AEI Alset Inc

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION

 

Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

☐	Preliminary Information Statement
☐	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))
☒	Definitive Information Statement

 

ALSET INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

☒	No fee required.
☐	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.
	(1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
	(2)	Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
	(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
	(5)	Total fee paid:
☐	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
	(1)	Amount Previously Paid:
	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
	(3)	Filing Party:
	(4)	Date Filed:

 

 

 

ALSET INC. NOTICE OF ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT OF MAJORITY STOCKHOLDERS

 

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ALSET INC.:

 

This Notice and the accompanying Information Statement are being furnished to the stockholders of ALSET INC., a Texas corporation (the “Company,” “Alset,” “we,” or “us”), in connection with the actions taken by written consent of the holder of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.

 

On February 13, 2025, the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, approved by written consent the Company’s 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2025 Plan”).

 

As the matters set forth in this Information Statement have been duly authorized and approved by the written consent of the holders of more than a majority of our common stock (the “Majority Stockholders”) on February 13, 2025, your vote or consent is not requested or required to approve the 2025 Plan. This Information Statement is being provided solely for your information, and also serves the purpose of informing stockholders of the matters described herein pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder. You do not need to do anything in response to this Notice and the Information Statement.

 

You are urged to read the Information Statement in its entirety.

 

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

 

THE INFORMATION STATEMENT IS BEING MAILED ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 24, 2025 TO STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD AS OF FEBRUARY 13, 2025.

 

	Sincerely,
	ALSET INC.
	By:	/s/ Chan Heng Fai
	Name:	Chan Heng Fai
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
GENERAL INFORMATION		1
	THE 2025 PLAN	2
	OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS	4
	OTHER INFORMATION	9
	DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS	10
ANNEX A	THE 2025 PLAN	A-1

 

 

ALSET INC.

4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

ALSET INC., a Texas corporation (the “Company,” “Alset,” “we,” or “us”), is distributing this information statement solely for purposes of informing our stockholders of record as of February 13, 2025 (the “Record Date”), in the manner required by Regulation 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”), of the action taken by written consent by the holder of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Majority Stockholders”) to approve the Company’s 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2025 Plan”).

 

What is the Purpose of the Information Statement?

 

This Information Statement is being furnished to you pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act to notify our stockholders of the corporate actions taken by the Majority Stockholders pursuant to the Written Consent.

 

Summary of the Corporation Actions

 

On February 13, 2025, the Majority Shareholders, being the record holders of 6,668,742 shares of our common stock, constituting approximately 62.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, consented in writing to approve the 2025 Plan.

 

NASDAQ Rules

 

Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5635(c), stockholder approval must be obtained prior to the issuance of securities when any equity compensation arrangement is made or materially amended, pursuant to which stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees. Accordingly, the Company is required to have the approval of stockholders holding a majority of our issued and outstanding common stock in order to adopt and issue securities under the 2025 Plan.

 

Voting and Vote Required

 

The Company is not seeking consents, authorizations or proxies from you. Under the TBOC, the 2025 Plan may be approved, without a meeting of stockholders, by a resolution of our Board of Directors, followed by the written consent of stockholders representing a majority of the voting power of our outstanding shares of common stock. A resolution of the Board of Directors dated February 13, 2025 sought the written consent of the Majority Shareholders.

 

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal

 

Under the TBOC and the Company’s certificate of formation, Company stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights with respect to the 2025 Plan.

 

Notice Pursuant to Section 14(c)

 

This Information Statement serves the purpose of informing stockholders of the matters described herein pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder.

 

 

THE 2025 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

Overview of the 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan

 

In September 2018, our Board and shareholders authorized the 2018 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2018 Plan”), covering 500,000 shares of common stock (or 25,000 shares adjusted for a subsequent reverse split of our common stock). None of the 25,000 shares issuable under the 2018 Plan have been issued, and the Company does not plan to issue these or any other securities under the 2018 Plan.

 

On February 13, 2025, our Board and Majority Shareholders approved and ratified the 2025 Plan, covering up to 2,147,024 shares of common stock. The purpose of the 2025 Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and our related corporations by enhancing the ability of the Company to attract and retain qualified employees, consultants, officers, and directors, by creating incentives and rewards for their contributions to the success of the Company and its related corporations. The 2025 Plan will be administered by our Board or by the Compensation Committee. The following awards may be granted under the 2025 Plan:

 

	●	Options
	●	Restricted Awards
	●	Other Stock-Based Awards

 

The 2025 Plan will replace the 2018 Plan, and the Board has determined that upon the effectiveness of the 2025 Plan, the Company will terminate the 2018 Plan.

 

Summary of Material Features of the 2025 Plan

 

The following summary of the material terms of the 2025 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2025 Plan, a copy of which is included as Exhibit A to this information statement. You also may obtain a copy of the 2025 Plan, free of charge, by writing to the Company, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 4800 Montgomery Lane Suite 210, Bethesda, MD 20814.

 

Effective Date

 

In accordance with Exchange Act Rule 14c-2, the 2025 Plan will become effective no sooner than twenty (20) calendar days following the mailing of this Information Statement.

 

Plan Administration

 

The Board had delegated administrative authority with respect to the 2025 Plan to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to:

 

	●	promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and procedures relating to the implementation of the 2025 Plan;
	●	select the employees, Non-Employee Directors (as defined in the 2025 Plan), and Consultants (as defined in the 2025 Plan) who will be granted Awards;
	●	determine the number and types of Awards to be granted to each participant;
	●	determine the number of shares, or share equivalents to be subject to each Award;
	●	determine the Fair Market Value (as defined in the 2025 Plan) of shares if no public market exists for such shares;
	●	determine the option price, purchase price, base price, or similar feature for any Award;
	●	accelerate vesting of Awards and waive any restrictions; and
	●	determine all the terms and conditions of all Award Agreements (as defined in the 2025 Plan), consistent with the requirements of the 2025 Plan.

 

 

Available Awards Under the 2025 Plan

 

The types of awards that may be granted by the Compensation Committee under the 2025 Plan include:

 

Options

 

Options to purchase common stock may be incentive stock options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or nonqualified options which are not eligible for such tax-favored treatment. Up to 20% of our outstanding shares, representing 2,147,024 shares of common stock, may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options under the 2025 Plan. Incentive stock options will conform with the statutory and regulatory requirements specified pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, as in effect on the date such incentive stock option is granted. Incentive stock options may not be granted under the 2025 Plan after February 13, 2035, and may only be granted to employees of the Company or one of its subsidiaries. If options intended to be incentive stock options are granted to a participant in excess of the $100,000 annual limitation set forth in Section 422(d)(1) of the Code, the options will be incentive stock options to the maximum extent allowed and will be nonqualified stock options as to any excess over that limitation. Incentive stock options must expire not more than 10 years from the date of grant. The 2025 Plan does not specify a maximum term for nonqualified options. The exercise price per share must be not less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted for both incentive stock options and nonqualified options. Incentive stock options granted to a participant holding more than 10% of the common stock must expire not more than five years from the date of grant, and the exercise price per share must be not less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted.

 

Restricted Awards

 

Restricted Awards may take the form of restricted shares. Restricted shares are shares of common stock which are subject to such limitations as the Board, or Compensation Committee deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, restrictions on sale or transfer. Additionally, restricted shares may be subject to forfeiture in the event the recipient terminates employment or service as a director or consultant during a specified period, or fails to meet designated performance goals, if any. Stock certificates representing restricted shares are issued in the name of the recipient but are held by the Company until the expiration of any restrictions, at which time the restrictive legends are removed from the stock certificates. Beginning with the date of issuance of restricted shares and prior to forfeiture, the recipient is entitled to the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares, including voting and dividend rights. Shares issued as stock dividends will be subject to the same restrictions as the related restricted shares.

 

Other Stock-Based Awards

 

The Board, or Compensation Committee may grant other awards that involve payments or grants of shares of common stock or are measured by or in relation to shares of common stock. The 2025 Plan provides flexibility to design new types of stock-based or stock-related awards to attract and retain employees, directors and consultants in a competitive environment.

 

Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization

 

In the event of a change in capitalization, the Board, or Compensation Committee will make such proportionate adjustments in the aggregate number of shares for which awards may be granted under the 2025 Plan, the maximum number of shares which may be awarded to any participant, and the number of shares covered by, and the exercise or base price of, any outstanding awards, as the committee in its sole discretion may deem appropriate.

 

Duration, Termination and Amendment of the 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan

 

The 2025 Plan will remain in effect until February 13, 2035, or, if earlier, when awards have been granted covering all available shares under the 2025 Plan or the 2025 Plan is otherwise terminated by the Board. The Board may terminate the 2025 Plan at any time, but any such termination will not affect any outstanding awards. The Board may also amend the 2025 Plan from time to time, provided that no amendment may be made without stockholder approval if such approval is required by applicable law or the requirements of an applicable stock exchange or registered securities association. Pursuant to such provisions, the Board has approved an increase in the shares of capital stock authorized for issuance under the 2025 Plan as described above, and now submits such amendment to stockholders for approval.

 

 

Approval

 

The approval of the 2025 Plan, including for purposes of Nasdaq Rule 5635, requires the approval of the holders of our outstanding shares of common stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. As of the close of business on the Record date, we had 10,735,119 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of outstanding common stock is entitled to one vote on matters submitted for stockholder approval.

 

The stockholders who have the authority to vote a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock approved the Management Issuance by a written consent dated February 13, 2025. Accordingly, the limitations on issuances and sales of securities under Nasdaq Rule 5635 will not apply to the issuances of the Shares. Pursuant to Rule 14c-2(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, such action may not be effected until at least 20 calendar days following the mailing of this Information Statement to our common stockholders.

 

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

 

No officer or director or any associate of any such person has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, in the matters acted upon by our Board and stockholders, other than in such role as a stockholder, officer or director.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS

 

The table below sets forth information known to us regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the Record Date for:

 

●	each person we believe beneficially holds more than 5% of our outstanding common shares (based solely on our review of SEC filings);
●	each of our “named executive officers” and directors; and
●	all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.

 

The number of shares beneficially owned by a person includes shares issuable under options, warrants and other securities convertible into common stock held by that person and that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. Percentage calculations assume, for each person and group, that all shares that may be acquired by such person or group pursuant to options, warrants and other convertible securities currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date are outstanding. Nevertheless, shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of presently unexercised options, warrants and other convertible securities are not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the “Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned” by any other person or any other group.

 

Except as otherwise indicated in the table or its footnotes, the persons in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.

 

As of the Record Date, we had 10,735,119 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

 

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owners(1)		Shares Beneficially Owned				Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned
Chan Heng Fai (2)			6,668,742				62.1	%
Lui Wai Leung Alan			-				-
Rongguo Wei			-				-
Chan Tung Moe			-				-
Wong Tat Keung			-				-
Wong Shui Yeung			-				-
Lim Sheng Hon Danny			-				-
Joanne Wong Hiu Pan			-				-
William Wu			-				-
Charles MacKenzie			-				-
All directors and executive officers, as a group (10 individuals)			6,668,742				62.1	%
Five Percent Stockholders:
Chan Heng Fai (2)			6,668,742				62.1	%

 

(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them.

 

(2) Includes 319,000 shares of common stock owned of record by HFE Holdings Limited, of which Chan Heng Fai has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation awarded to or earned by: (i) each individual who served as the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of our Company during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023; and (ii) each other individual that served as an executive officer of our Company at the conclusion of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and who received more than $100,000 in the form of salary and bonus during such year. We have included the information for certain individuals who were employed and compensated by Alset International Limited or its subsidiaries. Such compensation was paid solely for services rendered to such subsidiary. For purposes of this Report, these individuals are collectively the “named executive officers” of our Company.

 

		Year				Salary				Bonus				Stock Awards				Option Awards				Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation				Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings				All Other Compensation				Total
Chan Heng Fai			2024			$	448,430																											$	448,430
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (1)			2023			$	-																											$	-
Chan Tung Moe			2024			$	293,640			$	83,141																							$	376,781
Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer (2)			2023			$	289,561																											$	289,561
Lui Wai Leung Alan			2024			$	199,326																											$	199,326
Co-Chief Financial Officer (3)			2023			$	154,426																											$	154,425
Rongguo Wei			2024			$	232,073																											$	232,073
Co-Chief Financial Officer			2023			$	176,517																											$	176,517
Charles MacKenzie			2024																											$	360,000			$	360,000
Chief Development Officer (4)			2023																											$	400,000			$	400,000

 

(1) In 2024, Chan Heng Fai was compensated by Alset International Limited.

 

(2) Chan Tung Moe is compensated by the Company’s subsidiaries, Alset Business Development Pte. Ltd. and Alset International.

 

(3) Lui Wai Leung Alan is compensated by BMI Capital Partners International Limited.

 

(4) Our Chief Development Officer Charles MacKenzie is compensated by a subsidiary of our Company pursuant to a consulting agreement in connection with our subsidiary’s real estate projects. Mr. MacKenzie has served as our Chief Development Officer since December of 2019.

 

 

Employment and Consulting Agreements

 

On February 8, 2021, the Company and the Company’s subsidiary Alset Business Development Pte. Ltd. entered into an Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chan Heng Fai. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Chan’s compensation will include a fixed salary of $1 per month and two bonus payments each year consisting of: (i) one payment equal to Five Percent (5%) of the growth in market capitalization the Company experiences in any year; and (ii) one payment equal to Five Percent (5%) of the growth in net asset value the Company experiences in any year. In each case, such payment is to be calculated within seven (7) days of December 31st of each year. Such bonus payments shall be paid in cash or the Company’s common stock, at the election of Mr. Chan.

 

The Company and Alset Business Development Pte. Ltd. entered into a Supplement to the Executive Employment Agreement (the “Supplement”) with Chan Heng Fai on December 13, 2021. This Supplement amended the Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, the term of the Employment Agreement was to end on December 31, 2025. The Supplement has amended the Employment Agreement to extend its expiration until December 31, 2030.

 

This Supplement also provides that if there is a change of control at the Company, Chan Heng Fai shall be entitled to cash payment equal to the amount he would have been owed through the term of the Employment Agreement (as extended by the Supplement). Such payment shall be calculated based on the highest annual amount paid to Chan Heng Fai through the date of such change of control. In addition, if Chan Heng Fai is terminated, pursuant to the Supplement, Chan Heng Fai shall be entitled to cash payment equal to the amount he would have been owed through the term of the Employment Agreement (as extended by the Supplement), calculated as described above.

 

In 2024, Chan Heng Fai was paid SGD $600,000 (USD $448,430) by Alset International. Chan Heng Fai is also paid SGD $1 (USD $.74) per month by Alset International Limited. Mr. Chan’s current employment agreement with Alset International Limited, dated as of December 10, 2021, provides that Mr. Chan shall continue to be paid SGD $1.00 per month, and shall be entitled to receive a bonus equal to 5% of the market capitalization growth of Alset International and 5% of the annual NAV increase of Alset International. The term of this agreement was made effective to March 25, 2020 and shall end on March 24, 2030. If Alset International terminates the appointment of Mr. Chan (subject to certain exceptions), Alset International shall be obliged to compensate Mr. Chan with a severance payment which will be equivalent to the total remuneration that would have been paid to Mr. Chan as if he had completed his term as the Chief Executive Officer of Alset International (“Severance Payment”). In the event there is a change in control of Alset International, Mr. Chan shall be granted with the option to continue his appointment with Alset International. If Mr. Chan decides not to continue with the appointment, Alset International shall be obliged to compensate Mr. Chan an amount equivalent to the Severance Payment. The Severance Payment shall be for the balance of the tenure of his term and shall be computed based on the highest annual remuneration, including salaries, incentive payments and performance bonus paid to Mr. Chan in the previous years prior to the termination of the appointment. Such Severance Payment shall be paid in cash only.

 

On July 1, 2021, the Company and its subsidiary Alset Business Development Pte. Ltd., entered into Executive Employment Agreement with the Company’s Co-CEO, Chan Tung Moe. Based on the agreement, Chan Tung Moe’s compensation will include a fixed salary of $10,000 per month. In addition, Chan Tung Moe was paid a signing bonus of $60,000. Chan Tung Moe is the son of the Chief Executive Office, Chairman and majority shareholder, Chan Heng Fai. Chan Tung Moe is also compensated by Alset International Limited for his services.

 

Our Chief Development Officer Charles MacKenzie is compensated by a subsidiary of our Company pursuant to a consulting agreement in connection with our subsidiary’s real estate projects.

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

No stock options or other equity awards were granted to any of our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

2018 Incentive Compensation Plan

 

Our 2018 Plan was designed to serve as an incentive for attracting and retaining qualified and motivated employees, officers, directors, consultants and other persons who provide services to us. The compensation committee of our board of directors had the authority to administer and interpret the 2018 Plan and was authorized to grant stock options and other equity awards thereunder to all eligible employees of our company, including non-employee consultants to our company and directors.

 

The 2018 Plan provides for the granting of “incentive stock options” (as defined in Section 422 of the Code), non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock, dividend equivalents, bonus stock and awards in lieu of cash compensation, other stock-based awards and performance awards. Options may be granted under the 2018 Plan on such terms and at such prices as determined by the compensation committee of the board, except that the per share exercise price of the stock options cannot be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. Each option will be exercisable after the period or periods specified in the stock option agreement, but all stock options must be exercised within ten years from the date of grant. Options granted under the 2018 Plan are not transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The compensation committee of the board has the authority to amend or terminate the 2018 Plan, provided that no amendment shall be made without stockholder approval if such stockholder approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement. Unless terminated sooner, the 2018 Plan will terminate ten years from its effective date. The 2018 Plan also provides that no participant may receive stock options or other awards under the 2018 Plan that in the aggregate equal more than 30% of all options or awards issued over the life of the 2018 Plan. To date, we have not issued any stock options to officers, directors or employees. The compensation committee intends to grant stock options to key employees and non-executive directors of our Company.

 

None of the 25,000 shares issuable under the 2018 Plan have been issued, and the Company does not plan to issue these or any additional shares under the 2018 Plan.

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation awarded to or earned by the members of our Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, except for Chan Heng Fai and Moe Tung Chan, whose information is set forth in the summary compensation table above:

 

Name		Directors’ Fee				Salary				Consultation				Bonus				Total Compensation
Wong Tat Keung (1)		$	54,422															$	54,422
William Wu(2)		$	32,000															$	32,000
Wong Shui Yeung (3)		$	54,422															$	54,422
Lim Sheng Hon Danny (4)		$	-				190,135				25,000				60,687			$	275,822
Joanne Wong Hiu Pan		$	22,000															$	22,000

 

(1) Mr. Wong Tat Keung is compensated as a member of the Board of Directors of Alset International, HWH International Inc. and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

(2) Mr. Wu is compensated as a member of the Board of Directors of Alset International and HWH International Inc.

(3) Mr. Wong Shui Yeung is compensated as a member of the Board of Directors of Alset International, HWH International Inc. and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

(4) Mr. Lim is compensated as an employee of Alset International and as a consultant to the Company.

 

 

We intend to compensate each non-employee director through annual stock option grants and by paying a quarterly cash fee. In addition to receiving compensation from our Company, Chan Heng Fai has been compensated by our subsidiary, Alset International, for his services as an officer and director of that company. Certain members of our Board of Directors are currently compensated by Alset International for their services as directors of that company. Our Board of Directors reviews director compensation annually and adjusts it according to then current market conditions and good business practices.

 

On February 16, 2022, our Board of Directors set the annual cash compensation for the independent members of our Board of Directors for 2022. In addition to their compensation of $1,000 per month, independent members of the Board of Directors were paid an additional payment of $2,000 for each Board or Board Committee meeting that such independent member attended during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. In 2024 the compensation to members of our Board of Directors was increased to $5,000 per quarter.

 

Certain of our directors are compensated for services on the Board of Directors of companies in which we are a shareholder, including but not limited to DSS, Inc., which compensates Mr. Wu.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

SEC Periodic Reports and Additional Information

 

The Company is subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and in accordance with the Exchange Act, the Company files reports, documents and other information with the SEC. These reports and other information filed with the SEC by the Company may be inspected and are available for copying at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies may be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its principal office in Washington, D.C. The SEC also maintains an internet website that contains periodic and other reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q can be accessed through the SEC’s website or are available from the Company, without charge, by first-class mail or other equally prompt means of delivery following receipt of a written or oral request directed to our Corporate Secretary, at ALSET INC., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, telephone: (301) 971-3940.

 

Householding of Materials

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of proxy materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

 

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our Information Statement may have been sent to multiple Company stockholders in each household unless otherwise instructed by such Company stockholders. We will deliver promptly a separate copy of the Information Statement to any Company stockholder upon written or oral request to our Corporate Secretary, at Alset Inc., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, telephone: (301) 971-3940. Any Company stockholder wishing to receive separate copies of our proxy statement or annual report to Company stockholders in the future, or any Company stockholder who is receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, should contact the Company stockholder’s bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or the Company stockholder may contact us at the above address and phone number.

 

Distribution of the Information Statement

 

We will make arrangements with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries who are record holders of our common stock for the forwarding of this Information Statement to the beneficial owners of our common stock. We will reimburse these brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses they incur in connection with the forwarding of the Information Statement.

 

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This information statement includes forward-looking statements. You can identify our forward-looking statements by the words “expects,” “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “estimates” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about us. The Company cautions you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that we cannot predict, including those risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the Company has expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

THE ACTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE ACTIONS NOR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NEITHER A REQUEST FOR YOUR VOTE NOR A PROXY STATEMENT, BUT RATHER AN INFORMATION STATEMENT DESIGNED TO INFORM YOU OF THE ACTIONS THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED AND TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

 

	Sincerely,
	ALSET INC.
Dated: February 24, 2025	By:	/s/ Chan Heng Fai
	Name:	Chan Heng Fai
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Annex A

 

ALSET INC.

 

2025 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

 

1. DEFINITIONS.

 

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, as used in this Alset Inc. 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan, have the following meanings:

 

Administrator means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the Administrator means the Committee.

 

Affiliate means a corporation which, for purposes of Section 424 of the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or indirect.

 

Agreement means an agreement between the Company and a Participant delivered pursuant to the Plan and pertaining to a Stock Right, in such form as the Administrator shall approve.

 

Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Cause means, with respect to a Participant (a) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (b) insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, (c) unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, (d) breach by a Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate, and (e) conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate; provided, however, that any provision in an agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of Cause for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede this definition with respect to that Participant. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of Cause will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.

 

Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended including any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto.

 

Committee means the committee of the Board of Directors to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

 

Common Stock means shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 

Company means Alset Inc., a Texas corporation.

 

Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant that provides bona fide services to the Company or its Affiliates, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s or its Affiliates’ securities.

 

Disability or Disabled means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

Employee means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Stock Rights under the Plan.

 

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock means:

 

(1) If the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are regularly reported for the Common Stock, the closing or, if not applicable, the last price of the Common Stock on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date;

 

 

(2) If the Common Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices are not regularly reported for the Common Stock for the trading day referred to in clause (1), and if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked price for the Common Stock at the close of trading in the over-the-counter market for the trading day on which Common Stock was traded on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date; and

 

(3) If the Common Stock is neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator, in good faith, shall determine.

 

ISO means an option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

 

Non-Qualified Option means an option which is not intended to qualify as an ISO.

 

Option means an ISO or Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan.

 

Participant means an Employee, officer, director, Consultant or advisor of the Company or an Affiliate to whom one or more Stock Rights are granted under the Plan. As used herein, “Participant” shall include “Participant’s Survivors” where the context requires.

 

Plan means this Alset Inc. 2025 Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Shares means shares of the Common Stock as to which Stock Rights have been or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or both.

 

Stock-Based Award means a grant by the Company under the Plan of an equity award or an equity based award which is not an Option or a Stock Grant.

 

Stock Grant means a grant by the Company of Shares under the Plan.

 

Stock Right means a right to Shares or the value of Shares of the Company granted pursuant to the Plan — an ISO, a Non-Qualified Option, a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award.

 

Survivor means a deceased Participant’s legal representatives and/or any person or persons who acquired the Participant’s rights to a Stock Right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

2. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.

 

The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Shares by Employees and directors of and certain Consultants to the Company and its Affiliates in order to attract and retain such people, to induce them to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of ISOs, Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards.

 

3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a) The number of Shares which may be issued from time to time pursuant to this Plan shall be twenty percent (20%) of the total issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of the adoption of this plan, or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 24 of the Plan.

 

 

In addition, on the first day of each calendar year, for a period of not more than ten (10) years, commencing January 1, 2026, or the first business day of the calendar year if the first day of the calendar year falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Shares available under this Plan will automatically increase in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31 of the preceding fiscal year or (ii) such number of shares of Common Stock as determined by the Board of Directors.

 

(b) If an Option ceases to be “outstanding”, in whole or in part (other than by exercise), or if the Company shall reacquire (at not more than its original issuance price) any Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or if any Stock Right expires or is forfeited, cancelled, or otherwise terminated or results in any Shares not being issued, the unissued or reacquired Shares which were subject to such Stock Right shall again be available for issuance from time to time pursuant to this Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Stock Right is exercised, in whole or in part, by tender of Shares or if the Company’s or an Affiliate’s tax withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding Shares, the number of Shares deemed to have been issued under the Plan for purposes of the limitation set forth in Paragraph 3(a) above shall be the number of Shares that were subject to the Stock Right or portion thereof, and not the net number of Shares actually issued. However, in the case of ISOs, the foregoing provisions shall be subject to any limitations under the Code.

 

4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

 

The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which case the Committee shall be the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:

 

(a) Interpret the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules and determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;

 

(b) Determine which Employees, directors and Consultants shall be granted Stock Rights;

 

(c) Determine the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall be granted, provided, however, that in no event shall Stock Rights with respect to more than 50% of the total Shares available under this Plan in any fiscal year be granted to any one Participant in such fiscal year;

 

(d) Specify the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights may be granted;

 

(e) Amend any term or condition of any outstanding Stock Right, including, without limitation, to accelerate the vesting schedule or extend the expiration date, provided that (i) such term or condition as amended is permitted by the Plan; (ii) any such amendment shall not impair the rights of a Participant under any Stock Right previously granted without such Participant’s consent or in the event of death of the Participant the Participant’s Survivors; and (iii) any such amendment shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such amendment would cause any adverse tax consequences to the Participant, including, but not limited to, the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code and described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv) below with respect to ISOs and pursuant to Section 409A of the Code; and

 

(f) Adopt any appendices applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company, any Affiliate or to Participants or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which appendices may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock Right; provided, however, that all such interpretations, rules, determinations, terms and conditions shall be made and prescribed in the context of not causing any adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code and preserving the tax status under Section 422 of the Code of those Options which are designated as ISOs. Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the Administrator is the Committee. In addition, if the Administrator is the Committee, the Board of Directors may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.

 

 

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board of Directors or the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any other person selected by it. The Board of Directors or the Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be authorized to grant a Stock Right to any director of the Company or to any “officer” of the Company as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act.

 

5. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.

 

The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in the Plan; provided, however, that each Participant must be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate at the time a Stock Right is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may authorize the grant of a Stock Right to a person not then an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate; provided, however, that the actual grant of such Stock Right shall be conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to become a Participant at or prior to the time of the execution of the Agreement evidencing such Stock Right. ISOs may be granted only to Employees who are deemed to be residents of the United States for tax purposes. Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock- Based Awards may be granted to any Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate. The granting of any Stock Right to any individual shall neither entitle that individual to, nor disqualify him or her from, participation in any other grant of Stock Rights or any grant under any other benefit plan established by the Company or any Affiliate for Employees, directors or Consultants.

 

6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

 

Each Option shall be set forth in writing in an Option Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be granted subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the terms and conditions specifically required under this Plan, as the Administrator may deem appropriate including, without limitation, subsequent approval by the shareholders of the Company of this Plan or any amendments thereto. The Option Agreements shall be subject to at least the following terms and conditions:

 

(a) Non-Qualified Options: Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such Non-Qualified Option:

 

(i) Exercise Price: Each Option Agreement shall state the exercise price (per share) of the Shares covered by each Option, which exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option provided, that if the exercise price is less than Fair Market Value, the terms of such Option must comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code unless granted to a Consultant to whom Section 409A of the Code does not apply.

 

(ii) Number of Shares: Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains.

 

(iii) Option Periods: Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised, and may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence of certain conditions or the attainment of stated goals or events.

 

(iv) Option Conditions: Exercise of any Option may be conditioned upon the Participant’s execution of a Share purchase agreement in form satisfactory to the Administrator providing for certain protections for the Company and its other shareholders, including requirements that:

 

A. The Participant’s or the Participant’s Survivors’ right to sell or transfer the Shares may be restricted; and

 

B. The Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may be required to execute letters of investment intent and must also acknowledge that the Shares will bear legends noting any applicable restrictions.

 

 

(v) Term of Option: Each Option shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.

 

(b) ISOs: Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to an Employee who is deemed to be a resident of the United States for tax purposes, and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions, with such additional restrictions or changes as the Administrator determines are appropriate but not in conflict with Section 422 of the Code and relevant regulations and rulings of the Internal Revenue Service:

 

(i) Minimum standards: The ISO shall meet the minimum standards required of Non-Qualified Options, as described in Paragraph 6(a) above, except clause (i) and (v) thereunder.

 

(ii) Exercise Price: Immediately before the ISO is granted, if the Participant owns, directly or by reason of the applicable attribution rules in Section 424(d) of the Code:

 

A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option; or

 

B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option.

 

(iii) Term of Option: For Participants who own:

 

A. 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide; or

 

B. More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than five years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide.

 

(iv) Limitation on Yearly Exercise: The Option Agreements shall restrict the amount of ISOs which may become exercisable in any calendar year (under this or any other ISO plan of the Company or an Affiliate) so that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the date each ISO is granted) of the stock with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year does not exceed $100,000.

 

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS.

 

Each Stock Grant to a Participant shall state the principal terms in an Agreement duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards:

 

(a) Each Agreement shall state the purchase price per share, if any, of the Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator but shall not be less than the minimum consideration required by the Texas Business Organizations Code, if any, on the date of the grant of the Stock Grant;

 

(b) Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains; and

 

(c) Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to restrict or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the time and events upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price therefor, if any.

 

 

8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

 

The Administrator shall have the right to grant other Stock-Based Awards based upon the Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of Shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Shares and the grant of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock awards or stock units. The principal terms of each Stock-Based Award shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company.

 

The Company intends that the Plan and any Stock-Based Awards granted hereunder be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code or meet the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and be operated in accordance with Section 409A so that any compensation deferred under any Stock-Based Award (and applicable investment earnings) shall not be included in income under Section 409A of the Code. Any ambiguities in the Plan shall be construed to affect the intent as described in this Paragraph 8.

 

9. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

 

An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee (in a form acceptable to the Administrator, which may include electronic notice), together with provision for payment of the aggregate exercise price in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option Agreement. Such notice shall be signed by the person exercising the Option (which signature may be provided electronically in a form acceptable to the Administrator), shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the Option Agreement. Payment of the exercise price for the Shares as to which such Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of the exercise to the aggregate cash exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company retain from the Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator, or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c), and (d) above or (f) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall accept only such payment on exercise of an ISO as is permitted by Section 422 of the Code.

 

The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be). In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares shall, upon delivery, be fully paid, non-assessable Shares.

 

10. PAYMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES.

 

Any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award requiring payment of a purchase price for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being granted shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check, or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) and having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of payment to the purchase price of the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a) and (b) above; or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.

 

 

The Company shall when required by the applicable Agreement, reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was made to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be), subject to any escrow provision set forth in the applicable Agreement. In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company in order to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance.

 

11. RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER.

 

No Participant to whom a Stock Right has been granted shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Stock Right except after due exercise of an Option or issuance of Shares as set forth in any Agreement, tender of the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, for the Shares being purchased and registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant.

 

12. ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS.

 

By its terms, a Stock Right granted to a Participant shall not be transferable by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) as approved by the Administrator in its discretion and set forth in the applicable Agreement provided that no Stock Right may be transferred by a Participant for value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ISO transferred except in compliance with clause (i) above shall no longer qualify as an ISO. The designation of a beneficiary of a Stock Right by a Participant, with the prior approval of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Paragraph. Except as provided above during the Participant’s lifetime a Stock Right shall only be exercisable by or issued to such Participant (or his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Stock Right or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon a Stock Right, shall be null and void.

 

13. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has exercised an Option, the following rules apply:

 

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 14, 15, and 16, respectively), may exercise any Option granted to him or her to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only within such term as the Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option Agreement.

 

(b) Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) below, or Paragraph 15 or 16, in no event may an Option intended to be an ISO, be exercised later than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment.

 

(c) The provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph 15 or 16, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy; provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s Disability or death within three months after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option.

 

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s termination of employment, termination of director status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Administrator determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option.

 

(e) A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide; provided, however, that, for ISOs, any leave of absence granted by the Administrator of greater than ninety days, unless pursuant to a contract or statute that guarantees the right to reemployment, shall cause such ISO to become a Non- Qualified Option on the 181st day following such leave of absence.

 

(f) Except as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of a Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

14. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been exercised:

 

(a) All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause will immediately be forfeited.

 

(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited.

 

15. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

 

(a) A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to such Participant:

 

(i) To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability; and

 

(ii) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability.

 

(b) A Disabled Participant may exercise the Option only within the period ending one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability, notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not been terminated due to Disability and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.

 

 

(c) The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

 

16. EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:

 

(a) In the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option may be exercised by the Participant’s Survivors:

 

(i) To the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of death; and

 

(ii) In the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of death.

 

(b) If the Participant’s Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take all necessary steps to exercise the Option within one year after the date of death of such Participant, notwithstanding that the decedent might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if he or she had not died and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option.

 

17. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

 

In the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason before the Participant has accepted a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award and paid the purchase price, if required, such grant shall terminate.

 

For purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, a Participant to whom a Stock Grant has been issued under the Plan who is absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.

 

In addition, for purposes of this Paragraph 17 and Paragraph 18 below, any change of employment or other service within or among the Company and any Affiliates shall not be treated as a termination of employment, director status or consultancy so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

 

18. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE OR DEATH OR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant), other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 19, 20, and 21, respectively, before all forfeiture provisions or Company rights of repurchase shall have lapsed, then the Company shall have the right to cancel or repurchase that number of Shares subject to a Stock Grant as to which the Company’s forfeiture or repurchase rights have not lapsed.

 

19. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause:

 

(a) All Shares subject to any Stock Grant whether or not then subject to forfeiture or repurchase shall be immediately subject to repurchase by the Company at par value.

 

(b) Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then all Shares subject to any Stock Grant that remained subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company had a repurchase right on the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited to the Company.

 

20. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply if a Participant ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of Disability, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of Disability as would have lapsed had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the date of Disability.

 

The Administrator shall make the determination both as to whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.

 

21. EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT.

 

Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Grant Agreement, the following rules apply in the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of death, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant through the date of death as would have lapsed had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the Participant’s date of death.

 

 

22. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT.

 

Unless the offering and sale of the Shares shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue Shares under the Plan unless and until the following conditions have been fulfilled:

 

(a) The person who receives a Stock Right shall warrant to the Company, prior to the receipt of Shares, that such person is acquiring such Shares for his or her own account, for investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend (or a legend in substantially similar form) which shall be endorsed upon the certificate evidencing the Shares issued pursuant to such exercise or such grant:

 

“The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by any person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a Registration Statement with respect to such shares shall be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it that an exemption from registration under such Act is then available, and (2) there shall have been compliance with all applicable state securities laws.”

 

(b) At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued in compliance with the Securities Act without registration thereunder.

 

23. DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY.

 

Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised and all Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards which have not been accepted, to the extent required under the applicable Agreement, will terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a Participant or a Participant’s Survivors have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors will have the right immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise or accept any Stock Right to the extent that the Stock Right is exercisable or subject to acceptance as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any outstanding Stock-Based Awards shall immediately terminate unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specifically provided in the applicable Agreement.

 

24. ADJUSTMENTS.

 

Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Stock Right granted to him or her hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Participant’s Agreement:

 

(a) Stock Dividends and Stock Splits. If (i) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, or (ii) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock, each Stock Right and the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable thereunder shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made including, in the exercise or purchase price per share, to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraph 3(a) and 4(c) shall also be proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such events.

 

 

(b) Corporate Transactions. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a “Corporate Transaction”), the Administrator or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Board”), shall, as to outstanding Options, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that such Options must be exercised (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph), within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period such Options which have not been exercised shall terminate whether or not vested; or (iii) terminate such Options in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Option would have been exercisable (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph) less the aggregate exercise price thereof. For purposes of determining the payments to be made pursuant to Subclause (iii) above, in the case of a Corporate Transaction the consideration for which, in whole or in part, is other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be valued at the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

 

With respect to outstanding Stock Grants, the Administrator or the Successor Board, shall make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Stock Grants on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Stock Grants either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding Shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity. In lieu of the foregoing, in connection with any Corporate Transaction, the Administrator may provide that, upon consummation of the Corporate Transaction, each outstanding Stock Grant shall be terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising such Stock Grant (to the extent such Stock Grant is no longer subject to any forfeiture or repurchase rights then in effect or, at the discretion of the Administrator, all forfeiture and repurchase rights being waived upon such Corporate Transaction).

 

In taking any of the actions permitted under this Paragraph 24(b), the Administrator shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Stock Rights, all Stock Rights held by a Participant, or all Stock Rights of the same type, identically.

 

(c) Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company other than a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization shall be entitled to receive for the price paid upon such exercise or acceptance if any, the number of replacement securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted prior to such recapitalization or reorganization.

 

(d) Adjustments to Stock-Based Awards. Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Paragraph 24, including, but not limited to the effect of any, Corporate Transaction and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination shall be conclusive.

 

(e) Modification of Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to Subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) above with respect to Options shall be made only after the Administrator determines whether such adjustments would (i) constitute a “modification” of any ISOs (as that term is defined in Section 424(h) of the Code) or (ii) cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of Options, including, but not limited to, pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. If the Administrator determines that such adjustments made with respect to Options would constitute a modification or other adverse tax consequence, it may refrain from making such adjustments, unless the holder of an Option specifically agrees in writing that such adjustment be made and such writing indicates that the holder has full knowledge of the consequences of such “modification” on his or her income tax treatment with respect to the Option. This paragraph shall not apply to the acceleration of the vesting of any ISO that would cause any portion of the ISO to violate the annual vesting limitation contained in Section 422(d) of the Code, as described in Paragraph 6(b)(iv).

 

 

25. ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES.

 

Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Stock Rights. Except as expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company prior to any issuance of Shares pursuant to a Stock Right.

 

26. FRACTIONAL SHARES.

 

No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the person exercising a Stock Right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.

 

27. CONVERSION OF ISOs INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; TERMINATION OF ISOs.

 

The Administrator, at the written request of any Participant, may in its discretion take such actions as may be necessary to convert such Participant’s ISOs (or any portions thereof) that have not been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of such ISOs, regardless of whether the Participant is an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate at the time of such conversion. At the time of such conversion, the Administrator (with the consent of the Participant) may impose such conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Administrator in its discretion may determine, provided that such conditions shall not be inconsistent with this Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant the right to have such Participant’s ISOs converted into Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless the Administrator takes appropriate action. The Administrator, with the consent of the Participant, may also terminate any portion of any ISO that has not been exercised at the time of such conversion.

 

28. WITHHOLDING.

 

In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“F.I.C.A.”) withholdings or other amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld from the Participant’s salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with the issuance of a Stock Right or Shares under the Plan or for any other reason required by law, the Company may withhold from the Participant’s compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the Participant, the statutory minimum amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding arrangement, including the use of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or a promissory note, is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of payroll withholding shall be determined in the manner set forth under the definition of Fair Market Value provided in Paragraph 1 above, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date of exercise. If the Fair Market Value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer. The Administrator in its discretion may condition the exercise of an Option for less than the then Fair Market Value on the Participant’s payment of such additional withholding.

 

29. NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.

 

Each Employee who receives an ISO must agree to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Employee makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is defined in Section 424(c) of the Code and includes any disposition (including any sale or gift) of such Shares before the later of (a) two years after the date the Employee was granted the ISO, or (b) one year after the date the Employee acquired Shares by exercising the ISO, except as otherwise provided in Section 424(c) of the Code. If the Employee has died before such Shares are sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter.

 

 

30. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

 

The Plan will terminate on the date which is ten years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors and the date of its approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may be terminated at an earlier date by vote of the shareholders or the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall not affect any Agreements executed prior to the effective date of such termination. Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Stock Rights theretofore granted.

 

31. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS.

 

The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may also be amended by the Administrator, including, without limitation, to the extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding Stock Rights granted under the Plan or Stock Rights to be granted under the Plan for favorable federal income tax treatment as may be afforded incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code (including deferral of taxation upon exercise), and to the extent necessary to qualify the Shares issuable under the Plan for listing on any national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation system of securities dealers. In addition, if the Nasdaq Stock Market amends its corporate governance rules so that such rules no longer require stockholder approval of “material amendments” of equity compensation plans, then, from and after the effective date of such an amendment to such rules, no amendment of the Plan which (i) materially increases the number of shares to be issued under the Plan (other than to reflect a reorganization, stock split, merger, spin-off or similar transaction); (ii) materially increases the benefits to Participants, including any material change to: (a) permit a repricing (or decrease in exercise price) of outstanding Options, (b) reduce the price at which Shares or Options may be offered, or (c) extend the duration of the Plan; (iii) materially expands the class of Participants eligible to participate in the Plan; or (iv) expands the types of awards provided under the Plan shall become effective unless stockholder approval is obtained. Any amendment approved by the Administrator which the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires shareholder approval shall be subject to obtaining such shareholder approval. Any modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under a Stock Right previously granted to him or her. With the consent of the Participant affected, the Administrator may amend outstanding Agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Agreements may be amended by the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant.

 

32. EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP.

 

Nothing in this Plan or any Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Affiliate for any period of time.

 

33. GOVERNING LAW.

 

This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Texas.

 

 

---