awards may be granted. A corresponding adjustment changing the number and kind of shares issuable upon exercise or vesting of outstanding Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and/or Restricted Stock Units (as well as the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options and the amount over which appreciation of outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights is measured) shall likewise be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, in lieu of adjustments as aforesaid, the Committee, subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, may in its discretion accelerate the date after which a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right may or may not be exercised or the stated expiration date thereof and may accelerate the termination date of any Award or Performance Period then in effect; provided, however, that not fewer than seven (7) days’ advance notice shall be provided to each Participant whose Award is to be so terminated. Subject to the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors, adjustments or changes under this Section shall be made by the Committee, which determination, as so approved, as to what adjustments or changes shall be made, and the extent thereof, shall be final, binding, and conclusive; provided, however, that no such adjustment or change shall cause the modification (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) of an outstanding Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
10.3 Non-Transferability. No Incentive Stock Option, Restricted Stock, or Performance Incentive Unit shall be assignable or transferable by the Participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). No Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime by any person other than the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative. Except as provided in the agreement evidencing a Participant’s Award, such limits on assignment, transfer and exercise shall also apply to Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
10.4 Withholding. The Company’s obligations in connection with this Plan shall be subject to applicable Federal, state, and local tax withholding requirements. If the Participant shall either fail to pay, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Committee and the Independent Directors for the payment, to the Company of all such Federal, state, and local taxes required to be withheld by the Company, then the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to such Participant an amount equal to any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required to be withheld by the Company. The amount of this withholding shall not exceed the minimum tax withholding.
10.5 Compliance with Law and Approval of Regulatory Bodies. No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable and no shares will be delivered under the Plan except in compliance with all applicable Federal and state laws and regulations including, without limitation, compliance with all Federal and state securities laws and withholding tax requirements and with the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market and of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Common Stock may be listed. Any share certificate issued to evidence shares for which a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right is exercised or for which an Award has been granted may bear legends and statements that the Committee, upon the advice of counsel, shall deem advisable to assure compliance with Federal and state laws and regulations. No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable and no shares will be delivered under the Plan, until the Company has obtained consent or approval from regulatory bodies, Federal or state, having jurisdiction over such matters. In the case of a payment (in cash or Common Stock) with respect to an Award to a person or estate acquiring the right to payment as a result of the death of the Participant, the Committee and/or the Independent Directors may require reasonable evidence as to the ownership of the Award and may require consents and releases of taxing authorities that it may deem advisable.
10.6 No Right to Employment. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor its operation, nor any document describing or referring to the Plan, or any part thereof, nor the granting of any Award shall confer upon any Participant under the Plan any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, or shall in any way affect the right and power of the Company to terminate the employment of any Participant at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor, to the same extent as might have been done if the Plan had not been adopted.
10.7 Exclusion from Pension Computations. By acceptance of a grant of an Award under the Plan, the recipient shall be deemed to agree that any income realized upon the receipt, exercise, or vesting thereof or upon the disposition of the shares received upon exercise will not be taken into account as “base remuneration,” “wages,” “salary,” or “compensation” in determining the amount of any contribution to or payment or any other benefit under any pension, retirement, incentive, profit-sharing, or deferred compensation plan of the Company, except to the extent any such amount is taken into consideration under the express terms of any such plan.
10.8 Interpretation of the Plan. Headings are given to the Articles and Sections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings, numbering, and paragraphing shall not in any case be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction of the Plan or any provision hereof. The use of the masculine gender shall also include within its meaning the feminine. The use of the singular shall also include within its meaning the plural and vice versa.
10.9 Use of Proceeds. Funds received by the Company upon the exercise of Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be used for the general corporate purposes of the Company.
10.10 Construction of Plan. The place of administration of the Plan shall be in the State of New York, and the validity, construction, interpretation, administration, and effect of the Plan and of its rules and regulations, and rights relating to the Plan, shall be determined solely in accordance with the laws of the State of New York (without reference to principles of conflicts of laws) to the extent Federal law is not applicable.
10.11 Successors. The provisions of the Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. The term “successors” as used herein shall include any corporate or other business entity which shall, whether by merger, consolidation, share exchange, purchase or otherwise, acquire all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Company.
10.12 Unfunded Plan. Except as provided in Article 5, the Plan shall be unfunded and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Awards under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any Award under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to the Plan. No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.
10.13 No Warranty of Tax Effect. Except as may be contained in any Award Agreement, no opinion shall be deemed to be expressed or warranties made as to the effect of foreign, federal, state or local tax on any awards.