form8-k2009adopt_1998amend.htm
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Date
of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): June 16, 2009
NATURAL GAS SERVICES GROUP,
INC.
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
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Colorado
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1-31398
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75-2811855
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(State
or Other Jurisdiction
of
Incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS
Employer Identification No.)
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508
West Wall Street, Suite 550
Midland,
TX 79701
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
(432)
262-2700
(Registrant’s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
(Former
Name or Former Address if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions (see General
Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material
pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b)).
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-14(c)).
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors
or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Adoption of 2009 Restricted
Stock/Unit Plan
On June
16, 2009, at our annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders adopted the
2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan (the “2009 Plan”). Our Board of
Directors previously approved the 2009 Plan, subject to shareholder
approval. A total of 300,000 shares of Company common stock are
reserved for issuance under the 2009 Plan, subject to adjustment as described
below.
The
purpose of the 2009 Plan is to retain employees and directors of the Company
having experience and ability, to attract new employees and directors whose
services are considered valuable, to encourage the sense of proprietorship, and
to stimulate the active interest of such persons in the development and
financial success of the Company. We believe that grants of restricted stock and
restricted stock units are an increasingly important means to retain and
compensate employees and directors. No awards have yet been granted
under the 2009 Plan.
A general
description of the principal terms of the 2009 Plan is set forth below. This
description is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the 2009 Plan, a copy
of which is attached to this report as Exhibit 10.1.
General
Description
Shares Reserved for Issuance under
the 2009 Plan. A total of 300,000 shares of our
common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2009 Plan. The number of shares
of our common stock available under the 2009 Plan will be subject to adjustment
in the event of a stock split, stock or other extraordinary dividend, or other
similar change in our common stock or capital structure.
Administration. The
2009 Plan is administered by the plan administrator, defined as one or more
committees of our Board of Directors consisting of independent
directors. The 2009 Plan appoints our Compensation Committee as the
administrator (the “Committee”).
Generally,
the Committee has the authority, in its discretion, (a) to select officers,
directors and employees to whom awards may be granted from time to time, (b) to
determine whether and to what extent, awards are granted, (c) to determine the
number of shares of our common stock, or the amount of other consideration to be
covered by each award, (d) to approve award agreements for use under the 2009
Plan, (e) to determine the terms and conditions of any award (including the
vesting schedule applicable to the award), (f) to amend the terms of any
outstanding award granted under the 2009 Plan, (g) to construe and interpret the
terms of the 2009 Plan and awards granted, and (h) to take such other action not
inconsistent with the terms of the 2009 Plan, as the Committee deems
appropriate.
Types of Awards;
Eligibility. Awards of
restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs) may be granted under the 2009
Plan. Awards of restricted stock are shares of our common stock that are awarded
subject to such restrictions on transfer as the Committee may establish. Awards
of RSUs are units valued by reference to shares of common stock that entitle a
participant to receive, upon the settlement of the unit, one share of our common
stock for each unit. Awards may be granted to our officers, directors and
employees and our related entities, if any. Each award granted under the 2009
Plan shall be designated in an award agreement.
Terms and Vesting of
Awards. As noted above,
the Committee determines the terms and conditions of each award granted to a
participant, including the restrictions applicable to shares underlying awards
of restricted stock and the dates these restrictions lapse and the award vests,
as well as the vesting and settlement terms applicable to RSUs. When an award
vests, we issue to the participant the number of shares of our common stock
earned without any legend or restrictions (except as necessary to comply with
applicable state and federal securities laws.)
In
addition to time-based vesting requirements, the Committee is also authorized to
establish performance goals in order for awards to vest. For
instance, quantitative performance standards, including, financial measurements
such as (a) increase in share price, (b) earnings per share,
(c) total shareholder return, (d) operating margin, (e) gross
margin, (f) return on equity, (g) return on assets, (h) net
operating income, (i) pre-tax profit, (j) cash flow, (k) revenue,
(l) expenses, (m) EBITDA, and (n) numbers of customers for various
services and products offered by us, or other performance goal requirements may
be adopted by the Committee and set forth in the particular restricted stock or
RSU agreement which must be met in order for shares to vest.
Termination of
Service. Unless otherwise set forth in an individual award
agreement, the 2009 Plan and forms of award agreements provide that in the event
a participant’s continuous service with us terminates as a result of death,
disability or retirement (an “Acceleration Event”), unvested shares or RSUs at
the time of termination due to an Acceleration Event will immediately become
vested, but only to the extent that such unvested shares or RSUs would have
vested within the 12 months following the Acceleration
Event. However, the Committee may revise this default provision on an
individual basis as it deems advisable. For example, the Committee
could elect to accelerate vesting for all unvested shares and/or RSUs upon the
occurrence of an Acceleration Event, or conversely provide that all unvested
shares and/or RSUs are forfeited upon the occurrence of an Acceleration
Event. In the case of a termination of service other than by an
Acceleration Event, any unvested shares of RSUs will immediately become null and
void, except that with respect to Restricted Stock awards, the Board of
Directors may vest any or all unvested shares in its discretion in the case of
any termination of service.
In
addition, subject to revision by the Committee, the default provisions of the
2009 Plan and form of award agreements provide that a Change of Control triggers
accelerated vesting of all shares or units. Under the 2009 Plan, a
Change in Control Event is generally defined as:
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a
complete liquidation or
dissolution;
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acquisition
of 50% or more of our stock by any individual or entity including by
tender offer or a reverse merger;
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a
merger or consolidation in which we are not the surviving entity;
or
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during
any period not longer than 12 consecutive months, members of the
Board who at the beginning of such period cease to constitute at least a
majority of the Board, unless the election, or the nomination for election
of each new Board member, was approved by a vote of at least 3/4 of the
Board members then still in office who were Board members at the beginning
of such period.
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Restricted
Stock. Under an award of restricted stock, we issue
shares of Company common stock in the participant’s name; however the
participant’s rights in the stock are restricted until the shares
vest. If the vesting requirements are not met prior to the end of the
vesting period, the shares are forfeited. In connection
with an award of restricted stock, since actual shares are issued and
outstanding, the participant is legally entitled to vote the shares and receive
any dividends declared and paid on our common stock prior to the satisfaction of
the vesting requirements. However, as discussed above, participants
who hold unvested restricted stock may not sell, assign or transfer such shares
until they have vested. The grant of restricted stock will subject
the recipient to ordinary compensation income on the difference between the
amount paid for such stock and the fair market value of the shares on the date
that the restrictions lapse. This income is subject to withholding for federal
income and employment tax purposes. We are entitled to an income tax deduction
in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the recipient, subject to
possible limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code, and so long as
we withhold the appropriate taxes with respect to such income (if required), and
the recipient’s total compensation is deemed reasonable in amount. Any gain or
loss on the recipient’s subsequent disposition of the shares will receive long
or short-term capital gain or loss treatment depending on how long the stock has
been held since the restrictions lapsed. We do not receive a tax deduction for
any such gain.
Restricted Stock Units. Like a
restricted stock award, a restricted stock unit is a grant valued in terms of
our common stock. Unlike a restricted stock award, no Company common stock is
issued at the time the RSU award is granted. Instead, the award is a
mere promise to deliver shares of Company common stock upon satisfaction of the
vesting requirements. Upon satisfaction of the vesting requirements
of the award, the Company then issues and delivers the number of shares subject
to the award. If the vesting requirements are not satisfied prior to
the end of the vesting period, the units expire and no shares are
issued. Since shares of our common stock are not issued in connection
with RSUs until such time as the vesting conditions have been satisfied,
participants in the 2009 Plan who receive awards of RSUs will not have any
voting rights and will not be entitled to dividends until such time as the units
vest and shares of Company common stock are issued.
Recipients
of RSUs generally should not recognize income until such units are converted
into shares of stock. Upon conversion, the recipient will normally recognize
taxable ordinary income for federal income tax purposes equal to the amount of
the fair market value of the shares. We will be entitled to a tax
deduction to the extent and in the year that ordinary income is recognized by
the recipient, subject to possible limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code (see below), and so long as we withhold the
appropriate taxes with respect to such income (if required), and the recipient’s
total compensation is deemed reasonable in amount.
Amendment, Suspension or Termination
of the Plan. We may at any time amend, suspend or
terminate the 2009 Plan. The 2009 Plan will be for a term of ten (10) years
unless sooner terminated. Awards may be granted under the 2009 Plan upon it
becoming effective, but awards granted prior to obtaining shareholder approval
will be rescinded if the shareholders do not approve the 2009
Plan. We may amend the 2009 Plan subject to compliance with
applicable provisions of federal securities laws, state corporate and securities
laws, the Internal Revenue Code, and the rules of the NYSE (or such other stock
exchange as our common stock may be traded upon at the time.)
Transferability of
Awards. Awards under the 2009 Plan are not
transferable.
Section 162(m) of the
Code. Under Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”)
Section 162(m), we are not allowed a tax deduction in any taxable year for
compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our “covered employees.” An
exception to this rule applies to compensation paid to a covered employee
pursuant to a stock incentive plan approved by shareholders and that specifies,
among other things, the maximum number of shares with respect to which
restricted stock and restricted stock units may be granted to eligible
participants under such plan during a specified period. In order for restricted
stock and restricted stock units to qualify as performance-based compensation,
the Committee must establish a performance goal with respect to such award in
writing not later than 90 days after the commencement of the services to which
it relates and while the outcome is substantially uncertain. In addition, the
performance goal must be stated in terms of an objective formula or
standard.
Under the
current version of Code Section 162(m), a “covered employee” includes our
chief executive officer and any other employee who is subject to the SEC's
disclosure rules because the employee is one of our three highest compensated
officers (other than the chief executive officer or the chief financial
officer).
The
maximum number of shares with respect to which awards of restricted stock and
restricted stock units that are intended to be performance-based compensation
under
Section 162(m)
of the Code, that may be granted to a participant during a calendar year is
25,000 shares. The foregoing limitation shall be adjusted proportionately by the
Committee in connection with any change in our capitalization due to a stock
split, stock dividend, or similar event affecting our common stock and its
determination shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Change in
Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
our shareholders, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding
awards, the number of shares of Common Stock that have been authorized for
issuance under the 2009 Plan, the exercise or purchase price of each outstanding
award, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be granted subject
to awards to any participant in a calendar year, and the like, shall be
proportionally adjusted by the Committee in the event of: (i) any increase
or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a
stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification or similar event
affecting our Common Stock; (ii) any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by us; or (iii) any other transaction with respect to Common
Stock including a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or
stock, separation (including a spin-off or other distribution of stock or
property), reorganization, liquidation (whether partial or complete),
distribution of cash or other assets to shareholders other than a normal cash
dividend, or any similar transaction; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected
without receipt of consideration.” Except as the Committee determines, no
issuance by us of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of
any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason hereof shall be made with
respect to, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to an
award.
Amendment to 1998 Stock
Option Plan
On June 16, 2009, at our annual meeting
of shareholders, our shareholders approved a proposed amendment to our 1998
Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”) to add an additional 200,000 shares of
common stock to the Plan, thereby authorizing the issuance of up to 750,000
shares of common stock under the Plan.
History
of the Plan and Description of the Proposed Amendment
On
December 18, 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the 1998 Stock Option Plan of
Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (the “1998 Plan”), and directed that the 1998
Plan be submitted to the shareholders for approval. The 1998 Plan became
effective when it received such approval on December 18, 1998. On May
9, 2006, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors voted to amend the
1998 Plan and the amendments were approved by our shareholders at our 2006
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The 2006 amendments, among other
things, extended the 1998 Plan until March 1, 2016 and increased the number of
shares of common stock issuable under the Plan from 150,000 to
550,000.
On April 15, 2009, the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors proposed to further amend the 1998 Plan to
add an additional 200,000 shares of common stock subject to the approval of our
shareholders at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders.
The
purposes of the 1998 Plan, which was unchanged by the amendment, are to attract
and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to employees and consultants and
to promote the success of our business.
Summary
Description of the 1998 Plan
The
following summary of the 1998 Plan, as amended, is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the text of the 1998 Plan, as amended, which is attached as Exhibit
10.2 to this report. The 1998 Plan has been and will continue to be administered
by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The Compensation
Committee has full and final authority, in its discretion, to
grant incentive stock options or non-statutory stock options, to
select the persons who would be granted stock options and determine
the number of shares subject to each option, the duration and
exercise period of each option and the terms and conditions of each
option granted.
The Major Provisions of the 1998 Plan
as amended are as follows:
Eligibility. The Compensation
Committee is authorized to grant stock options to any person selected by the
Compensation Committee, including employees, officers who are also directors of
Natural Gas Services Group, directors who are not employees of Natural Gas
Services Group and consultants. Incentive stock options may be
granted only to employees of Natural Gas Services Group.
Option Price. The option
exercise price for shares of common stock issued upon exercise of an option is
such price as is determined by the Compensation Committee. However, for
incentive stock options granted to employees the option price will be not less
than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date the option is
granted, except that if an incentive stock option is granted to an employee who
owns more than 10% of our outstanding common stock, the option price will be not
less than 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
grant. Fair market value for purposes of the 1998 Plan is the average between
the high and low price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on the relevant date.
Duration of Options. Each
stock option will terminate on the date fixed by the Compensation Committee,
which shall be not more than ten years after the date of grant. However, in the
case of an incentive stock option granted to an employee who, at the time the
option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the our outstanding
stock, the term of the option will be five years from the date of grant or such
shorter time as may be provided in the stock option agreement.
Exercise
Period. In the case of incentive stock options, if an
optionee’s employment is terminated for any reason, except death or disability,
the optionee has three months in which to exercise an option (but only to the
extent exercisable on the date of termination) unless the option by its terms
expires earlier. If the employment of the optionee terminates by reason of total
and permanent disability, the option may be exercised during the period of
twelve months following termination of employment. If an optionee
dies while an employee or within three months from the date of termination, the
right to exercise shall terminate twelve months from the date of
death. The options terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or
liquidation of Natural Gas Services Group, unless the Compensation Committee
gives each optionee the right to exercise his option as to all or any part of
the option, including shares as to which the option would not otherwise be
exercisable. If we sell all or substantially all of our assets or we
merge with or into another entity in a transaction in which it is not the
survivor, options will be assumed or an
equivalent option will be substituted by the successor corporation, unless the
Compensation Committee determines that the optionee has the right to exercise
the option as to all of the shares, including shares as to which the option
would not otherwise be exercisable. The Compensation Committee has
the right to alter the terms of any option at grant or while outstanding
pursuant to the terms of the 1998 Plan.
Payment. Payment
for stock purchased on the exercise of a stock option must be made in full at
the time the stock option is exercised. The Compensation Committee
may, in its discretion, permit payment for the exercise price to be made in
cash, check, other shares of common stock having a fair market value on the date
of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares as to which the
option is exercised, or any combination of such methods of payment, or such
other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of shares as
permitted under the Colorado Business Corporation Act.
Shares That May Be Issued under the
1998 Plan. A maximum of 750,000 shares of our common stock, as
may be adjusted as described below, may be issued upon exercise of stock options
granted under the 1998 Plan. As of the date of this report, 352,931
shares of common stock have already been issued or are subject to currently
outstanding stock options. The number of shares available under the 1998 Plan is
subject to adjustment in the event of any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, spin-off or other similar action. If any stock option
terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full,
the shares of stock not issued will then become available for additional grants
of options.
Termination
of and Amendments to the 1998 Plan
The Board
of Directors may terminate or amend the 1998 Plan from time to time in any
manner permitted by applicable laws and regulations, except that no additional
shares of our common stock may be allocated to the 1998 Plan and no change in
the class of employees eligible to receive incentive stock options or any other
material amendment to the 1998 Plan may be made without the approval of the
shareholders.
Item
9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
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Description
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10.1
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2009
Restricted Stock/Unit Plan
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10.2
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1998
Stock Option Plan, as
amended
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
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NATURAL
GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
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Dated:
June 18, 2009
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By:
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/s/
Stephen C. Taylor
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Stephen
C. Taylor
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President
& Chief Executive Officer
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exhibit10_1-2009adopt.htm
Exhibit
10.1
NATURAL
GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
2009
RESTRICTED STOCK/UNIT PLAN
1. Purposes of the
Plan. The purpose of this 2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan is
to promote the success of Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. (the “Company”) by
providing additional incentives to attract, motivate, retain and reward
qualified and competent Employees, Officers and independent Directors of the
Company upon whose efforts and judgment the success of the Company is largely
dependent, through the encouragement of stock ownership in the Company by such
individuals.
2. Definitions. The
following definitions shall apply as used herein and in the individual Award
Agreements except as defined otherwise in an individual Award
Agreement. In the event a term is separately defined in an individual
Award Agreement, such definition shall supercede the definition contained in
this Section 2.
(a) “Administrator”
means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(b) “Applicable
Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under
applicable provisions of federal securities laws, state corporate and securities
laws, the Code, the rules and listing requirements of any established stock
exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is traded, and the
rules of any non-U.S. jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents
thereof.
(c) “Award”
means the grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units under the
Plan.
(d) “Award
Agreement” means the written Restricted Stock Agreement or the Restricted Stock
Unit Agreement evidencing the grant of an Award setting forth the terms and
conditions of such Award executed by the Company and the Participant, including
any amendments thereto.
(e) “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) “Cause”
means (i) a material act of theft, misappropriation or conversion of corporate
funds committed by the Participant or (ii) the Participant’s demonstrably
willful, deliberate and continued failure to follow reasonable directives of the
Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which are within the
Participant’s ability to perform. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for
the 24-month period following a Change in Control, the Participant shall not be
deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until: (x) there shall have
been delivered to the Participant a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
Board in good faith at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose
(after reasonable notice to the Participant and an opportunity for the
Participant, together with his or her counsel, to be heard before the Board),
finding that the Participant was guilty of conduct set forth above and
specifying the particulars thereof in reasonable detail; and (y) if the
Participant contests such finding (or a conclusion that he or she has failed to
timely cure the performance in response thereto), the arbitrator, by final
determination in an arbitration proceeding pursuant to Section 17, below, has
concluded that the Participant’s conduct met the standard for termination for
Cause above and that the Board’s conduct met the standards of good faith and
satisfied the procedural and substantive conditions of this Section 2(f)
(collectively, the “Necessary Findings”). The Participant’s costs of
the arbitration shall be advanced by the Company and shall be repaid to the
Company if the arbitrator makes the Necessary Findings.
(g) “Change
in Control Event” means any of the
following:
(i) The
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, other than in the context of a
transaction that does not constitute a Change in Control Event under clause (ii)
below.
(ii) A
merger, consolidation, or other reorganization, with or into, or the sale of all
or substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets as an entirety to,
one or more entities that are not Subsidiaries or other affiliates (a “Business
Combination”), unless (A) as a result of the Business Combination at least 50%
of the outstanding securities voting generally in the election of directors of
the surviving or resulting
entity or
a Parent thereof (the “Successor Entity”) immediately after the reorganization
are, or will be, owned, directly or indirectly, by shareholders of the Company
immediately before the Business Combination; and (B) at least 50% of the members
of the board of directors of the entity resulting from the Business Combination
were members of the Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement
or of the action of the Board approving the Business Combination. The
shareholders before and after the Business Combination shall be determined on
the presumptions that (x) there is no change in the record ownership of the
Company’s securities from the record date for such approval until the
consummation of the Business Combination; and (y) record owners of securities of
the Company hold no securities of the other parties to such
reorganization.
(iii) Any
“person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act),
other than an Excluded Person, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s
then outstanding securities entitled to then vote generally in the election of
Directors of the Company, other than as a result of (A) an acquisition directly
from the Company, (B) an acquisition by the Company, (C) an acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
or a Successor Entity, or an acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction
which is expressly excluded under clause (ii) above.
(iv) During
any period not longer than twelve consecutive months, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted the Board cease to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election by the
Company’s shareholders, of each new Board member was approved by a vote of at
least three-quarters of the Board members then still in office who were Board
members at the beginning of such period (including for these purposes, new
members whose election or nomination was so approved), but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board.
(h) “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(i) “Committee”
means the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Committee shall be appointed
by the Board and shall consist of two or more outside, disinterested members of
the Board. The Committee, in the judgment of the Board, shall be qualified to
administer the Plan as contemplated by (i) Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange
Act (or any successor rule), (ii) Section 162(m) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder (or any successor Section and regulations), and
(iii) any rules and regulations of a stock exchange on which the Common
Stock is traded. Any member of the Committee who does not satisfy the
qualifications set out in the preceding sentence may recuse himself or herself
from any vote or other action taken by the Committee. The Board may, at any time
and in its complete discretion, remove any member of the Committee and may fill
any vacancy in the Committee.
(j) “Common
Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(k) “Company”
means Natural Gas Services Group, Inc., a Colorado corporation, or any
successor entity that adopts the Plan in connection with a Change in
Control.
(l)
“Continuous Service” means that your employment relationship is not interrupted
or terminated by you, the Company or any Related Entity. Your employment
relationship will not be considered interrupted in the case of: (i) any
leave of absence approved in accordance with the Company’s written personnel
policies, including sick leave, family leave, military leave or any other
personal leave; or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or
between the Company and any Related Entity or successor; provided, however,
that, unless otherwise provided in the Company’s written personnel policies, in
this Agreement or under Applicable Laws, rules or regulations or unless the
Committee has otherwise expressly provided for different treatment with respect
to this Agreement, (x) no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, and
(y) any vesting shall cease on the ninety-first (91 st)
consecutive date of any leave of absence during which your employment
relationship is deemed to continue and will not recommence until such date, if
any, upon which you resume service with the Company, Related Entity or
successor. If you resume such service in accordance with the terms of the
Company’s military leave policy, upon resumption of service you will be given
vesting credit for the full duration of your leave of
absence.
Continuous employment will be deemed interrupted and terminated for an Employee
if the Participant’s weekly work hours change from full time to part time.
Part-time status for the purpose of vesting continuation will be determined in
accordance with policies adopted by the Company from time to time.”
(m) “Covered
Employee” means an Employee who is a “covered employee” under
Section 162(m)(3) of the Code.
(n) “Director”
means a non-Employee member of the Board or the board of directors of any
Related Entity.
(o) “Disability” means
any physical or mental impairment which qualifies an Employee for disability
benefits under any applicable long-term disability plan maintained by the
Company, provided the definition of disability applied under such disability
insurance plan complies with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-3(i)(4)(i) or, if no such plan is in place or applies or if the
definition of “disability” under such disability insurance plan does not comply
with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(4)(i), any
physical or mental impairment which would be determined to be totally disabled
by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board. If
the Company or the Related Entity to which the Participant provides service does
not have a long-term disability plan in place, “Disability” means that a
Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of
any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than twelve months.
(p) “Employee”
means any person, including an Officer or member of the Board of the Company or
the board of directors of a Related Entity, who is in the employ of the Company
or any Related Entity, subject to the control and direction of the Company or
any Related Entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method
of performance. The payment of a director’s fee by the Company or a
Related Entity shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the
Company.
(q) “Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(r) “Excluded
Person” means (i) any person described in and satisfying the conditions of Rule
13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Company or (iii) an employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or the
Successor Entity.
(s) “Maximum
Aggregate Number of Shares” to be issued under the Plan means the total number
of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards of Restricted Stock and
Restricted Stock Units under the Plan which is 300,000 Shares. The
Shares to be issued pursuant to Awards may be authorized, but unissued, or
reacquired Shares.
(t) “Officer”
means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Entity within the
meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(u) “Parent”
means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(e) of the Code.
(v) “Participant”
means an Employee or Director who receives an Award under the Plan.
(w) “Performance-Based
Compensation” means compensation qualifying as “performance-based compensation”
under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(x) “Plan”
means this 2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan.
(y) “Related
Entity” means any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
(z) “Restricted
Stock” means Shares issued under the Plan to the Participant for such
consideration, if any, and subject to such restrictions on transfer, rights of
first refusal, repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions, and other terms and
conditions as established by the Administrator.
(aa) “Restricted
Stock Units” or “Units” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part
upon the passage of time or the attainment of performance criteria established
by the Administrator and which may be settled for Shares or other securities or
a combination of Shares or other securities as established by the
Administrator.
(bb) “Retirement”
means:
(i) with
respect to Employees, termination of an Employee’s employment in accordance with
the Company’s retirement policies, as in effect from time to time, if on the
date of such termination (A) the Employee is at least 55 years old and
his or her Continued Service has extended for at least five years, and
(B) the number of full years in the Employee’s age and his or her number of
full years of Continued Service total at least 65. By way of illustration, if an
Employee terminates his or her employment in accordance with the Company’s
retirement policies on his or her 63rd birthday after six years of Continued
Service, the Employee’s total would be 69 and his or her termination would be
treated as a Retirement; if the Employee’s Continued Service had extended for
only four years, his or her total would be 67 but the termination would not be
treated as a Retirement since he or she would not have met the minimum of five
years of Continued Service.
(ii) with
respect to non-Employee Directors, termination of membership on the Company’s
Board of Directors at the expiration of the Director’s term of office (unless
the Director is then elected for another term of office), or under such other
circumstances as the Board may determine to constitute retirement.
(cc) “Rule 16b-3”
means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor
thereto.
(dd) “Share”
means a share of the Common Stock.
(ee) “Specified
Employee” means an Employee defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A-1(i).
(ff) “Subsidiary”
means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined
in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(hh) “Term”
means the ten (10) year period following the approval of the Plan by the
Company’s shareholders.
3. Shares Subject to the
Plan.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of Section 9 below, the
maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards of
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units is 300,000 Shares. The
Shares to be issued pursuant to Awards may be authorized, but unissued, or
reacquired Common Stock.
(b) Shares
that actually have been issued under the Plan pursuant to an Award shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future issuance under
the Plan and shall be deemed to have been issued for purposes of determining the
Maximum Aggregate Number of Shares, except (i) any Shares covered by an Award
(or portion of an Award) which are forfeited, canceled or expired (whether
voluntarily or involuntarily) shall be deemed not to have been issued for
purposes of determining the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be
issued under the Plan and (ii) during the ten (10) year period
following approval of the Plan by the Company’s shareholders and to the extent
not prohibited by Applicable Law, any Shares covered by an Award, which are
surrendered in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations incident to the
vesting of an Award, shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of
determining the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan,
unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
4. Administration of the
Plan.
(a) Plan
Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee.
(b) Powers of the
Administrator. Subject to Applicable Laws and the provisions
of the Plan (including any other powers given to the Administrator hereunder),
and except as otherwise provided by the Board, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:
(i) to
select the Employees and Directors to whom Awards may be granted from time to
time hereunder;
(ii) to
determine whether and to what extent Awards are granted hereunder;
(iii) to
determine the number of Shares or Restricted Stock Units to be covered by each
Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to
approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v)
to determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted
hereunder;
(vi) to
amend the terms of any outstanding Award granted under the Plan, provided that
any amendment that would adversely affect the Participant’s rights under an
outstanding Award or which would subject the Participant to the tax and other
negative impacts of Section 409A shall not be made without the Participant’s
written consent;
(vii) to
construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards, including without
limitation, any Award or Award Agreement, granted pursuant to the Plan; and
(viii) to
take such other action, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the
Administrator deems appropriate.
(c) Interpretation of
Plan. The Committee
shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret the Plan and to
adopt or establish such rules, regulations, agreements, guidelines, procedures
and instruments, which are not contrary to the terms of the Plan and which, in
its opinion, may be necessary or advisable for the administration and operation
of the Plan. The Committee’s interpretations of the Plan, and all actions taken
and determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it
hereunder, shall be conclusive and binding on all parties concerned, including
the Company, its stockholders and any Participant.
(d) Indemnification.
In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members
of the Board or as Officers or Employees of the Company or a Related Entity,
members of the Board and any Officers or Employees of the Company or a Related
Entity to whom authority to act for the Board, the Administrator or the Company
is delegated shall be defended and indemnified by the Company to the extent
permitted by law on an after-tax basis against all reasonable expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with
the defense of any claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, or in
connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party
by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the
Plan, or any Award granted hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in
settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by the Company) or paid
by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such claim, investigation, action,
suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be
adjudged in such claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding that such
person is liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct;
provided, however, that within thirty (30) days after the institution of such
claim, investigation, action, suit or proceeding, such person shall offer to the
Company, in writing, the opportunity at the Company’s expense to defend the
same.
5. Eligibility. Awards
may be granted to full-time, permanent Employees and Directors. An
Employee or Director who has been granted an Award may, if otherwise eligible,
be granted additional
Awards. Notwithstanding,
non-employee Directors shall not be eligible for an award of a Restricted Stock
Unit.
6. Terms and Conditions of
Awards.
(a) Designation of
Award. Each Award shall be designated in the Award
Agreement.
(b) Conditions of
Award. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator
shall determine the provisions, terms and conditions of each Award including,
but not limited to, the Award vesting schedule (if any), resale restrictions
applicable to the Shares issued pursuant to Awards, forfeiture provisions and
satisfaction of any performance criteria.
(e) Individual Limit for
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. For awards of
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that are intended to be
Performance-Based Compensation, the maximum number of Shares with respect to
which such Awards may be granted to any Participant in any calendar year shall
be 25,000 Shares. The foregoing limitation shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization
pursuant to Section 9 below.
(f) No
Transferability of
Awards. Awards may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred
or disposed of in any manner. Any attempted sale, pledge, assignment,
transfer or disposal shall be null and void.
(g) Date of Grant of
Award. The date of grant of an Award shall for all purposes be
the date on which the Administrator approves the grant of such
Award.
7. Taxes. No
Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Participant or other person
until such Participant or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the
Administrator for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or non-U.S.
income and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without
limitation, obligations incident to the receipt of Shares. Upon
the issuance of Shares, the Company shall withhold or collect from
Participant an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations, including, but
not limited to, by surrender of Shares covered by the Award sufficient to
satisfy the minimum applicable tax withholding obligations incident to the
vesting of an Award. Participant shall in all instances be liable for
any personal taxes related to any Award and/or vesting of an Award, whether said
taxes have been withheld by the Company or not.
8. Conditions Upon Issuance of
Shares.
(a) If
at any time the Administrator determines that the delivery of Shares pursuant to
an Award is or may be unlawful under or contrary to Applicable Laws, the vesting
of an Award or to otherwise receive Shares pursuant to the terms of an Award
shall be suspended until the Administrator determines that such delivery is
lawful and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company
with respect to such compliance.
(b) The
Company shall have no obligation to effect any registration or qualification of
the Shares under federal or state laws.
(c) As
a condition to the exercise or issuance of an Award, the Company may require the
person exercising or receiving such Award to represent and warrant at the time
of issuance that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without
any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any Applicable
Laws.
9. Adjustments Upon Changes in
Capitalization. In the event of a subdivision of the
outstanding Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a combination
or consolidation of the outstanding Stock into a lesser number of Shares, a
reclassification, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company,
proportionate adjustments shall automatically be made in each of (i) the number
of Shares available for future grants under Section 3(a), (ii) the number of
Shares covered by
each
outstanding Award and (iii) the maximum number of Shares with respect to which
Awards may be granted to any Participant in any calendar year
10. Change in
Control. Except as provided otherwise in an individual Award
Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, each unvested portion of any
Award which, at the time, is outstanding under the Plan automatically (i)
shall become fully vested and be released from any repurchase, forfeiture
or transfer restrictions and (ii) with respect to unvested Restricted Stock
Units, shall vest and be converted into Shares, immediately prior to the
date of such Change in Control.
11. Effective Date and Term of
Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the
Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years
unless sooner terminated. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company. Such shareholder
approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner required under Applicable
Laws. Awards may be granted under the Plan upon its becoming
effective, but any Award granted before shareholder approval is obtained shall
be rescinded if shareholders fail to approve the Plan at the next shareholder
meeting that occurs after the Plan is adopted by the Board.
12. Amendment, Suspension or
Termination of the Plan.
(a) The
Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan for any reason;
provided, however, that:
(i) no
such amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan may be implemented if such
amendment, suspension or termination causes any Award granted prior to such
amendment, suspension or termination to be subject to the tax and penalty
provisions of Section 409A of the Code without the explicit approval of the
Participants impacted by such amendment, suspension or termination;
and
(ii) no
such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company’s shareholders
to the extent such approval is required by Applicable Laws;
(b) No
Award may be granted during any suspension of the Plan or after termination of
the Plan.
(c) No
suspension or termination of the Plan shall adversely affect any rights under
Awards already granted to a Participant.
13. Reservation of
Shares.
(a) The
Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times reserve and keep
available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.
(b) The
inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having
jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary
to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the
Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares
as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
14. No Effect on Terms of
Employment. The Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any
right with respect to the Participant’s Continuous Service, nor shall it
interfere in any way with his or her right or the right of the Company or any
Related Entity to terminate the Participant’s Continuous Service at any time,
with or without Cause, and with or without notice. The ability of the
Company or any Related Entity to terminate the employment of a Participant who
is employed at will is in no way affected by its determination that the
Participant’s Continuous Service has been terminated for Cause for the purposes
of the Plan.
15. No Effect on Retirement and
Other Benefit Plans. Except as specifically provided in a
retirement or other benefit plan of the Company or a Related Entity, Awards
shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits or
contributions under any retirement plan of the Company or a Related Entity, and
shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan of any kind or any
benefit plan subsequently instituted under which
the
availability or amount of benefits is related to level of
compensation. The Plan is not a “Retirement Plan” or “Welfare Plan”
under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
16. Construction. Captions
and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the
meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when
otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and
the plural shall include the singular. Use of the term “or” is not
intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise.
17. Arbitration and
Litigation.
(a) Any
dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in respect to this Plan (or its
validity, interpretation or enforcement) or the subject matter hereof must be
submitted to and settled by arbitration conducted before a single arbitrator
(chosen from a list of arbitrators provided by the American Arbitration
Association with each party hereto taking alternate strikes and the remaining
arbitrator hearing the dispute). The arbitration will be conducted in
Midland, Texas, or the then current location of the Company’s headquarters, in
accordance with the then current rules of the American Arbitration Association
or its successor. The arbitration of such issues, including the
determination of any amount of damages suffered, will be final and binding upon
the parties to the maximum extent permitted by law. The arbitrator in
such action will not be authorized to change or modify any provision of the
Plan. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator will
award reasonable legal fees and expenses (including arbitration costs) to the
prevailing party upon application therefor. The parties consent to
the venue and jurisdiction of the state court or federal district court where
the Company’s headquarters are then located for all purposes in connection with
arbitration, including the entry of judgment of any award.
(b) Except
as may be necessary to enter judgment upon the award or to the extent required
by applicable law, all claims, defenses and proceedings (including, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the existence of the controversy and
the fact that there is an arbitration proceeding) shall be treated in a
confidential manner by the arbitrator, the parties and their counsel, and each
of their agents and employees, and all others acting on behalf or in concert
with them. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no one
shall divulge to any third party or person not directly involved in the
arbitration, the contents of the pleadings, papers, orders, hearings, trials, or
awards in the arbitration, except as may be necessary to enter judgment upon an
award as required by applicable law. Any court proceedings relating
to the arbitration hereunder, including, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, to prevent or compel arbitration to perform, correct, vacate or
otherwise enforce an arbitration award, shall be filed under seal with the
court, to the extent permitted by law. Violation of the aforesaid
confidentiality shall result in the forfeiture of any resulting
award.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Board of Directors of the Company approved this Natural Gas
Services Group, Inc. 2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan on the 15th day of
April 2009 and the Company has executed this Plan Document effective the 16th
day of June 2009.
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NATURAL
GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
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By:
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/s/
Stephen C. Taylor
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Stephen
C. Taylor, President and
CEO
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NATURAL
GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
2009
RESTRICTED STOCK/UNIT PLAN
RESTRICTED
STOCK AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF AWARD OF
RESTRICTED STOCK
Award # RS
Participant’s
Name and Address:
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Natural
Gas Services Group, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants you,
(the “Participant”), the number of shares of restricted stock indicated below
(the “Restricted Stock” or “Restricted Shares”) under the Company’s 2009
Restricted Stock/Unit Plan (the “Plan”). The date of this Agreement is (the
“Grant Date”). Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and of the Plan, the
principal features of this Restricted Stock award are as follows:
Number of Shares of
Restricted Stock:
_________.
Vesting
Schedule:
Thirty-three
percent (33%) of the shares of Restricted Stock shall vest on each of the first
three anniversaries of the date hereof (each a “Vesting Date” and collectively,
the “Vesting Dates”), subject to Participant’s Continued Service through each
such date and the terms of this Agreement and the Plan.
Your signature below indicates your
agreement and understanding that this Award is subject to all of the terms and
conditions contained in the Plan and this Restricted Stock Agreement (the
“Agreement”), which includes this Notice of Award of Restricted Stock and the
Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Award. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ALL OF THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN, WHICH CONTAINS THE SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD.
Award
Number: RS-__________
NATURAL
GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
2009
RESTRICTED STOCK/UNIT PLAN
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD
1. Award of Restricted
Stock. Natural Gas Services Group, Inc., a Colorado
corporation (the “Company”), hereby issues to the Participant under the Natural
Gas Services Group, Inc. 2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan, as amended from time
to time (the “Plan”), an award (the “Award”) of the number of shares of
restricted stock (the “Restricted Shares”) set forth in this Restricted Stock
Agreement (the “Agreement”), which consists of the attached Notice of Award of
Restricted Stock (the “Notice”) and these Terms and Conditions of Restricted
Stock Award. Unless otherwise provided herein, the terms in this
Agreement shall have the same meaning as those defined in the Plan.
2. Vesting
Schedule.
(a) Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement or in the Plan, the shares of Restricted
Stock awarded by this Agreement are scheduled to vest in accordance with the
vesting schedule set forth in the Notice. Shares of Restricted Stock
scheduled to vest on a Vesting Date will vest only if the Participant remains in
Continued Service through such Vesting Date. Should the Participant’s
Continued Service end at any time (the “Termination Date”), any unvested
Restricted Stock will be immediately cancelled; provided, however, that if
termination of Continued Service is the result of the Participant’s death,
Disability or Retirement, then any unvested Restricted Stock that would have
vested by their terms within twelve (12) months after the Termination Date
had the Participant remained in Continued Service will be deemed to be vested on
the Termination Date. In addition, the Board of Directors may, in its
discretion, vest any unvested Restricted Stock upon termination of Continued
Service.
(b) All
unvested Restricted Stock which is not vested on the Termination Date pursuant
to the provisions of paragraph 2(a) held by the Participant shall be deemed
forfeited and reconveyed to the Company. Participant hereby appoints
the Company, or any escrow agent the Company may appoint, with full power of
substitution, as Participant’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact with irrevocable
power and authority in Participant’s name and behalf to take any action an
execute all documents and instruments, including without limitation, stock
powers which may be necessary to transfer the stock certificate or certificates
evidencing such unvested Restricted Shares to the Company upon the forfeiture of
such shares. Participant will receive no payment for forfeited shares
of unvested Restricted Stock.
3. Delivery of Restricted
Stock; Stockholder Rights. The unvested shares of Restricted
Stock set forth in the Notice portion of this Agreement will be issued and
delivered to a book entry account maintained by the Company’s transfer
agent. Thereafter, subject to the forfeiture provisions referenced in
this Agreement, Participant shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of a
stockholder of the Company in respect to such shares of Restricted Stock,
including the right to vote and receive dividends (subject to applicable tax
withholding obligations) during the vesting period on the same basis as all
other issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock.
4 . Taxes.
(a) Tax
Liability. The Participant is ultimately liable and
responsible for all taxes owed by the Participant in connection with the Award,
regardless of any action the Company or any Related Entity takes with respect to
any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the
Award. Neither the Company nor any Related Entity makes any
representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in
connection with the grant or vesting of the Award or the subsequent sale of
vested Restricted Stock issuable
pursuant
to the Award. The Company does not commit and is under no obligation
to structure the Award to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s tax
liability.
(b) Payment of Withholding
Taxes. No stock certificates will be released to the
Participant unless the Participant has made acceptable arrangements to pay any
withholding taxes that may be due as a result of this award or the vesting of
shares of Restricted Stock. The Company, in its sole discretion and
pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit you
to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part (without
limitation) by (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold
otherwise then deliverable vested shares of Restricted Stock having a fair
market value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, and
(iii) delivering to the Company of vested and owned shares of our common
stock having a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld or
(iv) through any other lawful manner.
The
Company shall withhold from any dividends paid during the restricted period only
the amounts the Company is required to withhold to satisfy any applicable tax
withholding requirements with respect to such dividends based on minimum
statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including any
payroll taxes.
The
Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses,
costs, damages, or expenses relating to inadequate
withholding. Accordingly, the Participant agrees to pay to the
Company or any Related Entity as soon as practicable, including through
additional payroll withholding, any amount of the tax withholding obligation
that is not satisfied by the withholding methods described
above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company or a Related Entity
also may satisfy any tax withholding obligation by offsetting any amounts
(including, but not limited to, salary, bonus, and severance payments) payable
to the Participant by the Company and/or a Related Entity.
(c) Consequences of 83(b)
Election. The provisions of paragraph 5(b) will not apply
if the Participant chooses to make the election under Section 83(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code Section (see paragraph 6 of this
Agreement.) Upon such an election, the Participant shall remit to the
company in cash any and all taxes which the Company may be required to withhold
with respect to such election.
5. Section 83(b) Election for
Shares. Participant understands that under Section 83(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the excess of the fair market value
of the Restricted Shares on the date the forfeiture restrictions lapse over the
purchase price, if any, paid for such Restricted Shares will be taxed, on the
date such forfeiture restrictions lapse, as ordinary income subject to payroll
and withholding tax and tax reporting, as applicable. For this purpose, the term
“forfeiture restrictions” means the right of the Company to receive back any
unvested Restricted Shares upon termination of your employment with the Company
or any Related Entity. You understand that you may elect under
Section 83(b) of the Code (an “83(b) Election”) to be taxed at the time the
Restricted Shares are awarded, rather than when and as the Restricted Shares
cease to be subject to the forfeiture restrictions. An 83(b)
Election must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days from the
Date of Award as set forth above in the Notice.
Participant
understands that (a) he or she will not be entitled to a deduction for any
ordinary income previously recognized as a result of the 83(b) Election if the
Restricted Shares are subsequently forfeited to the Company and (b) the
83(b) Election may cause Participant to recognize more ordinary income than he
or she would have otherwise recognized if the value of the Restricted Shares
subsequently declines.
THE FORM
FOR MAKING AN 83(b) ELECTION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
OR A TAX PROFESSIONAL. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT FAILURE TO FILE SUCH AN
ELECTION WITHIN THE 30-DAY PERIOD MAY RESULT IN THE RECOGNITION OF ORDINARY
INCOME BY YOU AS THE FORFEITURE RESTRICTIONS LAPSE. You further
understand that an additional copy of such election form should be filed with
your federal income tax return for the calendar year in which the date of this
Award falls. You acknowledge that the foregoing is only a summary of the federal
income tax laws that apply to the purchase of the Restricted Shares under this
Award and does not purport to be complete.
YOU
FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE COMPANY HAS DIRECTED YOU TO SEEK INDEPENDENT ADVICE
REGARDING THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE AND THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY
MUNICIPALITY OR STATE IN WHICH YOU MAY RESIDE.
You agree
to deliver to the Company a copy of the 83(b) Election if you choose to make
such an election.
INDEPENDENT
TAX ADVICE. Participant acknowledges that determining the actual tax
consequences of receiving or disposing of the Restricted Shares may be
complicated. These tax consequences will depend, in part, on Participant’s
specific situation and may also depend on the resolution of currently uncertain
tax law and other variables not within the control of the Company. Participant
is aware that he or she should consult a competent and independent tax advisor
for a full understanding of the specific tax consequences of receiving or
disposing of the Restricted Shares. Prior to executing this Award, Participant
has either consulted with a competent tax advisor independent of the Company or
Related Entity to obtain tax advice concerning the Restricted Shares in light of
Participant’s specific situation or has had the opportunity to consult with such
a tax advisor but chose not to do so.
6. No Effect on Employment or
Service. The Participant’s employment with the Company or any
Related Entity is on an at-will basis only, subject to the provisions of
applicable law. Accordingly, subject to any written, express employment contract
with the Participant, nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon
the Participant any right to continue to be employed by the Company or any
Related Entity or shall interfere with, or restrict in any way, the rights of
the Company or the employing Related Entity, which are hereby expressly
reserved, to terminate the employment of the Participant at any time for any
reason whatsoever, with or without good cause. Such reservation of
rights can be modified only in an express written contract executed by a duly
authorized officer of the Company or Related Entity employing the
Participant.
7. Address for
Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms
of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Company, in care of Earl R. Wait,
Vice President -- Accounting at the Company’s headquarters, 508 West Wall
Street, Suite 550, Midland, Texas 79701, or at such other address as the
Company may hereafter designate in writing.
8. Award is Not
Transferable. This grant and the rights and privileges
conferred hereby shall not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in
any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to
sale under execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt
to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this grant, or
of any right or privilege conferred hereby, or upon any attempted sale under any
execution, attachment or similar process, this grant and the rights and
privileges conferred hereby immediately shall become null and void.
9. Restrictions on Sale of
Securities. The Restricted Shares awarded under this Agreement
will be registered under the federal securities laws and will be freely tradable
upon receipt unless the Participant is an “affiliate” under rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in which case the shares will be
subject to the volume and manner of sale provisions of Rule 144 of the
SEC. However, the Participant’s subsequent sale of the shares
received upon the vesting of Restricted Stock will be subject to any market
blackout-period that may be imposed by the Company and must comply with the
Company’s insider trading policies and any other applicable securities
laws.
10. Binding
Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and
assigns of the parties hereto.
11. Conditions for Issuance of
Stock. The Company shall not be required to transfer on its
books or list in street name with a brokerage company or otherwise issue any
certificate or certificates for Restricted Shares hereunder prior to fulfillment
of all the following conditions: (a) the admission of such Restricted
Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then
listed; and (b) the completion of any registration or other qualification
of such Restricted Shares under any state or federal law or under the rulings or
regulations of the
Securities
and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body, which the
Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable; and
(c) the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or
federal governmental agency, which the Committee shall, in its absolute
discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable.
12. Plan
Governs. This Agreement is subject to all terms and provisions
of the Plan. In the event of a conflict between one or more
provisions of this Agreement and one or more provisions of the Plan, the
provisions of the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms used and not defined in
this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
13. Committee
Authority. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the
Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration,
interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to
interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the
determination of whether or not any shares of Restricted Stock have
vested.) All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations
made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the
Company and all other persons, and shall be given the maximum deference
permitted by law. No member of the Committee shall be personally
liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with
respect to the Plan or this Agreement.
14. Captions. Captions
provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for
interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
15. Agreement
Severable. In the event that any provision in this Agreement
shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from,
and such invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed to have any
effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
16.
Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan constitutes the entire
understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. The Participant
expressly warrants that he or she is not executing this Agreement in reliance on
any promises, representations or inducements other than those contained herein
and in the Plan.
17.
Modifications to the
Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire
understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. The Participant
expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Agreement in reliance on
any promises, representations or inducements other than those contained herein
and the Plan. Modifications to this Agreement can be made only in an
express written contract executed by the Participant and a duly authorized
officer of the Company.
18.
Amendment, Suspension
or Termination of the Plan. By accepting this award, the Participant
expressly warrants that he or she has received an award under the Plan, and has
received, read and understood a description of the Plan. The Participant
understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be modified,
suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.
19.
Governing
Law. This award of Restricted Stock shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard
to its conflict of law provisions.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Agreement,
and agree that the Award is to be governed by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the Plan.
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Natural
Gas Services Group, Inc.,
a
Colorado corporation
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By:
_______________________________
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Title:
______________________________
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THE
PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE SHARES SHALL VEST, IF AT ALL, ONLY
DURING THE PERIOD OF THE PARTICIPANT’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT
OF BEING GRANTED THIS AWARD OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE
PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE, THE
AGREEMENT NOR THE PLAN SHALL CONFER UPON THE PARTICIPANT ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT
TO CONTINUATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE.
Participant
Acknowledges and Agrees:
The
Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or
she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts the
Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof and
thereof. The Participant has reviewed this Agreement and the
Plan in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel
prior to executing this Agreement and fully understands all provisions of this
Agreement and the Plan.
The
Participant further acknowledges that, from time to time, the Company may be in
a “blackout period” and/or subject to applicable federal securities laws that
could subject the Participant to liability for engaging in any transaction
involving the sale of the Company’s vested Restricted Shares. The
Participant further acknowledges and agrees that, prior to the sale of any
vested Restricted Shares acquired under this Award, it is the Participant’s
responsibility to determine whether or not such sale of such shares will subject
the Participant to liability under insider trading rules or other applicable
federal securities laws.
By
signing below (or by providing an electronic signature) and accepting the grant
of the Award, the Participant: (i) consents to access electronic copies (instead
of receiving paper copies) of this Notice, the Agreement, the Plan and the Plan
prospectus (collectively, the “Plan Documents”) via the Company’s intranet; (ii)
represents that the Participant has access to the Company’s intranet; (iii)
acknowledges receipt of electronic copies, or that the Participant is already in
possession of paper copies of the Plan Documents; and (iv) acknowledges that the
Participant is familiar with and accepts the Award subject to the terms and
provisions of the Plan Documents.
The Participant hereby agrees that all questions of interpretation
and administration relating to this Agreement and the Plan shall be resolved by
the Committee (acting as the Administrator under the Plan) in accordance with
Section 13 of the Agreement. The Participant further agrees to the
arbitration and venue selection provisions in Section 17 of the
Plan. The Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in his or her residence address indicated in this Agreement.
Date:
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Participant’s
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Participant’
Printed Name
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Address
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2009
RESTRICTED STOCK/UNIT PLAN
RESTRICTED
STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF AWARD OF
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Award # RSU-
Participant’s
Name and Address:
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Natural
Gas Services Group, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants you,
(the “Participant”), the number of restricted stock units indicated below (the
“Restricted Stock Units”) under the Company’s 2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan
(the “Plan”). The date of this Agreement is (the
“Grant Date”). Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and of the Plan, the
principal features of this Restricted Stock Unit award are as
follows:
Target Number of Restricted
Stock Units:
_________.
Vesting
Schedule:
Thirty-three
percent (33%) of the Restricted Stock Units shall vest on each of the first
three anniversaries of the date hereof (each a “Vesting Date” and collectively,
the “Vesting Dates”), subject to Participant’s Continued Service through each
such date and the terms of this Agreement and the Plan.
Your signature below indicates your
agreement and understanding that this Award is subject to all of the terms and
conditions contained in the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the
“Agreement”), which includes this Notice of Award of Restricted Stock Units and
the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Units Award. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ALL OF THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN, WHICH CONTAINS THE SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD.
Award
Number: RSU-__________
NATURAL
GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
2009
RESTRICTED STOCK/UNIT PLAN
AGREEMENT
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS AWARD
1. Award or Restricted Stock
Units. Natural Gas Services Group, Inc., a Colorado
corporation (the “Company”), hereby issues to the Participant under the Natural
Gas Services Group, Inc. 2009 Restricted Stock/Unit Plan, as amended from time
to time (the “Plan”), an award (the “Award”) of the number of restricted stock
units (the “Restricted Stock Units”) set forth in this Restricted Stock Unit
Agreement (the “Agreement”), which consists of the attached Notice of Award of
Restricted Stock Units (the “Notice”) and these Terms and Conditions of
Restricted Stock Award. Unless otherwise provided herein, the terms
in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as those defined in the
Plan.
2. Company’s Obligation to
Pay. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents one (1) share of
the Company’s Common Stock (a “Share”). Upon the vesting of each
Restricted Stock Unit, the Company will issue to the Participant one Share to
the Participant. Unless and until the vesting of the Restricted Stock
Units as set forth in paragraph 3, below, the Participant shall have no right to
the issuance of any Share underlying the unvested Restricted Stock
Unit. Prior to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units and the
issuance of the Shares for vested Restricted Stock Units, the Restricted Stock
Unit will represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the
Company.
3. Vesting
Schedule. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in
the Plan, the Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Agreement are scheduled to
vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the
Notice. Restricted Stock Units scheduled to vest on a Vesting Date
will vest only if the Participant remains in Continued Service through the
Vesting Date. Should the Participant’s Continued Service end at any
time (the “Termination Date”), any unvested Restricted Stock Units will be
immediately cancelled;
provided, however, that if termination of Continued Service results from
the Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, then any unvested Restricted
Stock Units that would have vested by their terms within twelve (12) months
from the Termination Date had the Participant remained in Continued Service will
be deemed vested on the Termination Date (the “Acceleration”).
4. Share Issuances after
Vesting of RSUs.
(a) Upon
the vesting of Restricted Stock Units, the Shares underlying such vested
Restricted Stock Units shall be issued to the Participant (or, in the event of
the Participant’s death, to his or her estate) as soon as practicable following
the Vesting Date, subject to the provisions of paragraph 7, below, but in no
event later than two (2) months and fifteen (15) days after the Vesting
Date.
(b) If,
in connection with an Acceleration of the vesting of Restricted Stock Units as
set forth in section 3 above, the Shares underlying vested Restricted Stock
Units are inadvertently not issued within the two and one-half months period
specified in section 4(a) above and the Participant
is a Specified Employee on the Termination Date, then any Shares to be issued to
the Participant as a result of the Acceleration shall not be issued to the
Participant until six (6) months and one (1) day following the Termination Date
(the “Cooling Period”), unless, (i) the Participant’s Continuous Service be
terminated as a result of the Participant’s death or (ii) if the Participant
dies during the Cooling Period, then the Shares to be issued to the Participant
as a result of the Acceleration shall be issued to the Participant’s Estate no
later than two (2) months and fifteen (15) days after the date of the
Participant’s death, subject to paragraph 7, below.
5. Forfeiture. Notwithstanding
any contrary provision of this Agreement, the balance of the Restricted Stock
Units that have not vested pursuant to paragraph 3 as of the Termination Date
will be forfeited and automatically transferred to and reacquired by the Company
at no cost to the Company. The Participant shall not be entitled to a refund of
any amounts paid for such forfeited Restricted Stock Units.
6.
Death of
Participant. Any distribution or delivery to be made to the
Participant under this Agreement will, if the Participant is then deceased, be
made to the administrator or executor of the Participant’s estate (or such other
person to whom the Restricted Stock Units are transferred pursuant to the
Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution).
Any such transferee must furnish the Company (a) written notice of his or
her status as a transferee, (b) evidence satisfactory to the Company to
establish the validity of the transfer of these Restricted Stock Units and
compliance with any laws or regulations pertaining to such transfer, and
(c) written acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Restricted Stock
Unit grant as set forth in this Agreement.
7. Taxes
(a) Tax
Liability. The Participant is ultimately liable and
responsible for all taxes owed by the Participant in connection with the Award,
regardless of any action the Company or any Related Entity takes with respect to
any tax withholding obligations that arise in connection with the
Award. Neither the Company nor any Related Entity makes any
representation or undertaking regarding the treatment of any tax withholding in
connection with the grant or vesting of the Award or the subsequent sale of
Shares issuable pursuant to the Award. The Company does not commit
and is under no obligation to structure the Award to reduce or eliminate the
Participant’s tax liability.
(b) Payment of Withholding
Taxes. No stock certificates will be released to the
Participant unless the Participant has made acceptable arrangements to pay any
withholding taxes that may be due as a result of this award or the vesting of
Restricted Stock Units. The Company, in its sole discretion and
pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit you
to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part (without
limitation) by (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold
otherwise then deliverable vested shares of Restricted Stock Units having a fair
market value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, and
(iii) delivering to the Company of vested and owned shares of our common
stock having a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld or
(iv) through any other lawful manner.
(c) Indemnification;
Offset. The Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the
Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to
inadequate withholding. Accordingly, the Participant agrees to pay to
the Company or any Related Entity as soon as practicable, including through
additional payroll withholding, any amount of the tax withholding obligation
that is not satisfied by the withholding methods described
above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company or a Related Entity
also may satisfy any tax withholding obligation by offsetting any amounts
(including, but not limited to, salary, bonus, and severance payments) payable
to the Participant by the Company and/or a Related Entity.
8. Rights as
Stockholder. The Participant shall not have any of the rights
or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares
deliverable upon the vesting of Restricted Stock Units hereunder unless and
until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book entry form)
shall have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer
agents or registrars, and delivered to the Participant (including through
electronic delivery to a brokerage account). After such issuance,
recordation and delivery, the Participant will have all the rights of a
stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of
dividends and distributions on such Shares.
9. No Effect on Employment or
Service. The Participant’s employment with the Company and any
Related Entity is on an at-will basis only, subject to the provisions of
applicable law. Accordingly, subject to any written, express employment contract
with the Participant, nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon
the Participant any right to continue to be employed by the Company or Related
Entity or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company
or the employing Related Entity, which are hereby expressly reserved, to
terminate the employment of the Participant at any time for any reason
whatsoever, with or without good cause.
Such
reservation of rights can be modified only in an express written contract
executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company or Related Entity employing
the Participant.
10. Address for
Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms
of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Company, in care of Earl R. Wait,
Vice President -- Accounting at the Company’s headquarters, 508 West Wall
Street, Suite 550, Midland, Texas 79701, or at such other address as the
Company may hereafter designate in writing.
11. Award is Not
Transferable. This Award and the rights and privileges
conferred hereby shall not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in
any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to
sale under execution, attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt
to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this grant, or
of any right or privilege conferred hereby, or upon any attempted sale under any
execution, attachment or similar process, this Award and the rights and
privileges conferred hereby immediately shall become null and void.
12. Restrictions on Sale of
Securities. The Shares issued as payment for vested Restricted
Stock Units awarded under this Agreement will be registered under the federal
securities laws and will be freely tradable upon receipt. However, the
Participant’s subsequent sale of the Shares will be subject to any market
blackout-period that may be imposed by the Company and must comply with the
Company’s insider trading policies, and any other applicable securities
laws.
13. Binding
Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and
assigns of the parties hereto.
14. Conditions for Issuance of
Stock. The shares of stock deliverable to the Participant may
be either previously authorized but unissued shares or issued shares which have
been reacquired by the Company. The Company shall not be required to
transfer on its books or list in street name with a brokerage company or
otherwise issue any certificate or certificates for Shares hereunder prior to
fulfillment of all the following conditions: (a) the admission of such
Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then
listed; and (b) the completion of any registration or other qualification
of such Shares under any state or federal law or under the rulings or
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental
regulatory body, which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, deem
necessary or advisable; and (c) the obtaining of any approval or other
clearance from any state or federal governmental agency, which the Committee
shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and
(d) the lapse of such reasonable period of time following the date of
vesting of the Restricted Stock Units as the Committee may establish from time
to time for reasons of administrative convenience.
15. Plan
Governs. This Agreement is subject to all terms and provisions
of the Plan. In the event of a conflict between one or more
provisions of this Agreement and one or more provisions of the Plan, the
provisions of the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms used and not defined in
this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.
16. Committee
Authority. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the
Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration,
interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to
interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the
determination of whether or not any Restricted Stock Units have
vested. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations
made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the
Company and all other persons, and shall be given the maximum deference
permitted by law. No member of the Committee shall be personally
liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with
respect to the Plan or this Agreement.
17. Captions. Captions
provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for
interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
18. Agreement
Severable. In the event that any provision in this Agreement
shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from,
and such invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed to have any
effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
19. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding
of the parties on the subjects covered. The Participant expressly
warrants that he or she is not executing this Agreement in reliance on any
promises, representations or inducements other than those contained herein and
in the Plan.
20. Modifications to the
Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the
entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered. The
Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Agreement in
reliance on any promises, representations or inducements other than those
contained herein and the Plan. Modifications to this Agreement can be
made only in an express written contract executed by the Participant and a duly
authorized officer of the Company.
21. Amendment, Suspension or
Termination of the Plan. By accepting this award, the Participant
expressly warrants that he or she has received an award under the Plan, and has
received, read and understood a description of the Plan. The Participant
understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be modified,
suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.
22. Governing
Law. This grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be governed
by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Colorado, without
regard to its conflict of law provisions.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Participant have executed this Agreement
and agree that the Award is to be governed by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the Plan.
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Natural
Gas Services Group, Inc.,
a
Colorado corporation
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By:
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Title:
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THE
PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE SHARES SHALL VEST, IF AT ALL, ONLY
DURING THE PERIOD OF THE PARTICIPANT’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE (NOT THROUGH THE ACT
OF BEING GRANTED THIS AWARD OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE
PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE, THE
AGREEMENT NOR THE PLAN SHALL CONFER UPON THE PARTICIPANT ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT
TO CONTINUATION OF THE PARTICIPANT’S CONTINUOUS SERVICE.
Participant
Acknowledges and Agrees:
The
Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the Agreement and
represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and
hereby accepts the Award subject to all of the terms and provisions hereof and
thereof. The Participant has reviewed this Notice, the
Agreement and the Plan in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain
the advice of counsel prior to executing this Notice and fully understands all
provisions of this Notice, the Agreement and the Plan.
The
Participant further acknowledges that, from time to time, the Company may be in
a “blackout period” and/or subject to applicable federal securities laws that
could subject the Participant to liability for engaging in any transaction
involving the sale of the Company’s Shares. The Participant further
acknowledges and agrees that, prior to the sale of any Shares acquired under
this Award, it is the Participant’s responsibility to determine whether or not
such sale of Shares will subject the Participant to liability under insider
trading rules or other applicable federal securities laws.
By
signing below (or by providing an electronic signature) and accepting the grant
of the Award, the Participant: (i) consents to access electronic copies (instead
of receiving paper copies) of this Notice, the Agreement, the Plan and the Plan
prospectus (collectively, the “Plan Documents”) via the Company’s intranet; (ii)
represents that the Participant has access to the Company’s intranet; (iii)
acknowledges receipt of electronic copies, or that the Participant is already in
possession of paper copies of the Plan Documents; and (iv) acknowledges that the
Participant is familiar with and accepts the Award subject to the terms and
provisions of the Plan Documents.
The
Participant hereby agrees that all questions of interpretation and
administration relating to this Agreement and the Plan shall be resolved by the
Committee (acting as the Administrator under the Plan) in accordance with
Section 16 of the Agreement. The Participant further agrees to the
arbitration and venue selection provisions in Section 17 of the
Plan. The Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in his or her residence address indicated in this Notice.
Date:
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exhibit10_2-2009adopt.htm
Exhibit
10.2
NATURAL
GAS SERVICES GROUP, INC.
1998
STOCK OPTION PLAN
(as
amended by the Board of Directors on May 9, 2006 (approved by the Stockholders
on June 20, 2006) and as amended by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2009
(approved by the Stockholders on June 16, 2009))
1. Purposes of this
Plan. The purposes of this 1998 Stock Option Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants and
to promote the success of the Company’s business. Options granted hereunder may
be either “incentive stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or “nonstatutory stock options,” at the
discretion of the Board and as reflected in the terms of the written stock
option agreement.
2. Definitions. As
used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
a. “Board”
shall mean the Committee, if one has been appointed, or the Board of Directors
of the Company if no Committee is appointed.
b. “Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
c. “Common
Stock” shall mean the $0.01 par value common stock of the Company.
d. “Company”
shall mean Natural Gas Services Group, Inc., a Colorado
corporation.
e. “Committee”
shall mean the Committee appointed by the Board in accordance with paragraph (a)
of Section 4 of this Plan, if one is appointed, or the Board if no committee is
appointed.
f. “Consultant”
shall mean any person who is engaged by the Company or by any Parent or
Subsidiary to render consulting services and is compensated for such consulting
services, but does not include a director of the Company who is compensated for
services as a director only with the payment of a director’s fee by the
Company.
g “Continuous
Status as an Employee” shall mean the absence of any interruption or termination
of service as an Employee. Continuous Status as an Employee shall not be
considered interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave, or any other
leave of absence approved by the Board, provided that such leave is for a period
of not more than 90 days or reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is
guaranteed by contract or statute.
h. “Employee”
shall mean any person, including officers and directors, employed by the Company
or by any Parent or Subsidiary. The payment of a director’s fee by the Company
shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
i. “Incentive
Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is intended to qualify as an incentive
stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and which shall be
clearly identified as such in the written Stock Option Agreement provided by the
Company to each Optionee granted an Incentive Stock Option under this
Plan.
j. “Non-Employee
Director” shall mean a director who:
(i) Is
not currently an officer (as defined in Section 16a-1(1) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the Company or of a Parent or Subsidiary or
otherwise currently employed by the Company or by a Parent or
Subsidiary.
(ii) Does
not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or
from a Parent or Subsidiary, for services rendered as a Consultant or in any
capacity other than as a director, except for an amount that does not exceed the
dollar amount for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(a) of
Regulation S-K adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission.
(iii) Does
not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be
required pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K adopted by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission.
k. “Nonstatutory
Stock Option” shall mean an Option granted under this Plan which does not
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and which shall be clearly identified as
such in the written Stock Option Agreement provided by the Company to each
Optionee granted a Nonstatutory Stock Option under this Plan. To the extent that
the aggregate fair market value of Optioned Stock to which Incentive Stock
Options granted under Options to an Employee are exercisable for the first time
during any calendar year (under this Plan and all plans of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options under this Plan. The aggregate fair market value of
the Optioned Stock shall be determined as of the date of grant of each Option
and the determination of which Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as
qualified incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code and which
Incentive Stock Options exercisable for the first time in a particular year in
excess of the $100,000 limitation shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options
shall be determined based on the order in which such Options were granted in
accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code.
l. “Option”
shall mean an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option or both as
identified in a written Stock Option Agreement representing such stock option
granted pursuant to this Plan.
m. “Optioned
Stock” shall mean the Common Stock subject to an Option.
n. “Optionee”
shall mean an Employee or other person who is granted an option.
o. “Parent”
shall mean a “parent corporation” of the Company, whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
p. “Plan”
shall mean this 1998 Stock Option Plan.
q. “Share”
shall mean a share of the Common Stock of the Company, as adjusted in accordance
with Section 11 of this Plan.
r. “Stock
Option Agreement” shall mean the agreement to be entered into between the
Company and each Optionee which shall set forth the terms and conditions of each
Option granted to each Optionee, including the number of Shares underlying such
Option and the exercise price of each Option granted to such Optionee under such
agreement.
s. “Subsidiary”
shall mean a “subsidiary corporation” of the Company, whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3.
Stock Subject to this
Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 of this
Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under this Plan is 750,000 shares of Common Stock. The Shares may be authorized,
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If an Option should expire or become
unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full, the
unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall, unless this Plan shall have
been terminated, become available for future grant under this
Plan.
4. Administration of this
Plan.
a. Procedure. This
Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board
consisting of two or more Non-Employee Directors to administer this Plan on
behalf of the Board, subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may
prescribe.
(i) Once
appointed, the Committee shall continue to serve until otherwise directed by the
Board (which for purposes of this paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 4 shall be
the Board of Directors of the Company). From time to time the Board may increase
the size of the Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members
(with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill
vacancies however caused, or remove all members of the Committee and thereafter
directly administer this Plan.
(ii) Members
of the Board who are granted, or have been granted, Options may vote on any
matters affecting the administration of this Plan or the grant of any Options
pursuant to this Plan.
b. Powers of the
Board. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Board shall
have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) To
grant Incentive Stock Options, in accordance with Section 422 of the Code, and
Nonstatutory Stock Options or both as provided and identified in a separate
written Stock Option Agreement to each Optionee granted such Option or Options
under this Plan; provided however, that in no event shall an Incentive Stock
Option and a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted to any Optionee under a single
Stock Option Agreement be subject to a “tandem” exercise arrangement such that
the exercise of one such Option affects the Optionee’s right to exercise the
other Option granted under such Stock Option Agreement;
(ii) To
determine, upon review of relevant information and in accordance with Section
8(b) of this Plan, the fair market value of the Common Stock;
(iii) To
determine the exercise price per Share of Options to be granted, which exercise
price shall be determined in accordance with Section 8(a) of this
Plan;
(iv) To
determine the Employees or other persons to whom, and the time or times at
which, Options shall be granted and the number of Shares to be represented by
each Option;
(v) To
interpret this Plan;
(vi) To
prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this
Plan;
(vii) To
determine the terms and provisions of each Option granted (which need not be
identical) and, with the consent of the holder thereof, modify or amend each
Option;
(viii) To
accelerate or defer (with the consent of the Optionee) the exercise date of any
Option, consistent with the provisions of Section 7 of this Plan;
(ix) To
authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required
to effectuate the grant of an Option previously granted by the Board;
and
(x) To
make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the
administration of this Plan.
c. Effect of Board’s Decision. All
decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Board shall be final and
binding on all Optionees and any other permissible holders of any Options
granted under this Plan.
5.
Eligibility.
a. Persons
Eligible. Options may be granted to any person selected by the
Board. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. An
Employee, who is also a director of the Company, its Parent or a Subsidiary,
shall be treated as an Employee for purposes of this Section 5. An
Employee or other person who has been granted an Option may, if he is otherwise
eligible, be granted an additional Option or Options.
b. No Effect on
Relationship. This Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any
right with respect to continuation of employment or other relationship with the
Company nor shall it interfere in any way with his right or the Company’s right
to terminate his employment or other relationship at any time.
6. Term of Plan. This
Plan, as amended, became effective on June 21, 2006. It shall continue in effect
until March 1, 2016, unless sooner
terminated under Section 13 of this Plan.
7. Term of Option. The term of
each Option shall be 10 years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter
term as may be provided in the Stock Option Agreement. However, in the case of
an Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns
stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, if the Option is an
Incentive Stock Option, the term of the Option shall be five years from the date
of grant thereof or such shorter time as may be provided in the Stock Option
Agreement.
8.
Exercise Price and
Consideration.
a.
Exercise
Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be
issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by
the Board, but the per Share exercise price under an Incentive Stock Option
shall be subject to the following:
(i) If
granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock
Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes
of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise
price shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value per Share on the date
of grant.
(ii) If
granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise price shall not be less
than 100% of the fair market value per Share on the date of grant.
b. Determination of Fair Market
Value. The fair market value per Share on the date of grant
shall be determined as follows:
(i) If
the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange or such other securities exchange designated by the Board, or admitted
to unlisted trading privileges on any such exchange, or if the Common Stock is
quoted on a National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. system that reports
closing prices, the fair market value shall be the closing price of the Common
Stock as reported by such exchange or system on the day the fair market value is
to be determined, or if no such price is reported for such day, then the
determination of such closing price shall be as of the last immediately
preceding day on which the closing price is so reported;
(ii) If
the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges or
so quoted, the fair market value shall be the average of the last reported
highest bid and the lowest asked prices quoted on the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System or, if not so quoted, then
by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. on the day the fair market value is
determined; or
(iii) If
the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges or
so quoted, and bid and asked prices are not reported, the fair market value
shall be determined in such reasonable manner as may be prescribed by the
Board.
c. Consideration and Method of
Payment. The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be
determined by the Board and may consist entirely of cash, check, other shares of
Common Stock having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the
aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be
exercised, or any combination of such methods of payment, or such other
consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent
permitted under the Colorado Business Corporation Act.
9. Exercise of
Option.
a. Procedure for Exercise: Rights as a
Shareholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such
times and under such conditions as determined by the Board, including
performance criteria with respect to the Company and/or the Optionee, and as
shall be permissible under the terms of this Plan.
An
Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An
option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such exercise has
been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option
Agreement by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment, as authorized by the Board, may consist of a
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(c) and this
Section 9(a) of this Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate
entry on the books of the Company or of the duly authorized transfer agent of
the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote
or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with
respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 11 of this Plan.
Exercise
of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares
which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of this Plan and for sale
under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.
b. Termination of Status as an
Employee. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, if any
Employee ceases to serve as an Employee, he may, but only within such period of
time not exceeding three months as is determined by the Board at the time of
grant of the Option after the date he ceases to be an Employee of the Company,
exercise his Option to the extent that he was entitled to exercise it at the
date of such termination. To the extent that he was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of such termination, or if he does not exercise such Option
(which he was entitled to exercise) within the time specified herein, the Option
shall terminate.
c. Disability of Optionee. In
the case of an Incentive Stock Option, notwithstanding the provisions of Section
9(b) above, in the event an Employee is unable to continue his employment with
the Company as a result of his total and permanent disability (as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), he may, but only within such period of time not
exceeding 12 months as is determined by the Board at the time of grant of the
Option from the date of termination, exercise his Option to the extent he was
entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that he
was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if he
does not exercise such Option (which he was entitled to exercise) within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
d. Death of Optionee. In the
case of an Incentive Stock Option, in the event of the death of the
Optionee:
(i) During
the term of the Option if the Optionee was at the time of his death an Employee
and had been in Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant since the date of
grant of the Option, the Option may be exercised, at any time within 12 months
following the date of death, by the Optionee’s
estate or
by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or
inheritance, but only to the extent that the right to exercise would have
accrued had the Optionee continued living and remained in Continuous Status as
an Employee 12 months after the date of death; or
(ii) Within
such period of time not exceeding three months as is determined by the Board at
the time of grant of the Option after the termination of Continuous Status as an
Employee, the Option may be exercised, at any time within 12 months following
the date of death, by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the
right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent
that the right to exercise had accrued at the date of termination.
10. Nontransferability of
Options. Unless permitted by the Code, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option, the Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned,
hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime
of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.
11.
Adjustments Upon Changes in
Capitalization or Merger. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each
outstanding Option, and the number of Shares which have been authorized for
issuance under this Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or
which have been returned to this Plan upon cancellation or expiration of any
Option, as well as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Option,
shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of
issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected
without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
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 an Option.
In
the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Option
will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action,
unless otherwise provided by the Board. The Board may, in the exercise of its
sole discretion in such instances, declare that any Option shall terminate as of
a date fixed by the Board and give each Optionee the right to exercise his
Option as to all or any part of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which
the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In the event of the proposed sale
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the
Company with or into another entity in a transaction in which the Company is not
the survivor, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation, unless the Board determines, in the exercise of its sole
discretion and in lieu of such assumption or substitution, that the Optionee
shall have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock,
including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. If
the Board makes an Option fully exercisable in lieu of assumption or
substitution in the event of such a merger or sale of assets, the Board shall
notify the Optionee that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of
30 days from the date of such notice, and the Option will terminate upon the
expiration of such period.
12. Time of Granting
Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for all
purposes, be the date on which the Board makes the determination granting such
Option. Notice of the determination shall be given to each Employee or other
person to whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date
of such grant. Within a reasonable time after the date of the grant of an
Option, the Company shall enter into and deliver to each Employee or other
person granted such Option a written Stock Option Agreement as provided in
Sections 2(r) and 16 hereof, setting forth the terms and conditions of such
Option and separately identifying the portion of the Option which is an
Incentive Stock Option and/or the portion of such Option which is a Nonstatutory
Stock Option.
13. Amendment and Termination of this
Plan.
a. Amendment and
Termination. The Board may amend or terminate this Plan from
time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable; provided that,
the following revisions or amendments shall require approval of the shareholders
of the Company in the manner described in Section 17 of this Plan:
(i) Any
change in the designation of the class of Employees eligible to be granted
Incentive Stock Options; or
(ii) Any
material amendment under this Plan that would have to be approved by the
shareholders of the Company for the Board to continue to be able to grant
Incentive Stock Options under this Plan.
b. Effect of Amendment or
Termination. Any such amendment or termination of this Plan
shall not affect Options already granted and such Options shall remain in full
force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated, unless
mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Board, which agreement
must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
14. Conditions Upon Issuance of
Shares. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of
an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and delivery of
such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, applicable state securities laws, and the requirements
of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be
further subject to the approval of legal counsel for the Company with respect to
such compliance.
As
a condition to the existence of an Option, the Company may require the person
exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise
that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present
intention to sell or distribute such Shares and such other representations and
warranties which in the opinion of legal counsel for the Company, are necessary
or appropriate to establish an exemption from the registration requirements
under applicable federal and state securities laws with respect to the
acquisition of such Shares.
15.
Reservation of
Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all
times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to
satisfy the requirements of this Plan. Inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary for the lawful issuance
and sale of any Share hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability
relating to the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite
authority shall not have been obtained.
16. Stock Option
Agreement. Each Option granted to an Employee or other persons
shall be evidenced by a written Stock Option Agreement in such form as the Board
shall approve.
17. Shareholder Approval.
Continuance of this Plan, as amended, shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company on or before July 31, 2006.
18.
Information to
Optionees. The Company shall provide to each Optionee, during
the period for which such Optionee has one or more Options outstanding, copies
of all annual reports and other information which are provided to all
shareholders of the Company. The Company shall not be required to provide such
information if the issuance of Options under this Plan is limited to key
employees whose duties in connection with the Company assure their access to
equivalent information.
19. Gender. As used herein, the
masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be deemed to include the others in
all cases where they would so apply.
20. CHOICE OF LAW. ALL
QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS PLAN
AND THE INSTRUMENTS EVIDENCING OPTIONS WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAW, AND
NOT THE LAW OF CONFLICTS, OF THE STATE OF COLORADO.
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/s/ Stephen C. Taylor
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Stephen
C. Taylor, Chairman of the Board,
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
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