As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2015

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

DIAMOND FOODS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-2556965

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

600 Montgomery Street, 13th Floor

San Francisco, California 94111

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

(Full Title of the Plan)

 

 

Isobel Jones

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

Diamond Foods, Inc.

600 Montgomery Street, 13th Floor

San Francisco, California 94111

(Name and Address of Agent For Service)

(415) 445-7444

(Telephone Number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Horace L. Nash, Esq.

Fenwick & West LLP

Silicon Valley Center

801 California Street

Mountain View, California 94041

(650) 988-8500

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of

Securities to be Registered

 

Amount

to be
Registered(1)

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share(2)
 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common Stock, par value $0.001(3)

  1,000,000   $27.36   $27,355,000   $3,179

Common Stock, par value $0.001(4)

  2,334,464   $27.36   $63,859,263   $7,421

Total

  3,334,464       $91,214,263.00   $10,600.00

 

 

(1) Pursuant to Rules 416(a) and 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminable number of additional shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), of Diamond Foods, Inc. (“Registrant”) as may hereafter be issued in the event of stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without Registrant’s receipt of consideration, pursuant to Registrant’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”) and all other plans, agreements or rights.
(2) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act, based on the average of the high and low prices of Registrant’s Common Stock reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market on January 9, 2015.
(3) Represents shares of Registrant’s common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan.
(4) Represents additional shares of the Registrant’s common stock subject to outstanding awards granted under the Registrant’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (“Predecessor Plan”) that may become available for reuse under the 2015 Plan upon expiration, termination, cancellation, forfeiture or repurchase of the subject awards following January 13, 2015, the effective date of the 2015 Plan, and that are eligible to be carried over to the 2015 Plan in accordance with its terms (“Carry Forward Shares”). All of the Carry Forward Shares were registered pursuant to the Registrant’s registration statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-191646, 333-185339, 333-177008, 333-169766, 333-162222, 333-153672, 333-140066, and 333-126743) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Carry Forward Shares that may become issuable under the 2015 Plan are being carried forward to this Registration Statement pursuant to the General Instruction E of Form S-8.

 

 

 


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

 

Item 1. Plan Information.

Information required to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.

 

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.

Information required to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following documents previously filed with the Commission:

 

  (a) the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2014 filed with the Commission on October 3, 2014 pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”);

 

  (b) the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2014 filed with the Commission on December 8, 2014 pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act;

 

  (c) the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 29, 2014 pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act;

 

  (d) all other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Registrant’s Annual Report referred to in (a) above; and

 

  (e) the description of the Registrant’s Common Stock contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Registration No. 000-51439) filed with the Commission on July 15, 2005, together with Amendment No.1 to Form 8-A filed with the Commission on April 5, 2011, Amendment No. 2 to Form 8-A filed with the Commission on May 30, 2012, Amendment No. 3 to Form 8-A filed with the Commission on January 29, 2014 and Amendment No. 4 to Form 8-A filed with the Commission on October 29, 2014, pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and including any other amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the filing of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents, except as to documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with the rules of the Commission. Unless expressly incorporated into this Registration Statement, a report furnished on Form 8-K prior or subsequent to the date hereof shall not be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.

 

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities arising out of actions, suits and proceedings to which they are made or threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that they have served or are currently serving as a director or officer to a corporation. The indemnity may cover expenses (including attorneys’ fees) judgments, fines and

 

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amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding. Section 145 permits corporations to pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by directors and officers in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in their capacity as a director or officer, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the director or officer against such liability under Section 145.

The Registrant has adopted provisions in the Registrant’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws to be in effect at the completion of this offering that limit or eliminate the personal liability of the Registrant’s directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. Consequently, a director or executive officer will not be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages or breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

 

    for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Registrant or its stockholders;

 

    for any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    under Section 174 of the DGCL (regarding any unlawful payments related to dividends or unlawful stock purchases, redemptions or other distributions); or

 

    for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

These limitations of liability do not alter director liability under the federal securities laws and do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission.

In addition, the Registrant’s bylaws provide that:

 

    the Registrant will indemnify its directors and executive officers and, in the discretion of its board of directors, certain employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it now exists or may in the future be amended; and

 

    the Registrant will advance reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, to its directors and executive officers, and in the discretion of its board of directors, to certain employees and agents, in connection with legal proceedings relating to their service for or on behalf of the Registrant, subject to limited exceptions.

The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These agreements provide that the Registrant will indemnify each of its directors, executive officers and, at times, their affiliates, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The Registrant will advance expenses, including attorneys’ fees (but excluding judgments, fines and settlement amounts), to each indemnified director, executive officer or affiliate in connection with any proceeding in which indemnification is available and the Registrant will indemnify its directors and executive officers for any action or proceeding arising out of that person’s services as a director or executive officer brought on behalf of the Registrant and/or in furtherance of the Registrant’s rights. Additionally, certain of the Registrant’s directors may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by their affiliates, which indemnification relates to and might apply to the same proceedings arising out of such director’s services as a director referenced herein. Nonetheless, the Registrant has agreed in the indemnification agreements that the Registrant’s obligations to those same directors are primary and any obligation of the affiliates of those directors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the expenses or liabilities incurred by those directors are secondary.

The Registrant also maintains general liability insurance which covers certain liabilities of its directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

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Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Exhibits.

See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding the exhibits for a list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9. Undertakings.

A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement.

Provided, however, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and (A)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a

 

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director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco, State of California, on this 13th day of January, 2015.

 

Diamond Foods, Inc.
By:   /s/ Isobel Jones
  Isobel Jones
  Executive Vice President, General Counsel

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officers and directors of Diamond Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint Isobel Jones, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Brian J. Driscoll, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director, and Raymond P. Silcock, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and each of them, the lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys and agents, and any one of them, determine may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules or regulations or requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities indicated below to this Registration Statement, to any and all amendments, both pre-effective and post-effective, and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to any and all instruments or documents filed as part of or in conjunction with this Registration Statement or amendments or supplements thereof, and each of the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms that all said attorneys and agents, or any one of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Brian J. Driscoll

Brian J. Driscoll

  

President and Chief Executive Officer and

Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  January 13, 2015

/s/ Raymond P. Silcock

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)

  January 13, 2015

/s/ Edward A. Blechschmidt

Edward A. Blechschmidt

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

/s/ Alison Davis

Alison Davis

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

 

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/s/ Clesteen A. Clark

Clesteen A. Clark

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

/s/ R. Dean Hollis

R. Dean Hollis

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

/s/ Robert M. Lea

Robert M. Lea

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

/s/ Nigel A. Rees

Nigel A. Rees

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

/s/ William L. Tos

William L. Tos

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

/s/ Matthew C. Wilson

Matthew C. Wilson

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

/s/ Robert J. Zollars

Robert J. Zollars

  

Director

  January 13, 2015

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit         Incorporated by Reference    Filed  

Number

  

Exhibit Description

   Form    File No.    Exhibit      Filing Date    Herewith  
  4.01    2015 Equity Incentive Plan                  X   
  4.02    Form of Board of Director RSU Agreement                  X   
  4.03    Certificate of Incorporation, as amended    S-1/A    333-123576      3.02       July 15, 2005   
  4.04    Certificate of Elimination of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Diamond Foods, Inc.    8-K    000-51439      3.01       October 29,
2014
  
  4.05    Restated Bylaws    8-K    000-51439      3.02       October 29,
2014
  
  4.06    Specimen Stock Certificate    S-1/A    333-123576      4.01       July 18, 2005   
  5.01    Opinion of Fenwick & West LLP as to legality of securities being registered                  X   
23.01    Consent of Fenwick & West LLP (included in Exhibit 5.01)                  X   
23.02    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm                  X   
23.03    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm                  X   
24.01    Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)                  X   


Exhibit 4.01

DIAMOND FOODS, INC.

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Plan is to provide incentives to attract, retain and motivate eligible persons whose present and potential contributions are important to the success of the Company, and any Parents and Subsidiaries that exist now or in the future, by offering them an opportunity to participate in the Company’s future performance through the grant of Awards. Capitalized terms not defined elsewhere in the text are defined in Section 29.

2. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

2.1 Number of Shares Available. Subject to Sections 2.5 and 22 and any other applicable provisions hereof, the total number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to this Plan as of the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board is 1,000,000 Shares, composed of newly authorized Shares on the Effective Date, plus (i) Shares that are subject to stock options or other awards granted under the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”) that cease to be subject to stock options or other awards after the Effective Date for any reason other than the exercise of an option or SAR; (ii) Shares issued under the Prior Plan before or after the Effective Date that, after the Effective Date are forfeited or repurchased at the original issue price; (iii) Shares that are subject to Awards granted under the Prior Plan that otherwise terminate without Shares being issued; (iv) Shares that are used to satisfy the exercise price of stock options granted under the Prior Plan which are exercised after the Effective Date; and (v) Shares that are used to satisfy the tax withholding obligations on awards granted under the Prior Plan which are exercised, purchased or vest after the Effective Date.

2.2 Lapsed, Returned Awards. Shares subject to Awards, and Shares issued under the Plan under any Award, will again be available for grant and issuance in connection with subsequent Awards under this Plan to the extent such Shares: (a) are subject to issuance upon exercise of an Option or SAR granted under this Plan but which cease to be subject to the Option or SAR for any reason other than exercise of the Option or SAR; (b) are subject to Awards granted under this Plan that are forfeited or are repurchased by the Company at the original issue price; (c) are subject to Awards granted under this Plan that otherwise terminate without such Shares being issued; (d) are surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program; (e) are used to satisfy the Exercise Price of an Option; or (f) are used to satisfy the tax withholding obligations on such Award. To the extent that a Performance Award in the form of a Performance Unit has been made, such Award will not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. To the extent that any Award is forfeited, repurchased or terminates without Shares being issued, Shares may again be available for issuance under this Plan.

2.3 Minimum Share Reserve. At all times the Company shall reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as shall be required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Awards granted under this Plan.

2.4 Limitations. No more than 1,000,000 Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs.

2.5 Adjustment of Shares. If the number of outstanding Shares is changed by an extraordinary cash dividend, stock dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, without consideration, then (a) the number of Shares reserved for issuance and future grant under the Plan set forth in Sections 2.1 or 2.2, (b) the Exercise Prices of and number of Shares subject to outstanding Options and SARs, (c) the number of Shares subject to other outstanding Awards, (d) the maximum number of shares that may be issued as ISOs set forth in Section 2.4, (e) the maximum number of Shares that may be issued to an individual or to a new Employee in any one calendar year set forth in Section 3 and (f) the number of Shares that are granted as Awards to Non-Employee Directors as set forth in Section 13, shall be proportionately adjusted, subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company and in compliance with applicable securities laws; provided, that fractions of a Share will not be


issued but will either be replaced by a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such fraction of a Share or will be rounded up (down in the case of ISOs) to the nearest whole Share, as determined by the Committee; and providedfurther, that the Exercise Price of any Option may not be decreased to below the par value of the Shares.

2.6 Minimum Vesting Requirement. Except with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and a maximum of ten percent (10%) of the number of shares authorized hereby granted as Awards to Participants other than Non-Employee Directors, any Awards (other than Options or SARs) which vest on the basis of the Participant’s continued employment with or provision of service to the Company shall not provide for vesting which is any more rapid than annual pro rata vesting over a three (3) year period and any Awards (other than Options or SARs) which vest upon the satisfaction of performance goals shall provide for a Performance Period of at least twelve (12) months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may permit acceleration of vesting of such Awards in the event of the Participant’s death or Disability or pursuant to any employment agreement, severance or change of control agreement maintained by the Company.

3. ELIGIBILITY. ISOs may be granted only to Employees. All other Awards may be granted to Employees, Consultants, Directors and Non-Employee Directors of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company; provided, that such Consultants, Directors and Non-Employee Directors render bona fide services not in connection with the offer and sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction. No Participant will be eligible to receive an Award for more than two million (2,000,000) Shares in any calendar year under this Plan except that new Employees of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (including new Employees who are also officers and directors of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company) are eligible to receive an Award for up to a maximum of four million (4,000,000) Shares in the calendar year in which they commence their employment.

4. ADMINISTRATION.

4.1 Committee Composition; Authority. This Plan will be administered by the Committee or by the Board acting as the Committee. Subject to the general purposes, terms and conditions of this Plan, and to the direction of the Board, the Committee will have full power to implement and carry out this Plan, except, however, the Board shall establish the terms for the grant of an Award to Non-Employee Directors. The Committee will have the authority to:

(a) construe and interpret this Plan, any Award Agreement and any other agreement or document executed pursuant to this Plan;

(b) prescribe, amend and rescind rules, forms, instruments, guidelines and regulations relating to this Plan or any Award;

(c) select persons to receive Awards;

(d) determine the form and terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may vest and be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, the method to satisfy tax withholding obligations or any other tax liability and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Committee will determine;

(e) determine the number of Shares or other consideration subject to Awards;

(f) determine the Fair Market Value in good faith, if necessary;

(g) determine whether Awards will be granted singly, in combination with, in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, other Awards under this Plan or any other incentive or compensation plan of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company;

 

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(h) grant waivers of Plan or Award conditions;

(i) determine the vesting, exercisability and payment of Awards;

(j) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement;

(k) determine whether an Award has been earned;

(l) subject to Section 19, determine the terms and conditions of any, and to institute any Exchange Program;

(m) reduce or waive any criteria with respect to Performance Factors;

(n) adjust Performance Factors to take into account changes in law and accounting or tax rules as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances to avoid windfalls or hardships provided that such adjustments are consistent with the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to persons whose compensation is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code;

(o) adopt rules and/or procedures (including the adoption of any subplan under this Plan and country addenda to Award Agreements) relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate grants to Participants residing outside of the United States;

(p) delegate any of the foregoing to a subcommittee consisting of one or more executive officers pursuant to a specific delegation as permitted by applicable law, including Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law; and

(q) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.

4.2 Committee Interpretation and Discretion. Any determination made by the Committee with respect to any Award shall be made in its sole discretion at the time of grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan or Award, at any later time, and such determination shall be final and binding on the Company and all persons having an interest in any Award under the Plan. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such a dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participant. The Committee may delegate to one or more executive officers the authority to review and resolve disputes with respect to Awards held by Participants who are not Insiders, and such resolution shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participant.

4.3 Section 162(m) of the Code and Section 16 of the Exchange Act. When necessary or desirable for an Award to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code the Committee shall include at least two persons who are “outside directors” (as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code) and at least two (or a majority if more than two then serve on the Committee) such “outside directors” shall approve the grant of such Award and timely determine (as applicable) the Performance Period and any Performance Factors upon which vesting or settlement of any portion of such Award is to be subject. When required by Section 162(m) of the Code, prior to settlement of any such Award at least two (or a majority if more than two then serve on the Committee) such “outside directors” then serving on the Committee shall determine and certify in writing the extent to which the performance goals based on such Performance Factors have been timely achieved and the extent to which the Shares subject to such Award have thereby been earned. Awards granted to Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act must be approved by two or more “non-employee directors” (as defined in the regulations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act). With respect to Participants whose compensation is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, and provided that such adjustments are consistent with the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may adjust the performance goals to

 

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account for changes in law and accounting and to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or circumstances to avoid windfalls or hardships, including without limitation (i) restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and other unusual or non-recurring charges, (ii) an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management, or (iii) a change in accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles.

4.4 Documentation. The Award Agreement for a given Award, the Plan and any other documents may be delivered to, and accepted by, a Participant or any other person in any manner (including electronic distribution or posting) that meets applicable legal requirements.

4.5 Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and any Subsidiary operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Subsidiary shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States; (d) establish subplans and addenda to Award Agreements and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Committee determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to this Plan as appendices and any addenda to the Award Agreements); providedhowever, that no such subplans, addenda to Award Agreements and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 2.1 hereof; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Committee determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.

5. OPTIONS. The Committee may grant Options to Participants and will determine whether such Options will be Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of the Code (“ISOs”) or Nonqualified Stock Options (“NQSOs”), the number of Shares subject to the Option, the Exercise Price of the Option, the period during which the Option may vest and be exercised, and all other terms and conditions of the Option, subject to the following:

5.1 Option Grant. Each Option granted under this Plan will identify the Option as an ISO or an NQSO. An Option may be, but need not be, awarded upon satisfaction of performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Award Agreement. If the Option is being earned upon the satisfaction of performance goals, then the Committee will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for each Option; and (y) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure such performance goals, if any. Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Options that are subject to different performance goals and other criteria.

5.2 Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option will be the date on which the Committee makes the determination to grant such Option, or a specified future date. The Award Agreement and a copy of this Plan will be delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time after the granting of the Option.

5.3 Exercise Period. Options may be vested and exercisable within the times or upon the conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement governing such Option; providedhowever, that no Option will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Option is granted; and providedfurther, that no ISO granted to a person who, at the time the ISO is granted, directly or by attribution owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (“Ten Percent Stockholder”) will be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date the ISO is granted. The Committee also may provide for Options to become exercisable at one time or from time to time, periodically or otherwise, in such number of Shares or percentage of Shares as the Committee determines.

5.4 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an Option will be determined by the Committee when the Option is granted; provided, that: (i) the Exercise Price of an Option will be not less than one

 

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hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant and (ii) the Exercise Price of any ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder will not be less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant. Payment for the Shares purchased may be made in accordance with Section 12 and the Award Agreement and in accordance with any procedures established by the Company.

5.5 Method of Exercise. Any Option granted hereunder will be vested and exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Committee may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option (and/or via electronic execution through the authorized third party administrator), and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Committee and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 2.5 of the Plan. Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

5.6 Limitations on Exercise. The Committee may specify a minimum number of Shares that may be purchased on any exercise of an Option, provided that such minimum number will not prevent any Participant from exercising the Option for the full number of Shares for which it is then exercisable.

5.7 Limitations on ISOs. With respect to Awards granted as ISOs, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which such ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such Options will be treated as NQSOs. For purposes of this Section 5.7, ISOs will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder are amended after the Effective Date to provide for a different limit on the Fair Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to ISOs, such different limit will be automatically incorporated herein and will apply to any Options granted after the effective date of such amendment.

5.8 Modification, Extension or Renewal. The Committee may modify, extend or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant of new Options in substitution therefore, provided that any such action may not, without the written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant’s rights under any Option previously granted. Subject to Section 19, the Committee may (a) reduce the Exercise Price of outstanding Options or (b) grant Options in substitution for cancelled options or other Awards authorized under the Plan. Any outstanding ISO that is modified, extended, renewed or otherwise altered will be treated in accordance with Section 424(h) of the Code.

5.9 No Disqualification. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, no term of this Plan relating to ISOs will be interpreted, amended or altered, nor will any discretion or authority granted under this Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify this Plan under Section 422 of the Code or, without the consent of the Participant affected, to disqualify any ISO under Section 422 of the Code.

6. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.

6.1 Awards of Restricted Stock. A Restricted Stock Award is an offer by the Company to sell to a Participant Shares that are subject to restrictions (“Restricted Stock”). The Committee will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of Shares the Participant may purchase, the Purchase Price, the restrictions under which the Shares will be subject and all other terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Award, subject to the Plan.

 

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6.2 Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement. All purchases under a Restricted Stock Award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, a Participant accepts a Restricted Stock Award by signing and delivering to the Company an Award Agreement with full payment of the Purchase Price, within thirty (30) days from the date the Award Agreement was delivered to the Participant. If the Participant does not accept such Award within thirty (30) days, then the offer of such Restricted Stock Award will terminate, unless the Committee determines otherwise.

6.3 Purchase Price. The Purchase Price for a Restricted Stock Award will be determined by the Committee and may be less than Fair Market Value on the date the Restricted Stock Award is granted. Payment of the Purchase Price must be made in accordance with Section 12 of the Plan, and the Award Agreement and in accordance with any procedures established by the Company.

6.4 Terms of Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted Stock Awards will be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose or are required by law. These restrictions may be based on completion of a specified number of years of service with the Company or upon satisfaction of performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If the Restricted Stock Award is being earned upon the satisfaction of performance goals, then the Committee will: (a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the Restricted Stock Award; (b) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure such performance goals, if any; and (c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant. Performance Periods may overlap and a Participant may participate simultaneously with respect to Restricted Stock Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and having different performance goals and other criteria.

7. STOCK BONUS AWARDS.

7.1 Awards of Stock Bonuses. A Stock Bonus Award is an award to an eligible person of Shares for services to be rendered or for past services already rendered to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. All Stock Bonus Awards shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement. No payment from the Participant will be required for Shares awarded pursuant to a Stock Bonus Award.

7.2 Terms of Stock Bonus Awards. The Committee will determine the number of Shares to be awarded to the Participant under a Stock Bonus Award and any restrictions thereon. These restrictions may be based upon completion of a specified number of years of service with the Company or upon satisfaction of performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Stock Bonus Agreement. If the Stock Bonus Award is being earned upon the satisfaction of performance goals, then the Committee will: (a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the Stock Bonus Award; (b) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure such performance goals, if any; and (c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant. Performance Periods may overlap and a Participant may participate simultaneously with respect to Stock Bonus Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and different performance goals and other criteria.

7.3 Form of Payment to Participant. Payment may be made in the form of cash, whole Shares, or a combination thereof, based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares earned under a Stock Bonus Award on the date of payment, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

8.1 Awards of SARs. A Stock Appreciation Right (“SAR”) is an award to a Participant that may be settled in cash, or Shares (which may consist of Restricted Stock), having a value equal to (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price multiplied by (b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is being settled (subject to any maximum number of Shares that may be issuable as specified in an Award Agreement). All SARs shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement.

8.2 Terms of SARs. The Committee will determine the terms of each SAR including, without limitation: (a) the number of Shares subject to the SAR; (b) the Exercise Price and the time or times during

 

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which the SAR may be settled; (c) the consideration to be distributed on settlement of the SAR; and (d) the effect of the Participant’s Termination on each SAR. The Exercise Price of the SAR will be determined by the Committee when the SAR is granted, and may not be less than Fair Market Value. A SAR may be, but need not be, awarded upon satisfaction of performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s individual Award Agreement. If the SAR is being earned upon the satisfaction of performance goals, then the Committee will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for each SAR; and (y) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure such performance goals, if any. Performance Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to SARs that are subject to different performance goals and other criteria.

8.3 Exercise Period and Expiration Date. A SAR will be exercisable within the times or upon the occurrence of events determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement governing such SAR. The SAR Agreement shall set forth the expiration date; provided, that no SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the SAR is granted. The Committee may also provide for SARs to become exercisable at one time or from time to time, periodically or otherwise (including, without limitation, upon the attainment during a Performance Period of performance goals based on Performance Factors), in such number of Shares or percentage of the Shares subject to the SAR as the Committee determines.

8.4 Form of Settlement. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying (i) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price; times (ii) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. At the discretion of the Committee, the payment from the Company for the SAR exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof. The portion of a SAR being settled may be paid currently or on a deferred basis with such interest or dividend equivalent, if any, as the Committee determines, provided that the terms of the SAR and any deferral satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

9. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.

9.1 Awards of Restricted Stock Units. A Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) is an award to a Participant covering a number of Shares that may be settled in cash, or by issuance of those Shares (which may consist of Restricted Stock). All RSUs shall be made pursuant to an Award Agreement.

9.2 Terms of RSUs. The Committee will determine the terms of an RSU including, without limitation: (a) the number of Shares subject to the RSU; (b) the time or times during which the RSU may be settled; and (c) the consideration to be distributed on settlement of, and the effect of the Participant’s Termination on, each RSU. An RSU may be awarded upon satisfaction of performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If the RSU is being earned upon satisfaction of goals, then the Committee will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the RSU; (y) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure such performance goals, if any; and (z) determine the number of Shares deemed subject to the RSU. Performance Periods may overlap and participants may participate simultaneously with respect to RSUs that are subject to different Performance Periods and different performance goals and other criteria.

9.3 Form and Timing of Settlement. Payment of earned RSUs shall be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may settle earned RSUs in cash, Shares, or a combination of both. The Committee may also permit a Participant to defer payment under a RSU to a date or dates after the RSU is earned provided that the terms of the RSU and any deferral satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS.

10.1 Performance Awards. Performance Awards may be granted in the form of either Performance Shares, Performance Units or cash. Each Award Agreement evidencing a Performance Award shall specify the number of Performance Shares, Performance Units or cash Award subject thereto, the Performance Award Formula, the performance goal(s) based on Performance Factors and Performance Period applicable to the Award, and the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.

 

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10.2 Terms of Performance Awards. The Committee will determine the terms of a Performance Award including, without limitation: (a) the number of Shares or amount of cash subject to the Performance Award; (b) the time or times during which the Performance Award may be settled; and (c) the consideration to be distributed on settlement, and the effect of the Participant’s Termination on each Performance Award. A Performance Award may be awarded upon satisfaction of performance goals based on Performance Factors during any Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If the Performance Award is being earned upon satisfaction of performance goals, then the Committee will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the Performance Award; (y) select from among the Performance Factors to be used to measure such performance goals, if any; and (z) determine the number of Shares deemed subject to the Performance Award. Performance Periods may overlap and participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Performance Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and different performance goals and other criteria. No Participant will be eligible to receive cash-based Awards of (i) more than $5,000,000 of value in the calendar year grant for all such Awards with a Performance Period greater than one (1) year, or (ii) more than $3,000,000 of value in the calendar year grant for all such Awards with a Performance Period of one (1) year or less.

10.3 Form and Timing of Settlement. Payment of earned Performance Awards shall be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may settle earned Performance Awards in cash, Shares, or a combination of both. The Committee may also permit a Participant to defer payment under a Performance Award to a date or dates after the Performance Award is earned provided that the terms of the Performance Award and any deferral satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

11. IMPACT OF TERMINATION ON AWARDS.

11.1 In General. Except as may be otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant is Terminated for any reason except for Cause or such Participant’s death or Disability, outstanding Awards granted to such Participant will be treated as follows:

(a) Any Options or SARs may be exercised by the Participant only to the extent that such Options or SARs would have been exercisable by the Participant on the Termination Date no later than three (3) months after the Termination Date (or such shorter time period or longer time period not exceeding five (5) years as may be determined by the Committee, with any exercise of any Option beyond three (3) months after the Termination Date deemed to be the exercise of an NQSO), but in any event no later than the expiration date of the Options or SARs, as applicable.

(b) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock Awards, Stock Bonus Awards or Restricted Stock Units will be immediately forfeited and terminate.

(c) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any Performance Awards will be immediately forfeited and terminate.

11.2 Upon Death. Except as may be otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant is Terminated because of the Participant’s death (or, in the case of Options and SARs, the Participant dies within three (3) months after a Termination other than for Cause or because of the Participant’s Disability), outstanding Awards granted to such Participant will be treated as follows:

(a) Any Options or SARs may be exercised only to the extent that such Options or SARs would have been exercisable by the Participant on the Termination Date and must be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative, or authorized assignee, no later than twelve (12) months after the Termination Date (or such shorter time period not less than six (6) months or longer time period not exceeding five (5) years as may be determined by the Committee), but in any event no later than the expiration date of the Options or SARs, as applicable.

 

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(b) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock Awards, Stock Bonus Awards or Restricted Stock Units will be immediately forfeited and terminate, except as set forth in 11.2(c) below.

(c) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any Restricted Stock Award, Stock Bonus Award or Restricted Stock Units in any case that have performance goals and any Performance Awards will remain outstanding and such Participant’s legal representative, or authorized assignee, will be entitled to a pro rata portion of the payment otherwise payable in respect of the Award (based on the number of full weeks such Participant was employed by or provided service to the Company and/or any Parent or Subsidiary during the applicable Performance Period over the total number of weeks in such Performance Period), which will be paid on the date the Performance Award would have been paid if such Participant had remained employed with or continued to provide service to the Company and/or such Parent or Subsidiary.

11.3 Upon Disability. Except as may be otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant is Terminated because of the Participant’s Disability, outstanding Awards granted to such Participant will be treated as follows:

(a) Any Options or SARs may be exercised only to the extent that such Options or SARs would have been exercisable by the Participant on the Termination Date and must be exercised by the Participant (or the Participant’s legal representative or authorized assignee) no later than twelve (12) months after the Termination Date (with any exercise beyond (a) three (3) months after the Termination Date when the Termination is for a Disability that is not a “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, or (b) twelve (12) months after the Termination Date when the Termination is for a Disability that is a “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, deemed to be exercise of an NQSO), but in any event no later than the expiration date of the Options or SARs, as applicable.

(b) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock Awards, Stock Bonus Awards or Restricted Stock Units will be immediately forfeited and terminate, except as set forth in 11.3(c) below.

(c) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any Restricted Stock Award, Stock Bonus Award or Restricted Stock Units in any case that have performance goals and any Performance Awards will remain outstanding and such Participant will be entitled to a pro rata portion of the payment otherwise payable in respect of the Performance Award (based on the number of full weeks such Participant was employed by or provided service to the Company and/or any Parent or Subsidiary during the applicable Performance Period over the total number of weeks in such Performance Period), which will be paid on the date the Performance Award would have been paid if such Participant had remained employed with or continued to provide service to the Company and/or such Parent or Subsidiary.

11.4 Upon Termination for Cause. Except as may be otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if a Participant is Terminated for Cause, outstanding Awards granted to such Participant will be treated as follows:

(a) any Options or SARs shall expire on the Termination Date, or at such later time and on such conditions as are determined by the Committee, but in any no event later than the expiration date of the Options or SARs, as applicable.

(b) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock Awards, Stock Bonus Awards or Restricted Stock Units will be immediately forfeited and terminate.

 

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(c) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, any Performance Awards will be immediately forfeited and terminate.

12. PAYMENT FOR SHARE PURCHASES.

Payment from a Participant for Shares purchased pursuant to this Plan may be made in cash or by check or, where expressly approved for the Participant by the Committee and where permitted by law (and to the extent not otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement):

(a) by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Participant;

(b) by surrender of shares of the Company held by the Participant that have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Award will be exercised or settled;

(c) by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant for services rendered or to be rendered to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company;

(d) by consideration received by the Company pursuant to a broker-assisted or other form of cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

(e) by any combination of the foregoing; or

(f) by any other method of payment as is permitted by applicable law.

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars.

13. GRANTS TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.

13.1 Types of Awards. Non-Employee Directors are eligible to receive any type of Award offered under this Plan except ISOs. Awards pursuant to this Section 13 may be automatically made pursuant to policy adopted by the Board, or made from time to time as determined in the discretion of the Board. The aggregate number of Shares subject to Awards granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to this Section 13 in any calendar year shall not exceed 50,000 Shares.

13.2 Eligibility. Awards pursuant to this Section 13 shall be granted only to Non-Employee Directors. A Non-Employee Director who is elected or re-elected as a member of the Board will be eligible to receive an Award under this Section 13.

13.3 Vesting, Exercisability and Settlement. Except as set forth in Section 22, Awards shall vest, become exercisable and be settled as determined by the Board. With respect to Options and SARs, the exercise price granted to Non-Employee Directors shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the time that such Option or SAR is granted.

13.4 Election to receive Awards in Lieu of Cash. A Non-Employee Director may elect to receive his or her annual retainer payments and/or meeting fees from the Company in the form of cash or Awards or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Such Awards shall be issued under the Plan. An election under this Section 13.4 shall be filed with the Company on the form prescribed by the Company.

14. WITHHOLDING TAXES.

14.1 Withholding Generally. Whenever Shares are to be issued in satisfaction of Awards granted under this Plan, the Company may require the Participant to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable federal, state, local and international withholding tax requirements related to the

 

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Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant prior to the delivery of Shares pursuant to exercise or settlement of any Award. Whenever payments in satisfaction of Awards granted under this Plan are to be made in cash, such payment will be net of an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable federal, state, local and international withholding tax requirements.

14.2 Stock Withholding. The Committee, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may require or permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, or (iv) withholding from proceeds of the sale of otherwise deliverable Shares acquired pursuant to an Award either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld and may be based on the Fair Market Value as of the date immediately prior to the date with respect to which withholding is required.

15. TRANSFERABILITY.

15.1 Transfer Generally. Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution. If the Committee makes an Award transferable, including, without limitation, by instrument to an inter vivos or testamentary trust in which the Awards are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the trustor (settlor) or by gift to a Permitted Transferee, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

15.2 Beneficiaries. Each Participant under this Plan may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under this Plan is to be paid in case of such Participant’s death before he or she receives any or all of such benefit. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Committee, and will be effective only when filed by such Participant in writing with the Company during such Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such beneficiary designation, benefits remaining unpaid or rights remaining unexercised at such Participant’s death shall be paid to or exercised by such Participant’s executor, administrator, or legal representative.

16. PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP; RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES.

16.1 Voting and Dividends. No Participant will have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued to the Participant. After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant will be a stockholder and have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares; provided, that if such Shares are Restricted Stock, then any new, additional or different securities the Participant may become entitled to receive with respect to such Shares by virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock; providedfurther, that the Participant will have no right to retain such stock dividends or stock distributions with respect to Shares that are repurchased at the Participant’s Purchase Price or Exercise Price, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 16.2. However, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the Award Agreement evidencing any Award that the Participant shall be entitled to Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to the payment of cash dividends on Shares subject to such Award during the period beginning on the date the Award is granted and ending, with respect to each Share subject to the Award, on the earlier of the date on which the Award is exercised or settled or the date on which they are forfeited; provided, that under no circumstances may Dividend Equivalent Rights be granted for any Option or SAR. Such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if any, shall be credited to the Participant in the form of additional whole Shares as of the date of payment of such cash dividends on Shares.

16.2 Restrictions on Shares. At the discretion of the Committee, the Company may reserve to itself and/or its assignee(s) a right to repurchase (a “Right of Repurchase”) a portion of any or all Unvested Shares held by a Participant following such Participant’s Termination at any time within ninety (90) days

 

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after the later of the Participant’s Termination Date and the date the Participant purchases Shares under this Plan, for cash and/or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness, at the Participant’s Purchase Price or Exercise Price, as the case may be.

17. CERTIFICATES. All Shares or other securities (whether or not certificated) delivered under this Plan will be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends and other restrictions as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable, including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or quoted and any foreign exchange controls or restrictions.

18. ESCROW; PLEDGE OF SHARES. To enforce any restrictions on a Participant’s Shares, the Committee may require the Participant to deposit all certificates representing Shares, together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer approved by the Committee, appropriately endorsed in blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in escrow until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the certificates. Any Participant who is permitted to execute a promissory note as partial or full consideration for the purchase of Shares under this Plan will be required to pledge and deposit with the Company all or part of the Shares so purchased as collateral to secure the payment of the Participant’s obligation to the Company under the promissory note; providedhowever, that the Committee may require or accept other or additional forms of collateral to secure the payment of such obligation and, in any event, the Company will have full recourse against the Participant under the promissory note notwithstanding any pledge of the Participant’s Shares or other collateral. In connection with any pledge of the Shares, the Participant will be required to execute and deliver a written pledge agreement in such form as the Committee will from time to time approve. The Shares purchased with the promissory note may be released from the pledge on a pro rata basis as the promissory note is paid.

19. EXCHANGE AND BUYOUT OF AWARDS. The repricing of Options or SARs is not permitted without prior stockholder approval. Repricing is defined as the terms of outstanding awards may not be amended to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options or SARs or cancel, substitute, buyout or exchange outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or SARs. The Committee may, at any time or from time to time authorize the Company, in the case of an Option or SAR exchange with stockholder approval, and with the consent of the respective Participants (unless not required pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Plan), to pay cash or issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of any, or all, outstanding Awards.

20. SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. An Award will not be effective unless such Award is in compliance with all applicable U.S. and foreign federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of grant of the Award and also on the date of exercise or other issuance. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, the Company will have no obligation to issue or deliver certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to: (a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and/or (b) completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable. The Company will be under no obligation to register the Shares with the SEC or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification or listing requirements of foreign or state securities laws, stock exchange, exchange control or automated quotation system, and the Company will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so.

21. NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY. Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted under this Plan will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or limit in any way the right of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to terminate Participant’s employment or other relationship at any time.

22. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

 

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22.1 Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor. In the event of a Corporate Transaction any or all outstanding Awards may be assumed or replaced by the successor corporation, which assumption or replacement shall be binding on all Participants. In the alternative, the successor corporation may substitute equivalent Awards or provide substantially similar consideration to Participants as was provided to stockholders (after taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards). The successor corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding Shares of the Company held by the Participant, substantially similar shares or other property subject to repurchase restrictions no less favorable to the Participant. In the event such successor or acquiring corporation (if any) refuses to assume, convert, replace or substitute Awards, as provided above, pursuant to a Corporate Transaction, then notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, such Awards shall accelerate in full as of the time of consummation of the Corporate Transaction. In such event, the Committee will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that such Award will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and such Award will terminate upon the expiration of such period. Awards need not be treated similarly in a Corporate Transaction.

22.2 Assumption of Awards by the Company. The Company, from time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either; (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of such other company’s award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted under this Plan. Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of this Plan to such grant. In the event the Company assumes an award granted by another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged (except that the Purchase Price or the Exercise Price, as the case may be, and the number and nature of Shares issuable upon exercise or settlement of any such Award will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code). In the event the Company elects to grant a new Option in substitution rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number of Shares authorized for grant under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in a calendar year.

22.3 Non-Employee Directors’ Awards. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, the vesting of all Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors shall accelerate and such Awards shall become exercisable (as applicable) in full prior to the consummation of such event at such times and on such conditions as the Committee determines.

23. ADOPTION AND STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. This Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders, consistent with applicable laws, within twelve (12) months before or after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

24. TERM OF PLAN/GOVERNING LAW. Unless earlier terminated as provided herein, this Plan will become effective on the Effective Date and will terminate ten (10) years from the date this Plan is adopted by the Board. After this Plan is terminated or expires, no Awards may be granted but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and this Plan’s terms and conditions. This Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to that state’s conflict of law provisions.

25. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN. The Board may at any time terminate or amend this Plan in any respect, including, without limitation, amendment of any form of Award Agreement or instrument to be executed pursuant to this Plan;providedhowever, that the Board will not, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, amend this Plan in any manner that requires such stockholder approval; provided, further, that a Participant’s Award shall be governed by the version of this Plan then in effect at the time such Award was granted.

26. NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board, the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval, nor any provision of this Plan will be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such additional compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock awards and bonuses otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

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27. INSIDER TRADING POLICY. Each Participant who receives an Award shall comply with any policy adopted by the Company from time to time covering transactions in the Company’s securities by Employees, officers and/or directors of the Company.

28. ALL AWARDS SUBJECT TO COMPANY CLAWBACK OR RECOUPMENT POLICY. All Awards shall be subject to clawback or recoupment pursuant to any compensation clawback or recoupment policy adopted by the Board or required by law during the term of Participant’s employment or other service with the Company or its Parent or Subsidiary that is applicable to executive officers, employees, directors or other service providers of the Company or its Parent or Subsidiary, and in addition to any other remedies available under such policy and applicable law, may require the cancelation of outstanding Awards and the recoupment of any gains realized with respect to Awards.

29. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Plan, and except as elsewhere defined herein, the following terms will have the following meanings:

Award” means any award under the Plan, including any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Stock Bonus Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award or cash-based award.

Award Agreement” means, with respect to each Award, the written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award, including a country-specific addenda for non-U.S. Participants, which shall be in substantially a form (which need not be the same for each Participant) that the Committee (or in the case of non-Insider Participants, the Committee’s delegate), has from time to time approved, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Cause” means unless such term or an equivalent term is otherwise defined with respect to an Award by the Participant’s Award Agreement or by a written contract of employment or service, any of the following: (i) the Participant’s theft, dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty for personal profit, or falsification of any company documents or records; (ii) the Participant’s material failure to abide by a company’s code of conduct or other policies (including, without limitation, policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct); (iii) the Participant’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any tangible or intangible asset or corporate opportunity of a company (including, without limitation, the Participant’s improper use or disclosure of a company’s confidential or proprietary information); (iv) any intentional act by the Participant which has a material detrimental effect on a company’s reputation or business; (v) the Participant’s repeated failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from a company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (vi) any material breach by the Participant of any employment, service, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement between the Participant and a company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; or (vii) the Participant’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty, misappropriation or moral turpitude, or which impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties with a company.

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or those persons to whom administration of the Plan, or part of the Plan, has been delegated as permitted by law.

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

Company” means Diamond Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation.

Consultant” means any person, including an advisor or independent contractor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

 

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Corporate Transaction” means 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) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then-outstanding voting securities; (ii) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; (iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (iv) any other transaction which qualifies as a “corporate transaction” under Section 424(a) of the Code wherein the stockholders of the Company give up all of their equity interest in the Company (except for the acquisition, sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the outstanding shares of the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any amount constituting deferred compensation (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) would become payable under this Plan by reason of a Corporate Transaction, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Corporate Transaction would also constitute a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company (both as defined in Section 409A of the Code).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Corporate Transaction” shall not be deemed to result from any transaction precipitated by the Company’s insolvency, appointment of a conservator, or determination by a regulatory agency that the Company is insolvent, nor from any transaction the sole purpose of which is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

Director” means a member of the Board.

Disability” means in the case of incentive stock options, total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and in the case of other Awards, that 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 twelve (12) months.

Dividend Equivalent Right” means the right of a Participant, granted at the discretion of the Committee or as otherwise provided by the Plan, to receive a credit for the account of such Participant in an amount equal to the cash dividends paid on one Share for each Share represented by an Award held by such Participant.

Effective Date” means the date the Plan is approved by stockholders of the Company, which shall be within twelve (12) months of the approval of the Plan by the Board.

Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, providing services as an employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company (as designated on the payroll records thereof). Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Program” means a program approved by stockholders of the Company pursuant to which (a) outstanding Awards are surrendered, cancelled or exchanged for cash, the same type of Award or a different Award (or combination thereof) or (b) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is increased or reduced.

Exercise Price” means, with respect to an Option, the price at which a holder may purchase the Shares issuable upon exercise of an Option and with respect to a SAR, the price at which the SAR is granted to the holder thereof.

 

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Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock determined as follows:

(a) if such Common Stock is publicly traded and is then listed on a national securities exchange, its closing price on the date of determination on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;

(b) if such Common Stock is publicly traded but is neither listed nor admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the date of determination as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or

(c) if none of the foregoing is applicable, by the Board or the Committee in good faith.

Insider” means an officer or director of the Company or any other person whose transactions in the Company’s Common Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary.

Option” means an award of an option to purchase Shares pursuant to Section 5 or Section 13.

Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of such corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

Participant” means a person who holds an Award under this Plan.

Performance Award means a cash or stock award granted pursuant to Section 10 or Section 13 of the Plan.

“Performance Factors” means any of the factors selected by the Committee and specified in an Award Agreement, from among the following objective measures, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to the Company as a whole or any business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, on a GAAP or non-GAAP basis, and measured, to the extent applicable, on an absolute, growth or year-over-year basis or relative to a pre-established target, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies or published or special index, to determine whether the performance goals established by the Committee with respect to applicable Awards have been satisfied:

 

  (i) revenue;

 

  (ii) sales;

 

  (iii) expenses;

 

  (iv) operating income;

 

  (v) gross margin;

 

  (vi) operating margin;

 

  (vii) earnings before any one or more of: stock-based compensation expense, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

 

  (viii) pre-tax profit;

 

  (ix) net operating income;

 

  (x) net income;

 

  (xi) economic value added;

 

  (xii) free cash flow;

 

  (xiii) operating cash flow;

 

  (xiv) balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities;

 

  (xv) stock price (including, without limitation, total stockholder return);

 

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  (xvi) earnings per share;

 

  (xvii) return on stockholder equity;

 

  (xviii) return on capital;

 

  (xix) return on assets;

 

  (xx) return on investment;

 

  (xxi) employee satisfaction;

 

  (xxii) employee retention;

 

  (xxiii) market share;

 

  (xxiv) customer satisfaction;

 

  (xxv) product development;

 

  (xxvi) research and development expenses;

 

  (xxvii) completion of an identified special project;

 

  (xxviii) completion of a joint venture or other corporate transaction;

 

  (xxix) productivity ratios;

 

  (xxx) working capital targets and changes in working capital;

 

  (xxxi) individual business objectives; and

 

  (xxxii) Company-specific operational metrics.

Performance Factors shall be calculated with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary consolidated therewith for financial reporting purposes or such division or other business unit as may be selected by the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, the Performance Factors applicable to a Performance Award shall be calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, if applicable, but prior to the accrual or payment of any Performance Award for the same Performance Period and excluding the effect (whether positive or negative) of any change in accounting standards or any extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring item, as determined by the Committee, occurring after the establishment of the performance goals applicable to the Performance Award. Each such adjustment, if any, shall be made solely for the purpose of providing a consistent basis from period to period for the calculation of Performance Factors in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the Participant’s rights with respect to a Performance Award.

Performance Period” means the period of service determined by the Committee, not to exceed five (5) years, during which years of service or performance is to be measured for the Award.

Performance Share” means a right to receive Shares pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

Permitted Transferee” means any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law (including adoptive relationships) of the Employee, any person sharing the Employee’s household (other than a tenant or employee), a trust in which these persons (or the Employee) have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Employee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Employee) own more than 50% of the voting interests.

Performance Unit” means the right to receive cash pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

Plan” means this Diamond Foods, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

Purchase Price” means the price to be paid for Shares acquired under the Plan, other than Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option or SAR.

Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Shares pursuant to Section 6 or Section 13 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9 or Section 13 of the Plan.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

 

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Shares” means shares of the Company’s Common Stock and the common stock of any successor security.

Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8 or Section 13 of the Plan.

Stock Bonus” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 7 or Section 13 of the Plan.

Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

Termination” or “Terminated” means, for purposes of this Plan with respect to a Participant, that the Participant has for any reason ceased to provide services as an employee, officer, director, consultant, independent contractor or advisor to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. An employee will not be deemed to have ceased to provide services in the case of (i) sick leave, (ii) military leave, or (iii) any other leave of absence approved by the Committee; provided, that such leave is for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute or unless provided otherwise pursuant to formal policy adopted from time to time by the Company and issued and promulgated to employees in writing. In the case of any employee on an approved leave of absence, the Committee may make such provisions respecting suspension of vesting of the Award while on leave from the employ of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company as it may deem appropriate, except that in no event may an Award be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee will have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant has ceased to provide services and the effective date on which the Participant ceased to provide services (the “Termination Date”).

Unvested Shares” means Shares that have not yet vested or are subject to a right of repurchase in favor of the Company (or any successor thereto).

 

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Exhibit 4.02

 

Notice of Grant of Award   Diamond Foods, Inc.
and Award Agreement   ID: ###
  600 Montgomery Street, 13th Floor
  San Francisco, CA 94111

 

 

 

Participant Name   Award Number: ###
Address   Plan: ###
  ID: ###

 

 

 

Effective Date of Grant, you have been granted an award of # of shares restricted stock units under the Diamond Foods, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, this Notice of Grant of Award and Award Agreement (the “Notice”) and the electronically attached Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”).

These units are restricted until the vest date(s) shown below and will settle after vesting as set forth in the Agreement.

Subject to the limitations set forth in this Notice, the Plan and the Agreement, the RSUs will vest in accordance with the following schedule:

INSERT Applicable Vesting Schedule (shares & vest date)

Example:

[insert amount equal to 25% of grant, rounded down] : [insert date three months following annual meeting of stockholders]

[insert amount equal to 25% of grant, rounded down] : [insert date six months following annual meeting of stockholders]

[insert amount equal to 25% of grant, rounded down] : [insert date nine months following annual meeting of stockholders]

[insert remaining amount of grant] : [insert date twelve months following annual meeting of stockholders]

By accepting this Agreement online, you and the Company agree that this award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Notice, and the Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, by accepting this Agreement online, you consent to the electronic delivery as set forth in the Agreement.


DIAMOND FOODS, INC.

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made by and between Diamond Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the person (“Participant”) identified on the attached Notice of Grant of Award and Award Agreement (the “Notice”) pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). To the extent any capitalized terms used in this Agreement are not defined, they shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan. The Notice is incorporated by reference into this Agreement, and all references to this Agreement include the Notice.

1. Settlement. Settlement of vested RSUs shall occur within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the first business day on or following the third anniversary of the Date of Grant, (ii) the first business day on or following Participant’s Termination Date or (iii) a Corporate Transaction that constitutes a Change of Control event under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)-(vii). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participant may make an election by returning the election form specified by the Company [Alternative 1 for RSUs granted in calendar 2015: within 29 days following stockholder approval of the Plan][Alternative 2 for RSUs granted in calendar 2016 and later: prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the Date of Grant occurs] to defer settlement of vested RSUs to a date that is within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the first business day on or following Participant’s Termination Date or (iii) a Corporate Transaction that constitutes a Change of Control event under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)-(vii). Settlement of vested RSUs shall be in Shares.

2. No Stockholder Rights. Unless and until such time as Shares are issued in settlement of vested RSUs, Participant shall have no ownership of the Shares allocated to the RSUs and shall have no right to vote such Shares, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions described in the Plan and herein.

3. Dividend Equivalents. Dividends, if any (whether in cash or Shares), will not be credited to Participant, except with respect to vested RSUs which have not yet been settled. Any such dividends will be settled at the same time the underlying RSUs are settled.

4. No Transfer. The RSUs and any interest therein: (i) shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of, and (ii) shall, if Participant’s continuous service with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary shall terminate for any reason (except as otherwise provided in the Plan or herein), be forfeited to the Company forthwith, and all the rights of Participant to such RSUs shall immediately terminate.


5. Acceleration; Participant’s Termination. In the event that the date of the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders occurs on or before twelve months from the prior year’s annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders (the “Scheduled Date”) and Participant experiences a Termination on or immediately prior to such Scheduled Date, Participant shall be deemed to have vested in the RSUs that otherwise would have vested on the Anniversary Date (but only to the extent that an installment of the RSUs was due to vest on or within one month following such Scheduled Date).

In the event of a Corporate Transaction, 100% of the RSUs will vest.

If Participant is Terminated, then the Committee shall settle, in Shares, the value of any vested RSUs that have not already been settled. Participant will be considered Terminated as of the date Participant is no longer providing services (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment or corporate laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is in service or the terms of Participant’s service agreement, if any). In case of any dispute as to whether Participant has Terminated, the Committee shall have sole discretion to determine Participant’s Termination Date.

6. Section 280G Provision. If Participant, upon taking into account the benefit provided under this Award and all other payments that would be deemed to be “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (collectively, the “280G Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, notwithstanding any provision of this Award to the contrary, Participant’s benefit under this Award shall be reduced to an amount equal to (i) 2.99 times Participant’s “base amount” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), (ii) minus the value of all other payments that would be deemed to be “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (but not below zero); provided, however, that the reduction provided by this sentence shall not be made if it would result in a smaller aggregate after-tax payment to Participant (taking into account all applicable federal, state and local taxes including the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code). Unless the Company and Participant otherwise agree in writing, all determinations required to be made under this Section 6, and the assumptions to be used in arriving at such determinations, shall be made in writing in good faith by the accounting firm serving as the Company’s independent public accountants immediately prior to the events giving rise to the payment of such benefits (the “Accountants”). For the purposes of making the calculations required under this Section 6, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6.

7. No Rights as Employee, Director or Consultant. Nothing in this Agreement will affect in any manner whatsoever the right or power of the Company, or a Parent or Subsidiary, to terminate Participant’s service, for any reason, with or without Cause.

8. Acknowledgement and Consent to Electronic Delivery of All Plan Documents and Disclosures. The Company and Participant agree that the RSUs are granted under and governed by this Agreement and by the provisions of the Plan (incorporated herein by reference). Participant: (i) acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the Plan prospectus, (ii) represents that Participant has carefully read and is familiar with their provisions, and (iii) hereby accepts the RSUs subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and those set forth in the Plan.


By acceptance of the RSUs, Participant agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company and consents to the electronic delivery of the Notice, this Agreement, the Plan, account statements, Plan prospectuses required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. financial reports of the Company, and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including, without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements) or other communications or information related to the RSUs and current or future participation in the Plan. Electronic delivery may include the delivery of a link to a the Company intranet or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail or such other delivery determined at the Company’s discretion. Participant acknowledges that Participant may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost if Participant contacts the Company by telephone, through a postal service or electronic mail at Stock Administration. Participant further acknowledges that Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails; similarly, Participant understands that Participant must provide on request to the Company or any designated third party a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails. Also, Participant understands that Participant’s consent may be revoked or changed, including any change in the electronic mail address to which documents are delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address), at any time by notifying the Company of such revised or revoked consent by telephone, postal service or electronic mail through Stock Administration. Finally, Participant understands that Participant is not required to consent to electronic delivery.

9. Compliance with Laws and Regulations. The issuance of Shares will be subject to and conditioned upon compliance by the Company and Participant with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company’s Common Stock may be listed or quoted at the time of such issuance or transfer.

10. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement will be binding upon Participant and Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

11. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California as such laws are applied to agreements between California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within California, excluding that body of laws pertaining to conflict of laws. If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, then such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent possible and the other provisions will remain fully effective and enforceable.

12. Notices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to the Company shall be in writing and addressed to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at its principal corporate offices. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Participant shall be in writing and addressed to Participant at the address indicated above or to such other address as Participant may designate


in writing from time to time to the Company. All notices shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery, (i) three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested), (ii) one (1) business day after its deposit with any return receipt express courier (prepaid), or (iii) one (1) business day after transmission by rapifax, telecopier or email.

13. Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

14. Headings. The captions and headings of this Agreement are included for ease of reference only and are to be disregarded in interpreting or construing this Agreement.

15. Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Notice of Grant and this RSU Agreement for these RSUs constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether oral or written, between the parties hereto with respect to the specific subject matter hereof.

(Form Approved January 12&13, 2015)



Exhibit 5.01

 

LOGO

 

HORACE L. NASH   January 13, 2015  

EMAIL HNASH@FENWICK.COM

Direct Dial (650) 335-7934

Diamond Foods, Inc.

600 Montgomery Street, 13th Floor

San Francisco, California 94111

Gentlemen/Ladies:

At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (“Registration Statement”) to be filed by Diamond Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) on or about January 13, 2015 in connection with the registration of shares of Company’s Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”) consisting of up to (i) 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, which may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Incentive Plan”) and (ii) 2,334,464 shares of Common Stock currently underlying awards granted under the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (“2005 Incentive Plan”).

In rendering this opinion, we have examined such matters of fact as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth herein, which included examination of the following:

 

  (1) the Company’s First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 20, 2005 (“Certificate”) and certified by the Delaware Secretary of State on July 20, 2005, as filed by the Company with the Commission as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company with the Commission on March 25, 2005;

 

  (2) the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) certified to us by the Company as being the currently effective Bylaws of the Company, as filed by the Company with the Commission as an exhibit to the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Commission on October 29, 2014;


January 13, 2015

Page 2

 

  (3) the Certificate of Elimination of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, filed by the Company with the Commission as an exhibit to Form 8-K on October 29, 2014;

 

  (4) the Registration Statement, together with the exhibits filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein by reference;

 

  (5) the prospectus prepared in connection with the Registration Statement (“Prospectus”);

 

  (6) certain minutes of meetings and actions by written consent of the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders you have provided to us related to the subject matter of the opinions provided in this letter, including without limitation the adoption and approval of the Certificate, the Bylaws, the 2015 Incentive Plan and the Registration Statement;

 

  (7) a statement from the Company as of January 13, 2015 (“Statement Date”) as to the maximum number of (a) issued and outstanding options, restricted stock units, performance stock units warrants and rights to purchase capital stock of the Company as of the Statement Date, and (b) any additional shares of capital stock reserved for future issuance in connection with the Company’s stock option and stock purchase plans and all other plans or agreements as of the Statement Date (“Capitalization Statement”);

 

  (8) a statement from Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the Company’s transfer agent dated January 13, 2015 as to the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock as of the close of business on January 12, 2015;

 

  (9) a Certificate of Good Standing issued with respect to the Company by the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, on January 13, 2015 (“Delaware Good Standing Certificate”);

 

  (10) a Certificate of Status issued with respect to the Company by the office of the Secretary of State of the State of California on January 13, 2015;

 

  (11) a Certificate of Good Standing from the California Franchise Tax Board, dated January 13, 2015 stating that the Company is in good standing with that agency (together with the Delaware Good Standing Certificate and certificate of status described in items 10 and 11 above, the “Certificates of Good Standing”); and

 

  (12) an Opinion Certificate addressed to us and dated of even date herewith executed by the Company containing certain factual representations (“Opinion Certificate”).


January 13, 2015

Page 3

 

In our examination of documents for purposes of this opinion, we have assumed, and express no opinion as to, the genuineness of all signatures on original documents, the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals and completeness of all documents submitted to us as copies, the legal capacity of all persons or entities executing the same, the lack of any undisclosed termination, modification, waiver or amendment to any document reviewed by us and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents where due authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. We have also assumed that the certificates or instruments representing the Common Stock issuable under the Registration Statement have been, or will be when issued, properly signed by authorized officers of the Company or their agents.

As to matters of fact relevant to this opinion, we have relied solely upon our examination of the documents referred to above and have assumed the current accuracy and completeness of the information obtained from the documents referred to above and the representations and warranties made by representatives of the Company to us, including but not limited to those set forth in the Capitalization Statement and the Opinion Certificate. We have made no independent investigation or other attempt to verify the accuracy of any of such information or to determine the existence or non-existence of any other factual matters.

We render this opinion only with respect to, and express no opinion herein concerning the application or effect of the laws of any jurisdiction other than, the existing laws of the United States of America, of the State of California and of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

With respect to our opinion expressed in paragraph (1) below as to the valid existence and good standing of the Company under the laws of the State of Delaware, we have relied solely upon the Delaware Good Standing Certificate and representations made to us by the Company in the Opinion Certificate.

In accordance with Section 95 of the American Law Institute’s Restatement (Third) of the Law Governing Lawyers (2000), this opinion letter is to be interpreted in accordance with customary practices of lawyers rendering opinions in connection with the filing of a registration statement of the type described herein.

Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

(1) The Company is a corporation validly existing, in good standing, under the laws of the State of Delaware; and

(2) The up to 3,334,464 shares of Stock that may be issued and sold by the Company pursuant to awards of options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units granted under the 2015 Incentive Plan, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the 2015 Incentive Plan and purchase agreements to be entered into thereunder and in the manner and for the consideration stated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


January 13, 2015

Page 4

 

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to all references to us, if any, in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus constituting a part thereof and any amendments thereto.

This opinion is intended solely for use in connection with issuance and sale of shares of Common Stock subject to the Registration Statement and is not to be relied upon for any other purpose. This opinion is rendered as of the date first written above and based solely on our understanding of facts in existence as of such date after the aforementioned examination. We assume no obligation to advise you of any fact, circumstance, event or change in the law or the facts that may hereafter be brought to our attention whether or not such occurrence would affect or modify any of the opinions expressed herein.

 

Very truly yours,

 

FENWICK & WEST LLP

By:   /s/ Fenwick and West LLP
 

 



Exhibit 23.02

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated October 3, 2014 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Diamond Foods, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2014.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

January 13, 2015



EXHIBIT 23.03

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated December 6, 2012 (October 9, 2013 as to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended July 31, 2012 and the retrospective adjustment to the financial statement disclosures in Note 12 – Segment Reporting for the year ended July 31, 2012) relating to the consolidated financial statements of Diamond Foods, Inc. appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Diamond Foods, Inc. for the year ended July 31, 2014.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California

January 13, 2015

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