SUMMIT HOTEL PROPERTIES, INC. 2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN Effective May 22, 2024
-i- TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page Article I DEFINITIONS ..................................................................................................................1 1.01. Affiliate ....................................................................................................................1 1.02. Agreement ................................................................................................................1 1.03. Award .......................................................................................................................1 1.04. Board ........................................................................................................................1 1.05. Change in Control ....................................................................................................1 1.06. Code .........................................................................................................................2 1.07. Committee ................................................................................................................2 1.08. Common Stock.........................................................................................................3 1.09. Company ..................................................................................................................3 1.10. Control Change Date ................................................................................................3 1.11. Corresponding SAR .................................................................................................3 1.12. Dividend Equivalent Right ......................................................................................3 1.13. Effective Date ..........................................................................................................4 1.14. Exchange Act ...........................................................................................................4 1.15. Fair Market Value ....................................................................................................4 1.16. Incentive Award .......................................................................................................4 1.17. Initial Value .............................................................................................................4 1.18. LTIP Unit .................................................................................................................5 1.19. Non-Employee Director ...........................................................................................5 1.20. Operating Partnership ..............................................................................................5 1.21. Option ......................................................................................................................5 1.22. Other Equity-Based Award ......................................................................................5 1.23. Participant ................................................................................................................5 1.24. Performance Goal ....................................................................................................5 1.25. Performance Units ...................................................................................................6 1.26. Plan ..........................................................................................................................6 1.27. REIT .........................................................................................................................6 1.28. SAR ..........................................................................................................................6 1.29. Stock Award.............................................................................................................7 1.30. Ten Percent Shareholder ..........................................................................................7 Article II PURPOSES ......................................................................................................................7 Article III ADMINISTRATION ......................................................................................................7 Article IV ELIGIBILITY .................................................................................................................8 Article V COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN .....................................................................8 5.01. Common Stock Issued .............................................................................................8 5.02. Aggregate Limit .......................................................................................................9 5.03. Reallocation of Shares .............................................................................................9 5.04. Individual Limitations ............................................................................................10
-ii- Article VI OPTIONS .....................................................................................................................10 6.01. Award .....................................................................................................................10 6.02. Option Price ...........................................................................................................10 6.03. Maximum Option Period .......................................................................................10 6.04. Nontransferability ..................................................................................................11 6.05. Transferable Options ..............................................................................................11 6.06. Employee Status.....................................................................................................11 6.07. Exercise ..................................................................................................................11 6.08. Payment..................................................................................................................12 6.09. Shareholder Rights .................................................................................................12 6.10. Disposition of Shares .............................................................................................12 Article VII SARS ...........................................................................................................................13 7.01. Award .....................................................................................................................13 7.02. Maximum SAR Period ...........................................................................................13 7.03. Nontransferability ..................................................................................................13 7.04. Transferable SARs .................................................................................................13 7.05. Exercise ..................................................................................................................14 7.06. Employee Status.....................................................................................................14 7.07. Settlement ..............................................................................................................14 7.08. Shareholder Rights .................................................................................................14 Article VIII STOCK AWARDS ....................................................................................................15 8.01. Award .....................................................................................................................15 8.02. Vesting ...................................................................................................................15 8.03. Employee Status.....................................................................................................15 8.04. Shareholder Rights .................................................................................................15 Article IX PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS ............................................................................16 9.01. Award .....................................................................................................................16 9.02. Earning the Award .................................................................................................16 9.03. Payment..................................................................................................................16 9.04. Shareholder Rights .................................................................................................16 9.05. Nontransferability ..................................................................................................16 9.06. Transferable Performance Units ............................................................................17 9.07. Employee Status.....................................................................................................17 Article X OTHER EQUITY–BASED AWARDS .........................................................................17 10.01. Award .....................................................................................................................17 10.02. Terms and Conditions ............................................................................................17 10.03. Payment or Settlement ...........................................................................................18 10.04. Employee Status.....................................................................................................18 10.05. Shareholder Rights .................................................................................................18 Article XI INCENTIVE AWARDS...............................................................................................18 11.01. Award .....................................................................................................................18 11.02. Terms and Conditions ............................................................................................18
-iii- 11.03. Nontransferability ..................................................................................................19 11.04. Employee Status.....................................................................................................19 11.05. Settlement ..............................................................................................................19 11.06. Shareholder Rights .................................................................................................19 Article XII ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK ......................................19 Article XIII COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES .............................................................................................................20 Article XIV GENERAL PROVISIONS ........................................................................................21 14.01. Effect on Employment and Service .......................................................................21 14.02. Unfunded Plan .......................................................................................................21 14.03. Rules of Construction ............................................................................................21 14.04. Withholding Taxes .................................................................................................21 14.05. REIT Status ............................................................................................................22 14.06. Elections Under Section 83(b) ...............................................................................22 Article XV CHANGE IN CONTROL ...........................................................................................23 15.01. Impact of Change in Control. .................................................................................23 15.02. Assumption Upon Change in Control. ...................................................................23 15.03. Cash-Out Upon Change in Control. .......................................................................23 15.04. Limitation of Benefits ............................................................................................24 Article XVI AMENDMENT .........................................................................................................25 Article XVII DURATION OF PLAN ............................................................................................26 Article XVIII EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN ..............................................................................26
-1- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS 1.01. Affiliate Affiliate means any entity, whether now or hereafter existing, which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company (including, but not limited to, joint ventures, limited liability companies and partnerships). For this purpose, the term “control” shall mean ownership of 50% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares or interests in the entity, or the power to direct the management and policies of the entity, by contract or otherwise. 1.02. Agreement Agreement means a written agreement (including any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and a Participant specifying the terms and conditions of an Award granted to such Participant. 1.03. Award Award means any Option, SAR, Stock Award, Performance Unit award, Other Equity- Based Award or Incentive Award. 1.04. Board Board means the Board of Directors of the Company. 1.05. Change in Control “Change in Control” shall mean a change in control of the Company which will be deemed to have occurred after the date hereof if: (1) any “person” as such term is used in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof except that such term shall not include (A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its affiliates, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (D) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company’s common stock, or (E) any person or group as used in Rule 13d-1(b) under the Exchange Act, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of outstanding Company securities;
-2- (2) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than (A) a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (1), (3), or (4) of this Section 1.05 or (B) a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; (3) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Company voting securities immediately before the merger or consolidation continue to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company or the surviving entity in the merger or consolidation or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (4) there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (or any transaction having a similar effect, including a liquidation) other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power and common stock of which is owned by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such sale. If a change in control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Option, SAR, Stock Award, Performance Unit or Other Equity-Based Award that provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, no payment will be made under that award on account of a Change in Control unless the event described in (1), (2), (3) or (4) above, as applicable, constitutes a “change in control event” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). 1.06. Code Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and any amendments thereto. 1.07. Committee Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more non-employee members of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule and an “independent director” under the rules of any exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is
-3- listed, traded or quoted; provided , that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not the members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the foregoing requirements or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. If there is no Compensation Committee, then “Committee” means the Board; and provided, further that with respect to awards made to a Non-Employee Director, “Committee” means the Board. 1.08. Common Stock Common Stock means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company. 1.09. Company Company means Summit Hotel Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation. 1.10. Consultant Consultant means any person or entity, including any advisor, engaged by the Company or any of its Affiliates (including the Operating Partnership) to render services to such entity that qualifies as a consultant or advisor under the applicable rules of Form S-8 Registration Statement. 1.11. Control Change Date Control Change Date means the date on which a Change in Control occurs. If a Change in Control occurs on account of a series of transactions, the “Control Change Date” is the date of the last of such transactions. 1.12. Corresponding SAR Corresponding SAR means an SAR that is granted in relation to a particular Option and that can be exercised only upon the surrender to the Company, unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates. 1.13. Dividend Equivalent Right Dividend Equivalent Right means the right, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee, of a Participant to receive (or have credited) cash, shares or other property in amounts equivalent to the cash, shares or other property dividends declared on shares of Common Stock with respect to specified Performance Units or units denominated in shares of Common Stock or other Company securities subject to an Other Equity-Based Award, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Dividend Equivalent Rights payable on a Performance Unit award or units denominated in shares of Common Stock or other Company securities subject to an Other Equity-Based Award that does not become nonforfeitable solely on the basis of continued employment or service shall be accumulated and distributed, without interest, only when, and to
-4- the extent that, the underlying award is vested or earned. The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock or otherwise reinvested. For avoidance of doubt, Dividend Equivalent Rights may not be granted in connection with Options or SARs. 1.14. Effective Date Effective Date means May 22, 2024. 1.15. Exchange Act Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 1.16. Fair Market Value Fair Market Value means, on any given date, the reported “closing” price of a share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange for such date or, if there is no closing price for a share of Common Stock on the date in question, the closing price for a share of Common Stock on the last preceding date for which a quotation exists. If, on any given date, the Common Stock is not listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, then Fair Market Value shall be the “closing” price of a share of Common Stock on such other exchange on which the Common Stock is listed for trading for such date (or, if there is no closing price for a share of Common Stock on the date in question, the closing price for a share of Common Stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists) or, if the Common Stock is not listed on any exchange, the amount determined by the Committee using any reasonable method in good faith and in accordance with the regulations under Section 409A of the Code. 1.17. Incentive Award Incentive Award means an award awarded under Article XI which, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee, entitles the Participant to receive a payment from the Company or an Affiliate. 1.18. Initial Value Initial Value means, with respect to a Corresponding SAR, the option price per share of the related Option and, with respect to a SAR granted independently of an Option, the price per share of Common Stock as determined by the Committee on the date of grant; provided, however, that the price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, except in the case of Substitute Awards. Except as provided in Article XII, without the approval of shareholders, (a) the Initial Value of an outstanding SAR may not be reduced (by amendment, cancellation and new grant or otherwise) and (b) no payment may be made to cancel an outstanding SAR if on the date of such amendment, cancellation, new grant or payment the Initial Value exceeds the Fair Market Value (i.e., no cash buyouts).
-5- 1.19. LTIP Unit LTIP Unit means an “LTIP Unit” as defined in the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement. An LTIP Unit granted under this Plan represents the right to receive the benefits, payments or other rights in respect of an LTIP Unit set forth in that partnership agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Agreement and that partnership agreement. 1.20. Non-Employee Director Non-Employee Director means a member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or an Affiliate. 1.21. Operating Partnership Operating Partnership means Summit Hotel OP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership. 1.22. Option Option means a share option that entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a stated number of Common Stock at the price set forth in an Agreement. 1.23. Other Equity-Based Award Other Equity-Based Award means any award other than an Option, SAR, a Performance Unit award or a Stock Award which, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee, entitles a Participant to receive Common Stock or rights or units valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock (including securities convertible into Common Stock) or other equity interests including LTIP Units. 1.24. Participant Participant means a person and who satisfies the requirements of Article IV and is selected by the Committee to receive an Award. 1.25. Performance Goal Performance Goal means a performance objective that may include, without limitation one or more of the following, alone or in combination: (i) FFO or FFO per share; (ii) adjusted FFO or adjusted FFO per share; (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”); (iv) adjusted EBITDA; (v) hotel or property EBITDA; (vi) return on equity; (vii) return on capital or invested capital; (viii) total earnings; (ix) earnings per share; (x) earnings growth; (xi) Fair Market Value; (xii) volume weighted average Fair Market Value; (xiii) appreciation in Fair Market Value; (xiv) revenue per available room; (xv) total return or total shareholder return; (xvi) revenues; (xvii) cash flow or cash flow per share; (xviii) operating
-6- income; (xix) operating margins; (xx) gross or net profit, EBITDA or hotel EBITDA margins or any of the foregoing on an adjusted basis; (xxi) dividends paid or payable; (xxii) cash or funds available for distribution, including on an adjusted or on a per share basis; (xxiii) level of expenses, including capital expenses or corporate overhead expenses; (xxiv) acquisition or disposition metrics; (xxv) revenue per available room growth in same store hotels; or (xxvi) debt or equity related metrics. A Performance Goal or objective may be expressed with respect to the Company, one or more Affiliates, one or more business units or one or more properties. A Performance Goal or objective may be expressed on an absolute basis or relative to the performance of one or more similarly situated companies or a published index. When establishing Performance Goals and objectives, the Committee may exclude any or all special, unusual or extraordinary items as determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, including without limitation, the charges or costs associated with restructurings of the Company, discontinued operations, other unusual or non-recurring items and the cumulative effects of accounting changes. The Committee may also adjust the Performance Goals and objectives as it deems equitable in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company, changes in applicable tax laws or accounting principles or such other factors as the Committee may determine. 1.26. Performance Units Performance Units means an Award, in the amount determined by the Committee, stated with reference to a specified or determinable number of shares of Common Stock, that in accordance with the terms of an Agreement entitles the holder to receive a payment for each specified unit equal to the value of the Performance Unit on the date of payment. 1.27. Plan Plan means this Summit Hotel Properties Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated herein. 1.28. Prior Plan Prior Plan means the Summit Hotel Properties Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. 1.29. REIT REIT means a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Sections 856 through 860 of the Code. 1.30. SAR SAR means a share appreciation right that in accordance with the terms of an Agreement entitles the holder to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise of the SAR, the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value at the time of exercise over the
-7- Initial Value. References to “SARs” include both Corresponding SARs and SARs granted independently of Options, unless the context requires otherwise. 1.31. Stock Award Stock Award means Common Stock awarded to a Participant under Article VIII. 1.32. Substitute Awards Substitute Awards means Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for: (i) awards previously granted by an entity (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) that is acquired by the Company or any subsidiary or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines; or (ii) the right or obligation of any entity acquired by the Company or acquired by any subsidiary, or with which the Company or any subsidiary combines, to make future awards. 1.33. Ten Percent Shareholder Ten Percent Shareholder means any individual owning more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” (as such terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code) of the Company. An individual shall be considered to own any voting shares owned (directly or indirectly) by or for his or her brothers, sisters, spouse, ancestors or lineal descendants and shall be considered to own proportionately any voting shares owned (directly or indirectly) by or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which such individual is a shareholder, partner or beneficiary. ARTICLE II PURPOSES The Plan is intended to assist the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting and retaining employees, directors and other service providers with ability and initiative by enabling such persons or entities to participate in the future success of the Company and its Affiliates and to associate their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders. The Plan is intended to permit the grant of both Options qualifying under Section 422 of the Code (“incentive stock options”) and Options not so qualifying, and the grant of SARs, Stock Awards, Performance Units, Other Equity-Based Awards and Incentive Awards in accordance with the Plan and any procedures that may be established by the Committee. No Option that is intended to be an incentive stock option shall be invalid for failure to qualify as an incentive stock option (and shall be considered a nonstatutory option in the event, and to the extent, of such failure). The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes. ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION
-8- The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have authority to grant SARs, Stock Awards, Performance Units, Options, Other Equity-Based Awards and Incentive Awards upon such terms (not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan), as the Committee may consider appropriate. Such terms may include, but are not limited to, conditions (in addition to those contained in this Plan), on the exercisability of all or any part of an Option or SAR or on the transferability or forfeitability of an Award. Notwithstanding any such conditions, the Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the time at which any Option or SAR may be exercised, or the time at which a Stock Award or Other Equity-Based Award may become transferable or nonforfeitable or the time at which an Other Equity-Based Award, an award of Performance Units or an Incentive Award may be settled. In addition, the Committee shall have complete authority to interpret all provisions of this Plan; to prescribe the form of Agreements; to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of the Plan (including rules and regulations that require or allow Participants to defer the payment of benefits under the Plan); and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan (including without limitation, determinations of the individuals to receive awards under the Plan, the form, amount and timing of such awards, the terms and provisions of such awards and the Agreements) need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee selectively among individuals who receive, or are eligible to receive, awards under the Plan, whether or not such persons are similarly situated. The express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Committee shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. Any decision made, or action taken, by the Committee in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final and conclusive. The members of the Committee shall not be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Agreement, Option, SAR, Stock Award, Other Equity-Based Award, Incentive Award or award of Performance Units. All expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by the Company. ARTICLE IV ELIGIBILITY Any employee of the Company or an Affiliate (including the Operating Partnership or a trade or business that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of this Plan) and any member of the Board is eligible to participate in this Plan. In addition, any Consultant is eligible to participate in this Plan if the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines that the participation of such individual is in the best interest of the Company. ARTICLE V COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN 5.01. Common Stock Issued Upon the award of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award, or in settlement of an Other Equity-Based Award or in settlement of an Incentive Award or an award of Performance Units, the Company may deliver to the Participant shares of Common Stock from its treasury shares or
-9- authorized but unissued Common Stock. Upon the exercise of any Option, SAR or Other Equity- Based Award denominated in Common Stock, the Company may deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s broker if the Participant so directs), shares of Common Stock from its treasury shares or authorized but unissued Common Stock. 5.02. Aggregate Limit (a) Subject to adjustments as provided in Article XII and the share counting provisions in Section 5.03, as of the Effective Date, an aggregate of 4,406,1741 shares of Common Stock may be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, less one (1) share for every one (1) share subject to an award granted under the Prior Plan after March 29, 2024 and prior to the Effective Date. Other Equity-Based Awards granted on and after the Effective Date that are LTIP Units shall reduce the such share reserve on a one-for-one basis, i.e., each such unit shall be treated as an award of Common Stock. From and after the Effective Date no new awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan. (b) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be covered by incentive stock options or Corresponding SARs that are related to incentive stock options shall not exceed 4,406,174 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Article XII . 5.03. Reallocation of Shares If any Award or grant under the Plan (including LTIP Units) or, after March 29, 2024, any award previously granted under the Prior Plan expires, is forfeited or is terminated without having been exercised or is paid in cash without delivery of Common Stock, then any shares of Common Stock covered by such lapsed, cancelled, expired, unexercised or cash-settled portion of such Award (or, after March 29, 2024, award previously granted under the Prior Plan) or grant and any forfeited, lapsed, cancelled or expired LTIP Units shall be recredited (or newly credited, as applicable) to this Plan’s reserve and may again be used for new Awards under this Plan. Any shares of Common Stock tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation pursuant to any Option or SAR (or, after March 29, an option or SAR previously granted under the Prior Plan) shall not be recredited to this Plan’s reserve and may not again be used for new Awards under this Plan. Any shares of Common Stock tendered or withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to any Stock Award, Performance Unit award, Other Equity-Based Award or Incentive Award (or, after March 29, 2024, stock award, performance unit award, other equity-based award or incentive award previously granted under the Prior Plan) shall be recredited (or newly credited, as applicable) to this Plan’s reserve and may again be used for new Awards under this Plan. In addition, the following shares may not again be made available for future grants or Awards under the Plan: (i) shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an outstanding SAR or Option (or, after March 29, 2024, an option 1 The 4,406,174 shares reflect 1,271,174 shares that remained available for grant under the Prior Plan as of March 29, 2024, plus 3,135,000 newly authorized shares approved by the Company’s stockholders on the Effective Date.
-10- or SAR previously granted under the Prior Plan) or (ii) shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option (or, after March 29, 2024, an option previously granted under the Prior Plan) exercise price. To the extent permitted by applicable law or the rules of any exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed for trading, Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. 5.04. Director Compensation Limitation The sum of any cash compensation, or other compensation, and the value (determined as of the grant date) of Awards granted to a Non-Employee Director, in each case, as compensation for services as a Non-Employee Director during any fiscal year of the Company may not exceed $750,000 (with any compensation that is deferred counting towards this limit for the year in which the compensation is first earned, and not a later year of settlement). . ARTICLE VI OPTIONS 6.01. Award In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom an Option is to be granted and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such awards. 6.02. Option Price The price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the price per share of Common Stock purchased on the exercise of any Option that is an incentive stock option granted to an individual who is a Ten Percent Shareholder on the date such option is granted, shall not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted. Maximum Option Period The maximum period in which an Option may be exercised shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant except that no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date such Option was granted. In the case of an incentive stock option granted to a Participant who is a Ten Percent Shareholder on the date of grant, such Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant. The terms of any Option may provide that it is exercisable for a period less than such maximum period.
-11- 6.03. Nontransferability Except as provided in Section 6.05, each Option granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any transfer of an Option (by the Participant or his transferee), the Option and any Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or entity or entities. Except as provided in Section 6.05, during the lifetime of the Participant to whom the Option is granted, the Option may be exercised only by the Participant. No right or interest of a Participant in any Option shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant. 6.04. Transferable Options Section 6.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Agreement provides, an Option that is not an incentive stock option may be transferred by a Participant to the Participant’s children, grandchildren, spouse, one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members or a partnership in which such family members are the only partners, on such terms and conditions as may be permitted under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect from time to time. The holder of an Option transferred pursuant to this Section shall be bound by the same terms and conditions that governed the Option during the period that it was held by the Participant; provided, however, that such transferee may not transfer the Option except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any transfer of an Option (by the Participant or his transferee), the Option and any Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or entity or entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be transferred for consideration absent shareholder approval. 6.05. Employee Status For purposes of determining the applicability of Section 422 of the Code (relating to incentive stock options), or in the event that the terms of any Option provide that it may be exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. 6.06. Exercise Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an Option may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that incentive stock options (granted under the Plan and all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) may not be first exercisable in a calendar year for shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the date an Option is granted) exceeding $100,000. An Option granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the Option could be exercised. A partial exercise of an Option shall not affect the right
-12- to exercise the Option from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the Option. The exercise of an Option shall result in the termination of any Corresponding SAR to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. 6.07. Payment Subject to rules established by the Committee and unless otherwise provided in an Agreement, payment of all or part of the Option price may be made in cash, certified check, by tendering shares of Common Stock (or by attestation of ownership of Common Stock), by a broker- assisted cashless exercise or in such other form or manner acceptable to the Committee. If shares of Common Stock are used to pay all or part of the Option price, the sum of the cash and cash equivalent and the date of exercise Fair Market Value of the shares surrendered must not be less than the Option price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised. 6.08. Shareholder Rights No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to an Option until the date of exercise of such Option. Dividend Equivalent Rights are prohibited in conjunction with Options. 6.09. Disposition of Shares A Participant shall notify the Company of any sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that was an incentive stock option if such sale or disposition occurs (i) within two years of the grant of an Option or (ii) within one year of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock to the Participant. Such notice shall be in writing and directed to the Secretary of the Company.
-13- ARTICLE VII SARS 7.01. Award In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom SARs are to be granted and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such awards. No Participant may be granted Corresponding SARs (under the Plan and all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) that are related to incentive stock options which are first exercisable in any calendar year for shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the related Option is granted) that exceeds $100,000. 7.02. Maximum SAR Period The term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, except that no SAR shall have a term of more than ten years from the date of grant. In the case of a Corresponding SAR that is related to an incentive stock option granted to a Participant who is a Ten Percent Shareholder on the date of grant, such Corresponding SAR shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant. The terms of any SAR may provide that it has a term that is less than such maximum period. 7.03. Nontransferability Except as provided in Section 7.04, each SAR granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any such transfer, a Corresponding SAR and the related Option must be transferred to the same person or persons or entity or entities. Except as provided in Section 7.04, during the lifetime of the Participant to whom the SAR is granted, the SAR may be exercised only by the Participant. No right or interest of a Participant in any SAR shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant. 7.04. Transferable SARs Section 7.03 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Agreement provides, an SAR, other than a Corresponding SAR that is related to an incentive stock option, may be transferred by a Participant to the Participant’s children, grandchildren, spouse, one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members or a partnership in which such family members are the only partners, on such terms and conditions as may be permitted under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect from time to time. The holder of an SAR transferred pursuant to this Section shall be bound by the same terms and conditions that governed the SAR during the period that it was held by the Participant; provided, however, that such transferee may not transfer the SAR except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any transfer of a Corresponding SAR (by the Participant or his transferee), the Corresponding SAR and the related Option must be transferred
-14- to the same person or person or entity or entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may an SAR be transferred for consideration absent shareholder approval. 7.05. Exercise Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an SAR may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the Committee shall determine; provided, however, that a Corresponding SAR that is related to an incentive stock option may be exercised only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and only when the Fair Market Value exceeds the option price of the related Option. An SAR granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which the SAR could be exercised. A partial exercise of an SAR shall not affect the right to exercise the SAR from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect to the remaining shares subject to the SAR. The exercise of a Corresponding SAR shall result in the termination of the related Option to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. 7.06. Employee Status If the terms of any SAR provide that it may be exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. 7.07. Settlement At the Committee’s discretion, the amount payable as a result of the exercise of an SAR may be settled in cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination of cash and Common Stock. No fractional share will be deliverable upon the exercise of a SAR but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof. Shareholder Rights No Participant shall, as a result of receiving an SAR, have any rights as a shareholder of the Company or any Affiliate until the date that the SAR is exercised and then only to the extent that the SAR is settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock. Dividend Equivalent Rights are prohibited in conjunction with SARs.
-15- ARTICLE VIII STOCK AWARDS 8.01. Award In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom a Stock Award is to be made and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such awards. 8.02. Vesting The Committee, on the date of the award, shall prescribe that a Participant’s rights in a Stock Award shall be forfeitable or otherwise restricted for a period of time or subject to such conditions as may be set forth in the Agreement. By way of example and not of limitation, the Committee may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in a Stock Award shall be forfeitable or otherwise restricted subject to the attainment of performance objectives, including objectives stated with reference to one or more Performance Goals. 8.03. Employee Status In the event that the terms of any Stock Award provide that shares may become transferable and nonforfeitable thereunder only after completion of a specified period of employment or continuous service, the Committee may decide in each case to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. 8.04. Shareholder Rights Unless otherwise specified in accordance with the applicable Agreement, while the shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Stock Award may be forfeited or are nontransferable, a Participant will have all rights of a stockholder with respect to a Stock Award, including the right to receive dividends and vote the shares; provided, however, if the Stock Award does not vest solely on account of continued employment or service, any dividends payable on the shares will be accumulated and paid to the participant when, and only to the extent that, the underlying Stock Award is earned and becomes vested. During such period (i) a Participant may not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of shares granted pursuant to a Stock Award, (ii) the Company shall retain custody of the certificates evidencing shares granted pursuant to a Stock Award, if any, and (iii) the Participant will deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, with respect to each Stock Award, as applicable. The limitations set forth in the preceding sentence shall not apply after the shares granted under the Stock Award are transferable and are no longer forfeitable.
-16- ARTICLE IX PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS 9.01. Award In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom an award of Performance Units is to be made and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by such awards. The Committee also will specify whether Dividend Equivalent Rights are granted in conjunction with the Performance Units. 9.02. Earning the Award The Committee, on the date of the grant of an award, shall prescribe that the Performance Units will be earned, and the Participant will be entitled to receive payment pursuant to the award of Performance Units, only upon the satisfaction of performance objectives, including objectives stated with reference to one or more Performance Goals or such other criteria as may be prescribed by the Committee. 9.03. Payment In the discretion of the Committee, the amount payable when an award of Performance Units is earned may be settled in cash, by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof. A fractional share of Common Stock shall not be deliverable when an award of Performance Units is earned, but a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof. The amount payable when an award of Performance Units is earned shall be paid in a lump sum. 9.04. Shareholder Rights A Participant, as a result of receiving an award of Performance Units, shall not have any rights as a shareholder until, and then only to the extent that, the award of Performance Units is earned and settled in Common Stock. After an award of Performance Units is earned and settled in shares of Common Stock, a Participant will have all the rights of a shareholder as described in Section 8.05. 9.05. Nontransferability Except as provided in Section 9.06, Performance Units granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No right or interest of a Participant in any Performance Units shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant.
-17- 9.06. Transferable Performance Units Section 9.05 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Agreement provides, an award of Performance Units may be transferred by a Participant to the Participant’s children, grandchildren, spouse, one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members or a partnership in which such family members are the only partners, on such terms and conditions as may be permitted under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect from time to time. The holder of Performance Units transferred pursuant to this Section shall be bound by the same terms and conditions that governed the Performance Units during the period that they were held by the Participant; provided, however that such transferee may not transfer Performance Units except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a Performance Unit be transferred for consideration absent shareholder approval. 9.07. Employee Status In the event that the terms of any Performance Unit award provide that no payment will be made unless the Participant completes a stated period of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for government or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. ARTICLE X OTHER EQUITY–BASED AWARDS 10.01. Award In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom an Other Equity-Based Award is to be made and will specify the number of shares of Common Stock or other equity interests (including LTIP Units) covered by such awards; provided, however, that the grant of LTIP Units must satisfy the requirements of the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership as in effect on the date of grant. The Committee also will specify whether Dividend Equivalent Rights are granted in conjunction with the Other Equity- Based Award. 10.02. Terms and Conditions The Committee, at the time an Other Equity-Based Award is made, shall specify the terms and conditions which govern the award. The terms and conditions of an Other Equity-Based Award may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in the Other Equity-Based Award shall be forfeitable, nontransferable or otherwise restricted for a period of time or subject to such other conditions as may be determined by the Committee, in its discretion and set forth in the Agreement. By way of example and not of limitation, the Committee may prescribe that a Participant’s rights in an Other Equity-Based Award shall be forfeitable or otherwise restricted subject to the attainment of performance objectives, including objectives stated with reference to one or more
-18- Performance Goals. Other Equity-Based Awards may be granted to Participants, either alone or in addition to other awards granted under the Plan, and Other Equity-Based Awards may be granted in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan. 10.03. Payment or Settlement Other Equity-Based Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock, shall be payable or settled in Common Stock, cash or a combination of Common Stock and cash, as determined by the Committee in its discretion; provided, however, that any shares of Common Stock that are issued on account of the conversion of LTIP Units into Common Stock shall not be issued under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Other Equity-Based Awards denominated as equity interests other than shares of Common Stock may be paid or settled in shares or units of such equity interests or cash or a combination of both as determined by the Committee in its discretion. 10.04. Employee Status If the terms of any Other Equity-Based Award provides that it may be earned or exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination of employment or continued service, the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. 10.05. Shareholder Rights A Participant, as a result of receiving an Other Equity-Based Award, shall not have any rights as a shareholder until, and then only to the extent that, the Other Equity-Based Award is earned and settled in shares of Common Stock. ARTICLE XI INCENTIVE AWARDS 11.01. Award In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, the Committee will designate each individual to whom an Incentive Award is to be made. 11.02. Terms and Conditions The Committee, at the time an Incentive Award is made, shall specify the terms and conditions that govern the award.
-19- 11.03. Nontransferability Incentive Awards granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No right or interest of a Participant in an Incentive Award shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant. 11.04. Employee Status If the terms of an Incentive Award provide that a payment will be made thereunder only if the Participant completes a stated period of employment or continued service the Committee may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service. 11.05. Settlement An Incentive Award that is earned shall be settled with a single lump sum payment which may be in cash, Common Stock or a combination of cash and Common Stock, as determined by the Committee. 11.06. Shareholder Rights No Participant shall, as a result of receiving an Incentive Award, have any rights as a shareholder of the Company or an Affiliate until the date that the Incentive Award is settled and then only to the extent that the Incentive Award is settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock. ARTICLE XII ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK The maximum number and type of shares of Common Stock as to which Options, SARs, Performance Units, Stock Awards, Incentive Awards and Other Equity-Based Awards may be granted and the terms of outstanding Stock Awards, Options, SARs, Performance Units, Incentive Awards and Other Equity-Based Awards (including the number and type of securities underlying such Awards) shall be adjusted as the Board determines is equitably required in the event that (i) the Company (a) effects one or more nonreciprocal transactions between the Company and its shareholders such as a stock dividend, extra-ordinary cash dividend, stock split, subdivision or consolidation of shares that affects the number or kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the Fair Market Value (or the value of other Company securities) and causes a change in the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to outstanding awards or (b) engages in a transaction to which Section 424 of the Code applies or (ii) there occurs any other event which, in the judgment of the Board necessitates such action. Any determination made under this Article XII by the Board shall be nondiscretionary, final and conclusive.
-20- The issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not, alone, affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum number of shares as to which Options, SARs, Performance Units, Stock Awards, Incentive Awards and Other Equity- Based Awards may be granted, or the terms of outstanding Stock Awards, Options, SARs, Performance Shares or Other Equity-Based Awards. The Committee may make Stock Awards and may grant Options, SARs, Performance Units, Incentive Awards or Other Equity-Based Awards in substitution for performance shares, phantom shares, stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, or similar awards held by an individual who becomes an employee of the Company or an Affiliate in connection with a transaction described in the first paragraph of this Article XII. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, the terms of such substituted Stock Awards, SARs, Other Equity-Based Awards, Options, Incentive Awards or Performance Units shall be as the Committee, in its discretion, determines is appropriate. ARTICLE XIII COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued, no certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, no book entries evidencing shares of Common Stock shall be made and no payment shall be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations (including, without limitation, withholding tax requirements), any listing agreement to which the Company is a party, and the rules of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Company’s shares may be listed. The Company shall have the right to rely on an opinion of its counsel as to such compliance. Any certificate issued to evidence shares of Common Stock when a Stock Award is granted, a Performance Unit, Incentive Award or Other Equity-Based Award is settled or for which an Option or SAR is exercised may bear such legends and statements as the Committee may deem advisable to assure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. No Option or SAR shall be exercisable, no Stock Award or Performance Unit shall be granted, no shares of Common Stock shall be issued, no certificate for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, no book entries evidencing shares of Common Stock shall be made and no payment shall be made under this Plan until the Company has obtained such consent or approval as the Committee may deem advisable from regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.
-21- ARTICLE XIV GENERAL PROVISIONS 14.01. Effect on Employment and Service Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation, nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof), shall confer upon any individual or entity any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate or in any way affect any right and power of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate the employment or service of any individual or entity at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor. 14.02. Unfunded Plan This Plan, insofar as it provides for grants, shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by grants under this Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any grant under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this 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. 14.03. Rules of Construction Headings are given to the articles and sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation, or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law. 14.04. Withholding Taxes Each Participant shall be responsible for satisfying any income and employment tax withholding obligations attributable to participation in the Plan. Unless otherwise provided by the Agreement, any such withholding tax obligations may be satisfied in cash (including from any cash payable in settlement of an award of Performance Units, SARs, Incentive Awards or Other Equity-Based Award) or a cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee. Any statutory federal, state, district or city withholding tax obligations also may be satisfied (a) by surrendering to the Company shares of Common Stock previously acquired by the Participant; (b) by authorizing the Company to withhold or reduce the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of an Option or SAR, the settlement of a Performance Unit award, Incentive Award or an Other Equity-Based Award (if applicable) or the grant or vesting of a Stock Award; or (c) by any other method as may be approved by the Committee. If shares of Common Stock are used to pay all or part of such withholding tax obligation, the Fair Market Value of the shares surrendered, withheld or reduced shall be determined as of the day the tax liability arises and the number of shares of Common Stock which may be withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of shares which have a Fair Market Value on the day preceding the date of withholding equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory
-22- withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income or such other higher rates approved by the Committee (which rates shall in no event exceed the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America)). 14.05. REIT Status The Plan shall be interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the Company’s status as a REIT. No award shall be granted or awarded, and with respect to any award granted under the Plan, such award shall not vest, be exercisable or be settled (i) to the extent that the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement could cause the Participant or any other person to be in violation of the common stock ownership limit or aggregate stock ownership limit prescribed by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Charter, as amended from time to time) or (ii) if, in the discretion of the Committee, the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of the award could impair the Company’s status as a REIT. 14.06. Elections Under Section 83(b) No Participant may make and election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the grant of any Award, the vesting of any Award, the settlement of any Award or the issuance of Common Stock under the Plan without the consent of the Company, which the Company may grant or withhold in its sole discretion. 14.07. Clawback Provisions All Awards (including, without limitation, any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any shares of Common Stock underlying the Award) shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture and/or recoupment in accordance with the Company’s Policy for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation (as may be amended from time to time), and any other Company clawback, recoupment, forfeiture or similar policies or provisions applicable to a Participant or required under applicable law, notwithstanding any other agreement to the contrary.
-23- ARTICLE XV CHANGE IN CONTROL 15.01. Impact of Change in Control. If an Award is not assumed or replaced with a substitute award in accordance with Section 15.02, upon a Change in Control, the Committee is authorized to cause (i) outstanding Options and SARs to become fully exercisable, (ii) outstanding Stock Awards to become transferable and nonforfeitable and (iii) outstanding Performance Units, Incentive Awards and Other Equity-Based Awards to become earned and nonforfeitable in their entirety. 15.02. Assumption Upon Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee, in its discretion and without the need for a Participant’s consent, may provide that an outstanding Option, SAR, Stock Award, Performance Unit, Incentive Award or Other Equity-Based Award shall be assumed by, or a substitute award granted by, the surviving entity in the Change in Control. Such assumed or substituted award shall be of the same type of award as the original Option, SAR, Stock Award, Performance Unit, Incentive Award or Other Equity-Based Award being assumed or substituted. The assumed or substituted award shall have a value, as of the Control Change Date, that is substantially equal to the value of the original Award (or the difference between the Fair Market Value and the option price or Initial Value in the case of Options and SARs) as the Committee determines is equitably required and such other terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee. 15.03. Cash-Out Upon Change in Control. If an Award is not assumed or replaced with a substitute award in accordance with Section 15.02, upon a Change in Control, the Committee, in its discretion and without the need of a Participant’s consent, may provide that each Option, SAR, Stock Award, Performance Unit, Incentive Award and Other Equity-Based Award shall be cancelled in exchange for a payment. The payment may be in cash, shares of Common Stock or other securities or consideration received by shareholders in the Change in Control transaction or, in the case of an Incentive Award, the entire amount that can be paid under the Award (and, if the amount payable in settlement of an Incentive Award is based on the value of Common Stock, that value shall be the price per share received by shareholders for each share of Common Stock in the Change in Control transaction). Except as provided in the preceding sentence with respect to Incentive Awards, the amount of the payment shall be an amount that is substantially equal to (i) the amount by which the price per share received by shareholders in the Change in Control exceeds the option price or Initial Value in the case of an Option and SAR, or (ii) the price per share received by shareholders for each share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award, Performance Unit or Other Equity-Based Award or (iii) the value of the other securities or property in which the Performance Unit or Other Equity-Based award is denominated. If the option price or Initial Value exceeds the price per share
-24- received by shareholders in the Change in Control transaction, the Option or SAR may be cancelled under this Section 15.03 without any payment to the Participant. 15.04. Limitation of Benefits The benefits that a Participant may be entitled to receive under this Plan and other benefits that a Participant is entitled to receive under other plans, agreements and arrangements (which, together with the benefits provided under this Plan, are referred to as “Payments”), may constitute Parachute Payments (as hereinafter defined), that are subject to Code Sections 280G and 4999. As provided in this Section 15.04, the Parachute Payments will be reduced pursuant to this Section 15.04 if, and only to the extent that, a reduction will allow a Participant to receive a greater Net After Tax Amount (as hereinafter defined), than a Participant would receive absent a reduction. The Accounting Firm (as hereinafter defined) will first determine the amount of any Parachute Payments that are payable to a Participant. The Accounting Firm also will determine the Net After Tax Amount attributable to the Participant’s total Parachute Payments. The Accounting Firm will next determine the largest amount of Payments that may be made to the Participant without subjecting the Participant to tax under Code Section 4999 (the “Capped Payments”). Thereafter, the Accounting Firm will determine the Net After Tax Amount attributable to the Capped Payments. The Participant will receive the total Parachute Payments or the Capped Payments, whichever provides the Participant with the higher Net After Tax Amount. If the Participant will receive the Capped Payments, the total Parachute Payments will be adjusted by first reducing the amount of any benefits under this Plan or any other plan, agreement or arrangement that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code (with the source of the reduction to be directed by the Participant) and then by reducing the amount of any benefits under this Plan or any other plan, agreement or arrangement that are subject to Section 409A of the Code (with the source of the reduction to be directed by the Participant) in a manner that results in the best economic benefit to the Participant (or, to the extent economically equivalent, in a pro rata manner). The Accounting Firm will notify the Participant and the Company if it determines that the Parachute Payments must be reduced to the Capped Payments and will send the Participant and the Company a copy of its detailed calculations supporting that determination. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Code Sections 280G and 4999 at the time that the Accounting Firm makes its determinations under this Section 15.04, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed to the Participant that should not have been paid or distributed under this Section 15.04 (“Overpayments”), or that additional amounts should be paid or distributed to the Participant under this Section 15.04 (“Underpayments”). If the Accounting Firm determines, based on either the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against the Company or the Participant, which assertion the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of success or controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Overpayment has
-25- been made, the Participant must repay such amount to the Company, without interest; provided, however, that no loan will be deemed to have been made and no amount will be payable by the Participant to the Company unless, and then only to the extent that, the deemed loan and payment would either reduce the amount on which the Participant is subject to tax under Code Section 4999 or generate a refund of tax imposed under Code Section 4999. If the Accounting Firm determines, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, that an Underpayment has occurred, the Accounting Firm will notify the Participant and the Company of that determination, and the amount of that Underpayment will be paid to the Participant promptly by the Company. For purposes of this Section 15.04, the term “Accounting Firm” means the independent accounting firm engaged by the Company immediately before the Control Change Date. For purposes of this Section 15.04, the term “Net After Tax Amount” means the amount of any Parachute Payments or Capped Payments, as applicable, net of taxes imposed under Code Sections 1, 3101(b) and 4999 and any State or local income taxes applicable to the Participant on the date of payment. The determination of the Net After Tax Amount shall be made using the highest combined effective rate imposed by the foregoing taxes on income of the same character as the Parachute Payments or Capped Payments, as applicable, in effect on the date of payment. For purposes of this Section 15.04, the term “Parachute Payment” means a payment that is described in Code Section 280G(b)(2), determined in accordance with Code Section 280G and the regulations promulgated or proposed thereunder. Nothing in this Section 15.04 shall limit or otherwise supersede the provisions of any other agreement or plan which provides that a Participant cannot receive Payments in excess of the Capped Payments. ARTICLE XVI AMENDMENT The Board may amend or terminate this Plan from time to time; provided, however, that no amendment may become effective until shareholder approval is obtained if (i) the amendment materially increases the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan (other than an adjustment pursuant to Article XII), or (ii) the amendment is required to be approved by shareholders by the requirements of applicable law or under the New York Stock Exchange’s shareholder approval rules. For the avoidance of doubt, the Board may not (except pursuant to Article XII) without the approval of shareholders (a) reduce the option price per share of an outstanding Option or the Initial Value of an outstanding SAR, (b) cancel an outstanding Option or SAR in exchange for the grant of a new Option or SAR with a lower option price per share or Initial Value, (c) cancel an outstanding Option or outstanding SAR when the option price or Initial Value, as applicable, exceeds the Fair Market Value in exchange for cash or other Awards or (d) take any other action with respect to an outstanding Option or an outstanding SAR that may be treated as a repricing of the award under the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. No amendment shall, without a Participant’s consent, adversely affect any rights of
-26- such Participant under any outstanding award of Performance Shares, or under any Stock Award, Option or SAR outstanding at the time such amendment is made. ARTICLE XVII DURATION OF PLAN No Stock Award, Performance Unit award, Option, SAR, Incentive Award or Other Equity-Based Award may be granted under this Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date; provided that no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than ten (10) years after the earlier of approval by the Board or the shareholders of the Plan (or any amendment to the Plan that constitutes the adoption of a new plan for purposes of Section 422 of the Code). Stock Awards, Performance Unit awards, Options, SARs, Incentive Awards and Other Equity-Based Awards granted before such date shall remain valid in accordance with their terms. ARTICLE XVIII EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN Options, Stock Awards, Performance Units, Incentive Awards and Other Equity-Based Awards may be granted under this Plan on and after the date that the Plan is adopted by the Board, provided that no award shall be exercisable, vested or settled unless, within twelve months after the Board’s adoption of the Plan, the Plan is approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock entitled to vote and present or represented by properly executed and delivered proxies at a duly held shareholders’ meeting at which a quorum is present or by unanimous consent of the shareholders.