0001654954-24-007835lake_8k.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 13, 2024

 

LAKELAND INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware

 

000-15335

 

13-3115216

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

1525 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 325, Huntsville, Alabama 35806

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (256) 350-3873

 

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:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

LAKE

NASDAQ Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

Lakeland Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

At the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Lakeland Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) held on June 13, 2024, the Company’s stockholders approved the adoption of the Lakeland Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The ESPP previously had been adopted, subject to stockholder approval, by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) on April 26, 2024.

 

The principal features of the ESPP are described in detail under “Proposal No. 5 - Approval of the Lakeland Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan” of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 1, 2024 (the “Proxy Statement”). The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the ESPP, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1.

 

Amendment to Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan

 

At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the amendment (the “Plan Amendment”) to the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2017 Plan”), to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2017 Plan from 840,000 shares to 1,240,000 shares.

 

The Plan Amendment previously had been approved, subject to stockholder approval, by the Board on April 26, 2024. The Plan Amendment became effective immediately upon stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting.

 

The principal features of the 2017 Plan, as amended to reflect the Plan Amendment, are described in detail under “Proposal No. 6 – Approval of an Amendment to the Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to Increase the Authorized Shares” of the Proxy Statement. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2017 Plan, as amended to reflect the Plan Amendment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2.

 

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders voted on six proposals. A brief description of and tabulation of votes for each proposal are set forth below. Voting results are, when applicable, reported by rounding fractional share voting to the nearest whole share.

 

Proposal 1. The Board’s nominees for Class II directors were elected to serve for three years expiring at the Company’s 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until each of their respective successors is duly elected and qualified, by the votes set forth below. There were 111,773 broker non-votes with respect to the proposal.

 

Nominee

For

Withheld

Martin G. Glavin

4,096,009

18,036

Jeffrey T. Schlarbaum

4,094,574

19,470

 

Proposal 2. The Company’s stockholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025. There were no broker non-votes with respect to the proposal.

 

For

Against

Abstain

4,220,272

4,933

613

 

 
2

 

 

Proposal 3. The Company’s stockholders approved, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers. There were 111,773 broker non-votes with respect to the proposal.

 

For

Against

Abstain

3,840,565

12,493

260,985

 

Proposal 4. The Company’s stockholders considered, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the frequency of the advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. There were 111,773 broker non-votes with respect to the proposal.

 

One Year

Two Years

Three Years

Abstain

3,320,836

51,436

459,900

281,873

 

Based on the vote of our stockholders at the Annual Meeting, and consistent with the Board’s recommendation set forth in the Proxy Statement the Board has determined that the Company will conduct a vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers every year until the next stockholder advisory vote on the frequency of say-on-pay advisory votes or until the Board otherwise determines that a different frequency for such advisory votes is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders.

 

Proposal 5. The Company’s stockholders approved the Lakeland Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan by the votes set forth below. There were 111,773 broker non-votes with respect to the proposal.

 

For

Against

Abstain

4,016,086

5,283

92,676

 

Proposal 6. The Company’s stockholders approved the Amendment to the Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan by the votes set forth below. There were 111,773 broker non-votes with respect to the proposal.

 

For

Against

Abstain

3,908,223

198,403

7,418

 

 
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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number

 

Exhibit Description

10.1*

Lakeland Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

 

 

10.2*

Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended

 

 

 

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

*Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

 
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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.

 

 

LAKELAND INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: June 17, 2024

By:  

/s/ Roger D. Shannon

 

 

 

Roger D. Shannon

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 
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0001654954-24-007835lake_ex101.htm

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

LAKELAND INDUSTRIES, INC.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

 

1.

Purpose. This Lakeland Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) is intended to provide employees of the Company and its Participating Subsidiaries with an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through the purchase of shares of Common Stock. The Company intends that the Plan qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and the Plan shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with that intent.

 

 

2.

Definitions.

 

Board or Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

 

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Committee” means the committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

 

Company” means Lakeland Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including any successor thereto.

 

Compensation” means base salary, wages, annual bonuses and commissions paid to an Eligible Employee by the Company or a Participating Subsidiary as compensation for services to the Company or Participating Subsidiary, before deduction for any salary deferral contributions made by the Eligible Employee to any tax-qualified or nonqualified deferred compensation plan, including overtime, vacation pay, holiday pay, jury duty pay and funeral leave pay, but excluding education or tuition reimbursements, imputed income arising under any group insurance or benefit program, travel expenses, business and relocation expenses, and income received in connection with stock options or other equity-based awards.

 

Corporate Transaction” means a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or other corporate event described in Section 424 of the Code.

 

Designated Broker” means the financial services firm or other agent designated by the Company to maintain ESPP Share Accounts on behalf of Participants who have purchased shares of Common Stock under the Plan.

 

Effective Date” means the date as of which this Plan is adopted by the Board, subject to the Plan obtaining stockholder approval in accordance with Section 19.11 hereof.

 

Eligible Employee” means an Employee who (i) has been employed by the Company or a Participating Subsidiary for at least six (6) months and (ii) is customarily employed for at least twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may exclude from participation in the Plan or any Offering Employees who are “highly compensated employees” of the Company or a Participating Subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code) or a sub-set of such highly compensated employees.

 

 
1

 

 

Employee” means any person who renders services to the Company or a Participating Subsidiary as an employee pursuant to an employment relationship with such employer. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or a Participating Subsidiary that meets the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2). Where the period of leave exceeds three (3) months, or such other period of time specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2), and the individual’s right to re-employment is not guaranteed by statute or contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the first day immediately following such three-month period, or such other period specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2).

 

ESPP Share Account” means an account into which Common Stock purchased with accumulated payroll deductions at the end of an Offering Period are held on behalf of a Participant.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the shares of Common Stock as determined below. If the shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price of a share (or if no sales were reported, the closing price on the date immediately preceding such date) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in such source as the Committee deems reliable. In the absence of an established market for the shares, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

 

Offering Date” means the first Trading Day of each Offering Period as designated by the Committee.

 

Offering or “Offering Period” means a period of six (6) months beginning each February 1st and August 1st of each year; provided, that, pursuant to Section 5, the Committee may change the duration of future Offering Periods (subject to a maximum Offering Period of twenty-seven (27) months) and/or the start and end dates of future Offering Periods.

 

Participant” means an Eligible Employee who is actively participating in the Plan.

 

Participating Subsidiaries” means the Subsidiaries that have been designated as eligible to participate in the Plan, and such other Subsidiaries that may be designated by the Committee from time to time in its sole discretion.

 

Plan” means this Lakeland Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as set forth herein, and as amended from time to time.

 

Purchase Date” means the last Trading Day of each Offering Period.

 

 
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Purchase Price” means an amount no less than the lesser of (i) eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Offering Date or (ii) eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Purchase Date; provided, that, the Purchase Price per share of Common Stock will in no event be less than the par value of the Common Stock.

 

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

 

Subsidiary” means any corporation, domestic or foreign, of which not less than 50% of the combined voting power is held by the Company or a Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation exists now or is hereafter organized or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary. In all cases, the determination of whether an entity is a Subsidiary shall be made in accordance with Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

Trading Day” means any day on which the national stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed is open for trading or, if the Common Stock is not listed on an established stock exchange or national market system, a business day, as determined by the Committee in good faith.

 

3.

Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have the authority to construe and interpret the Plan, prescribe, amend and rescind rules relating to the Plan’s administration and take any other actions necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, adopting sub-plans applicable to particular Participating Subsidiaries or locations, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency or ambiguity in the Plan. The decisions of the Committee shall be final and binding on all persons. All expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company.

 

 

4.

Eligibility. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in a manner that is consistent with Section 423 of the Code, any individual who is an Eligible Employee as of the first day of the enrollment period designated by the Committee for a particular Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in such Offering Period, subject to the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

 

 

 

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Eligible Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan if (i) immediately after the grant of the option, such Eligible Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to such Eligible Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own capital stock of the Company or hold outstanding options to purchase stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or (ii) such option would permit his or her rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans (described in Section 423 of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries to accrue at a rate that exceeds $25,000 of the Fair Market Value of such stock (determined at the time the option is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time.

 

 

5.

Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by a series of Offering Periods, each of which shall be six (6) months in duration, with new Offering Periods commencing on or about February 1 and August 1 of each year (or such other times as determined by the Committee). The Committee shall have the authority to change the duration, frequency, start and end dates of Offering Periods.

 

 
3

 

 

6.

Participation.

 

 

6.1

Enrollment; Payroll Deductions. An Eligible Employee may elect to participate in the Plan by enrolling electronically through the Plan’s online portal. Participation in the Plan is entirely voluntary. By enrolling through the Plan’s online portal, the Eligible Employee authorizes payroll deductions from his or her pay check in an amount equal to at least 1%, but not more than fifteen percent (15%), of his or her Compensation on each pay day occurring during an Offering Period (or such other maximum percentage as the Committee may establish from time to time before an Offering Period begins). Payroll deductions shall commence on the first payroll date following the Offering Date and end on the last payroll date on or before the Purchase Date. The Company shall maintain records of all payroll deductions but shall have no obligation to pay interest on payroll deductions or to hold such amounts in a trust or in any segregated account. Unless expressly permitted by the Committee, a Participant may not make any separate contributions or payments to the Plan.

 

 

 

 

6.2

Election Changes. During an Offering Period, a Participant may decrease or increase his or her rate of payroll deductions applicable to such Offering Period electronically through the Plan’s online portal. Similarly, a Participant may decrease or increase his or her rate of payroll deductions applicable to future Offering Periods electronically through the Plan’s online portal before the start of the next Offering Period.

 

 

 

 

6.3

Automatic Re-enrollment. The deduction rate selected electronically through the Plan’s online portal shall remain in effect for subsequent Offering Periods unless the Participant (a) authorizes a new level of payroll deductions in accordance with Section 6.2, (b) withdraws from the Plan in accordance with Section 10, or (c) terminates employment or otherwise becomes ineligible to participate in the Plan.

 

7.

Grant of Option. On each Offering Date, each Participant in the applicable Offering Period shall be granted an option to purchase, on the Purchase Date, a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the Participant’s accumulated payroll deductions by the applicable Purchase Price; provided, however, that in no event shall any Participant purchase more than 2,500 shares of Common Stock during an Offering Period (subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 18 and the limitations set forth in Section 13 of the Plan).

 

 

8.

Exercise of Option/Purchase of Shares. A Participant’s option to purchase shares of Common Stock will be exercised automatically on the Purchase Date of each Offering Period. The Participant’s accumulated payroll deductions will be used to purchase the maximum number of whole shares that can be purchased with the amounts in the Participant’s notional account. No fractional shares may be purchased but notional fractional shares of Common Stock will be allocated to the Participant’s ESPP Share Account to be aggregated with other notional fractional shares of Common Stock on future Purchase Dates, subject to earlier withdrawal by the Participant in accordance with Section 10 or termination of employment in accordance with Section 11.

 
 
4

 

 

9.

Transfer of Shares. As soon as reasonably practicable after each Purchase Date, the Company will arrange for the delivery to each Participant of the shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of his or her option. The Committee may permit or require that the shares be deposited directly into an ESPP Share Account established in the name of the Participant with a Designated Broker and may require that the shares of Common Stock be retained with such Designated Broker for a specified period of time. Participants will not have any voting, dividend or other rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to any option granted hereunder until such shares have been delivered pursuant to this Section 9.

 

 

10.

Withdrawal.

 

 

10.1

Withdrawal Procedure. A Participant may withdraw from an Offering electronically through the Plan’s online portal at least one (1) business day before the Purchase Date. The accumulated payroll deductions held on behalf of a Participant in his or her notional account (that have not been used to purchase shares of Common Stock) shall be paid to the Participant promptly following the processing of his or her election to withdraw and the Participant’s option shall be automatically terminated. If a Participant withdraws from an Offering Period, no payroll deductions will be made during any succeeding Offering Period, unless the Participant re-enrolls in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Plan.

 

 

 

 

10.2

Effect on Succeeding Offering Periods. A Participant’s election to withdraw from an Offering Period will not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in succeeding Offering Periods that commence following the completion of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.

 

11.

Termination of Employment; Change in Employment Status. Upon termination of a Participant’s employment for any reason, including death, disability or retirement, or a change in the Participant’s employment status following which the Participant is no longer an Eligible Employee, which in either case occurs at least thirty (30) days before the Purchase Date, the Participant will be deemed to have withdrawn from the Plan and the payroll deductions in the Participant’s notional account (that have not been used to purchase shares of Common Stock) shall be returned to the Participant, or in the case of the Participant’s death, to the person(s) entitled to such amounts under Section 17, and the Participant’s option shall be automatically terminated. If the Participant’s termination of employment or change in status occurs within thirty (30) days before a Purchase Date, the accumulated payroll deductions shall be used to purchase shares on the Purchase Date.

 

 

12.

Interest. No interest shall accrue on or be payable with respect to the payroll deductions of a Participant in the Plan.

 

 

13.

Shares Reserved for Plan.

 

 

13.1

Number of Shares. A total of one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of Common Stock have been reserved as authorized for the grant of options under the Plan. The shares of Common Stock may be newly issued shares, treasury shares or shares acquired on the open market.

 

 
5

 

 

 

13.2

Over-subscribed Offerings. The number of shares of Common Stock which a Participant may purchase in an Offering under the Plan may be reduced if the Offering is over-subscribed. No option granted under the Plan shall permit a Participant to purchase shares of Common Stock which, if added together with the total number of shares of Common Stock purchased by all other Participants in such Offering would exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock remaining available under the Plan. If the Committee determines that, on a particular Purchase Date, the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which options are to be exercised exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock then available under the Plan, the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares of Common Stock remaining available for purchase in as uniform a manner as practicable and as the Committee determines to be equitable.

 

14.

Transferability. No payroll deductions credited to a Participant, nor any rights with respect to the exercise of an option or any rights to receive Common Stock hereunder may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as provided in Section 17 hereof) by the Participant. Any attempt to assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of such rights or amounts shall be without effect.

 

 

15.

Application of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose to the extent permitted by applicable law, and the Company shall not be required to segregate such payroll deductions or contributions.

 

 

16.

Statements. Participants will be provided with statements at least annually which shall set forth the contributions made by the Participant to the Plan, the Purchase Price of any shares of Common Stock purchased with accumulated funds, the number of shares of Common Stock purchased, and any payroll deduction amounts remaining in the Participant’s notional account.

 

 

17.

Designation of Beneficiary. A Participant may file, on forms supplied by the Committee, a written designation of beneficiary who is to receive any shares of Common Stock and cash in respect of any fractional shares of Common Stock, if any, from the Participant’s ESPP Share Account under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s death. In addition, a Participant may file a written designation of beneficiary who is to receive any cash withheld through payroll deductions and credited to the Participant’s notional account in the event of the Participant’s death prior to the Purchase Date of an Offering Period.

 

 

18.

Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization; Dissolution or Liquidation; Corporate Transactions.

 

 

18.1

Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other change in the Company’s structure affecting the Common Stock occurs, then in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, the Committee will, in such manner as it deems equitable, adjust the number of shares and class of Common Stock that may be delivered under the Plan, the Purchase Price per share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding option under the Plan, and the numerical limits of Section 7 and Section 13.

 

 
6

 

 

 

18.2

Dissolution or Liquidation. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any Offering Period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new Purchase Date and the Offering Period will end immediately prior to the proposed dissolution or liquidation. The new Purchase Date will be before the date of the Company’s proposed dissolution or liquidation. Before the new Purchase Date, the Committee will provide each Participant with written notice, which may be electronic, of the new Purchase Date and that the Participant’s option will be exercised automatically on such date, unless before such time, the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering in accordance with Section 10.

 

 

 

 

18.3

Corporate Transaction. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, each outstanding option will be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or Subsidiary of such successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute the option, the Offering Period with respect to which the option relates will be shortened by setting a new Purchase Date on which the Offering Period will end. The new Purchase Date will occur before the date of the Corporate Transaction. Prior to the new Purchase Date, the Committee will provide each Participant with written notice, which may be electronic, of the new Purchase Date and that the Participant’s option will be exercised automatically on such date, unless before such time, the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering in accordance with Section 10.

 

19.

General Provisions.

 

 

19.1

Equal Rights and Privileges. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary and in accordance with Section 423 of the Code, all Eligible Employees who are granted options under the Plan shall have the same rights and privileges.

 

 

 

 

19.2

No Right to Continued Service. Neither the Plan nor any compensation paid hereunder will confer on any Participant the right to continue as an Employee or in any other capacity.

 

 

 

 

19.3

Rights as Stockholder. A Participant will become a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock that are purchased pursuant to options granted under the Plan when the shares are transferred to the Participant’s ESPP Share Account. A Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to shares of Common Stock for which an election to participate in an Offering Period has been made until such Participant becomes a stockholder as provided above.

 

 

 

 

19.4

Successors and Assigns. The Plan shall be binding on the Company and its successors and assigns.

 

 

 

 

19.5

Entire Plan. This Plan constitutes the entire plan with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior plans with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

 
7

 

 

 

19.6

Compliance with Law. The obligations of the Company with respect to payments under the Plan are subject to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Common Stock shall not be issued with respect to an option granted under the Plan unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and delivery of the shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed.

 

 

 

 

19.7

Notice of Disqualifying Dispositions. Each Participant shall give the Company prompt written notice of any disposition or other transfer of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an option acquired under the Plan, if such disposition or transfer is made within two (2) years after the Offering Date or within one (1) year after the Purchase Date.

 

 

 

 

19.8

Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date and, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 19.9, shall have a term of ten (10) years.

 

 

 

 

19.9

Amendment or Termination. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason. If the Plan is terminated, the Committee may elect to terminate all outstanding Offering Periods either immediately or once shares of Common Stock have been purchased on the next Purchase Date (which may, in the discretion of the Committee, be accelerated) or permit Offering Periods to expire in accordance with their terms (and subject to any adjustment in accordance with Section 18). If any Offering Period is terminated before its scheduled expiration, all amounts that have not been used to purchase shares of Common Stock will be returned to Participants (without interest, except as otherwise required by law) as soon as administratively practicable.

 

 

 

 

19.10

Applicable Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of the Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of law rules.

 

 

 

 

19.11

Stockholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

 

 

 

19.12

Section 423. The Plan is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code. Any provision of the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code shall be reformed to comply with Section 423 of the Code.

 

 

 

 

19.13

Withholding. To the extent required by applicable federal, state or local law, a Participant must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the payment of any withholding or similar tax obligations that arise in connection with the Plan.

 

 

 

 

19.14

Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall for any reason be held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof, and the Plan shall be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision were omitted.

 

 

 

 

19.15

Headings. The headings of sections herein are included solely for convenience and shall not affect the meaning of any of the provisions of the Plan.

 
 
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er-spa2�� 0001654954-24-007835lake_ex102.htm

EXHIBIT 10.2

 

LAKELAND INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

2017 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

As amended June 13, 2024

 

SECTION 1. Purpose; Definitions. The purposes of the Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) are to: (a) enable Lakeland Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) and its affiliated companies to recruit and retain highly qualified employees and directors; (b) provide those employees and directors with an incentive for productivity; and (c) provide those employees and directors with an opportunity to share in the growth and value of the Company.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms will have the meanings defined below, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

 

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to a Person, a Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person.

 

(b) “Applicable Law” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of and issuance of securities under stock incentive plans, including, without limitation, the requirements of state corporations law, federal, state and foreign securities law, federal, state and foreign tax law, and the requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted.

 

(c) “Award” means an award of Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, or Stock Appreciation Rights made under this Plan.

 

(d) “Award Agreement” means, with respect to any particular Award, the written document that sets forth the terms of that particular Award.

 

(e) “Base Price” means the price used as the basis for determining the Spread upon the exercise of Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

 

(g) “Cause” means with respect to any Participant, unless otherwise defined in the Participant’s employment agreement, Award Agreement, or signed offer letter: (i) the Participant’s habitual intoxication or drug addiction; (ii) the Participant’s violation of the Company’s written policies, procedures or codes including, without limitation, those with respect to harassment (sexual or otherwise) and ethics; (iii) the Participant’s refusal or willful failure by the Participant to perform such duties as may reasonably be delegated or assigned to him or her, consistent with his or her position; (iv) the Participant’s willful refusal or willful failure to comply with any requirement of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any securities exchange or self-regulatory organization then applicable to the Company; (v) the Participant’s willful or wanton misconduct in connection with the performance of his or her duties including, without limitation, breach of fiduciary duties; (vi) the Participant’s breach (whether due to inattention, neglect, or knowing conduct) of any of the material provisions of his or her employment agreement, if any; (vii) the Participant’s conviction of, guilty, no contest or nolo contendere plea to, or admission or confession to any felony or any act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (viii) the Participant’s dishonesty detrimental to the best interest of the Company; (ix) the Participant’s involvement in any matter which, in the opinion of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (or, in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the Board), is reasonably likely to cause material prejudice or embarrassment to the Company’s business; or (x) solely in the case of a Non-Employee Director, any other action by the Participant which the Board determines constitutes “cause.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant and the Company (or any of its Affiliates) have entered into an employment agreement or other similar agreement that specifically defines “cause,” then with respect to such Participant, “Cause” shall have the meaning defined in such other agreement.

 

 
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(h) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total power to vote for the election of directors of the Company; (ii) during any twelve month period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 1(g)(i), Section 1(g)(iii), Section 1(g)(iv) or Section 1(g)(v) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period of whose election or nomination for election was previously approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to 50% or more of all votes to which all stockholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote); (iv) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (v) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (vi) acceptance by stockholders of the Company of shares in a share exchange if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such share exchange do not or will not own directly or indirectly immediately following such share exchange more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from or surviving such share exchange in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the voting securities outstanding immediately before such share exchange. In no event shall a Change in Control be deemed to occur upon (A) an announcement or commencement of a tender offer, (B) a “potential” takeover, or (C) stockholder approval of a merger or other transaction.

 

With respect to any Award that constitutes a nonqualified deferred compensation plan within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and provides for accelerated payment in connection with a change in control (whether or not in conjunction with a termination of employment), “Change in Control” for purposes of such accelerated payment shall mean a Change in Control as described above in this Section that is also a “change in the ownership of a corporation,” a “change in the effective control of a corporation” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

(i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

 

(j) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other Board committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan. The Committee shall have at least two members and each member of the Committee shall be a Non-Employee Director and an Outside Director.

 

(k) “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(l) “Disability” shall mean permanent and total disability as defined by Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A of the Code, “Disability” shall have the meaning given such term by Section 409A of the Code, which generally provides that “Disability” of a Participant means either (i) the 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 12 months, or (ii) the Participant is, 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 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering the employees of the Participant's employer.

 

(m) “Effective Date” is defined in Section 20 hereof.

 

(n) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(o) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on that system or exchange (or the system or exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Shares) at the close of regular hours trading on the day of determination; (ii) if the Shares are regularly quoted by recognized securities dealers but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for Shares at the close of regular hours trading on the day of determination; or (iii) if Shares are not traded as set forth above, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Committee taking into consideration such factors as the Committee considers appropriate, such determination by the Committee to be final, conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with a Change in Control, Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee, such determination by the Committee to be final conclusive and binding.

 

 
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(p) “Incentive Stock Option” means any Option intended to be an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(q) “Non-Employee Director” will have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(r) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Option that is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(s) “Outside Director” means a Director who meets the definition of an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(t) “Option” means any option to purchase Shares (including an option to purchase Restricted Stock, if the Committee so determines) granted pursuant to Section 5 hereof.

 

(u) “Participant” means an employee or Director of the Company or any of its respective Affiliates to whom an Award is granted.

 

(v) “Performance Award” means any Award that, pursuant to Section 9, is granted, vested and/or settled upon the achievement of specified performance conditions.

 

(w) “Performance Goals” shall mean the performance goals or objectives established by the Committee pursuant to the Plan for Awards which are intended to be “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Performance Goals may be measured on an absolute or relative basis. Performance Goals shall be limited to specified levels of or increases in the Company’s or Subsidiary’s return on equity, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, return on capital, return on assets, earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), sales, sales growth, gross margin, return on investment, increase in the fair market value of the each Share, Share price (including but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return), net earnings, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on investment (which equals net cash flow divided by total capital), inventory turns, financial return ratios, total return to stockholders, market share, earnings measures/ratios, economic value added (“EVA”), balance sheet measurements such as receivable turnover, internal rate of return, increase in net present value or expense targets, working capital measurements (such as average working capital divided by sales), customer satisfaction surveys and productivity. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Performance Goals for the Award may be adjusted as provided in Section 9(b).

 

(x) “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated association, or other entity or association.

 

(y) “Plan” means the Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan herein set forth, as amended from time to time.

 

(z) “Prior Plans” means, collectively, the Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan and Lakeland Industries, Inc. 2015 Stock Plan.

 

(aa) “Restricted Stock” means Shares that are subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

 

(bb) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award that is valued by reference to a Share, which value may be paid to the Participant by delivery of Shares, cash, or other forms of payment, or any combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine and that are issued subject to certain restrictions pursuant to Section 8 hereof.

 

 
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(cc) “Restriction Period” means the period of time during which an Award is subject to forfeiture.

 

(dd) “Shares” means shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, subject to substitution or adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof.

 

(ee) “Spread” means, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right, the amount by which the Fair Market Value on the date when any such right is exercised exceeds the Base Price specified in such right.

 

(ff) “Stock Appreciate Right” means a right granted under Section 10 hereof.

 

(gg) “Subsidiary” means, in respect of the Company, a subsidiary company as defined in Sections 424(f) and (g) of the Code.

 

SECTION 2. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided, however, that with respect to Non-Employee Directors, the Plan shall be administered by the full Board and all references in the Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to refer to the Board. Any action of the Committee in administering the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, their respect employees, the Participants, persons claiming rights from or through Participants and stockholders of the Company.

 

The Committee will have full authority to grant Awards under this Plan and determine the terms of such Awards. Such authority will include the right to:

 

(a) select the individuals to whom Awards are granted (consistent with the eligibility conditions set forth in Section 4 hereof);

 

(b) determine the type of Award to be granted;

 

(c) determine the number of Shares, if any, to be covered by each Award;

 

(d) establish the terms and conditions of each Award;

 

(e) subject to Section 9, establish the performance conditions and/or Performance Goals relevant to any Award and certify whether such performance conditions and/or Performance Goals have been satisfied;

 

(f) approving forms of agreements (including Award Agreements) for use under the Plan;

 

(g) determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be exercised without a payment of cash under Section 5(d);

 

(h) modify or amend each Award, subject to Sections 11 and 12;

 

(i) extend the period of time for which an Option is to remain exercisable following a Participant’s termination of service to the Company from the limited period otherwise in effect for that Option to such greater period of time as the Committee deems appropriate, but in no event beyond the expiration of the term of the Option; and

 

(j) with respect to any employee who resides or works outside of the United States, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, amend or supplement the terms of the Plan or Awards with respect to such employee as necessary or appropriate to accommodate the differences in local law, tax policy, or custom so long as no such amendments or supplements include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as then in effect, unless the Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without the further approval by the stockholders of the Company.

 

 
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The Committee will have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it, from time to time, deems advisable; to establish the terms and form of each Award Agreement; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary to carry out the intent of the Plan.

 

The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant Awards to Participants who are not subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules and regulations thereunder, provided that the Committee shall have fixed the total number of Shares subject to such delegation. Any such delegation shall be subject to the applicable state and corporate laws. The Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time for any reason with or without prior notice.

 

SECTION 3. Shares Subject to the Plan.

 

(a) Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) of the Plan, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued in respect of Awards under the Plan is 1,240,000 Shares, all of which Shares may be granted as Incentive Stock Options. As of the Effective Date, no further awards shall be granted pursuant to the Prior Plans, but may be awarded under this Plan as provided in Section 3(b) hereof. The aggregate grant date fair market value of Awards granted, together with cash paid, to a Non-Employee Director for services during any fiscal year shall not exceed $300,000. Any Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or treasury Shares. Any Shares issued by the Company through the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants in connection with the acquisition of another entity shall not reduce the maximum number of Shares available for delivery under the Plan. In accordance with the requirements under Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum number of Shares underlying or subject to Awards (including Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, and Stock Appreciation Rights) that may be granted during any calendar year to any individual Participant shall be fifty percent (50%) of the maximum number of Shares that may be issued in respect of Awards under the Plan.

 

(b) Effect of the Expiration or Termination of Awards. If and to the extent that any Award expires or terminates, or is canceled or forfeited for any reason prior to issuance of the Shares subject thereto, or such Award is settled in cash in lieu of Shares, then the unissued Shares associated with that Award will again become available for grant under the Plan. Any Shares that are covered under the terms of a Prior Plan award which would otherwise become available for reuse under the terms of a Prior Plan shall instead become available for issuance under the Plan. Except for expired, forfeited or cancelled Shares, the Plan is intended to restrict the “recycling” of Shares back into the Plan; this means (i) Shares used or withheld in settlement of a tax withholding obligation associated with an Award, (ii) Shares tendered or held back upon the exercise of an Option in satisfaction of the exercise price payable upon exercise of an Option, or (iii) Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued or delivered as a result of the net stock settlement of an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, will not become available for grant under the Plan.

 

(c) Other Adjustment. In the event of any corporate event or transaction such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend, dividend in kind, or other like change in capital structure (other than ordinary cash dividends) to stockholders of the Company, or other similar corporate event or transaction affecting the Shares, the Committee, to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan, shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, substitute or adjust, in its sole discretion, the number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan or under any outstanding Awards, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards, the exercise price, grant price or purchase price applicable to outstanding Awards, and/or any other affected terms and conditions of this Plan or outstanding Awards. The Committee shall not make any adjustment that would adversely affect the status of any Award that is “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

(d) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan, upon any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the need for the consent of any Participant, take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of that Change in Control:

 

 
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(i) cause any or all outstanding Awards to become vested and immediately exercisable (as applicable), in whole or in part;

 

(ii) cancel any unvested Award or unvested portion thereof, with or without consideration;

 

(iii) cancel any Award in exchange for a substitute award;

 

(iv) redeem any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with value equal to fair market value of an unrestricted Share on the date of the Change in Control;

 

(v) cancel any Option in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to: (A) the number of Shares subject to that Option, multiplied by (B) the difference, if any, between the fair market value per Share on the date of the Change in Control and the exercise price of that Option; provided, that if the fair market value per Share on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price of any such Option, the Committee may cancel that Option without any payment of consideration therefor;

 

(vi) take such other action as the Committee shall determine to be reasonable under the circumstances; and/or

 

(vii) notwithstanding any provision of this Section 3(d), in the case of any Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, such Award shall vest and be distributed only in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and the Committee shall only be permitted to use discretion to the extent that such discretion would be permitted under Section 409A of the Code.

 

In the discretion of the Committee, any cash or substitute consideration payable upon cancellation of an Award may be subjected to (i) vesting terms substantially identical to those that applied to the cancelled Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (ii) earn-out, escrow, holdback or similar arrangements, to the extent such arrangements are applicable to any consideration paid to stockholders in connection with the Change in Control.

 

SECTION 4. Eligibility. Employees and Directors of the Company or its Affiliates are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that only employees of the Company or a Subsidiary are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options.

 

SECTION 5. Options. Options granted under the Plan may be of two types: (i) Incentive Stock Options or (ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options. The Award Agreement shall state whether such grant is an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Any Option granted under the Plan will be in such form as the Committee may at the time of such grant approve.

 

The Award Agreement evidencing any Option will incorporate the following terms and conditions and will contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:

 

(a) Option Price. The exercise price per Share under an Option will be determined by the Committee and will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the grant. However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns, either directly and/or within the meaning of the attribution rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, will have an exercise price per Share of not less than 110% of Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant except as may be required or otherwise be deemed advisable by the Committee in connection with the Options granted through the assumption of, or substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate with which the Company or any Affiliate combines.

 

(b) Option Term. The term of each Option will be fixed by the Committee, but no Option will be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted. However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time such Option is granted, owns, either directly and/or within the meaning of the attribution rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, may not have a term of more than 5 years. No Option may be exercised by any Person after expiration of the term of the Option.

 

 
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(c) Exercisability. Options shall not vest for at least one year after the date the Option is granted, except as (i) the Committee may determine or permit otherwise in the event of a Change in Control, or (ii) may be required or otherwise be deemed advisable by the Committee in connection with Options granted through the assumption of, or substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines.

 

(d) Method of Exercise. Subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, the exercisability provisions of Section 5(c) and the termination provisions of Section 6(a), Options may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time during their term by the delivery of written notice to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. Such notice will be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price, either by certified or bank check, or such other means as the Committee may accept. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit payment of the exercise price of an Option in the form of previously acquired Shares based on the fair market value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised or through means of a “net settlement,” whereby the Option exercise price will not be due in cash and where the number of Shares issued upon such exercise will be equal to: (A) the product of (i) the number of Shares as to which the Option is then being exercised, and (ii) the excess, if any, of (a) the then current fair market value per Share over (b) the Option exercise price, divided by (B) the then current fair market value per Share.

 

No Shares will be issued upon exercise of an Option until full payment therefor has been made. A Participant will not have the right to distributions or dividends or any other rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to the Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise, has paid in full for such Shares, if requested, has given the representation described in Section 18(a) hereof and fulfills such other conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(e) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary will not exceed $100,000. For purposes of applying the foregoing limitation, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order granted. To the extent any Option does not meet such limitation, that Option will be treated for all purposes as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(f) Termination of Service. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise provided by the Committee at or after the time of grant, Options will be subject to the terms of Section 6(a) with respect to exercise upon or following termination of employment or other service.

 

SECTION 6. Termination of Service.

 

(a) Options. Unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular Option in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, any portion of an Option that is not exercisable upon termination of service will expire immediately and automatically upon such termination and any portion of an Option that is exercisable upon termination of service will expire on the date it ceases to be exercisable in accordance with this Section 6(a).

 

(i) Termination by Reason of Death. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates by reason of death, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of his or her death or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the Participant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 12 months from the date of death, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.

 

(ii) Termination by Reason of Disability. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates by reason of Disability, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant or his personal representative, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 12 months from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.

 

 
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(iii) Cause. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for Cause: (i) any Option, or portion thereof, not already exercised will be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the date of such termination, and (ii) any Shares for which the Company has not yet delivered share certificates will be immediately and automatically forfeited and the Company will refund to the Participant the Option exercise price paid for such Shares, if any.

 

(iv) Other Termination. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 90 days from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.

 

(b) Other Awards. In the event of termination of employment by reason of death or Disability of a Participant who holds any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, or Stock Appreciation Rights, as to which such Award has not been fully vested, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, take any action that it deems to be equitable under the circumstances or in the best interests of the Company, including without limitation waiving or modifying any limitation, requirement, performance condition, or Performance Goal with respect to any such Award; provided that, the amount of Shares or cash obtained by virtue of any accelerated vesting shall not exceed the number determined by multiplying the number of Shares underlying the Award/or cash value by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full months during the Restriction Period during all of which the participant was an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries and the denominator of which is the number of full calendar months in the Restriction Period; and provided further that, in the case of any Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Committee shall not take any action pursuant to this Section 6(b) unless such action is permissible under Section 409A of the Code.

 

SECTION 7. Restricted Stock.

 

(a) Issuance. Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in conjunction with other Awards. The Committee will determine the time or times within which Restricted Stock may be subject to forfeiture, and all other conditions of such Awards. The purchase price for Restricted Stock may, but need not, be zero. The prospective recipient of an Award of Restricted Stock will not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has delivered to the Company an executed Award Agreement and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.

 

(b) Certificates. Upon the Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may direct that a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award be issued to the Participant or placed in a restricted stock account (including an electronic account) with the transfer agent and in either case designating the Participant as the registered owner. The certificate(s) representing such Shares shall be physically or electronically legended, as applicable, as to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other encumbrances during the Restriction Period and if issued to the Participant, returned to the Company, to be held in escrow during the Restriction Period. As a condition to any Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant may be required to deliver to the Company a share power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such Award.

 

(c) Restrictions and Conditions. The Award Agreement evidencing the grant of any Restricted Stock will incorporate the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:

 

(i) During the Restriction Period, the Participant will not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan. The Committee may condition the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock upon the continued employment or service of the recipient, the attainment of specified individual or corporate performance goals, or such other factors as the Committee may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

 
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(ii) While any Shares of Restricted Stock remain subject to restriction, at the discretion of the Committee, the Participant will have, with respect to the Restricted Stock, the right to vote the Shares, but will not have the right to receive any cash distributions or dividends prior to the lapse of the Restriction Period underlying such Shares. If any cash distributions or dividends are payable with respect to the Restricted Stock, the Committee shall require the cash distributions or dividends to be subjected to the same Restriction Period as is applicable to the Restricted Stock with respect to which such amounts are paid. A Participant shall not be entitled to interest with respect to any dividends or distributions subjected to the Restriction Period. Any distributions or dividends paid in the form of securities with respect to Restricted Stock will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid, including, without limitation, the same Restriction Period.

 

(iii) The Restriction Period shall be for a minimum of one year, except as (i) the Committee may determine or permit otherwise in the event of a Change in Control, or (ii) may be required or otherwise be deemed advisable by the Committee in connection with Restricted Stock granted through the assumption of, or substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines.

 

(iv) Subject to the provisions of Section 6(b) hereof, or the applicable Award Agreement, or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company and its Affiliates terminates prior to the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period, the Participant’s Restricted Stock that then remains subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

 

SECTION 8. Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the other terms of the Plan, the Committee may grant Restricted Stock Units to eligible individuals and may, in its sole and absolute discretion, impose conditions on such units as it may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, continued employment or service of the recipient or the attainment of specified individual or corporate performance goals. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in the form that is approved by the Committee and that is not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Each Restricted Stock Unit will represent a right to receive from the Company, upon fulfillment of any applicable conditions, one Share for each unit or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, an amount in cash equal to the fair market value, at the time of distribution, of one Share for each unit. Distributions may be made in Shares. All other terms governing Restricted Stock Units, such as vesting, time and form of payment and termination of units shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, the period commencing with the date of an Award of Restricted Stock Units and ending at such time or times as specified by the Committee shall be for a minimum of one year, except as (i) the Committee may determine or permit otherwise in the event of a Change in Control, or (ii) may be required or otherwise be deemed advisable by the Committee in connection with Restricted Stock Units granted through the assumption of, or substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines. The Participant receiving Restricted Stock Units shall not have any voting rights, nor the right to receive cash dividends, with respect to the Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award until, if applicable, that Award vests and the Shares are actually issued thereunder. Subject to the provisions Section 6(b) hereof, or the applicable Award Agreement, or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company terminates prior to the Restricted Stock Unit Award vesting, the Participant’s Restricted Stock Units that then remain subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

 

SECTION 9. Performance Based Awards.

 

(a) Performance Awards Generally. The Committee may grant Performance Awards in accordance with this Section 9. Performance Awards may be denominated as a number of Shares or specified number of other Awards, which may be earned upon achievement or satisfaction of such Performance Goals as may be specified by the Committee. In addition, the Committee may specify that any other Award shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the vesting or settlement of the Award upon the achievement or satisfaction of such Performance Goals as may be specified by the Committee.

 

 
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(b) Adjustments to Performance Goals. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Performance Goals or performance conditions for the Award be adjusted to include or exclude the impact of items such as realized investment gains and losses, extraordinary, unusual, non-recurring or infrequently recurring items, asset write-downs, effects of accounting changes, currency fluctuations, acquisitions, divestitures, reserve-strengthening and other non-operating items, or any other item, event or circumstance that would not cause an Award to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code to the extent such Award is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation.”

 

(c) Other Terms of Performance Awards. Subject to Section 9(d) below, the Committee may specify other terms pertinent to a Performance Award in the applicable Award Agreement, including terms relating to the treatment of that Award in the event of a Change in Control prior to the end of the applicable performance period. The Participant shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the Shares subject to a Performance Award until the Shares are actually issued thereunder. Subject to the provisions of Section 6(b) hereof, or the applicable Award Agreement, or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company terminates prior to the Performance Award vesting, the Participant’s Performance Award or portion thereof that then remains subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

 

(d) Minimum Vesting Period. The vesting period in respect of any Performance Award shall be for a minimum of one year, except as (i) the Committee may determine or permit otherwise in the event of a Change in Control, or (ii) may be required or otherwise be deemed advisable by the Committee in connection with Performance Awards granted through the assumption of, or substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines.

 

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the Plan prohibits the Committee from granting to any Participant any Award subject to performance vesting conditions which is not intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

SECTION 10. Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may also authorize grants to Participants of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right is the right of the Participant to receive from the Company an amount which shall be determined by the Committee and shall be expressed as a percentage (not exceeding 100 percent) of the Spread at the time of the exercise of such right. Any grant of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(a) Payment. Any amount payable upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be paid by the Company in cash, in Shares valued at Fair Market Value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional Share shall be payable in cash. Any grant may specify that the number of Shares payable upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not exceed a maximum number of Shares specified by the Committee on the date of grant.

 

(b) Vesting Period. The Committee shall determine, on the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which, and the circumstances under which, a Stock Appreciation Right may vest, in whole or in part, including based on achievement of performance conditions or Performance Goals and/or future employment or service requirements. A grant may specify that a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised only in the event of a Change in Control or other similar transaction or event. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be granted with a vesting period that is shorter than one year, except as (i) the Committee may determine or permit otherwise in the event of a Change in Control, or (ii) may be required or otherwise be deemed advisable by the Committee in connection with Stock Appreciation Rights granted through the assumption of, or substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines.

 

(c) Exercise Period. Any grant may specify a waiting period or periods before Stock Appreciation Rights shall become exercisable and permissible dates or periods on or during which Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable; provided that no Stock Appreciation Right granted may be exercised more than ten years after the date of grant.

 

(d) Base Price. Each grant shall specify in respect of each Stock Appreciation Right a Base Price per Share, which shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of such Share on the Grant Date.

 

(e) Deemed Exercise. The Committee may provide that a Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed to be exercised at the close of business on the scheduled expiration date of such Stock Appreciation Right if at such time the Stock Appreciation Right by its terms remains exercisable and, if so exercised, would result in a payment pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof to the holder of such Stock Appreciation Right.

 

 
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SECTION 11. Amendments and Termination. Subject to Sections 3 and 12, the Board may, at any time, may, at any time, alter, amend, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan in whole or in part at any time; provided, however, that no such action shall adversely affect the rights of Participants to Awards previously granted hereunder and, provided further, however, that any stockholder approval necessary or desirable in order to comply with tax, securities, or other Applicable Laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market or such other principal securities market on which the Shares are then traded, shall be obtained in the manner required therein.

 

SECTION 12. Prohibition on Repricing Programs. Neither the Committee nor the Board shall (i) implement any cancellation/re-grant program pursuant to which outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan are cancelled and new Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are granted in replacement with a lower exercise price or Base Price per Share, (ii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan with exercise prices or Base Prices per Share in excess of the then-current Fair Market Value per Share for consideration payable in equity securities of the Company, (iii) otherwise reduce the exercise price or Base Price in effect for outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without in each such instance obtaining stockholder approval, or (iv) take any other action that would be treated as a repricing for U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

SECTION 13. Conditions Upon Grant of Awards and Issuance of Shares.

 

(a) The implementation of the Plan, the grant of any Award and the issuance of Shares in connection with the issuance, exercise or vesting of any Award made under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s procurement of all approvals and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the Awards made under the Plan and the Shares issuable pursuant to those Awards.

 

(b) No Shares or other assets shall be issued or delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with all applicable requirements of Applicable Law, including the filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the Shares issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements of any stock exchange on which Shares are then listed for trading.

 

SECTION 14. Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries. No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to, or in favor of, or subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to, any party, other than the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Awards and rights shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that Awards or other rights or interests of a Participant granted pursuant to the Plan (other than an Incentive Stock Option) be transferable, without consideration, to immediate family members (i.e., children, grandchildren or spouse), to trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members and to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners. The Committee may attach to such transferability feature such terms and conditions as it deems advisable. In addition, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary (which may be a person or a trust) to exercise the rights of the Participant, and to receive any distribution, with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant. A beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

 

SECTION 15. Withholding. No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for federal income tax purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, the Participant will pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a Participant to satisfy the minimum required withholding obligations (or such higher amount that would not have an adverse accounting effect) with Shares, including Shares that are part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement. The obligations of the Company under the Plan will be conditioned on such payment or arrangements and the Company will have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.

 

 
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SECTION 16. Liability of Company.

 

(a) Inability to Obtain Authority. If the Company cannot, by the exercise of commercially reasonable efforts, obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction for the sale of any Shares under this Plan, and such authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of those Shares, the Company will be relieved of any liability for failing to issue or sell those Shares.

 

(b) Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If Shares subject to an Award exceed, as of the date of grant, the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional stockholder approval, that Award will be contingent with respect to such excess Shares, on the effectiveness under Applicable Law of a sufficient increase in the number of Shares subject to this Plan.

 

(c) Rights of Participants and Beneficiaries. The Company will pay all amounts payable under this Plan only to the applicable Participant, or beneficiaries entitled thereto pursuant to this Plan. The Company will not be liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant or his or her beneficiaries, and rights to cash payments under this Plan may not be taken in execution by attachment or garnishment, or by any other legal or equitable proceeding while in the hands of the Company.

 

SECTION 17. Adjustment; Repayment of Incentive Bonuses. All Awards made under the Plan (whether vested or unvested) are subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment, in whole or in part, under any current or future “clawback” or similar policy or the Company that is applicable to the Participant.

 

SECTION 18. General Provisions.

 

(a) The Board may require each Participant to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring securities of the Company for investment purposes and without a view to distribution thereof and as to such other matters as the Board believes are appropriate.

 

(b) All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan will be subject to such share-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any other Applicable Law, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

(c) Nothing contained in the Plan will prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required.

 

(d) Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the execution of any document in connection with the Plan will: (i) confer upon any employee of the Company or an Affiliate any right to continued employment with the Company or such Affiliate, or (ii) interfere in any way with the right of the Company or such Affiliate to terminate the employment of any of its employees at any time.

 

 
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SECTION 19. Electronic Delivery and Signatures. Any reference in the Plan or an Award Agreement to a written document includes without limitation any document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company, a Subsidiary or any agent of the Company or a Subsidiary. The Committee and any Participant may use facsimile and PDF signatures in signing any Award Agreement, in exercising any Option, or in any other written document in connection with the Plan’s administration. The Committee and each Participant are bound by facsimile and PDF signatures, and acknowledge that the other party relies on facsimile and PDF signatures.

 

SECTION 20. Effective Date of Plan. The Plan was adopted by the Board on April 25, 2017 and shall be effective on June 21, 2017 (the “Effective date”), the date on which the Plan was approved by the stockholders of the Company.

 

SECTION 21. Term of Plan. Unless the Plan shall theretofore have been terminated in accordance with Section 11, the Plan shall terminate on June 21, 2027, the 10-year anniversary of the Effective Date, and no Awards under the Plan shall thereafter be granted; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of the Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

  

SECTION 22. Invalid Provisions. In the event that any provision of this Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any Applicable Law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed as rendering any other provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other provisions will be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein.

 

SECTION 23. Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws.

 

SECTION 24. Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Plan must be given in writing and addressed, if to the Company, to its principal executive office to the attention of its Chief Executive Officer (or such other Person as the Company may designate in writing from time to time), and, if to a Participant, to the address contained in the Company’s personnel files, or at such other address as that Participant may hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice will be deemed duly given: if delivered personally or via recognized overnight delivery service, on the date and at the time so delivered; if sent via telecopier or email, on the date and at the time telecopied or emailed with confirmation of delivery; or, if mailed, five (5) days after the date of mailing by registered or certified mail.

 

SECTION 25. Indemnification of the Board. No Director shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Director made or threatened to be made a party to any civil or criminal action or proceeding by reason of the fact that such Director is or was a Director of the Company, to the extent such criminal or civil action or proceeding relates to the Plan or any Award.

 

SECTION 26. No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, no Person connected with this Plan in any capacity, including, but not limited to, the Company and its directors, officers, agents, and employees, makes any representation, commitment, or guarantee that any tax treatment, including, but not limited to, federal, state, and local income, estate and gift tax treatment, shall be applicable with respect to the tax treatment of any Award, any amounts deferred under this Plan, or paid to or for the benefit of a Participant under this Plan, or that such tax treatment shall apply to or be available to a Participant on account of participation in this Plan, or that any of the foregoing amounts shall not be subject to a penalty tax and interest under Section 409A of the Code.

 

 
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