S-8

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2015

REGISTRATION NO. 333 -            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

under

the SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Republic of Marshall Islands 98-0384348

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

7 Avenue de Grande Bretagne, Office 11B2

Monte Carlo, MC 98000 Monaco

(Address, Including Zip Code, of Principal Executive Offices)

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(Full Titles of the Plans)

Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.

Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island

P.O. Box 1405

Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960

(Name, Address and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Securities

to be Registered

 

Amount

to be
Registered (1)

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share (2)
 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price (2)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Common stock, $0.0001 par value

  5,000,000 shares   $3.99   $19,950,000   $2,318.20

 

 

(1) Amount to be registered consists of 5,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) that may be issued pursuant to, or pursuant to awards granted under, the Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of shares of common stock that may be offered or sold as a result of any adjustments by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration that increases the number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.
(2) Estimated in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (h) of Rule 457 under the Securities Act solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The fee with respect to the shares registered herein is based on the average of the high and low sale prices of a share of the Registrant’s Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on February 11, 2015.

 

 

 


EXPLANATORY NOTE

In accordance with the instructional Note to Part I of Form S-8 as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), the information specified by Part I of Form S-8 has been omitted from this Registration Statement on Form S-8 for offers of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Commission are incorporated herein by reference:

(a) Our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 filed on April 29, 2014.

(b) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), since December 31, 2013.

(c) The description of the Common Stock contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act on February 14, 2007, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All other documents or reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, including all annual reports on Form 20-F and any Form 6-K which the Registrant files with the Commission wherein such Form 6-K is expressly incorporated by reference into this prospectus, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such reports and documents.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

The validity of the issuance of the shares of Common Stock registered under this Registration Statement has been passed upon for the Registrant by Reeder & Simpson P.C. and members of that firm, their families and trusts for their benefit do not own any shares of Common Stock of the Registrant and options and warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Registrant.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3/A, No. 333-189231.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

  (4.1) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (File No. 333-129382)).
  (4.2) Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (File No. 333-129382)).
  (4.3) Articles of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Form 6-K filed on January 17, 2007).


  (4.4) Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (File No. 333-129382)).
  (5.1) Opinion of Reeder & Simpson P.C. as to the legality of shares being registered.*
(10.1) Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.*
(23.1) Consent of Reeder & Simpson P.C. (included in opinion of counsel filed as Exhibit 5.1).*
(23.2) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.*
(23.3) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.*
(24) Power of Attorney to file future amendments (set forth on the signature page of this Registration Statement).*

 

* Filed herewith.

Item 9. Undertakings.

 

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

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

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

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

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

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

 

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and where applicable each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Piraeus, Greece, on this 17th day of February, 2015.

 

NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS INC.
By:  

/s/ Angeliki Frangou

Name:   Angeliki Frangou
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The registrant and each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Angeliki Frangou and Vasiliki Papaefthymiou and each of them singly, his, her or its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him, her or it and in his, her or its name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he, she, or it might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date first above indicated:

 

Signature

     

Title

/s/    Angeliki Frangou        

    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Angeliki Frangou    

/s/    George Achniotis        

   

Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and

Accounting Officer

George Achniotis    

/s/    Vasiliki Papaefthymiou        

    Director
Vasiliki Papaefthymiou    

/s/    Shunji Sasada        

    Director
Shunji Sasada    

/s/    Spyridon Magoulas        

    Director
Spyridon Magoulas    


/s/    John Stratakis        

Director
John Stratakis

/s/    Efstathios Loizos        

Director
Efstathios Loizos

/s/    George Malanga        

Director
George Malanga


Authorized Representative

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly undersigned representative in the United States, has signed this registration statement in the City of Newark, State of Delaware, on February 17, 2015.

 

PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES
By:

/s/ DONALD J. PUGLISI

Name: Donald J. Puglisi
Title: Managing Director
EX-5.1

EXHIBIT 5.1

[REEDER & SIMPSON LETTERHEAD]

February 17, 2015

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

Avenue de Grande Bretagne, Office 11B2

Monte Carlo, MC 98000 Monaco

Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”), pursuant to which the Company is registering the issuance under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 5,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of its common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”). This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and By-Laws, both as currently in effect; such other records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and certificates of the Company’s officers as we have deemed relevant; and the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and (ii) the Shares, when sold, will have been duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Common Stock, free of preemptive rights.

Our opinion is limited to the applicable provisions of the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the reported judicial decisions interpreting those laws, and we express no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction. No opinion is expressed herein with respect to the qualification of the Shares under the securities or blue sky laws of any state or any foreign jurisdiction.

We understand that you wish to file this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and we hereby consent thereto.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Reeder & Simpson
Reeder & Simpson
EX-10.1

EXHIBIT 10.1

NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS INC.

2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Establishment, Purpose, Duration.

(a) Establishment. Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), hereby establishes an equity compensation plan to be known as the Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is effective as of December 15, 2014 (the “Effective Date”). Definitions of capitalized terms used in the Plan are contained in Section 2 of the Plan.

(b) Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain officers, Employees, Directors and Consultants of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to provide to such persons incentives and rewards for superior performance.

(c) Duration. No Award may be granted under the Plan after the day immediately preceding the fourth (4th) anniversary of the Effective Date, or such earlier date as the Board shall determine. The Plan will remain in effect with respect to outstanding Awards until no Awards remain outstanding.

(d) Shareholder Approval, Incentive Stock Options. In order to authorize the grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan the Company may seek approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company within 12 months after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan prior to shareholder approval of the Plan, unless such awards are conditioned upon timely approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company in accordance with this Section 1(d).

2. Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following definitions shall apply.

Applicable Laws” means the applicable requirements relating to the administration of equity-based compensation plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

Award” means an award of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units, Other Share-Based Awards, or Cash-Based Awards granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

Award Agreement” means either: (a) an agreement, either in written or electronic format, entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan; or (b) a statement, either in written or electronic format, issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, which need not be signed by the Participant.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.


Cash-Based Award” shall mean a cash Award granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan.

Cause” shall have the meaning provided in the applicable employment agreement or consulting agreement between the Participant and the Company, if any, or if there is no such agreement that defines the term, “Cause” shall mean: (a) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any affiliate; (b) insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty; (c) unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; (d) breach by the Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company; or (e) conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any affiliate. The determination of the Committee as to the existence of Cause will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.

Change in Control” means the occurrence of one of the following events:

(a) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (excluding for this purpose any such voting securities held by the Company or its affiliates or by any employee benefit plan of the Company) pursuant to a transaction or a series of related transactions which the Board does not approve; or

(b) Either: (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company whether or not approved by the Board, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or the parent of such corporation) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or parent of such corporation, as the case may be, outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (b) the shareholders of the Company approve an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or

(c) A change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” shall mean Directors who either (i) are Directors of the Company as of the Effective Date, or (ii) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of Directors to the Company).

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee or subcommittee of the Board as may be duly appointed to administer the Plan and having such powers in each instance as shall be specified by the Board.

 

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Company” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(a) and any successor thereto.

Consultant” means an independent contractor that (a) performs services for the Company or a Subsidiary in a capacity other than as an Employee or Director and (b) qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the SEC for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.

Date of Grant” means the date as of which an Award is determined to be effective and designated in a resolution by the Committee and is granted pursuant to the Plan. The Date of Grant shall not be earlier than the date of the resolution and action therein by the Committee. In no event shall the Date of Grant be earlier than the Effective Date.

Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

Effective Date” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(a).

Employee” means any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however, that for purposes of determining whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock Options, the term “Employee” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3401(c) of the Code, as interpreted by the regulations thereunder and Applicable Law.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.

Fair Market Value” of a Share means:

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

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

(c) If the Shares are neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in good faith, shall determine.

Incentive Stock Option” means a Stock Option that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

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Nonqualified Stock Option” means a Stock Option that is not intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or otherwise does not meet such requirements.

Other Share-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan, granted in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 10.

Participant” means any eligible individual as set forth in Section 5 who holds one or more outstanding Awards.

Performance Objectives” means the performance objective or objectives established by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. Any Performance Objectives may relate to the performance of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, divisions, departments, units, functions, partnerships, joint ventures or minority investments, product lines or products, or the performance of the individual Participant. The Performance Objectives may be made relative to the performance of a group of comparable companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Company may select Performance Objectives as compared to various stock market indices. Performance Objectives may be stated as a combination of the listed factors.

Permitted Transferee” means any family member, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor provision, which as of the date of adoption of the Plan shall mean child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, souse, former spouse, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of the Employee, a trust in which these persons (or the Employee) have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Employee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the Employee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.

Plan” has the meaning given such term in Section 1(a), as amended from time to time.

Restricted Shares” means Shares granted or sold pursuant to Section 8 as to which neither the substantial risk of forfeiture nor the conditional prohibition on transfers referred to in such Section 8 has expired.

Restricted Share Unit” means a grant or sale of the right to receive Shares or cash at the end of a specified restricted period made pursuant to Section 9.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Share” means a share of common stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share, or any security into which such Share may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 14.

Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Section 7.

 

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Stock Option” means a right to purchase a Share granted to a Participant under the Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6. Stock Options may be either Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options.

Subsidiary” means: (a) with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, a “subsidiary corporation” as defined under Section 424(f) of the Code; and (b) for all other purposes under the Plan, any corporation or other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

Ten Percent Shareholder” shall mean any Participant who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

3. Shares Available Under the Plan.

(a) Shares Available for Awards. The maximum number of Shares that may be issued or delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 5,000,000. Provided that the Plan is timely approved by the shareholders of the Company in accordance with Section 1(d), all of such Shares may be granted with respect to Incentive Stock Options. Shares issued or delivered pursuant to an Award may be authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares, including Shares purchased in the open market, or a combination of the foregoing. The aggregate number of Shares available for issuance or delivery under the Plan shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.

(b) Share Counting. The following Shares shall not count against the Share limit in Section 3(a): (i) Shares covered by an Award that expires or is forfeited, canceled, surrendered, or otherwise terminated without the issuance of such Shares; (ii) Shares covered by an Award that is settled only in cash; and (iii) Shares granted through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards granted by a company to individuals who become Employees, Directors, or Consultants as the result of a merger, consolidation, acquisition or other corporate transaction involving such company and the Company or any of its Affiliates (except as may be required by reason of the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or other trading market on which the Shares are listed). This Section 3(b) shall apply to the number of Shares reserved and available for Incentive Stock Options only to the extent consistent with applicable Treasury regulations relating to Incentive Stock Options under the Code.

(c) Prohibition of Share Recycling. The following Shares subject to an Award shall not again be available for grant as described above, regardless of whether those Shares are actually issued or delivered to the Participant: (i) Shares tendered in payment of the exercise price of a Stock Option; (ii) Shares withheld by the Company or any Subsidiary to satisfy a tax withholding obligation; and (iii) Shares that are repurchased by the Company with Stock Option proceeds. Without limiting the foregoing, with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right that is settled in Shares, the full number of Shares subject to the Award shall count against the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan regardless of the number of Shares used to settle the Stock Appreciation Right upon exercise.

 

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4. Administration of the Plan.

(a) In General. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided by the Board, the Committee shall have full and final authority in its discretion to take all actions determined by the Committee to be necessary in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, discretion to: select Award recipients; determine the sizes and types of Awards; determine the terms and conditions of Awards in a manner consistent with the Plan; grant waivers of terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations applicable to any Award, or accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Award, in a manner consistent with the Plan; construe and interpret the Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and take such other action, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Committee may, in its discretion, delegate to one or more Directors or Employees any of the Committee’s authority under the Plan. The acts of any such delegates shall be treated hereunder as acts of the Committee with respect to any matters so delegated.

(b) Determinations. The Committee shall have no obligation to treat Participants or eligible Participants uniformly, and the Committee may make determinations under the Plan selectively among Participants who receive, or Employees, Directors or Consultants who are eligible to receive, Awards (whether or not such Participants or eligible Employees, Directors, or Consultants are similarly situated). All determinations and decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders and resolutions of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Subsidiaries, shareholders, Employees, Directors, Consultants, Participants and their estates and beneficiaries.

(c) Authority of the Board. The Board may reserve to itself any or all of the authority or responsibility of the Committee under the Plan or may act as the administrator of the Plan for any and all purposes. To the extent the Board has reserved any such authority or responsibility or during any time that the Board is acting as administrator of the Plan, it shall have all the powers of the Committee hereunder, and any reference herein to the Committee (other than in this Section 4(c)) shall include the Board. To the extent that any action of the Board under the Plan conflicts with any action taken by the Committee, the action of the Board shall control.

5. Eligibility and Participation. Each Employee, Director, and Consultant is eligible to participate in the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all eligible Employees, Directors, and Consultants those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine, in its sole discretion, the nature of any and all terms permissible by Applicable Law and the amount of each Award. A Participant who receives an Award under the Plan at any time is neither guaranteed nor assured of being selected to receive future Awards.

 

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6. Stock Options. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Stock Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(a) Award Agreement. Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Option, the number of Shares covered by the Stock Option, the conditions upon which the Stock Option shall become vested and exercisable and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Stock Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

(b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share of a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Stock Option is granted and shall be specified in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the exercise price per Share of any Stock Option be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant.

(c) Term. The term of a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the term of any Stock Option exceed ten (10) years from its Date of Grant.

(d) Exercisability. Stock Options shall become vested and exercisable at such times and upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement. Such terms and conditions may include, without limitation, the satisfaction of (i) performance goals based on one or more Performance Objectives, and (ii) time-based vesting requirements.

(e) Exercise of Stock Options. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in a related Award Agreement, a Stock Option may be exercised for all or any portion of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. A Stock Option shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or its designee in a form specified by the Company which sets forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Option is to be exercised and full payment of the exercise price for such Shares. The exercise price of a Stock Option may be paid, in the discretion of the Committee and as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (i) in cash or its equivalent; (ii) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price; (iii) by a cashless exercise (including by withholding Shares deliverable upon exercise and through a broker-assisted arrangement to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws); (iv) by a combination of the methods described in clauses (i), (ii) and/or (iii); or (v) through any other method approved by the Committee in its sole discretion. As soon as practicable after receipt of the notification of exercise and full payment of the exercise price, the Company shall cause the appropriate number of Shares to be issued to the Participant.

(f) Special Rules Applicable to Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary:

(i) Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The terms and conditions of Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to and comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

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(ii) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares (determined as of the Date of Grant) with respect to which an Incentive Stock Option is exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries) is greater than $100,000 (or such other amount specified in Section 422 of the Code), as calculated under Section 422 of the Code, then the Stock Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

(iii) No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Participant who, on the Date of Grant, is a Ten Percent Shareholder, unless (x) the exercise price per Share of such Incentive Stock Option is at least one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant, and (y) the term of such Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed five (5) years from the Date of Grant.

7. Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(a) Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the number of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions upon which the Stock Appreciation Right shall become vested and exercisable and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Stock Appreciation Right is granted and shall be specified in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the exercise price per Share of any Stock Appreciation Right be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Date of Grant.

(c) Term. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the term of any Stock Appreciation Right exceed ten (10) years from its Date of Grant.

(d) Exercisability of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right shall become vested and exercisable at such times and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Award Agreement. Such terms and conditions may include, without limitation, the satisfaction of (i) performance goals based on one or more Performance Objectives, and (ii) time-based vesting requirements.

(e) Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in a related Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for all or any portion of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. A Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or its designee in a form specified by the Company which sets forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is to be exercised. Upon exercise, a Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle a Participant to an amount equal to (i) the excess of (x) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the

 

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exercise date over (y) the exercise price per Share, multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. A Stock Appreciation Right may be settled in whole Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as specified by the Committee in the related Award Agreement.

8. Restricted Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Shares may be granted or sold to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(a) Award Agreement. Each Restricted Shares Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of Restricted Shares, the restricted period(s) applicable to the Restricted Shares, the conditions upon which the restrictions on the Restricted Shares will lapse and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(b) Terms, Conditions and Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other terms, conditions and/or restrictions on any Restricted Shares as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant pay a purchase price for each Restricted Share, restrictions based on the achievement of specific Performance Objectives, time-based restrictions or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the Shares by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Shares. Unless otherwise provided in the related Award Agreement or required by applicable law, the restrictions imposed on Restricted Shares shall lapse upon the expiration or termination of the applicable restricted period and the satisfaction of any other applicable terms and conditions.

(c) Custody of Certificates. To the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, the Company may retain the certificates representing Restricted Shares in the Company’s possession until such time as all terms, conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied or lapse.

(d) Rights Associated with Restricted Shares during Restricted Period. During any restricted period applicable to Restricted Shares: (i) the Restricted Shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned or otherwise alienated or hypothecated; (ii) unless otherwise provided in the related Award Agreement, the Participant shall be entitled to exercise full voting rights associated with such Restricted Shares; and (iii) the Participant shall be entitled to all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Restricted Shares during the restricted period. The Award Agreement may require that receipt of any dividends or other distributions with respect to the Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Shares with respect to which they are paid. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, dividends or other distributions with respect to Restricted Shares that vest based on the achievement of Performance Objectives shall be accumulated until such Award is earned, and the dividends or other distributions shall not be paid if the Performance Objectives are not satisfied.

 

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9. Restricted Share Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Share Units may be granted or sold to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(a) Award Agreement. Each Restricted Share Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the number of units, the restricted period(s) applicable to the Restricted Share Units, the conditions upon which the restrictions on the Restricted Share Units will lapse, the time and method of payment of the Restricted Share Units, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(b) Terms, Conditions and Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other terms, conditions and/or restrictions on any Restricted Share Units as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant pay a purchase price for each Restricted Share Unit, restrictions based on the achievement of specific Performance Objectives or time-based restrictions or holding requirements.

(c) Form of Settlement. Restricted Share Units may be settled in whole Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as specified by the Committee in the related Award Agreement.

(d) Dividend Equivalents. Restricted Share Units may provide the Participant with dividend equivalents, on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, and either in cash or in additional Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided that dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Share Units that vest based on the achievement of Performance Objectives shall be accumulated until such Award is earned, and the dividend equivalents shall not be paid if the Performance Objectives are not satisfied.

10. Other Share-Based Awards. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Other Share-Based Awards may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Other Share-Based Awards are Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares, and shall be in such form as the Committee shall determine, including without limitation, unrestricted Shares or time-based or performance-based units that are settled in Shares and/or cash. The Committee is specifically authorized to grant unrestricted Shares as a bonus, or to grant unrestricted Shares or other awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee.

(a) Award Agreement. Each Other Share-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the terms and conditions upon which the Other Share-Based Award shall become vested, if applicable, the time and method of settlement, the form of settlement and such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(b) Form of Settlement. An Other Share-Based Award may be settled in whole Shares, cash or a combination thereof, as specified by the Committee in the related Award Agreement.

 

10


(c) Dividend Equivalents. Other Share-Based Awards may provide the Participant with dividend equivalents, on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, and either in cash or in additional Shares, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the related Award Agreement; provided that dividend equivalents with respect to Other Share-Based Awards that vest based on the achievement of Performance Objectives shall be accumulated until such Award is earned, and the dividend equivalents shall not be paid if the Performance Objectives are not satisfied.

11. Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Cash-Based Awards may be granted to Participants in such amounts and upon such other terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Each Cash-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the payment amount or payment range, the time and method of settlement and the other terms and conditions, as applicable, of such Award which may include, without limitation, restrictions based on the achievement of specific Performance Objectives.

12. Compliance with Section 409A. Awards granted under the Plan shall be designed and administered in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that the Committee determines that any award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement (unless the Award Agreement provides otherwise with specific reference to this Section 12): (a) an Award shall not be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out, settled, substituted or modified under the Plan in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant; and (b) if an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, and if the Participant holding the award is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code, with such classification to be determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company), then, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant, no distribution or payment of any amount shall be made before the date that is six (6) months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death. Although the Company intends to administer the Plan so that Awards will be exempt from, or will comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company does not warrant that any Award under the Plan will qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 409A of the Code or any other provision of federal, state, local, or non-United States law. The Company shall not be liable to any Participant for any tax, interest, or penalties the Participant might owe as a result of the grant, holding, vesting, exercise, or payment of any Award under the Plan.

13. Transferability.

(a) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or a designee in accordance with Section 13(b) below, no Award or dividend equivalents paid with respect to any Award shall be transferable by the Participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution; provided, that if so determined by the Committee, each Participant may, in a manner

 

11


established by the Board or the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant and to receive Shares or other property issued or delivered under such Award. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights will be exercisable during a Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant or, in the event of the Participant’s legal incapacity to do so, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the Participant in a fiduciary capacity under state law and/or court supervision.

(b) The Committee, in its absolute discretion, may determine that Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) may be transferable by a Participant, without payment of consideration therefor by the transferee, only to any one or more Permitted Transferees of the Participant; provided, however, that (i) no such transfer shall be effective unless reasonable prior notice (as specified by the Committee or its designee) thereof is delivered to the Company and such transfer is thereafter effected in accordance with any terms and conditions that shall have been made applicable thereto by the Committee or its designee, and (ii) any such transferee shall be subject to the same terms and conditions hereunder as the Participant.

14. Adjustments. In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation), such as a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spinoff, rights offering, or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, the Committee shall cause there to be an equitable adjustment in the numbers of Shares specified in Section 3 of the Plan and, with respect to outstanding Awards, in the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price or other price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, in each case to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants. Subject to Section 19, in the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, or in the event of a merger, consolidation, liquidation, or similar transaction, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause there to be an equitable adjustment as described in the foregoing sentence, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to a whole number. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall not make any adjustment pursuant to this Section 14 that would (i) cause any Stock Option intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option to fail to so qualify, (ii) cause an Award that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code to become subject to Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) cause an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on all Participants and any other persons claiming under or through any Participant.

15. Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any fractional Shares pursuant to the Plan and, unless otherwise provided by the Committee, fractional shares shall be settled in cash.

16. Withholding Taxes. To the extent required by Applicable Law, a Participant shall be required to satisfy, in a manner satisfactory to the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise, the vesting of or settlement of Shares under an Award, an election pursuant to

 

12


Section 83(b) of the Code or otherwise with respect to an Award. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to issue or deliver Shares, make any payment or to recognize the transfer or disposition of Shares until such obligations are satisfied. The Committee may permit or require these obligations to be satisfied by having the Company withhold a portion of the Shares that otherwise would be issued or delivered to a Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the vesting or settlement of an Award, or by tendering Shares previously acquired, in each case having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld or paid. Any such elections are subject to such conditions or procedures as may be established by the Committee and may be subject to disapproval by the Committee.

17. Foreign Employees. Without amending the Plan, the Committee may grant Awards to Participants who are foreign nationals, or who are subject to Applicable Laws of one or more non-United States jurisdictions, on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may in the judgment of the Committee be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and, in furtherance of such purposes, the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, and the like as may be necessary or advisable to comply with provisions of Applicable Laws of other countries in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operate or have employees.

18. Compensation Recovery Policy. Any Award granted to a Participant shall be subject to forfeiture or repayment pursuant to the terms of any applicable compensation recovery policy adopted by the Company, including any such policy that may be adopted to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, if applicable, or any rules or regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or applicable securities exchange.

19. Corporate Transactions; Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Awards shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided:

(a) Corporate Transactions. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation (a “Corporate Transaction”), the Committee or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Board”), shall either: (i) make appropriate provisions for the continuation of such Awards on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Awards either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of common stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; (ii) terminate all Awards in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Awards (without regard to forfeiture or repurchase rights of the Company and all Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall for purpose of this clause (ii) be made fully vested and immediately exercisable immediately prior to their termination) over the exercise price or purchase price thereof (and if the amount is zero, the Award may be terminated without any payment therefor); or (iii) with respect to outstanding Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, upon written notice to the Participants, provide that all Stock Options and Stock

 

13


Appreciation Rights must be exercised (all Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall for purpose of this clause (iii) be made fully vested and immediately exercisable prior to their termination), within a specified number of days after the date of such notice, at the end of which period the Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate. In addition, in the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Committee may waive any or all Company forfeiture or repurchase rights with respect to outstanding Awards. Any action permitted under this Section 19(a) may be taken without the consent of any Participant.

(b) Change in Control. In the event of either (i) a Corporate Transaction that also constitutes a Change in Control, where outstanding shares of common stock are assumed or substituted in accordance with Section 19(a)(i) or (ii) a Change in Control that does not also constitute a Corporate Transaction, any forfeiture or repurchase rights of the Company with respect to outstanding Awards that have not lapsed or expired prior to such Change in Control shall terminate as of the date of the Change in Control.

20. Amendment, Modification and Termination.

(a) In General. The Board may at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no alteration or amendment that requires shareholder approval in order for the Plan to comply with any rule promulgated by the SEC or any securities exchange on which Shares are listed or any other Applicable Laws shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of shareholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon within the time period required under such applicable listing standard or rule.

(b) Adjustments to Outstanding Awards. The Committee may in its sole discretion at any time (i) provide that all or a portion of a Participant’s Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards in the nature of rights that may be exercised shall become fully or partially exercisable; (ii) provide that all or a part of the time-based vesting restrictions on all or a portion of the outstanding Awards shall lapse, and/or that any Performance Objectives or other performance-based criteria with respect to any Awards shall be deemed to be wholly or partially satisfied; or (iii) waive any other limitation or requirement under any such Award, in each case, as of such date as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, declare. Additionally, the Committee shall not make any adjustment pursuant to this Section 20(b) that would cause an Award that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code to become subject to Section 409A of the Code, or that would cause an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(c) Prohibition on Repricing. Except for adjustments made pursuant to Sections 14 or 19, the Board or the Committee will not, without the further approval of the shareholders of the Company, authorize the amendment of any outstanding Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce the exercise price. No Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be cancelled and replaced with an Award having a lower exercise price, or for another Award, or for cash without further approval of the shareholders of the Company, except as provided in Sections 14 or 19. Furthermore, no Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right will provide for the payment, at the time of exercise, of a cash bonus or grant or sale of another Award without further approval of the shareholders of the Company. This Section 20(c) is

 

14


intended to prohibit the repricing of “underwater” Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights without shareholder approval and will not be construed to prohibit the adjustments provided for in Sections 14 or 19.

(d) Effect on Outstanding Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary (other than Sections 14, 19, 20(b) and 22(d)), no termination, amendment, suspension, or modification of the Plan or an Award Agreement shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award; provided that the Committee may modify an ISO held by a Participant to disqualify such Stock Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code without the Participant’s consent.

21. Applicable Laws. The obligations of the Company with respect to Awards under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Laws and such approvals by any governmental agencies as the Committee determines may be required. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Marshall Islands, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

22. Miscellaneous.

(a) Deferral of Awards. Except with respect to Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Shares, the Committee may permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance or delivery of Shares or the settlement of Awards in cash under the Plan pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for purposes of the Plan. The Committee also may provide that deferred issuances and settlements include the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the deferral amounts. All elections and deferrals permitted under this provision shall comply with Section 409A of the Code, including setting forth the time and manner of the election (including a compliant time and form of payment), the date on which the election is irrevocable, and whether the election can be changed until the date it is irrevocable.

(b) No Right of Continued Employment. The Plan shall not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate such Participant’s employment or other service at any time. No Employee, Director, or Consultant shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive future Awards.

(c) Unfunded, Unsecured Plan. Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by reason of participation in the Plan, acquire any right or title to any assets, funds or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, including without limitation, any specific funds, assets or other property which the Company or any Subsidiary may set aside in anticipation of any liability under the Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to an Award or the amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, and nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.

 

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(d) Severability. If any provision of the Plan is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended or limited in scope to conform to Applicable Laws or, in the discretion of the Committee, it shall be stricken and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

(e) Acceptance of Plan. By accepting any benefit under the Plan, each Participant and each person claiming under or through any such Participant shall be conclusively deemed to have indicated their acceptance and ratification of, and consent to, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any action taken under the Plan by the Committee, the Board or the Company, in any case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(f) Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan and with respect to Awards shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or other event, or a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company and references to the “Company” herein and in any Award Agreements shall be deemed to refer to such successors.

[END OF DOCUMENT]

 

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EX-23.2

EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated April 28, 2014, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
Athens, Greece
February 17, 2015
EX-23.3

EXHIBIT 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. of our report dated March 21, 2014 related to the financial statements of Navios Maritime Partners L.P., which appears in Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
Athens, Greece
February 17, 2015