The table below illustrates potential payouts for Performance-Based Net Debt and Emissions Performance for grants in February 2022:
Members of management and our directors are entitled to participate in our deferred compensation plan. Currently we have one active deferred compensation plan (the “Active Deferred Compensation Plan”) and we have a second deferred compensation plan in which participation was frozen at the end of 2004 (the “Frozen Deferred Compensation Plan”). These deferred compensation plans are described in greater detail in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans.” Under the Active Deferred Compensation Plan, employee participants may defer a dollar amount or percentage amount of their base salary and/or annual bonus. Non-employee directors may defer a dollar amount or percentage of their annual fees and/or their annual equity award. Currently, we match the voluntary deferrals of the employee participants, up to 10% of their base salary. Employee participants can elect to have the match paid in cash or stock (the “Match Award”). The Compensation Committee considers the matching contributions, whether paid in cash or by stock, as additional cash compensation in calculating the total compensation for each NEO. We understand that the matching component of the Active Deferred Compensation Plan is not common among the Peer Group. However, the matching component is a significant component to our compensation practices because we do not provide any pension or retirement benefits other than the 401(k) Plan. In fourth quarter 2017, we implemented a post-retirement benefit plan to assist in providing health care to officers who are active employees and have met certain age and service requirements up until the time they are eligible for Medicare. See “Other Benefits” below for additional information.
In addition, when our NEOs receive Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards as described above, we contribute the awards to the Active Deferred Compensation Plan on our NEOs behalf, and such contributions constitute unvested discretionary contributions. The investment tracking options are described in greater detail in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans”. Performance Units, when awarded, are not placed into the Active Deferred Compensation Plan.
The Company sponsors a 401(k) Plan which is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan pursuant to which all of our full-time and part-time employees are eligible to contribute the lesser of up to 75% of their annual salary or the limit prescribed by law to the 401(k) Plan on a before-tax basis. In addition, participants age 50 or over may contribute additional before-tax amounts up to the annual catch-up contribution limit determined by the IRS and any participant may contribute rollover amounts from certain other qualified plans. Participants may also receive matching contributions, payable in cash, in an amount equal to 100% of their before-tax contributions to the 401(k) Plan up to a maximum matching contribution of 6% of their base salaries and cash bonus. The Company has adopted an auto-enrollment process for new employees which results in the employees participating in the 401(k) plan unless they determine not to participate.
Participants are 100% vested in all contributions to the 401(k) Plan. In addition to the other investment options available under the 401(k) Plan, participants may invest all or a portion of their 401(k) Plan account in our common stock. The 401(k) Plan investment options for 2021 are listed in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans.”
We provide certain other limited personal benefits that the Compensation Committee has determined are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee believes that these benefits are consistent with those provided to executive officers of our Peer Group companies, are an important retention factor and are in accordance with general compensation practices in our industry. Moreover, the Compensation Committee considers the cost and value of any such benefits as additional cash compensation when calculating the total cash compensation for purposes of determining the performance adjusted amount of long-term equity incentive compensation to award to our NEOs. We offer medical, dental, vision and life insurance and disability benefits to all eligible employees. We also provide our NEOs with the following benefits: (i) supplemental disability plans and (ii) reimbursement
for approved spousal travel expenses related to Company business. We only provide club membership dues reimbursement and reimbursement of certain expenses to certain of our executives to the extent such membership dues and expenses are related to the conduct of our business. The Compensation Committee believes these particular benefits help our executives to network and foster relationships in the oil and gas industry and community that are valuable and important to our Company. Any executive must reimburse us for any personal club use or use by a member of his family.
Effective fourth quarter 2017 to facilitate an orderly management succession process, we implemented a post-retirement benefit plan to assist in providing health care to officers who are active employees (including their spouses) and have met certain age and service requirements. These benefits are not funded in advance and are provided up to age 65 or on the date they become eligible for Medicare, subject to various cost-sharing features. In combination with the implementation of this succession plan enhancement, certain officers that qualify for the post-retirement benefit plan were also immediately vested in all equity grants (excluding any involuntary termination for cause). Effective October 2018, officers who qualify for the new post-retirement health care plan are required to provide reasonable notice of retirement and, since 2019, are fully vested after one year of service following the grant date.
There are no employment agreements currently in effect between us and any employee. None of our employees are covered under any general severance plan. In the event an executive terminates employment, any severance benefits payable would be determined by the Compensation Committee at its discretion, unless such termination occurred following a change in control, in which case severance may be payable pursuant to the Range Resources Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan (the “Management CIC Plan”).
The Management CIC Plan was adopted in March 2005. Pursuant to the Management CIC Plan, all our corporate officers and certain other employees selected by the Compensation Committee (the “Management Group”) may be entitled to receive certain payments and benefits if there is a “Change in Control” of the Company and a member of the Management Group is terminated other than for “Cause” or resigns for “Good Reason” within the “Protection Period.” The terms Change in Control, Cause, Good Reason, and Protection Period, as used in the Management CIC Plan, are defined in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Potential Payments upon Termination and Change in Control.” If a member of the Management Group is terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason within the Protection Period, that participant will receive:
The “benefit multiples” applicable to the NEOs in 2021 were as follows: Mr. Ventura – three; Mr. Scucchi – three; Mr. Degner – three, Mr. Poole – three and Mr. Farquharson - three. In early 2020, based on proxy voting guidelines we received from a large stockholder, the benefit multiples were increased to three times for all Senior Vice Presidents. In addition, any non-vested equity based compensation awards held by each participant vest upon the occurrence of a Change in Control. A more detailed description of these provisions is provided in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Potential Payments upon Termination and Change in Control.”
Although the majority of the executive compensation program pay is performance-based, the Compensation Committee believes the program does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. The Compensation Committee believes that any potential risk of the executive compensation program influencing behavior that could be inconsistent with the overall interests of Range and its stockholders is mitigated by several factors, including:
Each year, the Compensation Committee grants long-term equity incentive awards based on the prior year’s relative performance of the Company to the Peer Group and generally applies a three-year vesting to such awards for retention purposes. Because the equity grants are determined annually based on the Company’s actual performance for the year for which the compensation is being paid, the Compensation Committee does not feel it is appropriate to consider past awards and adjust compensation (including long-term equity awards). Likewise, the Committee has a practice that it does not compensate employees with additional amounts of pay if the value of prior grants of long-term equity awards is lower than valued at the time of the grant, thus the Committee does not re-price equity awards or pay cash buy outs for equity awards that are not “in the money.” In this way, the Committee believes that the actual performance of the Company directly affects the employee’s compensation actually received from the equity award. The Committee’s philosophy in this regard is the same with the use of Performance Units, including the fact that such awards are intentionally designed such that the payout varies between 0% to 200% of the number of shares initially awarded.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that was signed into law in December 2017, expands the definition of what types of compensation are subject to the $1,000,000 limitation under Section 162(m) to include performance-based compensation and includes the CFO as a covered employee. In addition, the new rule expands the definition of a “covered employee” to include any individuals who have previously been a covered employee for any years after December 31, 2016. Thus, once an individual is identified as one of the top 5 covered employees, the $1,000,000 deduction limitation applies to compensation paid to that individual, even after the individual no longer holds that position or has separated from service.
The Board of Directors’ policy is that the Compensation Committee, to the extent permitted by governing law, retains the sole and absolute authority to make retroactive adjustments to any cash or equity-based incentive compensation paid to our executives where the payment of such amounts was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a restatement. Where applicable, we will seek to recover (or “clawback”) any amount determined to have been inappropriately received by an individual.
The Compensation Committee does not time, nor has the Compensation Committee in the past timed, equity grants in coordination with the release of material non-public information. Instead, we grant equity at the time or times dictated by our normal compensation process as developed by the Compensation Committee.
None of our employees have attempted to time long-term equity incentive award grants by making grant recommendations to the Compensation Committee. Certain executives are authorized to make requests to the Compensation Committee regarding awards for new personnel as part of the hiring process, to existing employees who are promoted or where market conditions could reduce our ability to retain key employees. However, these are market driven occurrences and not timing issues, and such executives only provide recommendations that may or may not be approved by the Compensation Committee.
Each officer listed below is expected to own a number of our shares with a value that is a multiple of the officer’s current base salary:
Unless the officer has achieved the required level of share ownership, the officer is required to retain an amount equal to 50% of the net shares received as a result of any equity awards granted to the officer by the Company until he or she is in compliance with the stock ownership policy. An officer must continue to retain shares in the amount required for as long as the officer is subject to the policy. As of the date of this proxy statement, all of the senior officers satisfy the ownership requirement. The requirement to retain 50% was established to allow limited sales as necessary to satisfy tax withholding obligations.
It is our policy that directors and all officers, including our NEOs, may not purchase or sell options on our common stock, nor engage in short sales with respect to our common stock. Trading by officers and directors in puts, calls, straddles, equity swaps or other derivative securities that are directly linked to our common stock is also prohibited.
Pledging of Company equity to secure any new credit is prohibited. As of the date of this proxy statement, no NEOs or directors have any pledged Company equity.
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 and our internal controls over financial reporting for the same period. Our Board of Directors has ratified the selection. From fiscal years 2003 through 2021, Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm and also provided certain tax and other services. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the 2022 Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to address the stockholders at the Meeting if they desire to do so. Such representatives are also expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal at the meeting is required for the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2022. Abstentions have the effect of negative votes on this proposal. If the appointment is not ratified, our Audit Committee will consider whether it should select another independent registered public accounting firm.
At the 2022 Annual Meeting, our stockholders are being asked to approve an Amended and Restated 2019 Equity-Based Compensation Plan (the “2019 Equity Plan”) that will increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the plan from 14,000,000 to 16,500,000 (an increase of 2,500,000 shares). Our Board approved the amendment, subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal at the Meeting is required to approve this amendment.
Our Board recommends approval of the Amended and Restated 2019 Equity-Based Compensation Plan (“the 2019 Equity Plan”) to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan. The proposed increase would enable the continued use of the 2019 Equity Plan for stock-based grants and awards consistent with the objectives of our compensation program.
The use of stock-based grants and awards under the 2019 Equity Plan continues to be an important part of our compensation program. Of the 14,000,000 shares currently authorized for issuance under the plan, 5,100,000 shares remain available for future grant or award as of March 25, 2022. We do not believe this leaves sufficient shares available for more than a few years of additional grants and awards.
By increasing the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2019 Equity Plan by 2,500,000 shares, a total of 7,600,000 would be available for future issuance under the 2019 Equity Plan.
The purpose of the 2019 Equity Plan is to attract and retain employees, directors and consultants to provide an incentive for these individuals to achieve long-range performance goals. The following discussion summarizes the material terms of the 2019 Equity Plan. This discussion does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2019 Equity Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
The 2019 Equity Plan would be administered by our Compensation Committee, which is composed entirely of non-employee directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. Subject to the provision of the 2019 Equity Plan, in its capacity as the 2019 Equity Plan’s administrator, the Compensation Committee would be authorized to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of the 2019 Equity Plan. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Compensation Committee regarding the 2019 Equity Plan and awards granted under the 2019 Equity Plan would be final and binding on all participants and other person claiming rights under the 2019 Equity Plan or an award under the 2019 Equity Plan. The Compensation Committee may authorize a delegate to make grants under the 2019 Equity Plan to any participants other than insiders and covered employees. Furthermore, the Compensation Committee, as a condition to making any grant under the 2019 Equity Plan, shall have the right to require the employee or director to execute an agreement which makes the employee or director subject to non-competition provisions and other restrictive covenants or conditions which run in favor of the Company.
Any person who is a current full time employee of our Company or of a subsidiary, parent or affiliate of our Company would be eligible to receive an award under the 2019 Equity Plan. In addition, non-employee directors would be eligible to receive an award under the 2019 Equity Plan. As of January 1, 2022, we had 527 full time employees.
If our common stock is subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if we issue any shares of common stock as a stock dividend, the number of shares of our common stock thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of an outstanding option or upon issuance under another type of award shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately and appropriate adjustments shall be made in the per share purchase price and performance goals applicable to performance-based awards, if any, to reflect such subdivision, combination or stock dividend.
Dividends (other than stock dividends as described above) may accrue but are not payable prior to the time and only to the extent that, the underlying shares have vested or restrictions or rights to reacquire shares subject to awards have lapsed.
The 2019 Equity Plan may be amended by our stockholders. It may also be amended by our Board of Directors without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to this plan, including any increase in any share limitation, shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the stock may then be listed or quoted.
The 2019 Equity Plan became effective upon approval of the original plan by vote of our stockholders, which was May 15, 2019.
If shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an ISO are disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding periods described above, referred to as a disqualifying disposition, then (a) the optionee realizes ordinary compensation income (subject to the withholding by the Company) in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on a sale of such shares) over the option price thereof and (b) the Company is entitled to deduct this amount. Any further gain realized is taxed as a capital gain, which will be long-term if the shares were held for more than one year following exercise and does not result in any deduction to the Company. A disqualifying disposition in the year of exercise will generally avoid the alternative minimum tax consequences of the exercise of an ISO.
After the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, United States tax law generally does not allow publicly-held companies to obtain tax deductions for compensation of more than $1.0 million paid in any year to any of the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and the next three highest paid executive officers, each of which are treated as a covered employee under Section 162 (m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for any year beginning after December 31, 2016 (each, a “covered employee”). As a result, Range will not be entitled to a compensation deduction with respect to awards under the 2019 Equity Plan to a covered employee to the extent the aggregate amount payable results in total compensation in excess of the $1.0 million limit.
The issuance of any awards under the 2019 Equity Plan will be at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the amount or form of any award that will be granted to any individual in the future.
The Company knows of no other business that will be presented for consideration at the meeting, but should any other matters be properly brought before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote such proxy at their discretion with regard to such matters.
Any stockholder desiring to present a stockholder proposal at our 2022 annual meeting and to have the proposal included in our proxy statement must send it to our Corporate Secretary at 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 so that it is received on or before December 2, 2022. All such proposals should be in compliance with the SEC regulations and our by-laws. We will only include in the proxy materials those stockholder proposals that we receive before the deadline and that are proper for stockholder action.
In addition, in accordance with our by-laws, any stockholder entitled to vote at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders may propose business (other than proposals to be included in our proxy statement and proxy as discussed in the preceding paragraph) to be included on the agenda of, and properly presented for action at, the 2023 annual meeting only if written notice of such stockholder’s intent is given in accordance with the requirements of our by-laws. Such proposals must be submitted in writing and addressed to the attention of our Corporate Secretary at 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, no later than February 9, 2023 and no earlier than January 10, 2023. Pursuant to Rule 14a-4(c) of the Exchange Act, our Board of Directors may exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies solicited by it with respect to any matter properly presented by a stockholder at the 2022 annual meeting that the stockholder does not seek to have included in our proxy statement if (except as described in the following sentence) the proxy statement discloses the nature of the matter and how our Board of Directors intends to exercise its discretion to vote on such matter, unless we are notified of the proposal on or before February 9, 2023, and the stockholder satisfies the other requirements of Rule 14a-4(c)(2). If we first receive notice of such matter after February 9, 2023, and the matter nonetheless is permitted to be presented at the 2023 annual meeting, our Board of Directors may exercise discretionary voting authority with respect to any such matter without including any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with the requirements described above and other applicable requirements.
By Order of the Board of Directors
David P. Poole
Corporate Secretary
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Why did I receive these proxy materials?
We are providing these materials in connection with the solicitation by Range’s Board of Directors of proxies to be voted at our 2022 Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting.
The Meeting will be held telephonically on May 11, 2022, beginning at 8:00 a.m., utilizing a teleconference number.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with Range’s registrar and transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services LLC, you are a stockholder of record with respect to these shares. If, as is more typical, your shares are held in a brokerage account or by your bank, broker or other third party, you are the beneficial owner of these shares.
Because a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares unless you obtain a proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares. Your broker, trustee or nominee has enclosed or provided voting instructions for you to use in directing the broker, trustee or nominee how to vote your shares.
What shares are included on the proxy card?
If you are a stockholder of record, you will receive only one proxy card for all the shares you hold of record in certificate form and in book-entry form.
If you are a Range employee, you will receive a proxy or voting instruction card for all the shares you may hold in the Range 401(k) Plan. Your proxy card will serve as a voting instruction card for the Plan trustee. If you do not specify your voting instructions on the proxy card, the Plan trustee will vote your shares in the same proportion as it votes shares for which it did receive timely instructions. To allow sufficient time for voting by the trustee, your voting instructions must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 9, 2022.
What different methods can I use to vote?
Voting In Person. You will be able to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. You will be instructed at the beginning of the call how to vote your shares.
By Written Proxy. All stockholders of record can vote by written proxy card. If you are a stockholder of record and receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials, you may request a written proxy card by following the instructions included in the notice. If you are a beneficial owner, you may request a written proxy card or a voting instruction form from your bank, broker or other nominee.
By Telephone or Internet. All stockholders of record can vote by calling the toll-free telephone number on the proxy card. Please have your proxy card when you call. Voice prompts will direct you on how to vote your shares and will confirm that your voting instructions have been recorded properly.
Stockholders of record may also vote by accessing the website or the QR Code noted on the proxy card. Please have your proxy card when you go to the website.
Beneficial owners may vote by telephone or Internet if their bank, broker or other nominee makes those methods available, in which case the bank, broker or other nominee will include the instructions with the proxy materials.
Default Voting. A proxy that is properly completed and returned will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions on the proxy. If you properly complete and return a proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions, your shares will be voted in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Meeting. If we propose to adjourn the Meeting, proxy holders will vote all shares for which they have voting authority in favor of adjournment. Our Board knows of no matters other than those stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and described in the Proxy Statement to be presented for consideration at the Meeting.
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What are my voting choices for each of the proposals to be voted at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and what are the voting standards?
Proposal
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Voting Choices and Board
Recommendation
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Voting Standard
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Proposal 1.
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Election of Directors
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vote in favor of all nominees;
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vote in favor of specific nominees;
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vote against all nominees;
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vote against specific nominees;
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abstain from voting with respect to all nominees; or
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abstain from voting with respect to specific nominees.
The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees.
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Majority of votes cast (as defined in our by-laws)
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Proposal 2.
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Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
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vote in favor of the advisory proposal;
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vote against the advisory proposal; or
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abstain from voting on the advisory proposal.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the advisory proposal to approve executive compensation.
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Majority of shares present and entitled to vote
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Proposal 3.
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Ratification of the Appointment
of Ernst & Young LLP
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vote in favor of the ratification;
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vote against the ratification; or
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abstain from voting on the ratification.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification.
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Majority of shares present and entitled to vote
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Proposal 4.
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Seek authorization to increase the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Amended and Restated 2019 Equity Based Compensation Plan
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vote in favor of the proposal;
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vote against the proposal; or
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abstain from voting on the proposal. The Board recommends a vote FOR the proposal.
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Majority of shares present and entitled to vote
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What if I am a beneficial owner and do not give voting instructions to my broker?
As a beneficial owner, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would like, you must provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your bank, broker or other nominee. If you do not provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee, whether your shares can be voted by such person depends on the type of item being considered to vote.
Non-Discretionary Items. The election of directors, the advisory vote to approve executive compensation and the proposal to increase the number of shares authorized under the 2019 Equity Plan, are non-discretionary items and may not be voted on by brokers, banks or other nominees who have not received specific voting instructions from beneficial owners.
Discretionary Items. The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Auditors is a discretionary item. Generally, banks, brokers and other nominees that do not receive voting instructions from beneficial owners may vote on the proposal at their discretion.
How are abstentions and broker non-votes counted?
Proposal 1. Election of Directors. If you abstain from voting in the election of directors, you have not cast a vote and the abstention will not be counted in determining the outcome of the election. Broker non-votes are not considered a vote cast under our by-laws and will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
Proposal 2. Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation. If you abstain from voting on the advisory vote to approve executive compensation, you are considered present and entitled to vote, and your shares are considered in the calculation of whether Proposal 2 received the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote. The effect of an abstention is a vote against Proposal 2. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 2 because broker non-votes are not entitled to vote and are not considered in the calculation of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote.
Proposal 3. Ratification of Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Auditors. If you abstain from voting on the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Range’s independent auditors, you are considered present and entitled to vote, and your shares are considered in the calculation of whether Proposal 3 received the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote. The effect of an abstention is a vote against Proposal 3. Because Proposal 3 is a routine matter on which a broker has discretionary authority, no broker non-votes likely will result from this Proposal.
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Proposal 4. Seek authorization to increase the number of shares of common stock issuable under the Amended and Restated 2019 Equity-Based Compensation Plan. If you abstain from voting, you are considered present and entitled to vote and your shares are considered in the calculation of whether Proposal 4 received the affirmative vote of a majority to vote. The effect of an abstention is a vote against Proposal 4. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 4 because broker non-votes are not entitled to vote and are not considered in the calculation of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote.
What can I do if I change my mind after I vote my shares?
You may revoke your proxy prior to the completion of voting by:
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Giving written notice to Range’s Corporate Secretary; or
•
Delivering a valid, later-dated proxy or a later-dated vote by telephone or on the Internet in a timely manner.
If you hold your shares in a brokerage account or by other nominee and deliver voting instructions to the record holder of those shares, you may only revoke the voting of those shares in accordance with your instruction if the record holder revokes the original proxy as directed above and either resubmits a proxy reflecting your voting instructions or delivers to you a legal proxy giving you the right to vote the shares.
Can I access the proxy materials on the Internet? How can I sign up for the electronic proxy delivery service?
We are distributing our proxy materials to certain stockholders via the Internet under the “notice and access” approach permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). On or about April 1, 2022, we will mail to certain of our stockholders a notice of Internet availability of proxy materials with instructions explaining how to access our proxy statement and annual report and how to vote online. If you receive a notice of Internet availability by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail unless you request them by following the instructions for requesting such materials included in the notice of Internet availability.
Even if you do not participate in “notice and access,” the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement are available on the Internet at www. proxyvote.com.
The individuals named as proxies will tabulate the votes and act as inspector of election.
When will Range announce the voting results?
We will announce the preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Range will report the final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within a few days after the Meeting.
How are proxies solicited, and what is the cost?
We bear all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies. We hired MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist with the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $15,000.00 plus expenses. We will reimburse brokers, fiduciaries and custodians for their costs in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of common stock.
Our directors, officers and employees also may solicit proxies by mail, telephone and personal contact. They will not receive any additional compensation for these activities.
As permitted by the Exchange Act, only one copy of this Proxy Statement is being delivered to stockholders residing at the same address, unless the stockholders have notified Range of their desires to receive multiple copies of the Proxy Statement. This is known as “householding.”
Upon oral or written request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of the Proxy Statement to any stockholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Direct requests for additional copies of the Proxy Statement for the current year or future years to our Corporate Secretary, 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 or our Investor Relations team at (817) 869-4267.
Stockholders of record residing at the same address and currently receiving multiple copies of the Proxy Statement may contact our registrar and transfer agent, Computershare, to request a single copy be mailed in the future.
Beneficial owners should contact their broker or bank.
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How can I vote at the meeting if I am a beneficial owner?
You will be able to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting and instructions will be provided at the Meeting.
How can I view copies of Range’s corporate documents and SEC filings?
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Board Committee Charters, By-laws and Code of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics are available under the Corporate Governance section of our website at www.rangeresources.com and are available in printed form upon request by any stockholder. Our SEC filings are also posted on our website and, upon request, we will mail free of charge a copy of the Form 10-K to any stockholder. Direct such requests to our Investor Relations team at (817) 869-4267.
How can I communicate with Range’s Board of Directors or Individual Directors?
Range’s Board of Directors welcomes contact from stockholders or others with an interest in the Company. Interested parties may communicate with the Chairman of our Board of Directors by submitting correspondence to the Corporate Secretary at Range Resources Corporation, 100 Throckmorton Street, Suite 1200, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, Attention: Chairman of the Board. Any confidential matters intended only for the Chairman may be submitted in a separately enclosed envelope marked “confidential.” Similarly, any correspondence to individual Board members or the Board as a whole can be submitted to the same address and such correspondence will be forwarded to the Board member(s) to whom the correspondence is addressed.
How do I submit a proposal for action at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders?
A proposal to be acted upon at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will only be acted upon:
•
If the proposal is to be included in the proxy statement, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, the proposal is received by our Corporate Secretary on or before December 1, 2022 and the proposal meets the requirements of the applicable rules of the SEC and the requirements of our by-laws.
•
If the proposal is not to be included in the proxy statement according to our by-laws, the proposal is submitted in writing to our Corporate Secretary no earlier than January 10, 2023 and no later than February 9, 2023, and such proposal is, under Delaware General Corporation Law, an appropriate subject for stockholder action, and the notice relating to such proposal meets the requirement of our by-laws.
How do I submit a candidate for election to the Board under the Company’s Proxy Access by-law?
In response to a stockholder proposal submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders in May 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted new provisions of the Company’s by-laws to allow a stockholder or group of stockholders that meet certain criteria and requirements to nominate candidates for election to the Board and have such persons included in the Company’s proxy statement. If you wish to do so, you must submit the required information to the Company not less than one hundred and twenty (120) days nor more than one hundred and fifty (150) days prior to the first anniversary of the date that the Company first distributed its proxy statement to stockholders for the previous year’s Annual Meeting (i.e. April 1 for this proxy statement). Copies of the Company’s by-laws are available on the Company’s website at www.rangeresources.com or upon request addressed to the Company’s Corporate Secretary.
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The purpose of the Range Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 2019 Equity-Based Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide a means through which Range Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its subsidiaries may attract and retain able persons as employees, directors and consultants of the Company and to provide a means whereby those persons upon whom the responsibilities of the successful administration and management of the Company rest, and whose present and potential contributions to the welfare of the Company are of importance, can acquire and maintain stock ownership, or awards the value of which is tied to the performance of the Company’s stock, thereby strengthening their concern for the welfare of the Company and their desire to remain in its employ. A further purpose of this Plan is to provide such employees and directors with additional incentive and reward opportunities designed to enhance the profitable growth of the Company. Accordingly, this Plan primarily provides for granting Incentive Stock Options, options which do not constitute Incentive Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Phantom Stock Awards, Performance Awards, or any other equity-based award or combination of equity-based awards, as is best suited to the circumstances of the particular individual as provided herein.
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below, in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof:
(a)
“Acquiring Person” means (i) any Person other than the Company, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) all members of a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of which any Person described in clause (i) is a member with respect to the Company’s securities.
(b)
“Annual Incentive Award” means a conditional right granted to a Participant under Section 8(b) hereof to receive a cash payment, Stock or other Award, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, after the end of a specified fiscal year.
(c)
“Award” means any Option, SAR (including Limited SAR), Restricted Stock Award, Phantom Stock Award, Stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award, together with any other right or interest granted to a Participant under this Plan.
(d)
“Beneficiary” means one or more persons, trusts or other entities which have been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits specified under this Plan upon such Participant’s death or to which Awards or other rights are transferred if and to the extent permitted under Section 10(a) hereof. If, upon a Participant’s death, there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the term Beneficiary means the persons, trusts or other entities entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.
(e)
“Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and any successor to such Rule.
(f)
“Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.
(g)
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in the state of Texas are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(h)
“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i)
Change in Board Composition. Persons who constitute the members of the Board as of the date hereof (the “Incumbent Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of members of the Board; provided that any Person becoming a director of the Company subsequent to the date hereof shall be considered an Incumbent Director if such Person’s appointment, election or nomination was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the Incumbent Directors; but provided, further, that any such Person whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of members of the Board or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a “person” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) other than the Board, including by reason of agreement intended to avoid or settle any such actual or threatened contest or solicitation, shall not be considered an Incumbent Director;
(ii)
Business Combination. Consummation of (x) a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, whether in one or a series of related transactions, or (y) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company (either, a “Business Combination”), excluding, however, any Business Combination pursuant to which:
(A)
Persons who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the then outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Outstanding Stock”) and the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”) immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, upon consummation of such Business Combination, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common stock (or similar securities or interests in the case of an entity other than a corporation) and more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities (or interests) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or in the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving Corporation (as defined below) in substantially the same proportions as
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their ownership of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination;
(B)
no Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act) (“Group”) becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) (“Beneficial Owner”) of 35% or more of either (x) the then outstanding shares of common stock (or similar securities or interests in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving Corporation, or (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities (or interests) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or in the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving Corporation; and
(C)
individuals who were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or of any similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of the Surviving Corporation; where, for purposes of this clause (ii), the term “Surviving Corporation” means the entity resulting from a Business Combination or, if such entity is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another entity, the entity that is the ultimate parent of the entity resulting from such Business Combination.
(iii)
Stock Acquisition. Any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) or Group becomes the Beneficial Owner of 35% or more of either (x) the Outstanding Stock or (y) the Outstanding Company Voting Securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 2(h)(iii), no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of the following acquisitions: (A) any acquisition directly from the Company; or (B) any acquisition by a Person pursuant to a Business Combination which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of Section 2(h)(ii); or
(iv)
Liquidation. Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company (or, if no such approval is required, the consummation of such a liquidation or dissolution).
(i)
“Change in Control Price” means the amount determined in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v), whichever is applicable, as follows: (i) the per share price offered to holders of the same class of Stock of the Company in any merger or consolidation, (ii) the per share value of the Stock immediately before the Change in Control (without regard to assets sold in the Change in Control and assuming the Company has received the consideration paid for the assets) in the case of a sale of the assets, (iii) the amount distributed per share of Stock in a dissolution transaction, (iv) the price per share offered to holders of the same class of Stock of the Company in any tender offer or exchange offer whereby a Change in Control takes place, or (v) if such Change in Control occurs other than pursuant to a tender or exchange offer, the fair market value per share of the shares into which such Options being surrendered are exercisable, as determined by the Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such Options. In the event that the consideration offered to stockholders of the Company in any transaction described in the foregoing sentence or Section 9(c) consists of anything other than cash, the Committee shall determine the fair cash equivalent of the portion of the consideration offered which is other than cash.
(j)
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.
(k)
“Committee” means a committee of two or more directors designated by the Board to administer this Plan; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more directors, each of whom shall be a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
(l)
“Dividend Equivalent” means a right, granted to a Participant, either as a component of another Award or as a separate Award, to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments. Dividend Equivalents granted as a component of another Award shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the other Award.
(m)
“Effective Date” means May __, 2022.
(n)
“Eligible Person” means all officers and employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary, and other persons who provide services to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including directors of the Company. An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary for purposes of eligibility for participation in this Plan.
(o)
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.
(p)
“Executive Officer” means an executive officer of the Company as defined under the Exchange Act.
(q)
“Fair Market Value” means, for a particular day:
(i)
if shares of Stock of the same class are listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on any national or regional securities exchange at the date of determining the Fair Market Value, then the last reported sale price, regular way, on the composite tape of that exchange on that business day or, if no such sale takes place on that business day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on that securities exchange or, if no such closing prices are available for that day, the last reported sale price, regular way, on the composite tape of that exchange on the last business day before the date in question; or
(ii)
if shares of Stock of the same class are not listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges as provided in subparagraph (i) and if sales prices for shares of Stock of the same class in the over-the-counter market are reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) National Market System as of the date of determining the Fair Market Value, then the last
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reported sales price so reported on that business day or, if no such sale takes place on that business day, the average of the high bid and low asked prices so reported or, if no such prices are available for that day, the last reported sale price so reported on the last business day before the date in question; or
(iii)
if shares of Stock of the same class are not listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges as provided in subparagraph (i) and sales prices for shares of Stock of the same class are not reported by the NASDAQ National Market System (or a similar system then in use) as provided in subparagraph (ii), and if bid and asked prices for shares of Stock of the same class in the over-the-counter market are reported by NASDAQ (or, if not so reported, by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated) as of the date of determining the Fair Market Value, then the average of the high bid and low asked prices on that business day or, if no such prices are available for that day, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on the last business day before the date in question; or
(iv)
if shares of Stock of the same class are not listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges as provided in subparagraph (i) and sales prices or bid and asked prices therefor are not reported by NASDAQ (or the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated) as provided in subparagraph (ii) or subparagraph (iii) as of the date of determining the Fair Market Value, then the value determined in good faith by the Committee, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes; or
(v)
if shares of Stock of the same class are listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges as provided in subparagraph (i) or sales prices or bid and asked prices therefor are reported by NASDAQ (or the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated) as provided in subparagraph (ii) or subparagraph (iii) as of the date of determining the Fair Market Value, but the volume of trading is so low that the Board of Directors determines in good faith that such prices are not indicative of the fair value of the Stock, then the value determined in good faith by the Committee, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (i), (ii) or (iii).
For purposes of valuing Incentive Stock Options, the Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined without regard to any restriction other than one that, by its terms, will never lapse. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Award that is a Limited SAR, the “Fair Market Value” shall equal the Change in Control Price.
(r)
“Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.
(s)
“Limited SAR” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof that may only be exercised or settled in connection with a Change in Control or other event as specified by the Committee may be granted on such terms, not inconsistent with Section 6(c), as the Committee may determine.
(t)
“Option” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(b) hereof, to purchase Stock or other Awards at a specified price during specified time periods.
(u)
“Other Stock-Based Awards” means Awards granted to a Participant under Section 6(h) hereof.
(v)
“Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under this Plan which remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.
(w)
“Performance Award” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 8 hereof, to receive Awards based upon performance criteria specified by the Committee.
(x)
“Person” shall mean any individual, group, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, association, trust, or other entity or organization.
(y)
“Phantom Stock” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(e) hereof, to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period.
(z)
“Qualified Member” means a member of the Committee who is a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3).
(aa)
“Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6(d) hereof, that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
(bb)
“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under section 16 of the Exchange Act, as from time to time in effect and applicable to this Plan and Participants.
(cc)
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any successor law, as it may be amended from time to time.
(dd)
“Stock” means the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and such other securities as may be substituted (or resubstituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 9.
(ee)
“Stock Appreciation Rights” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.
(ff)
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
(gg)
“Voting Securities” means with respect to any Person any securities or interests that vote generally in the election of directors, in the admission of general partners or members, or in the selection of any other similar governing body of such Person.
(a)
Authority of the Committee. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee except to the extent the Board elects, in order to comply with Rule 16b-3 or for any other reason, to administer this Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the “Board.” Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and Rule 16b-3, the Committee shall have the authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to (i) adopt, amend, and rescind administrative and interpretive rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (ii) determine the Eligible Persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted; (iii) determine the amount of cash and the number of shares of Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, Phantom Stock Rights, or Restricted Stock Awards, or any combination thereof, that shall be the subject of each Award; (iv) determine the terms and provisions of each Award agreement (which need not be identical), including provisions defining or otherwise relating to (A) the term and the period or periods and extent of exercisability of the Options, (B) the extent to which the transferability of shares
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of Stock issued or transferred pursuant to any Award is restricted, (C) the effect of termination of employment of a Participant on the Award, and (D) the effect of approved leaves of absence (consistent with any applicable regulations of the Internal Revenue Service); (v) subject to the provisions of Section 5(b), accelerate the time of exercisability of any Option that has been granted; (vi) construe the respective Award agreements and the Plan; (vii) make determinations of the Fair Market Value of the Stock pursuant to the Plan; (viii) delegate its duties under the Plan to such agents as it may appoint from time to time, provided that the Committee may not delegate its duties with respect to making Awards to, or otherwise with respect to Awards granted to, Eligible Persons who are subject to section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; (ix) subject to ratification by the Board, terminate, modify, or amend the Plan; and (x) make all other determinations, perform all other acts, and exercise all other powers and authority necessary or advisable for administering the Plan, including the delegation of those ministerial acts and responsibilities as the Committee deems appropriate. Subject to Rule 16b-3, the Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award, or in any Award agreement in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary or desirable to carry the Plan into effect, and the Committee shall be the sole and final judge of that necessity or desirability. In no event may the Board or the Committee: (i) reprice underwater Options by canceling and regranting Options or by lowering the exercise price, except for adjustments pursuant to Section 9 hereof; (ii) conduct a cash buyout of any underwater Options; (iii) replace an underwater Option with another Award; or (iv) take any other action that would be treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Section 3(a) shall be final and conclusive.
(b)
Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to a Participant who is then subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (ii) by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided, however, that, upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such non-Qualified Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of this Plan. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its subsidiaries, stockholders, Participants, Beneficiaries, and transferees under Section 10(a) hereof or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. The Committee may delegate to officers or managers of the Company or any Subsidiary, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions, including administrative functions, as the Committee may determine, to the extent that such delegation will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company. The Committee may appoint agents to assist it in administering this Plan.
(c)
Limitation of Liability. The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, the Company’s legal counsel, independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of this Plan. Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company or a Subsidiary acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to this Plan, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.
(a)
Overall Number of Shares Available for Delivery. Subject to adjustment in a manner consistent with any adjustment made pursuant to Section 9, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under this Plan shall not exceed the sum of 16,500,000. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be subject to Incentive Stock Option treatment is 16,500,000.
(b)
Application of Limitation to Grants of Awards. No Award may be granted if (i)(A) the number of shares of Stock to be delivered in connection with such Award or, (B) in the case of an Award relating to shares of Stock but settleable only in cash (such as cash-only SARs), the number of shares to which such Award relates exceeds (ii) the number of shares of Stock remaining available under this Plan minus the number of shares of Stock issuable in settlement of or relating to then-outstanding Awards. The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award.
(c)
Availability of Shares Not Delivered under Awards. Shares of Stock subject to an Award under this Plan that expire or are canceled, forfeited or otherwise terminated without a delivery of shares to the Participant will again be available for Awards under this Plan, provided that shares of Stock subject to an Award shall not be again made available for issuance or delivery under this Plan if such shares are (i) tendered or withheld in payment of any exercise or purchase price of an Award or taxes relating to any Award, or (ii) covered by an Award that is settled in cash or in a manner such that some or all of the shares of Stock by the Award are not issued.
(d)
Stock Offered. The shares to be delivered under the Plan shall be made available from (i) authorized but unissued shares of Stock, (ii) Stock held in the treasury of the Company, or (iii) previously issued shares of Stock reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased on the open market, in each situation as the Board or the Committee may determine from time to time at its sole option.
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(a)
Minimum Vesting Requirement. All Awards that are designated to be settled in shares of Stock shall be subject to a minimum vesting requirement of at least one year from the date the Award was granted, and no portion of any such Award may vest or become exercisable earlier than the first anniversary of the date such Award was granted; provided, that the Committee may, in its discretion, provide for full or partial acceleration of the vesting provisions of any Award based on circumstances the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate. The foregoing minimum vesting requirement shall not apply: (i) with respect to 825,000 shares of stock as a “Carve-Out Exception” (i.e., 5% of 16.5 million shares), or (ii) to the vesting of an Award that is accelerated as a result of a Change in Control or a Participant’s death or disability.
(a)
General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10(c)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment by the Participant and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. subject to the provisions of Section 5(b), The Committee shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any time, any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under this Plan. Except in cases in which the Committee is authorized to require other forms of consideration under this Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration must be paid to satisfy the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law, no consideration other than services may be required for the grant (but not the exercise) of any Award.
(b)
Options. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i)
Exercise Price. Each Option agreement shall state the exercise price per share of Stock (the “Exercise Price”); provided, however, that the Exercise Price per share of Stock subject to an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock on the date of grant of the Option; provided, however, with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, in the case of an individual who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or its parent or any Subsidiary, the Exercise Price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Stock on the date of grant.
(ii)
Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, including without limitation cash, Stock, other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or any Subsidiary, or other property (including notes or other contractual obligations of Participants to make payment on a deferred basis), and the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, including, but not limited to, the delivery of Restricted Stock subject to Section 6(d). In the case of an exercise whereby the Exercise Price is paid with Stock, such Stock shall be valued as of the date of exercise.
(iii)
ISOs. The terms of any ISO granted under this Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of section 422 of the Code. Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of this Plan relating to ISOs (including any SAR in tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under this Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either this Plan or any ISO under section 422 of the Code, unless the Participant has first requested the change that will result in such disqualification. ISOs shall not be granted more than ten years after the earlier of the adoption of this Plan or the approval of this Plan by the Company’s stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock subject to an ISO and the aggregate Fair Market Value of shares of stock of any parent or Subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) subject to any other incentive stock option (within the meaning of section 422 of the Code)) of the Company or a parent or Subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) that first becomes purchasable by a Participant in any calendar year may not (with respect to that Participant) exceed $100,000, or such other amount as may be prescribed under section 422 of the Code or applicable regulations or rulings from time to time. As used in the previous sentence, Fair Market Value shall be determined as of the date the incentive stock options is granted. Failure to comply with this provision shall not impair the enforceability or exercisability of any Option, but shall cause the excess amount of shares to be reclassified in accordance with the Code.
(iv)
No Reload Options. No Option granted under this Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional Options in connection with any exercise of the original Option.
(c)
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i)
Right to Payment. An SAR shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise or settlement thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise or settlement over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee.
(ii)
Rights Related to Options. A Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to an Option shall entitle a Participant, upon exercise or settlement, to surrender that Option or any portion thereof, to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount computed pursuant to Subsection 6(c)(ii)(B). That Option shall then cease to be exercisable or
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settleable to the extent surrendered. Stock Appreciation Rights granted in connection with an Option shall be subject to the terms of the Award agreement governing the Option, which shall comply with the following provisions in addition to those applicable to Options:
(A)
A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option shall be exercisable or settleable only at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and shall not be transferable except to the extent that the related Option is transferable.
(B)
Upon the exercise or settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company of an amount determined by multiplying:
(1)
the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price of a share of Stock specified in the related Option from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise or settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right, by
(2)
the number of shares as to which that Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised or settled.
(iii)
Right Without Option. A Stock Appreciation Right granted independent of an Option shall be exercisable or settleable as determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award agreement governing the Stock Appreciation Right, which Award agreement shall comply with the following provisions:
(A)
Each Award agreement shall state the total number of shares of Stock to which the Stock Appreciation Right relates.
(B)
Each Award agreement shall state the time the Stock Appreciation Right will be settled or the time or periods in which the right to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right or a portion thereof shall vest and the number of shares of Stock for which the right to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right shall vest at each such time or period.
(C)
Each Award agreement shall state the date at which the Stock Appreciation Rights shall expire if not previously exercised or settled.
(D)
Each Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle a participant, upon exercise or settlement thereof, to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying:
(1)
the difference obtained by subtracting the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right from the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise or settlement of that Stock Appreciation Right, by
(2)
the number of shares as to which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised or settled.
(iv)
Terms. The Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which an SAR may be exercised or settled in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not an SAR shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. SARs and Limited SARs may be either freestanding or in tandem with other Awards.
(v)
No Reload SARs. No SAR granted under this Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional SARs in connection with any exercise of the original SAR.
(d)
Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i)
Grant and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of this Plan and any Award agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Committee). During the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant.
(ii)
Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Stock.
(iii)
Certificates for Stock. Restricted Stock granted under this Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.
(iv)
Dividends and Splits. Any dividend payments or distributions declared or paid on Restricted Stock shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such dividend payment or distribution has been made. The Committee may require or permit a Participant to elect that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock or applied to the purchase of additional Awards under this Plan, which shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock.
(e)
Phantom Stock. The Committee is authorized to grant Phantom Stock to Participants, which are rights to receive Stock, cash, or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period, subject to the following terms and conditions:
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(i)
Award and Restrictions. Satisfaction of an Award of Phantom Stock shall occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Phantom Stock by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant). In addition, Phantom Stock shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee may impose, if any, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier specified times (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. Phantom Stock may be satisfied by delivery of Stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock covered by the Phantom Stock, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.
(ii)
Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment during the applicable deferral period or portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply (as provided in the Award agreement evidencing the Phantom Stock), all Phantom Stock that is at that time subject to deferral (other than a deferral at the election of the Participant) shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Phantom Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Phantom Stock.
(iii)
Dividend Equivalents. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at date of grant, Dividend Equivalents on the specified number of shares of Stock covered by an Award of Phantom Stock shall be deferred with respect to such Phantom Stock and the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in additional Phantom Stock, other Awards or other investment vehicles, as the Committee shall determine or permit the Participant to elect.
(f)
Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations. The Committee is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock or other Awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under this Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, provided that, in the case of Participants subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act, the amount of such grants remains within the discretion of the Committee to the extent necessary to ensure that acquisitions of Stock or other Awards are exempt from liability under section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other terms as shall be determined by the Committee. In the case of any grant of Stock to an officer of the Company or a Subsidiary in lieu of salary or other cash compensation, the number of shares granted in place of such compensation shall be reasonable, as determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6(f) to the contrary, the number of shares of Stock granted as a bonus, when aggregated with the number of shares of Stock delivered pursuant to other Awards granted pursuant to Section 6(h), may not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Stock authorized under Section 4(a) for Awards under the Plan.
(g)
Dividend Equivalents. The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to a Participant, entitling the Participant to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award. The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, as the Committee may specify.
(h)
Other Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of this Plan, including without limitation convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under this Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 6(h). In addition, the Committee may grant Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards pursuant to Section 8 hereof that are not necessarily denominated, payable, or valued in or otherwise related to Stock. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6(h) to the contrary, the number of shares of Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted pursuant to this Section 6(h), when aggregated with the number of shares of Stock granted as a bonus pursuant to Section 6(f), may not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Stock authorized under Section 4(a) for Awards under the Plan.
(a)
Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards. Awards granted under this Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, the Committee shall not grant Options with reload features. Such additional, tandem and substitute or exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award in consideration for the grant of the new Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash
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compensation, including in lieu of cash amounts payable under other plans of the Company or any Subsidiary, in which the value of Stock subject to the Award is equivalent in value to the cash compensation (for example, Phantom Stock or Restricted Stock), or in which the exercise price, grant price or purchase price of the Award in the nature of a right that may be exercised is equal to the Fair Market Value of the underlying Stock minus the value of the cash compensation surrendered (for example, Options granted with an exercise price “discounted” by the amount of the cash compensation surrendered).
(b)
Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided that in no event shall the term of any Option or SAR exceed a period of ten years (or such shorter term as may be required in respect of an ISO under section 422 of the Code).
(c)
Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals. Subject to the terms of this Plan and any applicable Award agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a Subsidiary upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine, including without limitation cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, or, with respect to an Award that is not an Option or SAR, in installments or on a deferred basis. The settlement of any Award under this Plan may be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu of Stock in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee or upon occurrence of one or more specified events (in addition to a Change in Control), except to the extent such acceleration would trigger the additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. Installment or deferred payments with respect to Awards other than Options or SARs may be required by the Committee (subject to Section 10(c) of this Plan, including the consent provisions thereof in the case of any deferral of an outstanding Award not provided for in the original Award agreement) or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee. However, any installment and deferred payment, whether required by the Committee or elected by a Participant, that is not a “short-term deferral,” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, shall be allowed only as is provided in a separate deferred compensation plan adopted by the Company that complies with Section 409A of the Code. Payment obligations with respect to such installment or deferred payment shall be transferred to such separate deferred compensation plan and thereafter shall be subject to the terms of such deferred compensation plan. This Plan shall not be operated in a manner that results in it constituting an “employee benefit plan” for purposes of section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(d)
Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. It is the intent of the Company that the grant of any Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who is subject to section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt from section 16 pursuant to an applicable exemption (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 as then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under section 16(b).
(e)
Non-Competition Agreement. Each Participant to whom an Award is granted under this Plan may be required to agree in writing as a condition to the granting of such Award not to engage in conduct in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries for a period after the termination of such Participant’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries as determined by the Committee.
(a)
Performance Conditions. The right of a Participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and individual performance criteria as set forth in Section 8(a)(i) and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions.
(i)
Business and Individual Performance Criteria.
(A)
Business Criteria. One or more of the following business criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis, and/or for specified subsidiaries or business or geographical units of the Company (except with respect to the total stockholder return and earnings per share criteria), may be used by the Committee in establishing performance goals for such Performance Awards: (1) earnings per share; (2) increase in revenues; (3) increase in cash flow; (4) increase in cash flow return; (5) return on net assets, return on assets, return on investment, return on capital, or return on equity; (6) economic value added; (7) operating margin or contribution margin; (8) net income; net income per share; pretax earnings; pretax earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization and exploration expense; pretax operating earnings after interest expense and before incentives, service fees, and extraordinary or special items; or operating income; (9) total stockholder return; (10) debt reduction; (11) finding and development costs; (12) production growth; or production growth per share; (13) cash flow; or cash flow per share; (14) reserve replacement; or reserves per share growth; and (15) any of the above goals determined on an absolute or relative basis or as compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or a group of comparable companies.
(B)
Individual Performance Criteria. The grant, exercise and/or settlement of Performance Awards may also be contingent upon individual performance goals established by the Committee.
(ii)
Performance Period; Timing for Establishing Performance Goals. Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance Awards shall be measured over a performance period of up to ten years, as specified by the Committee.
(iii)
Performance Award Pool. The Committee may establish a Performance Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring performance of the Company in
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connection with Performance Awards. The amount of such Performance Award pool may be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the criteria set forth in Section 8(a)(i) hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the Committee. The Committee may specify the amount of the Performance Award pool as a percentage of any of such criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount which need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such criteria.
(iv)
Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms. After the end of each performance period, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of (A) the Performance Award pool, and the maximum amount of potential Performance Award payable to each Participant in the Performance Award pool, or (B) the amount of potential Performance Award otherwise payable to each Participant. Settlement of such Performance Awards shall be in cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce or increase the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of Performance Awards.
(b)
Annual Incentive Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees. The Committee may grant an Annual Incentive Award to any Eligible Person. The grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award may be contingent upon achievement of preestablished performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 8(b).
(i)
Annual Incentive Award Pool. The Committee may establish an Annual Incentive Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring performance of the Company in connection with Annual Incentive Awards. The amount of such Annual Incentive Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 8(a)(i) hereof during the given performance period. The Committee may specify the amount of the Annual Incentive Award pool as a percentage of any of such business criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount which need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria.
(ii)
Potential Annual Incentive Awards. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Persons who will potentially receive Annual Incentive Awards, and the amounts potentially payable thereunder, for that fiscal year, either out of an Annual Incentive Award pool established under Section 8(b)(i) hereof or as individual Annual Incentive Awards. The amount potentially payable shall be based on such criteria as shall be established by the Committee.
(iii)
Payout of Annual Incentive Awards. After the end of each fiscal year, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of (A) the Annual Incentive Award pool, and the maximum amount of potential Annual Incentive Award payable to each Participant in the Annual Incentive Award pool, or (B) the amount of potential Annual Incentive Award otherwise payable to each Participant. The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable to any Participant as a final Annual Incentive Award shall be increased or reduced from the amount of his or her potential Annual Incentive Award, including a determination to make no final Award whatsoever. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which an Annual Incentive Award shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant prior to the end of a fiscal year or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award.
(a)
Existence of Plans and Awards. The existence of this Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
(b)
Subdivision or Consolidation of Shares. The terms of an Award and the number of shares of Stock authorized pursuant to Section 4 for issuance under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment from time to time, in accordance with the following provisions:
(i)
If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall subdivide as a whole (by reclassification, by a Stock split, by the issuance of a distribution on Stock payable in Stock, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a greater number of shares of Stock, then (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for the Plan as provided in Section 4 shall be increased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any Award shall be increased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the exercise price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be reduced proportionately, without changing the aggregate purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.
(ii)
If at any time, or from time to time, the Company shall consolidate as a whole (by reclassification, reverse Stock split, or otherwise) the number of shares of Stock then outstanding into a lesser number of shares of Stock, (A) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for the Plan as provided in Section 4 shall be decreased proportionately, and the kind of shares or other securities available for the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted, (B) the number of shares of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) that may be acquired under any Award shall be decreased proportionately, and (C) the price (including the exercise price) for each share of Stock (or other kind of shares or securities) subject to then outstanding Awards shall be increased proportionately, without changing the aggregate
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purchase price or value as to which outstanding Awards remain exercisable or subject to restrictions.
(iii)
Whenever the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Awards and the price for each share of Stock subject to outstanding Awards are required to be adjusted as provided in this Section 9(b), the Committee shall promptly prepare a notice setting forth, in reasonable detail, the event requiring adjustment, the amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated, and the change in price and the number of shares of Stock, other securities, cash, or property purchasable subject to each Award after giving effect to the adjustments. The Committee shall promptly give each Participant such a notice.
(iv)
Adjustments under Subsections 9(b)(i) and (ii) shall be made by the Committee, and its determination as to what adjustments shall be made and the extent thereof shall be final, binding, and conclusive. No fractional interest shall be issued under the Plan on account of any such adjustments.
(c)
Corporate Restructuring. If the Company recapitalizes, reclassifies its capital stock, or otherwise changes its capital structure (a “recapitalization”), the number and class of shares of Stock covered by an Option theretofore granted shall be adjusted so that such Option shall thereafter cover the number and class of shares of stock and securities to which the holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to the recapitalization, the holder had been the holder of record of the number of shares of Stock then covered by such Option and the share limitations provided in Section 4 shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with the recapitalization. Upon a Change in Control, all Awards outstanding as of the effective time of the Change in Control, other than Performance Awards, shall become immediately fully vested and/or exercisable and shall no longer be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transferability, other than those imposed by applicable legislative or regulatory requirements. With respect to Performance Awards, in the event of a Change in Control, the number of Performance Awards that shall vest and shall no longer be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transferability, other than those imposed by applicable legislative or regulatory requirements shall be determined as follows: the Committee shall (i) shorten the performance period to end on the date of the Change in Control, (ii) adjust the applicable performance goals as appropriate based on the shortened performance period, and (iii) determine the Performance Awards that shall vest based on the extent to which the applicable performance goals with respect to each such shortened performance period have been met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any such compensation that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the payment of such Award shall be accelerated only upon a “change of control event,” as defined in Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder.
In addition, upon a Change in Control, the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any holder, may effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual holders and which may vary among Options held by any individual holder: (1) accelerate the time at which Options then outstanding may be exercised so that such Options may be exercised in full for a limited period of time on or before a specified date (before or after such Change in Control) fixed by the Committee, after which specified date all unexercised Options and all rights of holders thereunder shall terminate, (2) require the mandatory surrender to the Company by selected holders of some or all of the outstanding Options held by such holders (irrespective of whether such Options are then exercisable under the provisions of this Plan) as of a date, before or after such Change in Control, specified by the Committee, in which event the Committee shall thereupon cancel such Options and pay to each holder an amount of cash per share equal to the excess, if any, of the Change in Control Price subject to such Option over the exercise price(s) under such Options for such shares, (3) provide that the number and class of shares of Stock covered by an Award theretofore granted shall be adjusted so that such Award shall thereafter cover the number and class of shares of Stock or other securities or property (including, without limitation, cash) to which the holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the agreement of merger, consolidation, sale of assets, or dissolution, if the holder had been the holder of record of the number of shares of Stock covered by the Award, or (4) make such adjustments to Options then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control (provided, however, that the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to Options then outstanding).
(d)
Non-Option Awards. In the event of changes in the outstanding Stock by reason of recapitalization, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations, exchanges or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any Award and not otherwise provided for by this Section 9, any outstanding Awards and any agreements evidencing such Awards shall be subject to adjustment by the Committee at its discretion as to the number and price of shares of Stock or other consideration subject to such Awards. In the event of any such change in the outstanding Stock, the aggregate number of shares available under this Plan may be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive.
(e)
Additional Issuances. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided, the issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash, property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per share, if applicable.
(i)
Permitted Transferees. The Committee may, in its discretion, permit a Participant to transfer all or any portion of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Phantom Stock Award or Restricted Stock Award (if such Restricted Stock Award does not require the transfer of consideration by the Participant or the holder other than usual and customary service) after the Company’s initial registration of the stock
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under section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, or authorize all or a portion of such Awards to be granted to an Eligible Person to be on terms which permit transfer by such Participant; provided that, in either case the transferee or transferees must be 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, in each case with respect to the Participant, any person sharing the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee of the Company), a trust in which these persons have more than fifty percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than fifty percent of the voting interests (collectively, “Permitted Transferees”); provided further that, (X) there may be no consideration for any such transfer and (Y) subsequent transfers of Awards transferred as provided above shall be prohibited except subsequent transfers back to the original holder of the Award and transfers to other Permitted Transferees of the original holder. Agreements evidencing Awards with respect to which such transferability is authorized at the time of grant must be approved by the Committee, and must expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this Subsection 10(a)(i).
(ii)
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders. An Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Phantom Stock Award or Restricted Stock Award (if such Restricted Stock Award does not require the transfer of consideration by the Participant or the holder other than usual and customary service) after the Company’s initial registration of the Stock under section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, may be transferred, to a Permitted Transferee, pursuant to a domestic relations order entered or approved by a court of competent jurisdiction upon delivery to the Company of written notice of such transfer and a certified copy of such order.
(iii)
Other Transfers. Except as expressly permitted by Subsections 10(a)(i) and 10(a)(ii), Awards shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution except that in the Committee’s discretion a Stock Appreciation Right, Phantom Stock Award (if such Stock Appreciation Right or Phantom Stock Award is not exercisable for Stock and not subject to the Participant’s or holder’s discretion as to the timing or method of payment) or Restricted Stock Award (if such Restricted Stock Award does not require the transfer of consideration by the Participant or the holder other than usual and customary service) may be transferable, however, not for consideration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10, an Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
(iv)
Effect of Transfer. Following the transfer of any Award as contemplated by Subsections 10(a)(i), 10(a)(ii) and 10(a)(iii), (A) such Award shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that the term “Participant” shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, the recipient under a qualified domestic relations order, the estate or heirs of a deceased Participant, or other transferee, as applicable, to the extent appropriate to enable the Participant to exercise the transferred Award in accordance with the terms of this Plan and applicable law and (B) the provisions of the Award relating to exercisability hereof shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant and, following the occurrence of any such events described therein the Awards shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee, the recipient under a qualified domestic relations order, the estate or heirs of a deceased Participant, or other transferee, as applicable, only to the extent and for the periods that would have been applicable in the absence of the transfer.
(v)
Procedures and Restrictions. Any Participant desiring to transfer an Award as permitted under Subsections 10(a)(i), 10(a)(ii) or 10(a)(iii) shall make application therefor in the manner and time specified by the Committee and shall comply with such other requirements as the Committee may require to assure compliance with all applicable securities laws. The Committee shall not give permission for such a transfer if (A) it would give rise to short-swing liability under section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or (B) it may not be made in compliance with all applicable federal, state and foreign securities laws.
(vi)
Registration. To the extent the issuance to any Permitted Transferee of any shares of Stock issuable pursuant to Awards transferred as permitted in this Section 10(a) is not registered pursuant to the effective registration statement of the Company generally covering the shares to be issued pursuant to this Plan to initial holders of Awards, the Company shall not have any obligation to register the issuance of any such shares of Stock to any such transferee.
(b)
Taxes. The Company and any Subsidiary is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, or any payment relating to an Award under this Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant’s tax obligations, either on a mandatory or elective basis in the discretion of the Committee.
(c)
Changes to this Plan and Awards. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate this Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under this Plan without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to this Plan, including any increase in any share limitation, shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such changes to this Plan to stockholders for approval; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award. Subject to the provisions of Section 5(b), the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted and any Award agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in this Plan; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award.
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(d)
Limitation on Rights Conferred Under Plan. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or service at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under this Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.
(e)
Unfunded Status of Awards. This Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for certain incentive awards.
(f)
Nonexclusivity of this Plan. Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Subsidiary to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on this Plan or any Award made under this Plan. No employee, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of any such action.
(g)
Payments in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a forfeiture of an Award with respect to which a Participant paid cash or other consideration to the Company in exchange for such Award, the Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash or other consideration. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
(h)
Severability. If any provision of this Plan is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but such provision shall be fully severable and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein. If any of the terms or provisions of this Plan or any Award agreement conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (as those terms or provisions are applied to Eligible Persons who are subject to section 16(b) of the Exchange Act) or section 422 of the Code (with respect to Incentive Stock Options), then those conflicting terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent they so conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (unless the Board or the Committee, as appropriate, has expressly determined that the Plan or such Award should not comply with Rule 16b-3) or section 422 of the Code. With respect to Incentive Stock Options, if this Plan does not contain any provision required to be included herein under section 422 of the Code, that provision shall be deemed to be incorporated herein with the same force and effect as if that provision had been set out at length herein; provided, further, that, to the extent any Option that is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option cannot so qualify, that Option (to that extent) shall be deemed an Option not subject to section 422 of the Code for all purposes of the Plan.
(i)
Governing Law. All questions arising with respect to the provisions of the Plan and Awards shall be determined by application of the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Texas law is preempted by federal law. The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable federal and state laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock.
(j)
Conditions to Delivery of Stock. Nothing herein or in any Award granted hereunder or any Award agreement shall require the Company to issue any shares with respect to any Award if that issuance would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, constitute a violation of the Securities Act or any similar or superseding statute or statutes, any other applicable statute or regulation, or the rules of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect. At the time of any exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or at the time of any grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Company may, as a condition precedent to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or vesting of any Restricted Stock Award, require from the Participant (or in the event of his death, his legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) such written representations, if any, concerning the holder’s intentions with regard to the retention or disposition of the shares of Stock being acquired pursuant to the Award and such written covenants and agreements, if any, as to the manner of disposal of such shares as, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, may be necessary to ensure that any disposition by that holder (or in the event of the holder’s death, his legal representatives, heirs, legatees, or distributees) will not involve a violation of the Securities Act or any similar or superseding statute or statutes, any other applicable state or federal statute or regulation, or any rule of any applicable securities exchange or securities association, as then in effect. No Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable and no restriction on any Restricted Stock Award shall lapse with respect to a Participant unless and until the holder thereof shall have paid cash or property to, or performed services for, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that the Committee believes is equal to or greater in value than the par value of the Stock subject to such Award.
(k)
Plan Effective Date and Stockholder Approval. This Plan was originally effective as of May 15, 2019. This Amended and Restated plan shall become effective upon approval of the stockholders at the annual meeting occurring May 11, 2022.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Range Resources Corporation Amended and Restated 2019 Equity-Based Compensation Plan to be executed May __, 2022.
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RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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RANGE
RESOURCES CORPORATION - 2022 Proxy Statement 90
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