SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Information Statement
[X] Definitive Information Statement
Sierra Monitor Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Charter)
Sierra Monitor Corporation
(Name of Person(s) Filing the Information Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii) or 14c-5(g).
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: N/A
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A
Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined.
[ ] Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by
registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid: N/A
(2) Form, Schedule, or Registration Statement No.: N/A
(3) Filing Party: N/A
(4) Date Filed: N/A
<PAGE>
SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 9, 1996
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Sierra
Monitor Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the Company's principal
executive offices located at 1991 Tarob Court, Milpitas, California, on
Thursday, May 9, 1996, at 10:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their
successors are elected.
2. To adopt the 1996 Stock Plan and reserve 600,000 shares of Common
Stock for issuance thereunder.
3. To ratify the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996.
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the
Information Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K accompanying this Notice
mailed to shareholders on March 28, 1996.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 1996
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof. All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual
Meeting in person.
For the Board of Directors
SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
GORDON R. ARNOLD
President
Milpitas, California
April 17, 1996
<PAGE>
SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
INFORMATION STATEMENT FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU
ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY
The enclosed Information Statement has been prepared on behalf of the
Board of Directors of Sierra Monitor Corporation, a California corporation
("Sierra Monitor" or the "Company"), with respect to Sierra Monitor's Annual
Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on May 9, 1996, or at
any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, for the purposes set forth herein
and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Sierra Monitor's principal executive offices are located at 1991 Tarob
Court, Milpitas, CA 95035. The telephone number at that address is (408)
262-6611.
This Information Statement was mailed on or about April 17, 1996 to all
shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
INFORMATION CONCERNING VOTING
Record Date and Shares Outstanding
Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 1996 (the
"Record Date") are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. At
the Record Date, Sierra Monitor had issued and outstanding 10,276,888 shares of
Common Stock.
Voting
Every shareholder voting for the election of directors may cumulate such
shareholder's votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number
of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which the
shareholder's shares are entitled, or distribute such shareholder's votes on the
same principle among as many candidates as the shareholder may select, provided
that votes cannot be cast for more than the number of directors to be elected.
No shareholder, however, shall be entitled to cumulate votes for any candidate
unless (i) the candidate's name has been placed in nomination prior to the
voting and (ii) the shareholder, or any other shareholder, has given notice at
the meeting prior to the voting of the intention to cumulate the shareholder's
votes. On all other matters, each share has one vote. Votes against a particular
proposal are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a
quorum
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<PAGE>
and are also counted as having been "voted" with respect to the proposal for
purposes of determining whether the requisite majority of voting shares has been
obtained. While there is no definitive statutory or case law authority in
California as to the proper treatment of abstentions, the Company believes that
abstentions should be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is
present at the Annual Meeting. The Company further believes that abstentions
should be counted as having been voted with respect to the election of directors
or the other proposals set forth herein for purposes of determining whether the
requisite majority of the shares has been obtained. In the absence of
controlling precedent to the contrary, the Company intends to treat abstentions
with respect to the election of directors and the proposals set forth herein in
this manner.
PROPOSAL ONE -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
A board of three directors is to be elected at the Annual Meeting. The
Board of Directors of Sierra Monitor has authorized the nomination at the Annual
Meeting of the persons named below as candidates. In the event that any such
nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual
Meeting, the shareholders may vote for any nominee who shall be designated by
the present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not expected that any
nominee will be unable or will decline to serve as a director. The directors
elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until
their successors are elected and qualified.
<TABLE>
The names of the nominees and certain information about them are set
forth below:
<CAPTION>
Director
Name of Nominee Age Position(s) with the Company Since
--------------- --- ---------------------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gordon R. Arnold 50 President, Chief Financial Officer, and 1989
Secretary, Director
C. Richard Kramlich 60 Director 1989
Jay T. Last 66 Director 1989
</TABLE>
GORDON R. ARNOLD joined Sierra Monitor Corporation, a California
corporation ("Old Sierra"), in December 1979 as Operations Manager and Vice
President. He became President in 1984 and Chief Executive Officer in April
1985. In September 1989, Old Sierra merged into UMF Systems, Inc., a California
corporation ("UMF"), and UMF changed its name to "Sierra Monitor Corporation."
Mr. Arnold has served as the Company's President and Chief Financial Officer
since the merger and as the Company's Secretary since February 1993. Mr. Arnold
was also a director of Old Sierra from 1984 until the merger with UMF.
-2-
<PAGE>
C. RICHARD KRAMLICH became a director of Old Sierra in February 1980 and
remained a director of the Company following the merger between Old Sierra and
UMF. Since 1978, he has been a General Partner of New Enterprise Associates, a
venture capital firm. Mr. Kramlich is also a director of Chalone, Inc., Telebit
Corporation, SyQuest Technology, Inc., Silicon Graphics, Inc., and Macromedia,
Inc.
JAY T. LAST was a director of UMF from 1977 until September 1989 and
became a director of the Company following the merger of Old Sierra and UMF. Mr.
Last is the President of Hillcrest Press, a publishing company, and has been a
business and technical consultant for over five years.
Vote Required
The three nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of
the shares entitled to vote shall be elected as directors of the Company. Votes
withheld from any directors are counted for purposes of determining the presence
or absence of a quorum but have no other legal effect under California law.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the
re-election of the above-named directors to the Board of Directors of the
Company.
PROPOSAL TWO -- ADOPTION OF THE 1996 STOCK PLAN
On March 4, 1996, the Board of Directors adopted the 1996 Stock Plan
(the "1996 Plan") and reserved 600,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance
thereunder subject to shareholder approval. As of April 15, 1996, no options or
rights to purchase stock had been granted pursuant to the 1996 Plan. The 1996
Plan was adopted by the Board to replace the 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan
which expired, by its terms, on February 24, 1996.
At the annual meeting, the shareholders are being asked to approve the
1996 Plan and the reservation of shares thereunder.
Summary of the 1996 Plan
General. The purpose of the 1996 Plan is to attract and retain the best
available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility with the
Company, to provide additional incentive to the employees and consultants of the
Company and to promote the success of the Company's business. Options and stock
purchase rights may be granted under the 1996 Plan. Options granted under the
1996 Plan may be either "incentive stock options," as defined in Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or nonstatutory
stock options.
Administration. The Plan may generally be administered by the Board or a
committee appointed by the Board. However, with respect to grants of options to
employees who are also officers or directors of the Company ("Insiders"), the
1996 Plan shall be administered by: (i) the Board if the Board may administer
the Plan in a manner complying with Rule 16b-3 promulgated
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<PAGE>
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") or
any successor rule thereto ("Rule 16b-3") with respect to a plan under which
discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made to Insiders;
or (ii) a committee designated by the Board to administer the 1996 Plan, which
committee shall be constituted to comply with the rules under Rule 16b-3
governing a plan under which discretionary grants and awards of equity
securities are to be made to Insiders. The administrators of the 1996 Plan are
referred to herein as the "Administrator."
Eligibility; Limitations. Nonstatutory stock options and stock purchase
rights may be granted under the 1996 Plan to employees and consultants of the
Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company. Incentive stock options may
be granted only to employees. The Administrator, in its discretion, selects the
employees and consultants to whom options and stock purchase rights may be
granted, the time or times at which such options and stock purchase rights shall
be granted, and the number of shares subject to each such grant.
Section 162(m) of the Code places limits on the deductibility for
federal income tax purposes of compensation paid to certain executive officers
of the Company. In order to preserve the Company's ability to deduct the
compensation income associated with options and stock purchase rights granted to
such persons, the 1996 Plan provides that no employee may be granted, in any
fiscal year of the Company, options and stock purchase rights to purchase more
than 100,000 shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding this limit, however, in
connection with an employee's initial employment, he or she may be granted
options or stock purchase rights to purchase up to an additional 25,000 shares
of Common Stock.
Terms and Conditions of Options. Each option is evidenced by a stock
option agreement between the Company and the optionee, and is subject to the
following additional terms and conditions:
(a) Exercise Price. The Administrator determines the exercise price of
options at the time the options are granted. The exercise price of an incentive
stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date such option is granted; provided, however, the exercise price
of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% shareholder may not be less than
110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such option is
granted. The fair market value of the Common Stock is generally determined with
reference to the closing sale price for the Common Stock (or the closing bid if
no sales were reported) on the last market trading day prior to the date the
option is granted.
(b) Exercise of Option; Form of Consideration. The Administrator
determines when options become exercisable, and may in its discretion,
accelerate the vesting of any outstanding option. Stock options granted under
the 1996 Plan generally vest and become exerciseable over four years. The means
of payment for shares issued upon exercise of an option is specified in each
option agreement. The 1996 Plan permits payment to be made by cash, check,
promissory note, other shares of Common Stock of the Company (with some
restrictions), cashless exercises, a reduction in the amount of any Company
liability to the optionee, any other form of consideration permitted by
applicable law, or any combination thereof.
(c) Term of Option. The term of an incentive stock option may be no more
than ten (10) years from the date of grant; provided that in the case of an
incentive stock option granted to a 10%
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<PAGE>
shareholder, the term of the option may be no more than five (5) years from the
date of grant. No option may be exercised after the expiration of its term.
(d) Termination of Employment. If an optionee's employment or consulting
relationship terminates for any reason (other than death or disability), then
all options held by the optionee under the 1996 Plan expire on the earlier of
(i) the date set forth in his or her notice of grant or (ii) the expiration date
of such option. To the extent the option is exercisable at the time of such
termination, the optionee may exercise all or part of his or her option at any
time before termination.
(e) Death or Disability. If an optionee's employment or consulting
relationship terminates as a result of death or disability, then all options
held by such optionee under the 1996 Plan expire on the earlier of (i) 12 months
from the date of such termination or (ii) the expiration date of such option.
The optionee (or the optionee's estate or the person who acquires the right to
exercise the option by bequest or inheritance), may exercise all or part of the
option at any time before such expiration to the extent that the option was
exercisable at the time of such termination.
(g) Nontransferability of Options: Options granted under the 1996 Plan
are not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution,
and may be exercisable during the optionee's lifetime only by the optionee.
(h) Other Provisions: The stock option agreement may contain other
terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be
determined by the Administrator.
Stock Purchase Rights. A stock purchase right gives the purchaser a
period of no longer than 6 months from the date of grant to purchase Common
Stock. A stock purchase right is accepted by the execution of a restricted stock
purchase agreement between the Company and the purchaser, accompanied by the
payment of the purchase price for the shares. Unless the Administrator
determines otherwise, the restricted stock purchase agreement shall give the
Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary
termination of the purchaser's employment or consulting relationship with the
Company for any reason (including death and disability). The purchase price for
any shares repurchased by the Company shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser. The repurchase option lapses at a rate determined by the
Administrator. A stock purchase right is nontransferable other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution, and may be exercisable during the
optionee's lifetime only by the optionee.
Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event that the stock
of the Company changes by reason of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, combination, reclassification or other similar change in the capital
structure of the Company effected without the receipt of consideration,
appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares of stock
subject to the 1996 Plan, the number and class of shares of stock subject to any
option or stock purchase right outstanding under the 1996 Plan, and the exercise
price of any such outstanding option or stock purchase right.
In the event of a liquidation or dissolution, any unexercised options or
stock purchase rights will terminate. The Administrator may, in its discretion
provide that each optionee shall have the right to exercise all of the
optionee's options and stock purchase rights, including those not otherwise
exercisable, until the date ten (10) days prior to the consummation of the
liquidation or dissolution.
-5-
<PAGE>
In connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of assets or
like occurrence involving the Company, each outstanding option or stock purchase
right shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the
successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume the
options and stock purchase rights or to substitute substantially equivalent
options and stock purchase rights, the optionee shall have the right to exercise
the option or stock purchase right as to all the optioned stock, including
shares not otherwise exercisable. In such event, the Administrator shall notify
the optionee that the option or stock purchase right is fully exercisable for
fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice and that the option or stock
purchase right terminates upon expiration of such period.
Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may amend, alter,
suspend or terminate the 1996 Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any
reason. However, the Company shall obtain shareholder approval for any amendment
to the Plan to the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3, Section 162(m)
and Section 422 of the Code, or any similar rule or statute. No such action by
the Board or shareholders may alter or impair any option or stock purchase right
previously granted under the 1996 Plan without the written consent of the
optionee. Unless terminated earlier, the 1996 Plan shall terminate ten years
from the date of its approval by the shareholders or the Board of the Company,
whichever is earlier.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Incentive Stock Options. An optionee who is granted an incentive stock
option does not recognize taxable income at the time the option is granted or
upon its exercise, although the exercise may subject the optionee to the
alternative minimum tax. Upon a disposition of the shares more than two years
after grant of the option and one year after exercise of the option, any gain or
loss is treated as long-term capital gain or loss. If these holding periods are
not satisfied, the optionee recognizes ordinary income at the time of
disposition equal to the difference between the exercise price and the lower of
(i) the fair market value of the shares at the date of the option exercise or
(ii) the sale price of the shares. Any gain or loss recognized on such a
premature disposition of the shares in excess of the amount treated as ordinary
income is treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on
the holding period. A different rule for measuring ordinary income upon such a
premature disposition may apply if the optionee is also an officer, director, or
10% shareholder of the Company. The Company is entitled to a deduction in the
same amount as the ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
Nonstatutory Stock Options. An optionee does not recognize any taxable
income at the time he or she is granted a nonstatutory stock option. Upon
exercise, the optionee recognizes taxable income generally measured by the
excess of the then fair market value of the shares over the exercise price. Any
taxable income recognized in connection with an option exercise by an employee
of the Company is subject to tax withholding by the Company. The Company is
entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the ordinary income recognized by
the optionee. Upon a disposition of such shares by the optionee, any difference
between the sale price and the optionee's exercise price, to the extent not
recognized as taxable income as provided above, is treated as long-term or
short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period.
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<PAGE>
Stock Purchase Rights. Stock purchase rights will generally be taxed in
the same manner as nonstatutory stock options. However, restricted stock is
generally purchased upon the exercise of a stock purchase right. At the time of
purchase, restricted stock is subject to a "substantial risk of forfeiture"
within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code. As a result, the purchaser will
not recognize ordinary income at the time of purchase. Instead, the purchaser
will recognize ordinary income on the dates when a stock ceases to be subject to
a substantial risk of forfeiture. The stock will generally cease to be subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture when it is no longer subject to the
Company's right to repurchase the stock upon the purchaser's termination of
employment with the Company. At such times, the purchaser will recognize
ordinary income measured as the difference between the purchase price and the
fair market value of the stock on the date the stock is no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture.
The purchaser may accelerate to the date of purchase his or her
recognition of ordinary income, if any, and the beginning of any capital gain
holding period by timely filing an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the
Code. In such event, the ordinary income recognized, if any, is measured as the
difference between the purchase price and the fair market value of the stock on
the date of purchase, and the capital gain holding period commences on such
date. The ordinary income recognized by a purchaser who is an employee will be
subject to tax withholding by the Company. Different rules may apply if the
purchaser is also an officer, director, or 10% shareholder of the Company.
The foregoing is only a summary of the effect of federal income taxation
upon optionees, holders of stock purchase rights, and the Company with respect
to the grant and exercise of options and stock purchase rights under the 1996
Plan and does not purport to be complete. In addition, this summary does not
discuss the tax consequences of the employee's or consultant's death or the
provisions of the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country
in which the employee or consultant may reside.
Required Vote
The vote required to approve the adoption of the 1996 Plan is the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present and voting
at the meeting.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the
approval of the Company's 1996 Plan.
-7-
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL THREE -- RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors of Sierra Monitor has appointed KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP, independent public accountants, to audit the financial statements of Sierra
Monitor for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 1996. It is expected
that a representative of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP will be present at the Annual
Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to
do so, and will be available to answer any appropriate questions.
Required Vote
Approval of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present
and voting at the meeting. In the event of a negative vote on such ratification,
the Board of Directors will reconsider such appointment.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the
ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996.
MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers
<TABLE>
The executive officers of the Company and their ages are as follows:
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Gordon R. Arnold 50 President, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary
Michael C. Farr 38 Vice President, Operations
Stephen R. Ferree 48 Vice President, Marketing
</TABLE>
Executive officers hold office until their successors are chosen,
subject to early removal by the Board of Directors.
There are no family relationships between any of the directors or
executive officers of the Company.
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<PAGE>
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
<TABLE>
The following table sets forth the shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned as of the Record Date by the following persons known to the Company to be
the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock,
by each director of the Company, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
by the other executive officers of the Company, and by all directors and
officers of the Company as a group:
<CAPTION>
Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned(1)
----------------------
Five-Percent Shareholders, Directors, Executive Officers Number Percent
-------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Five-Percent Shareholders:
Shires Investments plc. 1,549,134 15.1%
c/o Glasgow Investment Partners
29 St. Vincent Place
Glasgow, Scotland G1-2DR
Crosspoint Ventures Partners 1,022,110 10.0%
One First Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
Eli M. Goldfarb 765,150 7.5%
930 Carmel Court
Los Altos, CA 94022
Directors and Executive Officers:(2)
C. Richard Kramlich(3) 1,715,494 15.7%
Jay T. Last 1,723,942 16.6%
Gordon R. Arnold(4) 877,342 8.5%
Michael C. Farr(5) 132,750 *
Stephen R. Ferree(6) 133,750 *
All officers and directors as a group (5 persons)(2)-(7) 4,583,278 44.6%
<FN>
- --------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to
applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have
sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common
Stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
(2) The persons named in the table above have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially
owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and
to the information contained in the footnotes to this table. Unless
otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the beneficial
owners listed in this table is 1991 Tarob Court, Milpitas, California
95035.
(3) Includes 100,000 shares held by Pamela P. Kramlich, Mr. Kramlich's wife.
(4) Includes 145,833 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
options which are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(5) Includes 88,750 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date.
(6) Includes 108,750 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date.
(7) Includes 343,333 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60
days of the Record Date.
</FN>
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors held three meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1995. Each current Director attended all of the meetings of the
Board of Directors held during the last fiscal year. The Board of Directors has
no committees.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the cash compensation, including bonuses,
paid to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the next most highly paid
executive officer for the three years ended December 31, 1995. No other
executive officer of the Company received more than $100,000 in compensation
during fiscal 1995.
<TABLE>
Summary Compensation Table
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
Securities
Annual Compensation Underlying All Other
Salary Bonus Options Compensation
($) ($) (#) ($)
-------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gordon R. Arnold 1995 68,000 -- 200,000 49,211(1)
Chief Executive Officer 1994 66,000 20,000 150,000 44,081(2)
1993 65,861 48,483 50,000 --
Michael C. Farr 1995 77,200 -- 140,000 27,435(3)
Vice President, Operations 1994 78,016 14,000 90,000 22,051(4)
1993 77,582 21,391 145,000 --
----------------------------------------- ---------- -------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------------
<FN>
(1) Represents $46,345 paid in commission, a $250 contribution by the
Company under its 401(k) plan, $234 life insurance premium, and $2,382
under the Company's medical insurance plan paid in fiscal 1995.
(2) Represents $41,363 paid in commission, a $250 contribution by the
Company under its 401(k) plan, $150 life insurance premium, and $2,318
under the Company's medical insurance plan paid in fiscal 1994.
(3) Represents $23,382 paid in commission, a $250 contribution by the
Company under its 401(k) plan, $234 life insurance premium, and $3,569
under the Company's medical insurance plan paid in fiscal 1995.
(4) Represents $17,203 paid in commission, a $250 contribution by the
Company under its 401(k) plan, $150 life insurance premium, and $4,448
under the Company's medical insurance plan paid in fiscal 1994.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Compensation of Directors
Directors of the Company who are not employees receive a fee of $100 for
each Board meeting which they attend. Directors receive no other fees.
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<PAGE>
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan under which officers and directors
of the Company received benefits during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995,
expired by its terms on February 24, 1996. The Board has adopted the 1996 Stock
Plan to replace the expired 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan. See "Proposal Two
- -- Adoption of the 1996 Stock Plan".
<TABLE>
The following table sets forth the number and terms of options granted
to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table during the
year ended December 31, 1995:
<CAPTION>
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
Individual Grants
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Potential Realizable
Securities % of Total Value at Assumed
Underlying Options Exer Annual Rates of Stock
Options Granted to cise Price Appreciation
Granted Employees in Price Expiration For Option Term(2)
Name (#) Fiscal Year (1) ($/Share) Date 5% ($) 10% ($)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gordon R. Arnold 50,000 23.3% 0.22 8/1/05 6,918 17,531
Michael C. Farr 50,000 23.3% 0.22 8/1/05 6,918 17,531
<FN>
- ---------------------
(1) The Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 215,000 shares to
employees during 1995 pursuant to the Company's 1986 Incentive Stock
Option Plan.
(2) The assumed 5% and 10% compound rates of annual stock appreciation are
mandated by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not
represent the Company's estimate or projection of future Common Stock
prices. Assuming a ten year term of the option, the total calculated
compounded amount of stock appreciation is 63% (at 5% per year) and 159%
(assuming 10% per year).
</FN>
</TABLE>
The following table provides the specified information concerning
exercises of options to purchase the Company's Common Stock and the fiscal
year-end value of unexercised options held by each of the executive officers
named in the Summary Compensation Table during the year ended December 31, 1995.
<TABLE>
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year End Option Values
<CAPTION>
Value of Unexercised
Number of Securities --------------------
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options at
Options at FY End (#): FY End ($):
Shares Acquired Value Realized ---------------------- -----------
Name on Exercise (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- --------------- - --- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gordon R. Arnold -- -- 145,833 54,173 22,604 8,397
Michael C. Farr -- -- 88,750 51,250 13,756 7,944
- ---------------------------
<FN>
(1) Represents market value of the securities underlying the options at the
fiscal year end, less the exercise price of "in-the-money" options. The
closing price of the Company's last reported sale of Common Stock on
December 31, 1995 was $0.375 per share.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-11-
<PAGE>
Changes to Benefit Plans
The Company has proposed to adopt the 1996 Stock Plan in connection with
the expiration of the 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan. Grants under the 1996
Stock Plan will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Accordingly, future grants under the 1996 Stock Plan are not yet determinable.
Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that the
Company's officers and directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership
on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Forms 4 or 5 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Such officers, directors and ten percent
shareholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies
of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it,
or written representations from certain reporting persons that one Form 5 was
required for such persons, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its
officers, directors and ten-percent shareholders were complied with. In making
these statements, the Company has relied upon the written representations of its
officers and directors.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company knows of no other matters to be submitted to the meeting.
For the Board of Directors
SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
GORDON R. ARNOLD
President
Dated: April 17, 1996
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<PAGE>
SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
1996 STOCK PLAN
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Plan are:
* to attract and retain the best available personnel for
positions of substantial responsibility,
* to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants,
and
* to promote the success of the Company's business.
Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options
or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at
the time of grant. Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the
Plan.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall
apply:
(a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees
as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating
to the administration of stock option plans under U. S. state corporate laws,
U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code and the applicable laws of any
foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are, or
will be, granted under the Plan.
(c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
(e) "Committee" means a Committee appointed by the Board in
accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.
(f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(g) "Company" means Sierra Monitor Corporation, a California
corporation.
(h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor,
engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services and who is
compensated for such services. The term "Consultant" shall not include Directors
who are paid only a director's fee by the Company or who are not compensated by
the Company for their services as Directors.
(i) "Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant" means
that the employment or consulting relationship with the Company, any Parent, or
Subsidiary, is not interrupted or terminated. Continuous Status as an Employee
or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave
of absence approved by the Company
<PAGE>
or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its
Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. A leave of absence approved by the
Company shall include sick leave, military leave, or any other personal leave
approved by an authorized representative of the Company. For purposes of
Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days, unless
reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract.
If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is
not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option
held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and
shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
(j) "Director" means a member of the Board.
(k) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(l) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.
(m) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.
(n) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any
established stock exchange or a national market system, including without
limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The
Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for
such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such
exchange or system for the last market trading day prior to the time of
determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(iii) In the absence of an established market for
the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.
(o) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to
qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
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<PAGE>
(p) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended
to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(q) "Notice of Grant" means a written notice evidencing
certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Purchase Right
grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.
(r) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
(s) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the
Plan.
(t) "Option Agreement" means a written agreement between the
Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
(u) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby
outstanding options are surrendered in exchange for options with a lower
exercise price.
(v) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an
Option or Stock Purchase Right.
(w) "Optionee" means an Employee or Consultant who holds an
outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right.
(x) "Parent" means a "parent corporation", whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(y) "Plan" means this 1996 Stock Plan.
(z) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 below.
(aa) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written
agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and
restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan and the Notice of Grant.
(bb) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with
respect to the Plan.
(cc) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
-3-
<PAGE>
(dd) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted
in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.
(ee) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase
Common Stock pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of
Grant.
(ff) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether
now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 13
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and
sold under the Plan is 600,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes
unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant
to an Option Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto
shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan
has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued
under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the
Company at their original purchase price, and the original purchaser of such
Shares did not receive any benefits of ownership of such Shares, such Shares
shall become available for future grant under the Plan. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, voting rights shall not be considered a benefit of Share
ownership.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. If permitted
by Rule 16b-3, the Plan may be administered by different bodies with respect to
Directors, Officers who are not Directors, and Employees who are neither
Directors nor Officers.
(ii) Administration With Respect to Directors and
Officers Subject to Section 16(b). With respect to Option or Stock Purchase
Right grants made to Employees who are also Officers or Directors subject to
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the
Board, if the Board may administer the Plan in a manner complying with the rules
under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested administration of employee
benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards
of equity securities are to be made, or (B) a committee designated by the Board
to administer the Plan, which committee shall be constituted to comply with the
rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the disinterested administration of employee
benefit plans under which Section 16(b) exempt discretionary grants and awards
of equity securities are to be made. Once appointed, such Committee shall
continue to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the
Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and
appoint additional members, remove members (with or without cause) and
substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and
-4-
<PAGE>
remove all members of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan,
all to the extent permitted by the rules under Rule 16b-3 relating to the
disinterested administration of employee benefit plans under which Section 16(b)
exempt discretionary grants and awards of equity securities are to be made.
(iii) Administration With Respect to Other
Persons. With respect to Option or Stock Purchase Right grants made to Employees
or Consultants who are neither Directors nor Officers of the Company, the Plan
shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a committee designated by the
Board, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. Once
appointed, such Committee shall serve in its designated capacity until otherwise
directed by the Board. The Board may increase the size of the Committee and
appoint additional members, remove members (with or without cause) and
substitute new members, fill vacancies (however caused), and remove all members
of the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of
the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties
delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2(n) of the Plan;
(ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to
whom Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent
Options and Stock Purchase Rights or any combination thereof, are granted
hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of shares of Common
Stock to be covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;
(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under
the Plan;
(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder. Such
terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the
time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may
be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option
or Stock Purchase Right or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in
each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall
determine;
(vii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option
or Stock Purchase Right to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
have declined since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted;
-5-
<PAGE>
(viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the
Plan and awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and
regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to
sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment
under foreign tax laws;
(x) to modify or amend each Option or Stock
Purchase Right (subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan), including the
discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of
Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;
(xi) to authorize any person to execute on behalf
of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator;
(xii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;
(xiii) to make all other determinations deemed
necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase
Rights may be granted to Employees and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may
be granted only to Employees. If otherwise eligible, an Employee or Consultant
who has been granted an Option or Stock Purchase Right may be granted additional
Options or Stock Purchase Rights.
6. Limitations.
(a) Each Option shall be designated in the written option
agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair
Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(b) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the
Optionee's employment or consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall
they interfere in any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to
terminate such employment or consulting relationship at any time, with or
without cause.
-6-
<PAGE>
(c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of
Options to Employees:
(i) No Employee shall be granted, in any fiscal
year of the Company, Options to purchase more than 100,000 Shares.
(ii) In connection with his or her initial
employment, an Employee may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional
25,000 Shares which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection
(i) above.
(iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as
described in Section 13.
(iv) If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal
year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a
transaction described in Section 13), the cancelled Option will be counted
against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. For this
purpose, if the exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be
treated as a cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.
7. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, the Plan shall
become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board or its
approval by the shareholders of the Company as described in Section 19 of the
Plan. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated
earlier under Section 15 of the Plan.
8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Notice of Grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter
term as may be provided in the Notice of Grant. Moreover, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from
the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Notice of
Grant.
9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
(a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the
Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time
the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten
percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of
the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
-7-
<PAGE>
(B) granted to any Employee other than an
Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option,
the per Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator.
(b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option
is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may
be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before
the Option may be exercised. In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an
Option may not be exercised until the completion of a service period.
(c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine
the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the
method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator
shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such
consideration may consist entirely of:
(i) cash;
(ii) check;
(iii) promissory note;
(iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which said Option shall be exercised;
(v) delivery of a properly executed exercise
notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and the
broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and
delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the
exercise price;
(vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company
liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the
Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program
or arrangement;
(vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment; or
(viii) such other consideration and method of
payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
10. Exercise of Option.
(a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any
Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan
and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator
and set forth in the Option Agreement.
-8-
<PAGE>
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company
receives: (i) written notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by
the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to
be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in
Section 13 of the Plan.
Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number
of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under
the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(b) Termination of Employment or Consulting Relationship.
Upon termination of an Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or
Consultant, other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee may
exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the
Notice of Grant to the extent that he or she is entitled to exercise it on the
date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of
such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant). In the absence of a specified
time in the Notice of Grant, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3)
months following the Optionee's termination. In the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, such period of time for exercise shall not exceed three (3) months from
the date of termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not
entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after
termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time
specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares
covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
Notwithstanding the above, in the event of an Optionee's
change in status from Consultant to Employee or Employee to Consultant, the
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not
automatically terminate solely as a result of such change in status. In such
event, an Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated
as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option three months and one day following such change of
status.
(c) Disability of Optionee. Upon termination of an Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of the Optionee's
Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option at any time within
twelve (12) months from the date of termination, but only to the extent that the
Optionee is entitled to exercise it on the date of termination (and in
-9-
<PAGE>
no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the
Notice of Grant). If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not entitled
to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein,
the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert
to the Plan.
(d) Death of Optionee. Upon the death of an Optionee, the
Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date
of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option
as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person
who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but
only to the extent that the Optionee would have been entitled to exercise the
Option on the date of death. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not
entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unexercisable portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the
Optionee's estate or the person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by
bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.
(e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time
offer to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted
based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and
communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
(f) Rule 16b-3. Options granted to individuals subject to
Section 16 of the Exchange Act ("Insiders") must comply with the applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional conditions or
restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption
from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to Plan transactions.
11. Stock Purchase Rights.
(a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued
either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the
Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator
determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall
advise the offeree in writing, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the terms,
conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares
that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the
time within which the offeree must accept such offer, which shall in no event
exceed six (6) months from the date upon which the Administrator made the
determination to grant the Stock Purchase Right. The offer shall be accepted by
execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the
Administrator.
(b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's employment with the Company
-10-
<PAGE>
for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares
repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the
original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any
indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse
at a rate determined by the Administrator.
(c) Rule 16b-3. Stock Purchase Rights granted to Insiders,
and Shares purchased by Insiders in connection with Stock Purchase Rights, shall
be subject to any restrictions applicable thereto in compliance with Rule 16b-3.
An Insider may only purchase Shares pursuant to the grant of a Stock Purchase
Right, and may only sell Shares purchased pursuant to the grant of a Stock
Purchase Right, during such time or times as are permitted by Rule 16b-3.
(d) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with
the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. In
addition, the provisions of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements need not be the
same with respect to each purchaser.
(e) Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13
of the Plan.
12. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. An Option
or Stock Purchase Right may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee.
13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution,
Merger or Asset Sale.
(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action
by the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered
by each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose
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<PAGE>
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as
expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any
class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall
affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase
Right.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option shall lapse as to all such Shares,
provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in
the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an
Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
action.
(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the
Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of
the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right
shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor
corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event
that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or
Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option
or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to
which it would not otherwise be exercisable. If an Option or Stock Purchase
Right is exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a
merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee that the
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully exercisable for a period of
fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of
this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed
if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the
right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the
Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of
assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property)
received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each
Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered
a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such
consideration received in the merger or sale of assets was not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the
merger or sale of assets.
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<PAGE>
14. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the
determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later
date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be
provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
15. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time
amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain
shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable
to comply with Rule 16b-3 or with Section 422 of the Code (or any successor rule
or statute or other applicable law, rule or regulation, including the
requirements of any exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is
listed or quoted). Such shareholder approval, if required, shall be obtained in
such a manner and to such a degree as is required by the applicable law, rule or
regulation.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment,
alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any
Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the
Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and
the Company.
16. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to
the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such
Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares
shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation,
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, Applicable Laws, and the requirements of any
stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or
quoted, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company
with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the
person exercising such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant
at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for
investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares
if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is
required.
17. Liability of Company.
(a) Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the
Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which
authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall
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<PAGE>
relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell
such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
(b) Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If the Optioned Stock
covered by an Option or Stock Purchase Right exceeds, as of the date of grant,
the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional
shareholder approval, such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be void with
respect to such excess Optioned Stock, unless shareholder approval of an
amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan is
timely obtained in accordance with Section 15(b) of the Plan.
18. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
19. Shareholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained
in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws and the rules of
any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed.
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<PAGE>
1996 STOCK PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.
I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
Optionee's Name and Address
You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the
Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement, as follows:
Grant Number _________________________
Date of Grant _________________________
Vesting Commencement Date _________________________
Exercise Price per Share $________________________
Total Number of Shares Granted _________________________
Total Exercise Price $________________________
Type of Option: ___ Incentive Stock Option
___ Nonstatutory Stock Option
Term/Expiration Date: _________________________
Vesting Schedule:
This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with
the following schedule:
25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after
the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the Shares subject to the Option
shall vest each month thereafter.
<PAGE>
Termination Period:
This Option may be exercised for 90 days after termination of the
Optionee's employment or consulting relationship with the Company. Upon the
death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option may be exercised for such
longer period as provided in the Plan. In the event of the Optionee's change in
status from Employee to Consultant or Consultant to Employee, this Option
Agreement shall remain in effect. In no event shall this Option be exercised
later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.
II. AGREEMENT
1. Grant of Option. The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants
to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this
Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of
Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set
forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to
Section 15(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement,
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.
If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock
Option ("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option
under Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an
Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code
Section 422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").
2. Exercise of Option.
(a) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its
term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and
the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In the event of
Optionee's death, Disability or other termination of Optionee's employment or
consulting relationship, the exercisability of the Option is governed by the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.
(b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by
delivery of an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise
Notice"), which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of
Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised
Shares"), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by
the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be
signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to
the Secretary of the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by
payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares. This Option
shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully
executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price.
No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this
Option unless such issuance and exercise complies with all relevant provisions
of law and the requirements of any stock exchange or quotation service upon
which the Shares are then listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax
purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on
the date the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.
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<PAGE>
3. Method of Payment. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be
by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:
(a) cash;
(b) check;
(c) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together
with such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if
applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to
the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price;
(d) surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised
Shares; or
4. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.
5. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.
6. Tax Consequences. Some of the federal and state tax consequences
relating to this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below.
THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING
THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.
(a) Exercising the Option.
(i) Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee may
incur regular federal income tax and state income tax liability upon exercise of
a NSO. The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income
(taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair
Market Value of the Exercised Shares on the date of exercise over their
aggregate Exercise Price. If the Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee,
the Company will be required to withhold from his or her compensation or collect
from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash
equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and
may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such
withholding amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.
(ii) Incentive Stock Option. If this Option
qualifies as an ISO, the Optionee will have no regular federal income tax or
state income tax liability upon its exercise,
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<PAGE>
although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares on
the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price will be treated as an
adjustment to alternative minimum taxable income for federal tax purposes and
may subject the Optionee to alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise. In
the event that the Optionee undergoes a change of status from Employee to
Consultant, any Incentive Stock Option of the Optionee that remains unexercised
shall cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax
purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the ninety-first (91st) day following
such change of status.
(b) Disposition of Shares.
(i) NSO. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at
least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated
as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.
(ii) ISO. If the Optionee holds ISO Shares for at
least one year after exercise and two years after the grant date, any gain
realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain
for federal income tax purposes. If the Optionee disposes of ISO Shares within
one year after exercise or two years after the grant date, any gain realized on
such disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary
income rates) to the extent of the excess, if any, of the lesser of (A) the
difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares acquired on the date of
exercise and the aggregate Exercise Price, or (B) the difference between the
sale price of such Shares and the aggregate Exercise Price.
(c) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the
Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to
an ISO on or before the later of (i) two years after the grant date, or (ii) one
year after the exercise date, the Optionee shall immediately notify the Company
in writing of such disposition. The Optionee agrees that he or she may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized from such early disposition of ISO Shares by payment in cash or out
of the current earnings paid to the Optionee.
7. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by California law except for that body of
law pertaining to conflict of laws.
8. NO GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY
CONTINUING SERVICE AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND
NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES
HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET
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<PAGE>
FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED
ENGAGEMENT AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD,
OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT
TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH
OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed
by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an
opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.
OPTIONEE: SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
- ----------------------------------- By:---------------------------------
Signature
- ----------------------------------- Title:-------------------------------
Print Name
Dated:-------------------------------
- ------------------------------------
Residence Address
- ------------------------------------
Dated:
------------------------------
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<PAGE>
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the
terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In consideration of
the Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set
forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be
similarly bound. The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as
attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.
---------------------------------------
Spouse of Optionee
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
1996 STOCK PLAN
EXERCISE NOTICE
Sierra Monitor Corporation
1991 Tarob Court
Milpitas, CA 95035
Attention: Corporate Secretary
1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ________________, 199__,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Sierra Monitor Corporation (the "Company")
under and pursuant to the 1996 Stock Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option
Agreement dated , 19___ (the "Option Agreement"). The purchase price for the
Shares shall be $ , as required by the Option Agreement.
2. Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.
3. Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser
has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees
to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.
4. Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued to the
Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment will
be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the
date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the
Plan.
5. Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.
6. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan and Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire
<PAGE>
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede
in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and
Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified
adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by means of a writing signed by the
Company and Purchaser. This agreement is governed by California law except for
that body of law pertaining to conflict of laws.
Submitted by: Accepted by:
PURCHASER: SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
__________________________________ By: _______________________________
Signature
__________________________________ Its: ______________________________
Print Name
Address: Address:
___________________________ 1991 Tarob Court
___________________________ Milpitas, CA 95035
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
SECURITY AGREEMENT
This Security Agreement is made as of __________, 19___ between Sierra
Monitor Corporation, a California corporation ("Pledgee"), and
_________________________ ("Pledgor").
Recitals
Pursuant to Pledgor's election to purchase Shares under the Option
Agreement dated ________ (the "Option"), between Pledgor and Pledgee under
Pledgee's 1996 Stock Plan, and Pledgor's election under the terms of the Option
to pay for such shares with his promissory note (the "Note"), Pledgor has
purchased _________ shares of Pledgee's Common Stock (the "Shares") at a price
of $________ per share, for a total purchase price of $__________. The Note and
the obligations thereunder are as set forth in Exhibit C to the Option.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:
1. Creation and Description of Security Interest. In consideration of
the transfer of the Shares to Pledgor under the Option Agreement, Pledgor,
pursuant to the California Commercial Code, hereby pledges all of such Shares
(herein sometimes referred to as the "Collateral") represented by certificate
number ______, duly endorsed in blank or with executed stock powers, and
herewith delivers said certificate to the Secretary of Pledgee ("Pledgeholder"),
who shall hold said certificate subject to the terms and conditions of this
Security Agreement.
The pledged stock (together with an executed blank stock assignment for
use in transferring all or a portion of the Shares to Pledgee if, as and when
required pursuant to this Security Agreement) shall be held by the Pledgeholder
as security for the repayment of the Note, and any extensions or renewals
thereof, to be executed by Pledgor pursuant to the terms of the Option, and the
Pledgeholder shall not encumber or dispose of such Shares except in accordance
with the provisions of this Security Agreement.
2. Pledgor's Representations and Covenants. To induce Pledgee to enter
into this Security Agreement, Pledgor represents and covenants to Pledgee, its
successors and assigns, as follows:
(a) Payment of Indebtedness. Pledgor will pay the principal
sum of the Note secured hereby, together with interest thereon, at the time and
in the manner provided in the Note.
(b) Encumbrances. The Shares are free of all other
encumbrances, defenses and liens, and Pledgor will not further encumber the
Shares without the prior written consent of Pledgee.
(c) Margin Regulations. In the event that Pledgee's Common
Stock is now or later becomes margin-listed by the Federal Reserve Board and
Pledgee is classified as a "lender" within the meaning of the regulations under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations
<PAGE>
("Regulation G"), Pledgor agrees to cooperate with Pledgee in making any
amendments to the Note or providing any additional collateral as may be
necessary to comply with such regulations.
3. Voting Rights. During the term of this pledge and so long as all
payments of principal and interest are made as they become due under the terms
of the Note, Pledgor shall have the right to vote all of the Shares pledged
hereunder.
4. Stock Adjustments. In the event that during the term of the pledge
any stock dividend, reclassification, readjustment or other changes are declared
or made in the capital structure of Pledgee, all new, substituted and additional
shares or other securities issued by reason of any such change shall be
delivered to and held by the Pledgee under the terms of this Security Agreement
in the same manner as the Shares originally pledged hereunder. In the event of
substitution of such securities, Pledgor, Pledgee and Pledgeholder shall
cooperate and execute such documents as are reasonable so as to provide for the
substitution of such Collateral and, upon such substitution, references to
"Shares" in this Security Agreement shall include the substituted shares of
capital stock of Pledgor as a result thereof.
5. Options and Rights. In the event that, during the term of this
pledge, subscription Options or other rights or options shall be issued in
connection with the pledged Shares, such rights, Options and options shall be
the property of Pledgor and, if exercised by Pledgor, all new stock or other
securities so acquired by Pledgor as it relates to the pledged Shares then held
by Pledgeholder shall be immediately delivered to Pledgeholder, to be held under
the terms of this Security Agreement in the same manner as the Shares pledged.
6. Default. Pledgor shall be deemed to be in default of the Note and of
this Security Agreement in the event:
(a) Payment of principal or interest on the Note shall be
delinquent for a period of 10 days or more; or
(b) Pledgor fails to perform any of the covenants set forth
in the Option or contained in this Security Agreement for a period of 10 days
after written notice thereof from Pledgee.
In the case of an event of Default, as set forth above, Pledgee shall
have the right to accelerate payment of the Note upon notice to Pledgor, and
Pledgee shall thereafter be entitled to pursue its remedies under the California
Commercial Code.
7. Release of Collateral. Subject to any applicable contrary rules
under Regulation G, there shall be released from this pledge a portion of the
pledged Shares held by Pledgeholder hereunder upon payments of the principal of
the Note. The number of the pledged Shares which shall be released shall be that
number of full Shares which bears the same proportion to the initial number of
Shares pledged hereunder as the payment of principal bears to the initial full
principal amount of the Note.
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<PAGE>
8. Withdrawal or Substitution of Collateral. Pledgor shall not sell,
withdraw, pledge, substitute or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the
Collateral without the prior written consent of Pledgee.
9. Term. The within pledge of Shares shall continue until the payment
of all indebtedness secured hereby, at which time the remaining pledged stock
shall be promptly delivered to Pledgor, subject to the provisions for prior
release of a portion of the Collateral as provided in paragraph 7 above.
10. Insolvency. Pledgor agrees that if a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding is instituted by or against it, or if a receiver is appointed for the
property of Pledgor, or if Pledgor makes an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, the entire amount unpaid on the Note shall become immediately due and
payable, and Pledgee may proceed as provided in the case of default.
11. Pledgeholder Liability. In the absence of willful or gross
negligence, Pledgeholder shall not be liable to any party for any of his acts,
or omissions to act, as Pledgeholder.
12. Invalidity of Particular Provisions. Pledgor and Pledgee agree that
the enforceability or invalidity of any provision or provisions of this Security
Agreement shall not render any other provision or provisions herein contained
unenforceable or invalid.
13. Successors or Assigns. Pledgor and Pledgee agree that all of the
terms of this Security Agreement shall be binding on their respective successors
and assigns, and that the term "Pledgor" and the term "Pledgee" as used herein
shall be deemed to include, for all purposes, the respective designees,
successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators.
14. Governing Law. This Security Agreement shall be interpreted and
governed under the laws of the State of California.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.
"PLEDGOR" By: _____________________________________
__________________________________________
Print Name
Address:
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
"PLEDGEE" Sierra Monitor Corporation,
a California corporation
By: ______________________________________
Title: ____________________________________
"PLEDGEHOLDER" __________________________________________
Secretary of Sierra Monitor Corporation
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
NOTE
$_______________ Milpitas, California
______________, 19___
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _______________ promises to pay to Sierra Monitor
Corporation, a California corporation (the "Company"), or order, the principal
sum of _______________________ ($_____________), together with interest on the
unpaid principal hereof from the date hereof at the rate of _______________
percent (____%) per annum, compounded semiannually.
Principal and interest shall be due and payable on __________, 19___.
Should the undersigned fail to make full payment of principal or interest for a
period of 10 days or more after the due date thereof, the whole unpaid balance
on this Note of principal and interest shall become immediately due at the
option of the holder of this Note. Payments of principal and interest shall be
made in lawful money of the United States of America.
The undersigned may at any time prepay all or any portion of the
principal or interest owing hereunder.
This Note is subject to the terms of the Option, dated as of
________________. This Note is secured in part by a pledge of the Company's
Common Stock under the terms of a Security Agreement of even date herewith and
is subject to all the provisions thereof.
The holder of this Note shall have full recourse against the
undersigned, and shall not be required to proceed against the collateral
securing this Note in the event of default.
In the event the undersigned shall cease to be an employee or
consultant of the Company for any reason, this Note shall, at the option of the
Company, be accelerated, and the whole unpaid balance on this Note of principal
and accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable.
Should any action be instituted for the collection of this Note, the
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees therein of the holder shall be paid by the
undersigned.
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
<PAGE>
1996 STOCK PLAN
NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Notice of Grant.
[Grantee's Name and Address]
You have been granted the right to purchase Common Stock of the
Company, subject to the Company's Repurchase Option and your ongoing Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant (as described in the Plan and the attached
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement), as follows:
Grant Number _________________________
Date of Grant _________________________
Price Per Share $________________________
Total Number of Shares Subject _________________________
to This Stock Purchase Right
Expiration Date: _________________________
YOU MUST EXERCISE THIS STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE
OR IT WILL TERMINATE AND YOU WILL HAVE NO FURTHER RIGHT TO PURCHASE THE SHARES.
By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative below, you
and the Company agree that this Stock Purchase Right is granted under and
governed by the terms and conditions of the 1996 Stock Plan and the Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, both of which are made
a part of this document. You further agree to execute the attached Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement as a condition to purchasing any shares under this
Stock Purchase Right.
GRANTEE: SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
___________________________ By: ___________________________
Signature
___________________________ Title: ___________________________
Print Name
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-1
1996 STOCK PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.
WHEREAS the Purchaser named in the Notice of Grant, (the "Purchaser")
is an Employee or Consultant of the Company, and the Purchaser's continued
participation is considered by the Company to be important for the Company's
continued growth; and
WHEREAS in order to give the Purchaser an opportunity to acquire an
equity interest in the Company as an incentive for the Purchaser to participate
in the affairs of the Company, the Administrator has granted to the Purchaser a
Stock Purchase Right subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
Notice of Grant, which are incorporated herein by reference, and pursuant to
this Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement").
NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Sale of Stock. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser
and the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock
(the "Shares"), at the per Share purchase price and as otherwise described in
the Notice of Grant.
2. Payment of Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Shares may be
paid by delivery to the Company at the time of execution of this Agreement of
cash, a check, or some combination thereof.
3. Repurchase Option.
(a) In the event the Purchaser's Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant terminates for any or no reason (including death or
disability) before all of the Shares are released from the Company's Repurchase
Option (see Section 4), the Company shall, upon the date of such termination (as
reasonably fixed and determined by the Company) have an irrevocable, exclusive
option (the "Repurchase Option") for a period of sixty (60) days from such date
to repurchase up to that number of shares which constitute the Unreleased Shares
(as defined in Section 4) at the original purchase price per share (the
"Repurchase Price"). The Repurchase Option shall be exercised by the Company by
delivering written notice to the Purchaser or the Purchaser's executor (with a
copy to the Escrow Holder) AND, at the Company's option, (i) by delivering to
the Purchaser or the Purchaser's executor a check in the amount of the aggregate
Repurchase Price, or (ii) by cancelling an amount of the Purchaser's
indebtedness to the Company equal to the aggregate Repurchase Price, or (iii) by
a combination of (i) and (ii) so that the combined payment and cancellation of
indebtedness equals the aggregate Repurchase Price. Upon delivery of such notice
and the payment of the aggregate Repurchase Price, the Company shall become the
legal and beneficial owner of the Shares being repurchased and all rights and
interests therein or relating thereto, and the Company
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shall have the right to retain and transfer to its own name the number of Shares
being repurchased by the Company.
(b) Whenever the Company shall have the right to repurchase
Shares hereunder, the Company may designate and assign one or more employees,
officers, directors or shareholders of the Company or other persons or
organizations to exercise all or a part of the Company's purchase rights under
this Agreement and purchase all or a part of such Shares. If the Fair Market
Value of the Shares to be repurchased on the date of such designation or
assignment (the "Repurchase FMV") exceeds the aggregate Repurchase Price of such
Shares, then each such designee or assignee shall pay the Company cash equal to
the difference between the Repurchase FMV and the aggregate Repurchase Price of
such Shares.
4. Release of Shares From Repurchase Option.
(a) _______________________ percent (______%) of the Shares
shall be released from the Company's Repurchase Option one year after the Date
of Grant and __________________ percent (______%) of the Shares at the end of
each month thereafter, provided that the Purchaser's Continuous Status as an
Employee or Consultant has not terminated prior to the date of any such release.
(b) Any of the Shares that have not yet been released from
the Repurchase Option are referred to herein as "Unreleased Shares."
(c) The Shares that have been released from the Repurchase
Option shall be delivered to the Purchaser at the Purchaser's request (see
Section 6).
5. Restriction on Transfer. Except for the escrow described in Section
6 or the transfer of the Shares to the Company or its assignees contemplated by
this Agreement, none of the Shares or any beneficial interest therein shall be
transferred, encumbered or otherwise disposed of in any way until such Shares
are released from the Company's Repurchase Option in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.
6. Escrow of Shares.
(a) To ensure the availability for delivery of the
Purchaser's Unreleased Shares upon repurchase by the Company pursuant to the
Repurchase Option, the Purchaser shall, upon execution of this Agreement,
deliver and deposit with an escrow holder designated by the Company (the "Escrow
Holder") the share certificates representing the Unreleased Shares, together
with the stock assignment duly endorsed in blank, attached hereto as Exhibit
A-2. The Unreleased Shares and stock assignment shall be held by the Escrow
Holder, pursuant to the Joint Escrow Instructions of the Company and Purchaser
attached hereto as Exhibit A-3, until such time as the Company's Repurchase
Option expires. As a further condition to the Company's obligations under this
Agreement, the Company may require the spouse of Purchaser, if any, to execute
and deliver to the Company the Consent of Spouse attached hereto as Exhibit A-4.
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(b) The Escrow Holder shall not be liable for any act it may
do or omit to do with respect to holding the Unreleased Shares in escrow while
acting in good faith and in the exercise of its judgment.
(c) If the Company or any assignee exercises the Repurchase
Option hereunder, the Escrow Holder, upon receipt of written notice of such
exercise from the proposed transferee, shall take all steps necessary to
accomplish such transfer.
(d) When the Repurchase Option has been exercised or expires
unexercised or a portion of the Shares has been released from the Repurchase
Option, upon request the Escrow Holder shall promptly cause a new certificate to
be issued for the released Shares and shall deliver the certificate to the
Company or the Purchaser, as the case may be.
(e) Subject to the terms hereof, the Purchaser shall have all
the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares while they are held in
escrow, including without limitation, the right to vote the Shares and to
receive any cash dividends declared thereon. If, from time to time during the
term of the Repurchase Option, there is (i) any stock dividend, stock split or
other change in the Shares, or (ii) any merger or sale of all or substantially
all of the assets or other acquisition of the Company, any and all new,
substituted or additional securities to which the Purchaser is entitled by
reason of the Purchaser's ownership of the Shares shall be immediately subject
to this escrow, deposited with the Escrow Holder and included thereafter as
"Shares" for purposes of this Agreement and the Repurchase Option.
7. Legends. The share certificate evidencing the Shares issued
hereunder shall be endorsed with the following legend (in addition to any legend
required under applicable state securities laws):
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER AND RIGHTS OF REPURCHASE AS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE
SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
8. Adjustment for Stock Split. All references to the number of Shares
and the purchase price of the Shares in this Agreement shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or other change in the
Shares which may be made by the Company after the date of this Agreement.
9. Tax Consequences. The Purchaser has reviewed with the Purchaser's
own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this
investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Purchaser is
relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of
the Company or any of its agents. The Purchaser understands that the Purchaser
(and not the Company) shall be responsible for the Purchaser's own tax liability
that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
The Purchaser understands that Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), taxes as ordinary income the difference between the
purchase price for the Shares and the Fair Market Value of the
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Shares as of the date any restrictions on the Shares lapse. In this context,
"restriction" includes the right of the Company to buy back the Shares pursuant
to the Repurchase Option. The Purchaser understands that the Purchaser may elect
to be taxed at the time the Shares are purchased rather than when and as the
Repurchase Option expires by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code
with the IRS within 30 days from the date of purchase. The form for making this
election is attached as Exhibit A-5 hereto.
THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS THE PURCHASER'S SOLE
RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY'S TO FILE TIMELY THE ELECTION UNDER SECTION
83(b), EVEN IF THE PURCHASER REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE
THIS FILING ON THE PURCHASER'S BEHALF.
10. General Provisions.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of California. This Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan
and the Notice of Grant, represents the entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the purchase of the Shares by the Purchaser. Subject to Section
15(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions
of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the terms and
conditions of the Plan shall prevail. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms
defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Agreement.
(b) Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be
given by either the Company or the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered
personally or deposited in the U.S. mail, First Class with postage prepaid, and
addressed to the parties at the addresses of the parties set forth at the end of
this Agreement or such other address as a party may request by notifying the
other in writing.
Any notice to the Escrow Holder shall be sent to the Company's
address with a copy to the other party hereto.
(c) The rights of the Company under this Agreement shall be
transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and
agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the
Company's successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of the Purchaser
under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the
Company.
(d) Either party's failure to enforce any provision of this
Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision,
nor prevent that party from thereafter enforcing any other provision of this
Agreement. The rights granted both parties hereunder are cumulative and shall
not constitute a waiver of either party's right to assert any other legal remedy
available to it.
(e) The Purchaser agrees upon request to execute any further
documents or instruments necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes or
intent of this Agreement.
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(f) PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF
SHARES PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING SERVICE AS AN
EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF
BEING HIRED OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). PURCHASER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND
AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE
VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT FOR THE VESTING
PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH PURCHASER'S
RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE PURCHASER'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING
RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.
By Purchaser's signature below, Purchaser represents that he or she is
familiar with the terms and provisions of the Plan, and hereby accepts this
Agreement subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Purchaser has
reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity
to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully
understands all provisions of this Agreement. Purchaser agrees to accept as
binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the
Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.
Purchaser further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence
indicated in the Notice of Grant.
DATED: _____________________
PURCHASER: SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
______________________________ By:____________________________
Signature
______________________________ Title:___________________________
Print Name
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EXHIBIT A-2
ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED I, __________________________, hereby sell, assign
and transfer unto (__________) shares of the Common Stock of Sierra Monitor
Corporation standing in my name of the books of said corporation represented by
Certificate No. _____ herewith and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named corporation with
full power of substitution in the premises.
This Stock Assignment may be used only in accordance with the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement")
between________________________ and the undersigned dated ______________, 19__.
Dated: _______________, 19__
Signature:______________________________
INSTRUCTIONS: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line.
The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise the
Repurchase Option, as set forth in the Agreement, without requiring additional
signatures on the part of the Purchaser.
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EXHIBIT A-3
JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS
__________, 19__
Corporate Secretary
Sierra Monitor Corporation
1991 Tarob Court
Milpitas, CA 95035
Dear :
------------------
As Escrow Agent for both Sierra Monitor Corporation, a California
corporation (the "Company"), and the undersigned purchaser of stock of the
Company (the "Purchaser"), you are hereby authorized and directed to hold the
documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that certain Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") between the Company and the undersigned,
in accordance with the following instructions:
1. In the event the Company and/or any assignee of the Company
(referred to collectively as the "Company") exercises the Company's Repurchase
Option set forth in the Agreement, the Company shall give to Purchaser and you a
written notice specifying the number of shares of stock to be purchased, the
purchase price, and the time for a closing hereunder at the principal office of
the Company. Purchaser and the Company hereby irrevocably authorize and direct
you to close the transaction contemplated by such notice in accordance with the
terms of said notice.
2. At the closing, you are directed (a) to date the stock assignments
necessary for the transfer in question, (b) to fill in the number of shares
being transferred, and (c) to deliver same, together with the certificate
evidencing the shares of stock to be transferred, to the Company or its
assignee, against the simultaneous delivery to you of the purchase price (by
cash, a check, or some combination thereof) for the number of shares of stock
being purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Company's Repurchase Option.
3. Purchaser irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any
certificates evidencing shares of stock to be held by you hereunder and any
additions and substitutions to said shares as defined in the Agreement.
Purchaser does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as Purchaser's
attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect
to such securities all documents necessary or appropriate to make such
securities negotiable and to complete any transaction herein contemplated,
including but not limited to the filing with any applicable state blue sky
authority of any required applications for consent to, or notice of transfer of,
the securities. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 3, Purchaser shall
exercise all rights and privileges of a shareholder of the Company while the
stock is held by you.
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4. Upon written request of the Purchaser, but no more than once per
calendar year, unless the Company's Repurchase Option has been exercised, you
shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing so many
shares of stock as are not then subject to the Company's Repurchase Option.
Within 90 days after cessation of Purchaser's continuous employment by or
services to the Company, or any parent or subsidiary of the Company, you shall
deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing the aggregate
number of shares held or issued pursuant to the Agreement and not purchased by
the Company or its assignees pursuant to exercise of the Company's Repurchase
Option.
5. If at the time of termination of this escrow you should have in your
possession any documents, securities, or other property belonging to Purchaser,
you shall deliver all of the same to Purchaser and shall be discharged of all
further obligations hereunder.
6. Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked
only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.
7. You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as
are specifically set forth herein and may rely and shall be protected in relying
or refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You
shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as
Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact for Purchaser while acting in good faith,
and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys
shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.
8. You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all
warnings given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or
corporation, excepting only orders or process of courts of law, and are hereby
expressly authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any
court. In case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree, you
shall not be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or
corporation by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order,
judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside,
vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.
9. You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity,
authorities or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to
execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called
for hereunder.
10. You shall not be liable for the outlawing of any rights under the
statute of limitations with respect to these Joint Escrow Instructions or any
documents deposited with you.
11. You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other
experts as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your
obligations hereunder, may rely upon the advice of such counsel, and may pay
such counsel reasonable compensation therefor.
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12. Your responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if
you shall cease to be an officer or agent of the Company or if you shall resign
by written notice to each party. In the event of any such termination, the
Company shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent.
13. If you reasonably require other or further instruments in
connection with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect
hereto, the necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.
14. It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with
respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the
securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in
your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities
until such disputes shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement
of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has
been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend
any such proceedings.
15. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon
deposit in the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail with
postage and fees prepaid, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto
entitled at the following addresses or at such other addresses as a party may
designate by ten days' advance written notice to each of the other parties
hereto.
COMPANY: Sierra Monitor Corporation
1991 Tarob Court
Milpitas, CA 95035
PURCHASER: ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
ESCROW AGENT: Corporate Secretary
[Company Name and Address]
16. By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party
hereto only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions; you do not become
a party to the Agreement.
17. This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
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18. These Joint Escrow Instructions shall be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California.
Very truly yours,
SIERRA MONITOR CORPORATION
By: _________________________________
Title: _________________________________
PURCHASER:
_________________________________
(Signature)
_________________________________
(Typed or Printed Name)
ESCROW AGENT:
___________________________________
Corporate Secretary
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EXHIBIT A-4
CONSENT OF SPOUSE
I, ____________________, spouse of ___________________, have read and
approve the foregoing Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement"). In
consideration of the Company's grant to my spouse of the right to purchase
shares of Sierra Monitor Corporation, as set forth in the Agreement, I hereby
appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of any
rights under the Agreement and agree to be bound by the provisions of the
Agreement insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement or any shares
issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or similar laws
relating to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the
date of the signing of the foregoing Agreement.
Dated: _______________, 19
___________________________________
Signature of Spouse
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EXHIBIT A-5
ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b)
OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986
The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in taxpayer's gross income
for the current taxable year the amount of any compensation taxable to taxpayer
in connection with his or her receipt of the property described below:
1. The name, address, taxpayer identification number and taxable year of
the undersigned are as follows:
NAME: TAXPAYER: SPOUSE:
ADDRESS:
IDENTIFICATION NO.: TAXPAYER: SPOUSE:
TAXABLE YEAR:
2. The property with respect to which the election is made is described as
follows: shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Sierra Monitor
Corporation (the "Company").
3. The date on which the property was transferred is: _____________, 19__.
4. The property is subject to the following restrictions:
The Shares may be repurchased by the Company, or its assignee, upon
certain events. This right lapses with regard to a portion of the Shares
based on the continued performance of services by the taxpayer over
time.
5. The fair market value at the time of transfer, determined without regard
to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will
never lapse, of such property is:
$---------------.
6. The amount (if any) paid for such property is:
$---------------.
The undersigned has submitted a copy of this statement to the person for whom
the services were performed in connection with the undersigned's receipt of the
above-described property. The transferee of such property is the person
performing the services in connection with the transfer of said property.
The undersigned understands that the foregoing election may not be revoked
except with the consent of the Commissioner.
Dated: ___________________, 19_____________________________________________
Taxpayer
The undersigned spouse of taxpayer joins in this election.
Dated: ___________________, 19_____________________________________________
Spouse of Taxpayer
