EXHIBIT 4.1
Allstates WorldCargo, Inc.
2000 Stock Option and
Stock Issuance Plan
<PAGE>
ALLSTATES WORLDCARGO, INC.
2000 STOCK OPTION AND STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN
ARTICLE ONE
GENERAL PROVISIONS
I. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
This 2000 Stock Option and Stock Issuance Plan ("Plan") is intended to
promote the interests of Allstates WorldCargo, Inc., a New Jersey corporation,
by providing eligible persons with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary
interest, or otherwise increase their proprietary interest, in the Corporation
as an incentive for them to remain in the service of the Corporation.
Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
attached Appendix.
II. STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN
A. The Plan shall be divided into three separate equity programs:
1. the Discretionary Option Grant Program under which eligible
persons may, at the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be granted options to
purchase shares of Common Stock,
2. the Stock Issuance Program under which eligible persons may, at
the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be issued shares of Common Stock
directly, either through the immediate purchase of such shares or as a bonus for
services rendered the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), and
3. the Automatic Option Grant Program under which Eligible Directors
shall automatically receive option grants at periodic intervals to purchase
shares of Common Stock.
B. The Plan shall become effective immediately upon the Plan Effective
Date, June 1, 2000.
III. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
A. The Plan shall be administered by the Plan Administrator, which will
be comprised of the Stock Option Committee designated by the Board (the
"Committee"), and any sub-committee of the Committee which the Board determines
is necessary to comply with the requirements of the Code and the 1934 Act.
B. Members of the Committee shall serve for such period of time as the
Board may determine and may be removed by the Board at any time. The Board may
also at any time terminate the functions of the Committee and reassume all
powers and authority previously delegated to the Committee.
C. The Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its administrative
functions under the Plan, have full power and authority to establish such rules
and regulations as it may deem appropriate for proper administration of the Plan
and to make such determinations under, and issue such interpretations of the
provisions of such programs and any outstanding options or stock issuances
thereunder as it may deem necessary or advisable. Decisions of the Plan
Administrator within the scope of its administrative functions under the Plan
shall be final and binding on all parties who have an interest in the Plan or
any stock option or stock issuance thereunder.
D. Service on the Committee shall constitute service as a Board member,
and members of the Committee shall accordingly be entitled to full
indemnification and reimbursement as Board members for their service on the
Committee. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any act or omission
made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any option grants or stock
issuances under the Plan.
E. Administration of the Automatic Option Grant Program shall be self
executing in accordance with the terms of that program, and the Plan
Administrator shall exercise no discretionary functions with respect to option
grants made thereunder.
IV. ELIGIBILITY
A. The persons eligible to participate in the Discretionary Option Grant
and Stock Issuance Programs are as follows:
1. Employees,
2. non-employee members of the Board or the board of directors of
any Parent or Subsidiary,
3. consultants and other independent advisors who provide services
to the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), and
4. any other entity or person which the Plan Administrator believes
could benefit the business of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary).
B. The Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its administrative
jurisdiction under the Plan, have full authority (subject to the provisions of
the Plan) to determine, (i) with respect to the option grants under the
Discretionary Option Grant Program, which eligible persons are to receive option
grants, the time or times when such option grants are to be made, the number of
shares to be covered by each such grant, the status of the granted option as
either an Incentive Option or a Non-Statutory Option, the time or times at which
each option is to become exercisable, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable
to the option shares and the maximum term for which the option is to remain
outstanding and (ii) with respect to stock issuances under the Stock Issuance
Program, which eligible persons are to receive stock issuances, the time or
times when such issuances are to be made, the number of shares to be issued to
each Participant, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the issued shares
and the consideration to be paid for such shares.
C. The Plan Administrator shall have the absolute discretion either to
grant options in accordance with the Discretionary Option Grant Program or to
effect stock issuances in accordance with the Stock Issuance Program.
V. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
A. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but
unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the
Corporation on the open market. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock
which may be issued over the term of the Plan shall not exceed 4,500,000 shares,
plus an annual increase to be added on the first day of January of each calendar
year, beginning on January 1, 2001, equal to the lesser of (i) 500,000 shares,
(ii) 4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company or (iii) such
lesser number of shares as determined by the Board.
B. No one person participating in the Plan may receive options,
separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock issuances for
more than 250,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate per calendar year,
beginning with the 2000 calendar year.
C. Shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options shall be
available for subsequent issuance under the Plan to the extent (i) the options
expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise in full or (ii) the options
are canceled in accordance with the cancellation re-grant provisions of Article
Two. All shares issued under the Plan, whether or not those shares are
subsequently repurchased or canceled by the Corporation pursuant to its
repurchase or cancellation rights under the Plan, shall reduce on a
share-for-share basis the number of shares of Common Stock available for
subsequent issuance under the Plan. In addition, should the exercise price of
an option under the Plan be paid with shares of Common Stock, then the number
of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced
by the gross number of shares for which the option is exercised or which vest
under the stock issuance, and not by the net number of shares of Common Stock
issued to the holder of such option or stock issuance.
D. Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, change of shares
or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the
Corporation's receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made
to (i) the maximum number and/or class of securities issuable under the Plan,
(ii) the maximum number and/or class of securities for which any one person may
be granted options, separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct
stock issuances in the aggregate per calendar year, (iii) the number and/or
class of securities for which automatic option grants are to be subsequently
made per Eligible Director under the Automatic Option Grant Program and (iv) the
number and/or class of securities and the exercise price per share in effect
under each outstanding option in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement
of benefits thereunder. The adjustments determined by the Plan Administrator
shall be final, binding and conclusive.
ARTICLE TWO
DISCRETIONARY OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
I. OPTION TERMS
Each option shall be evidenced by one or more documents in the form
approved by the Plan Administrator; provided, however, that each such document
shall comply with the terms specified below. Each document evidencing an
Incentive Option shall, in addition, be subject to the provisions of the Plan
applicable to such options.
A. Exercise Price.
1. The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
Administrator; provided, however, that in the case of a Non-Statutory Stock
Option intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the exercise price per share shall be no
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the option grant date.
2. The exercise price shall become immediately due upon exercise of
the option and shall, subject to the provisions of Section I of Article Five and
the documents evidencing the option, be payable in one or more of the forms
specified below:
(i) cash or check made payable to the Corporation,
(ii) shares of Common Stock held for the requisite period
necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for financial
reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, or
(iii) to the extent the option is exercised for vested
shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the
Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable written instructions to (a) a
Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the
purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds
available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate
exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal,
state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the
Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) the Corporation to deliver the
certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order
to complete the sale transaction.
Except to the extent such sale and remittance procedure is utilized,
payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on the
Exercise Date.
B. Exercise and Term of Options. Each option shall be exercisable at
such time or times, during such period and for such number of shares as shall
be determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents
evidencing the option. However, no option shall have a term in excess of ten
(10) years measured from the option grant date.
C. Effect of Termination of Service.
1. The following provisions shall govern the exercise of any options
held by the Optionee at the time of cessation of Service or death:
(i) Any option outstanding at the time of the Optionee's
cessation of Service for any reason shall remain exercisable for such period of
time thereafter as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth
in the documents evidencing the option, but no such option shall be exercisable
after the expiration of the option term.
(ii) Any option exercisable in whole or in part by the Optionee
at the time of death may be exercised subsequently by the personal
representative of the Optionee's estate or by the person or persons to whom the
option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee's will or in accordance with the
laws of descent and distribution.
(iii) During the applicable post-Service exercise period, the
option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the number of vested
shares for which the option is exercisable on the date of the Optionee's
cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of the applicable exercise period or
(if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term, the option shall terminate
and cease to be outstanding for any vested shares for which the option has not
been exercised. However, the option shall, immediately upon the Optionee's
cessation of Service, terminate and cease to be outstanding to the extent the
option is not otherwise at that time exercisable for vested shares.
(iv) Should the Optionee's Service be terminated for Misconduct,
then all outstanding options held by the Optionee shall terminate immediately
and cease to be outstanding.
2. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretion, exercisable
either at the time an option is granted or at any time while the option remains
outstanding, to:
(i) extend the period of time for which the option is to remain
exercisable following the Optionee's cessation of Service from the period
otherwise in effect for that option to such greater period of time as the Plan
Administrator shall deem appropriate, but in no event beyond the expiration of
the option term, and/or
(ii) permit the option to be exercised, during the applicable
post-Service exercise period, not only with respect to the number of vested
shares of Common Stock for which such option is exercisable at the time of the
Optionee's cessation of Service but also with respect to one or more additional
installments in which the Optionee would have vested under the option had the
Optionee continued in Service.
D. Stockholder Rights. The holder of an option shall have no stockholder
rights with respect to the shares subject to the option until such person shall
have exercised the option, paid the exercise price and become a holder of record
of the purchased shares.
E. Repurchase Rights. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretion
to grant options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common Stock.
Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such unvested shares, the
Corporation shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid per
share, any or all of those unvested shares. The terms upon which such
repurchase right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for
exercise and the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall
be established by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the document
evidencing such repurchase right.
F. Limited Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the
Optionee, the option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall not be
assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution following the Optionee's death. However, a Non-Statutory Option
may be assigned in whole or in part during the Optionee's lifetime in accordance
with the terms of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. The assigned portion
may only be exercised by the person or persons who acquire a proprietary
interest in the option pursuant to such Qualified Domestic Relations Order. The
terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same as those in effect
for the option immediately prior to such assignment and shall be set forth in
such documents issued to the assignee as the Plan Administrator may deem
appropriate.
II. INCENTIVE OPTIONS
The terms specified below shall be applicable to all Incentive Options.
Except as modified by the provisions of this Section II, all the provisions of
Articles One, Two and Five shall be applicable to Incentive Options. Options
which are specifically designated as Non-Statutory Options when issued under the
Plan shall not be subject to the terms of this Section II.
A. Eligibility. Incentive Options may only be granted to Employees.
B. Exercise Price. The exercise price per share shall not be less than
one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock
on the option grant date.
C. Dollar Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of
Common Stock (determined as of the respective date or dates of grant) for which
one or more options granted to any Employee under the Plan (or any other option
plan of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) may for the first time
become exercisable as Incentive Options during any one (1) calendar year shall
not exceed the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). To the extent
the Employee holds two (2) or more such options which become exercisable for the
first time in the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the
exercisability of such options as Incentive Options shall be applied on the
basis of the order in which such options are granted.
D. 10% Stockholder. If any Employee to whom an Incentive Option is
granted is a 10% Stockholder, then the exercise price per share shall not be
less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per share of
Common Stock on the option grant date, and the option term shall not exceed five
(5) years measured from the option grant date.
III. CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL
A. In the event of any Corporate Transaction, each outstanding option
shall automatically accelerate so that each such option shall, immediately prior
to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, become fully exercisable for
all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such option and may be
exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested shares of Common
Stock.
However, an outstanding option shall not so accelerate if and to the extent: (i)
such option is, in connection with the Corporate Transaction, either to be
assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof) or to be replaced with
a comparable option to purchase shares of the capital stock of the successor
corporation (or parent thereof), (ii) such option is to be replaced with a cash
incentive program of the successor corporation which preserves the spread
existing on the unvested option shares at the time of the Corporate Transaction
and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same vesting schedule
applicable to such option or (iii) the acceleration of such option is subject
to other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at the time of the option
grant. The determination of option comparability under clause (i) above shall
be made by the Plan Administrator, and its determination shall be final, binding
and conclusive.
B. All outstanding repurchase rights shall also terminate automatically,
and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall
immediately vest in full, in the event of any Corporate Transaction, except to
the extent: (i) those repurchase rights are to be assigned to the successor
corporation (or parent thereof) in connection with such Corporate Transaction
or (ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by
the Plan Administrator at the time the repurchase right is issued.
C. Immediately following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction,
all outstanding options shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to
the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or parent thereof).
D. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate
Transaction to apply to the number and class of securities which would have been
issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had the
option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments to reflect such Corporate Transaction shall also be made
to (i) the exercise price payable per share under each outstanding option,
provided the aggregate exercise price payable for such securities shall remain
the same, (ii) the maximum number and/or class of securities available for
issuance over the remaining term of the Plan and (iii) the maximum number and/or
class of securities for which any one person may be granted stock options,
separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock issuances in
the aggregate under the Plan per calendar year.
E. The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to grant
options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program which will automatically
accelerate in whole or in part in the event the Optionee's Service subsequently
terminates by reason of an Involuntary Termination within twelve (12) months
following the effective date of any Corporate Transaction in which those options
are assumed or replaced and do not otherwise accelerate. Any options so
accelerated shall remain exercisable for fully-vested shares until earlier of
(i) the expiration of the option term or (ii) the expiration of the one (1)-year
period measured from the effective date of the Involuntary Termination. In
addition, the Plan Administrator may provide that one or more of the
Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights with respect to shares held by the
Optionee at the time of such Involuntary Termination shall immediately terminate
in whole or in part, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall
accordingly vest.
F. The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to grant
options under the Discretionary Option Grant Program which will automatically
accelerate in whole or in part in the event the Optionee's Service subsequently
terminates by reason of an Involuntary Termination within twelve (12) months
following the effective date of any Change in Control. Each option so
accelerated shall remain exercisable for fully-vested shares until the earlier
of (i) the expiration of the option term or (ii) the expiration of the one (1)
-year period measured from the effective date of the Involuntary Termination.
In addition, the Plan Administrator may provide that one or more of the
Corporation' s outstanding repurchase rights with respect to shares held by the
Optionee at the time of such Involuntary Termination shall immediately terminate
in whole or in part, and the shares subject to those terminated rights shall
accordingly vest.
G. The portion of any Incentive Option accelerated in connection with a
Corporate Transaction or Change in Control shall remain exercisable as an
Incentive Option only to the extent the applicable One Hundred Thousand Dollar
($100,000) limitation is not exceeded. To the extent such dollar limitation is
exceeded, the accelerated portion of such option shall be exercisable as a
Statutory Option under the Federal laws.
H. The outstanding options shall in no way affect the right of the
Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital
or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
IV. CANCELLATION AND RE-GRANT OF OPTIONS
The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to effect, at any time and
from time to time, with the consent of the affected option holders, the
cancellation of any or all outstanding options under the Discretionary Option
Grant Program and to grant in substitution new options covering the same or
different number of shares of Common Stock but with an exercise price per share
based on the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the new grant date.
V. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to grant limited
stock appreciation rights to one or more Section 16 Insiders with respect to
their outstanding options under this Article Two. Upon the occurrence of a
Hostile Take-Over, each Section 16 Officer holding one or more options with such
a limited stock appreciation right in effect for at least six (6) months shall
have the unconditional right (exercisable for a thirty (30)-day period following
such Hostile Take-Over) to surrender each such option to the Corporation, to the
extent the option is at the time exercisable for vested shares of Common Stock.
In return for the surrendered option, the Optionee shall receive a cash
distribution from the Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of (A) the
Take-Over Price of the shares of Common Stock which are at the time vested under
each surrendered option (or surrendered portion thereof) over (B) the aggregate
exercise price payable for those shares. Such cash distribution shall be paid
within five (5) days following the option surrender date. Neither the approval
of the Plan Administrator nor the consent of the Board shall be required in
connection with such option surrender and cash distribution. The balance of the
option (if any) shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the
documents evidencing such option.
ARTICLE THREE
STOCK ISSUANCE PROGRAM
I. STOCK ISSUANCE TERMS
Shares of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program
through direct and immediate issuances without any intervening option grants.
Each such stock issuance shall be evidenced by a Stock Issuance Agreement which
complies with the terms specified below.
A. Purchase Price.
1. The purchase price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
Administrator; provided, however, that in the case of a stock issuances intended
to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code, the purchase price per share shall be no less than 100% of
the Fair Market Value per share on the issuance date.
2. Subject to the provisions of Section I of Article Five, shares
of Common Stock may be issued under the Stock Issuance Program for any of the
following items of consideration which the Plan Administrator may deem
appropriate in each individual instance:
(i) cash or check made payable to the Corporation, or
(ii) past services rendered to the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary).
B. Vesting Provisions.
1. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance Program
may, in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, be fully and immediately
vested upon issuance or may vest in one or more installments over the
Participant's period of Service or upon attainment of specified performance
objectives. The elements of the vesting schedule applicable to any unvested
shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance Program namely:
(i) the Service period to be completed by the Participant or the
performance objectives to be attained,
(ii) the number of installments in which the shares are to vest,
(iii) the interval or intervals (if any) which are to lapse
between installments, and
(iv) the effect which death, Permanent Disability or other event
designated by the Plan Administrator is to have upon the vesting schedule, shall
be determined by the Plan Administrator and incorporated into the Stock Issuance
Agreement.
2. Any new, substituted or additional securities or other property
(including money paid other than as a regular cash dividend) which the
Participant may have the right to receive with respect to the Participant's
unvested shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange of shares or other change
affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class without the Corporation's
receipt of consideration shall be issued subject to (i) the same vesting
requirements applicable to the Participant's unvested shares of Common Stock and
(ii) such escrow arrangements as the Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate.
3. The Participant shall have full stockholder rights with respect
to any shares of Common Stock issued to the Participant under the Stock Issuance
Program, whether or not the Participant's interest in those shares is vested.
Accordingly, the Participant shall have the right to vote such shares and to
receive any regular cash dividends paid on such shares.
4. Should the Participant cease to remain in Service while holding
one or more unvested shares of Common Stock issued under the Stock Issuance
Program or should the performance objectives not be attained with respect to one
or more such unvested shares of Common Stock, then those shares shall be
immediately surrendered to the Corporation for cancellation, and the Participant
shall have no further stockholder rights with respect to those shares. To the
extent the surrendered shares were previously issued to the Participant for
consideration paid in cash or cash equivalent (including the Participant's
purchase-money indebtedness), the Corporation shall repay to the Participant the
cash consideration paid for the surrendered shares and shall cancel the unpaid
principal balance of any outstanding purchase-money note of the Participant
attributable to the surrendered shares.
5. The Plan Administrator may in its discretion waive the surrender
and cancellation of one or more unvested shares of Common Stock (or other assets
attributable thereto) which would otherwise occur upon the cessation of the
Participant's Service or the non-attainment of the performance objectives
applicable to those shares. Such waiver shall result in the immediate vesting
of the Participant's interest in the shares of Common Stock as to which the
waiver applies. Such waiver may be effected at any time, whether before or after
the Participant's cessation of Service or the attainment or non-attainment of
the applicable performance objectives.
II. CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL
A. All of the Corporation's outstanding repurchase/cancellation rights
under the Stock Issuance Program shall terminate automatically, and all the
shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights shall immediately vest
in full, in the event of any Corporate Transaction, except to the extent (i)
those repurchase/cancellation rights are to be assigned to the successor
corporation (or parent thereof) in connection with such Corporate Transaction
or (ii) such accelerated vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed in
the Stock Issuance Agreement.
B. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority,
exercisable either at the time the unvested shares are issued or any time while
the Corporation's repurchase/cancellation rights remain outstanding under the
Stock Issuance Program, to provide that those rights shall automatically
terminate in whole or in part, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those
terminated rights shall immediately vest, in the event the Participant's Service
should subsequently terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination within
twelve (12) months following the effective date of any Corporate Transaction in
which those repurchase/cancellation rights are assigned to the successor
corporation (or parent thereof).
C. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretionary authority,
exercisable either at the time the unvested shares are issued or any time while
the Corporation's repurchase/cancellation rights remain outstanding under the
Stock Issuance Program, to provide that those rights shall automatically
terminate in whole or in part, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those
terminated rights shall immediately vest, in the event the Participant's Service
should subsequently terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination within
twelve (12) months following the effective date of any Change in Control.
III. SHARE ESCROW/LEGENDS
Unvested shares may, in the Plan Administrator's discretion, be held in
escrow by the Corporation until the Participants interest in such shares vests
or may be issued directly to the Participant with restrictive legends on the
certificates evidencing those unvested shares.
ARTICLE FOUR
AUTOMATIC OPTION GRANT PROGRAM
I. ELIGIBILITY
The individuals eligible to participate in the Automatic Option Grant
Program as Eligible Directors shall be limited to non-employee Board members,
whether through appointment by the Board or election by the Corporation's
stockholders. However, no nonemployee Board member who is affiliated, whether
as a partner, principal, officer or employee, with an entity which owns two
percent (2%) or more of the shares of any class of the Corporation's outstanding
stock shall qualify as an Eligible Director for purposes of the Automatic Option
Grant Program and shall not be entitled to receive any automatic option grants
under this Article Four.
II. OPTION TERMS
A. Grant Dates. Option grants shall be made on the following dates:
1. Each individual who is first elected or appointed as a
nonemployee Board member shall automatically be granted, on the date of such
initial election or appointment, a Non-Statutory Option to purchase 15,000
shares of Common Stock, provided such individual is an Eligible Director and has
not previously been in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary).
2. On the date of each Annual Stockholders Meeting, each individual
who is to continue to serve as an Eligible Director, whether or not that
individual is standing for re-election to the Board at that particular Annual
Meeting, shall automatically be granted a Non-Statutory Option to purchase 7,500
shares of Common Stock, provided such individual has served as a non-employee
Board member for at least six (6) months. There shall be no limit on the number
of such 7,500 share option grants any on Eligible Director may receive over his
or her period of Board service, and non-employee Board members who have
previously been in the employ of the Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary)
or who have otherwise received a stock option grant from the Corporation prior
to the Underwriting Date shall be eligible to receive one or more such annual
option grants over their period of continued Board service.
B. Exercise Price.
1. The exercise price per share shall be equal to one hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option
grant date.
2. The exercise price shall be payable in one or more of the
alternative forms authorized under the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
Except to the extent the sale and remittance procedure specified thereunder is
utilized payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on
the Exercise Date.
C. Option Term. Each option shall have a term of ten (10) years measured
from the option grant date.
D. Exercise and Vesting of Options. Each option shall be immediately
exercisable for any or all of the option shares. However, any shares purchased
under the option shall be subject to repurchase by the Corporation, at the
exercise price paid per share, upon the Optionee's cessation of Board service
prior to vesting in those shares. Each initial 15,000-share grant shall vest,
and the Corporation's repurchase right shall lapse, in a series of four (4)
successive equal annual installments over the Optionee's period of continued
service as a Board member, with the first such installment to vest upon the
Optionee's completion of one (1) year of Board service measured from the option
grant date. Each annual 7,500-share grant shall vest, and the Corporation' s
repurchase right shall lapse, in a series of four (4) successive equal annual
installments over the Optionee's period of continued service as a Board member,
with the first such installment to vest upon the Optionee's completion of one
(1) year of Board service measured from the option grant date.
E. Effect of Termination Board Service. The following provisions shall
govern the exercise of any options held by the Optionee at the time the Optionee
ceases to serve as a Board member:
1. Should Optionee cease to serve as a Board member for any reason
(other than death or Permanent Disability) while holding one or more options
under this Article Four, then Optionee shall have a period of six (6) months
(commencing with the date of such cessation of Board service) during which to
exercise each such option. However, should Optionee die during such six
(6)-month period, then the personal representative of Optionee's estate or the
person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to Optionee's will
or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution shall have the right
to exercise each such option for a period twelve (12)-month period measured from
the date of Optionee's death. In no event shall any such option be exercisable
at any time after the expiration date of the option term. During the applicable
six (6)-month or twelve (12)-month exercise period, no option may be exercised
in the aggregate for more than the number of vested shares of Common Stock for
which that option is exercisable at the time of the Optionee's cessation of
Board service.
2. Should Optionee cease Board service by reason of death or
Permanent Disability while holding one or more options under this Article Four,
then all shares at the time subject to each such option shall immediately vest
so that such option may be exercised for all or any portion of those shares as
fully-vested shares of Common Stock. If such cessation of Board service occurs
by reason of Permanent Disability, then Optionee shall have a period of six (6)
months (commencing with the date of such cessation of Board service) during
which to exercise the option. If such cessation of Board service occurs by
reason of the Optionee's death, then the personal representative of Optionee's
estate or the person or persons to whom the option is transferred pursuant to
Optionee's will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution shall
have the right to exercise the option for a period twelve (12)-month period
measured from the date of Optionee's death. In no event, however, shall any such
option be exercisable at any time after the expiration date of the option term.
3. Upon the expiration of the applicable exercise period or (if
earlier) upon the expiration of the option term, each option shall terminate and
cease to be outstanding for any vested shares for which that option has not been
exercised. However, each option shall, immediately upon the Optionee's cessation
of Board service for any reason other than death or Permanent Disability,
terminate and cease to be outstanding to the extent the option is not otherwise
at that time exercisable for vested shares.
III. CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL/HOSTILE TAKE-OVER
A. In the event of any Corporate Transaction, the shares of Common Stock
at the time subject to each outstanding option but not otherwise vested shall
automatically vest in full so that each such option shall, immediately prior to
the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, become fully exercisable for
all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such option and may be
exercised for all or any portion of those shares as fully-vested shares of
Common Stock. Immediately following the consummation of the Corporate
Transaction, each automatic option grant shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or
parent thereof).
B. In connection with any Change in Control, the shares of Common Stock
at the time subject to each outstanding option but not otherwise vested shall
automatically vest in full so that each such option shall, immediately prior to
the effective date of the Change in Control, become fully exercisable for all
of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to such option and may be
exercised for all or any portion of those shares as fully-vested shares of
Common Stock. Each such option shall remain exercisable for such fully-vested
option shares until the expiration or sooner termination of the option term or
the surrender of the option in connection with a Hostile Take-Over.
C. Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, the Optionee shall have
a thirty (30)-day period in which to surrender to the Corporation each automatic
option held by him or her for a period of at least six (6) months. The Optionee
shall in return be entitled to a cash distribution from the Corporation in an
amount equal to the excess of (i) the Take-Over Price of the shares of Common
Stock at the time subject to the surrendered option (whether or not the Optionee
is otherwise at the time vested in those shares) over (ii) the aggregate
exercise price payable for such shares. Such cash distribution shall be paid
within five (5) days following the surrender of the option to the Corporation.
No approval or consent of the Board or any Plan Administrator shall be required
in connection with such option surrender and cash distribution.
D. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate
Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have
been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had
the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to the exercise price payable per
share under each outstanding option, provided the aggregate exercise price
payable for such securities shall remain the same.
E. The grant of options under the Automatic Option Grant Program shall
in no way affect the right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize
or otherwise change its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate,
dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or
assets.
IV. REMAINING TERMS
The remaining terms of each option granted under the Automatic Option Grant
Program shall be the same as the terms in effect for option grants made under
the Discretionary Option Grant Program.
ARTICLE FIVE
MISCELLANEOUS
I. FINANCING
A. The Plan Administrator may permit any Optionee or Participant to pay
the option exercise price under the Discretionary Option Grant Program or
purchase price of shares issued under the Stock Issuance Program by delivering
a full-recourse, interest bearing promissory note payable in one or more
installments. The terms of any such promissory note (including the interest
rate and the terms of repayment) shall be established by the Plan Administrator
in its sole discretion. In no event, however, shall the maximum credit
available to the Optionee or Participant exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate
option exercise price or purchase price payable for the purchased shares plus
(ii) any Federal, state and local income and employment tax liability incurred
by the Optionee or the Participant in connection with the option exercise or
share purchase.
B. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, determine that one or
more such promissory notes shall be subject to forgiveness by the Corporation
in whole or in part upon such as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate.
II. TAX WITHHOLDING
The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock upon the
exercise of stock options or stock appreciation rights or upon the issuance or
vesting of such shares under the Plan shall be subject to the satisfaction of
all applicable Federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding
requirements.
III. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN
A. The Plan shall become effective on the Plan Effective Date, which is
June 1, 2000. Non-statutory options and non-statutory share grants may be made
immediately upon the Plan Effective Date. However, no statutory options granted
under the Plan may be exercised until the Plan is approved by the Corporation's
stockholders. If such stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12)
months after the Plan Effective Date, then all statutory options previously
granted under this Plan shall terminate and cease to be outstanding, and no
further statutory options shall be granted.
B. The Plan shall terminate upon the earliest of (i) May 31, 2010, (ii)
the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have
been issued pursuant to the exercise of the options or the issuance of shares
(whether vested or unvested) under the Plan or (iii) the termination of all
outstanding options in connection with a Corporate Transaction. Upon such Plan
termination, all outstanding stock options and unvested stock issuances shall
continue to have force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the
documents evidencing such options or issuances.
IV. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN
A. The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and authority to
amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects. However, (i) no such amendment
or modification shall adversely affect any rights and obligations with respect
to options, stock appreciation rights or unvested stock issuances at the time
outstanding under the Plan unless the Optionee or the Participant consents to
such amendment or modification, and (ii) any amendment made to the Automatic
Option Grant Program (or any options outstanding thereunder) shall be in
compliance with the limitations of that program. In addition, the Board shall
not, without the approval of the Corporation's stockholders, (i) materially
increase the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan, the number of
shares for which options may be granted under the Automatic Option Grant
Program, or the maximum number of shares for which any one person may be granted
options, separately exercisable stock appreciation rights and direct stock
issuances per calendar year, except for permissible adjustments in the event of
certain changes in the Corporation's capitalization, (ii) materially modify the
eligibility requirements for Plan participation or (iii) materially increase the
benefits accruing to Plan participants.
B. Options to purchase shares of Common Stock may be granted under the
Discretionary Option Grant Program and shares of Common Stock may be issued
under the Stock Issuance Program that are in each instance in excess of the
number of shares then available for issuance under the Plan, provided any excess
shares actually issued under those programs are held in escrow until there is
obtained stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number
of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan. If such
stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date
the first such excess grants or issuances are made, then (i) any unexercised
options granted on the basis of such excess shares shall terminate and cease to
be outstanding and (ii) the Corporation shall promptly refund to the Optionees
and the Participants the exercise or purchase price paid for any excess shares
issued under the Plan and held in escrow, together with interest (at the
applicable Short Term Federal Rate) for the period the shares were held in
escrow, and such shares shall thereupon be automatically canceled and cease to
be outstanding.
V. USE OF PROCEEDS
Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares of
Common Stock under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
VI. REGULATORY APPROVALS
A. The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any option or stock
appreciation right under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of Common Stock
(i) upon the exercise of any option or stock appreciation right or (ii) under
the Stock Issuance Program shall be subject to the Corporation's procurement of
all approvals and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction
over the Plan, the options and stock appreciation rights granted under it and
the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to it.
B. No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be issued or delivered
under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with all
applicable requirements of Federal and state securities laws, including the
filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements
of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market or OTC Bulletin Board, if
applicable) on which Common Stock is then listed for trading.
VII. NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE RIGHTS
Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee or the Participant any
right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere
with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining such person) or of the Optionee or
the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to
terminate such person's Service at any time for any reason, with or without
cause.
APPENDIX
The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:
A. Automatic Option Grant Program shall mean the automatic option grant
program in effect under the Plan.
B. Board shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.
C. Change in Control shall mean a change in ownership or control of the
Corporation effected through either of the following transactions:
1. the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or related
group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that directly or
indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
Corporation), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule l3d-3 of the
1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to
a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which
the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept, or
2. a change in the composition of the Board over a period of
thirty-six (36) consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board
members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board
membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have been Board
members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B) have been elected
or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a
majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who were still in office
at the time the Board approved such election or nomination.
D. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
E. Committee shall mean the Stock Option Committee and any sub-committee
of the Stock Option Committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
F. Common Stock shall mean the Corporation's common stock.
G. Corporate Transaction shall mean either of the following stockholder
approved transactions to which the Corporation is a party:
1. a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation's
outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from the
persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction; or
2. the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the Corporation's assets in complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Corporation.
H. Corporation shall mean Allstates WorldCargo, Inc., a New Jersey
corporation and any corporate successor to all or substantially all of the
assets or voting stock of Allstates WorldCargo, Inc. which shall by appropriate
action adopt the Plan.
I. Discretionary Option Grant Program shall mean the discretionary option
grant program in effect under the Plan.
J. Domestic Relations Order shall mean any judgment, decree or order
(including approval of a property settlement agreement) which provides or
otherwise conveys, pursuant to applicable State domestic relations laws
(including community property laws), marital property rights to any spouse or
former spouse of the Optionee.
K. Eligible Director shall mean a non-employee Board member eligible to
participate in the Automatic Option Grant Program in accordance with the
eligibility provisions of Article Four.
L. Employee shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.
M. Exercise Date shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall have
received written notice of the option exercise.
N. Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date shall
be determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) If the Common Stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or
in the Pink Sheets operated by the National Quotation Bureau, then the Fair
Market Value shall be the bid price per share (as determined by the Plan
Administrator) of Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is
reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, the Pink Sheets, or any successor system.
If there is no bid price available for the Common Stock on the date in question,
then the Fair Market Value shall be the bid price on the last preceding date for
which such quotation exists.
(ii) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq
National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price
per share of Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is reported by
the National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National Market or
any successor system. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock
on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling
price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock
Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per
share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange determined
by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such
price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such
exchange. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date
in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on
the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iv) If no quotation for the Common Stock is available as stated
above, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Plan Administrator,
after taking into account such factors as it deems appropriate.
O. Hostile Take-Over shall mean a change in ownership of the Corporation
effected through the following transaction:
(i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or
related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that directly
or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
Corporation) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule l3d-3 of the
1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to
a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which
the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept, and
(ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the securities so acquired
are accepted from persons other than Section 16 Insiders.
P. Incentive Option shall mean an option which satisfies the requirements
of Code Section 422.
Q. Involuntary Termination shall mean the termination of the Service of
any individual which occurs by reason of:
(i) such individual's involuntary dismissal or discharge by the
Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or
(ii) such individual's voluntary resignation following (A) a
change in his or her position with the Corporation which materially reduces his
or her level of responsibility, (B) a reduction in his or her level of
compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and participation in
corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than fifteen
percent (15%) or (C) a relocation of such individual's place of employment by
more than fifty (50) miles, provided and only such change, reduction or
relocation is effected by the Corporation without the individual's consent.
R. Misconduct shall mean the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement
or dishonesty by the Optionee or Participant, any unauthorized use or disclosure
by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by such
person adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not
be deemed to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation (or
any Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge
of any Optionee, Participant or other person in the Service of the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary).
S. 1934 Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
T. Non-Statutory Option shall mean an option not intended to satisfy the
requirements of Code Section 422.
U. Optionee shall mean any person to whom an option is granted under the
Discretionary Option Grant or Automatic Option Grant Programs.
V. Parent shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time
of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations
in such chain.
W. Participant shall mean any person who is issued shares of Common Stock
under the Stock Programs.
X. Permanent Disability or Permanently Disabled shall mean the inability
of the Optionee or the Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity
by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected
to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or
more. However, solely for the purposes of the Automatic Option Grant Program,
Permanent Disability or Permanently Disabled shall mean the inability of the
non-employee Board member to perform his or her usual duties as a Board member
by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected
to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or
more.
Y. Plan shall mean the Corporation's 2000 Stock Option and Stock Issuance
Plan, as set forth in this document.
Z. Plan Administrator shall mean the Committee or the sub-committee which
is authorized to administer the Plan with respect to one or more classes of
eligible persons, to the extent such entity is carrying out its administrative
functions under those programs with respect to the persons under its
jurisdiction.
AA. Plan Effective Date shall mean June 1, 2000.
BB. Qualified Domestic Relations Order shall mean a Domestic Relations
Order which substantially complies with the requirements of Code Section 414(p),
The Plan Administrator shall have the sole discretion to determine whether a
Domestic Relations Order is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order.
CC. Section 16 Insider shall mean an officer or director of the
Corporation subject to the short-swing profit liabilities of Section 16 of the
1934 Act.
DD. Service shall mean the provision of services to the Corporation (or
any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an Employee, a
non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or independent
advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the documents
evidencing the option grant or stock issuance.
EMPLOYEE. Stock Exchange shall mean either the American Stock Exchange or
the New York Stock Exchange.
FF. Stock Issuance Agreement shall mean the agreement entered into by the
Corporation and the Participant at the time of issuance of shares of Common
Stock under the Stock Issuance Program.
GG. Stock Issuance Program shall mean the stock issuance program in effect
under the Plan.
HH. Subsidiary shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Corporation, provided each
corporation (other than the last corporation) in the unbroken chain owns, at the
time of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in such chain.
II. Take-Over Price shall mean the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value
per share of Common Stock on the date the option is surrendered to the
Corporation in connection with a Hostile Take-Over or (ii) the highest reported
price per share of Common Stock paid by the tender offeror in effecting such
Hostile Take-Over. However, if the surrendered option is an Incentive Option,
the Take-Over Price shall not exceed the clause (i) price per share.
JJ. 10% Stockholder shall mean the owner of stock (as determined under
Code Section 424(d)) possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation (or any Parent
or Subsidiary).
