ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
PROVIDENCE CAPITAL II, INC.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That the undersigned incorporator, being a natural person of the age of
eighteen (18) years or more, and desiring to form a corporation under the laws
of the State of Colorado, does hereby sign, verify and deliver in duplicate to
the Secretary of State of the State of Colorado these Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation shall be PROVIDENCE CAPITAL II, INC.
The principal office and address is 17 West Cheyenne Mtn. Blvd., Colorado
Springs, Colorado 80906.
ARTICLE II
PERIOD OF DURATION
This corporation shall exist perpetually unless dissolved according to
law.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
To engage in and to transact any lawful business or businesses for which
corporations may be incorporated pursuant to the Colorado Business Corporation
Act.
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ARTICLE IV
POWERS
In furtherance of the foregoing purposes the corporation shall have and
may exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges now or hereafter
conferred upon corporations organized under the Colorado Business Corporation
Act, as amended, or by law. In addition, it may do everythingn necessary,
suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any corporate purpose.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL
The total number of shares of the capital stock which the Corporation has
authority to issue is one hundred million (100,000,000) shares, divided into
fifty million (50,000,000) shares of common stock with no par value per share
(the "Common Stock"), and fifty million (50,000,000) shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock with a par value of $100 per share (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Series A Convertible Preferred Stock" or the
"Preferred Stock").
The aggregate number of common shares which this corporation shall have
the authority to issue is fifty million (50,000,000), each without par value
which shares shall be designated common stock. No share shall be issued
without consideration being exchanged, and it shall thereafter be nonassessable.
The Board of Directors may determine by a majority vote if gifts of shares will
be allowed under certain circumstances.
Shares of the corporation not having a par value shall be issued for such
consideration expressed in dollars as may be fixed from time to time by the
vote of the director(s).
The following is a description of each class of stock of the Corporation
with the preferences, conversion and other rights, restrictions, voting
powers, limitations as to distributions, qualifications, and terms and
conditions of redemption of each class:
FIRST: In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution, or winding-up of the Corporation, the holders of any Preferred
Stock then outstanding shall be paid out of the assets of the Corporation
available for distribution to its stockholders an amount equal to One Dollar
($1.00) per share plus an amount equal to all unpaid declared distributions
thereon, without interest, and no more, before any amount shall be paid or any
assets of the Corporation shall be distributed among the holders of the Common
Stock and, if the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its
stockholders shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full to the
holders of the Preferred Stock, as aforesaid, then the entire assets of the
Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be
distributed ratably among the holders of the Preferred Stock; then and
thereafter, the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution
to its stockholders shall be distributed among and paid to the holders of the
Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, share and share alike and without any
distinction as to class, in proportion to their respective stockholdings.
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A merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation,a share
exchange involving the Corporation, or a sale, lease, exchange, or transfer of
all or any part of the assets of the Corporation which shall not in fact
result in the liquidation of the Corporation and the distribution of its
assets to its stockholders shall not be deemed to be a voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation within
the meaning of this Article SIXTH, paragraph 1.
SECOND: Except as hereinabove provided in paragraph 1 of this Article
SIXTH, the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock of the Corporation shall be
identical in all respects and for all purposes and the holders of the
Preferred Stock and the holders of the Common Stock voting together and
without distinction as to class shall be entitled to one vote per share in all
proceedings in which actions shall be taken by the stockholders of the
Corporation.
THIRD: The following provisions are hereby adopted for the purpose of
defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and of the
directors and stockholders:
(1) The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby empowered to
authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of its stock of any class,
whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities convertible into shares of
its stock of any class or classes, whether now or hereafter authorized.
(2) The Board of Directors of the Corporation may classify or reclassify
any unissued stock by setting or changing in any one or more respects, from
time to time before issuance of such stock, the preferences, conversion or
other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions,
qualifications, and terms or conditions of redemption of such stock.
(3) The Board of Directors shall have power, if authorized by the Bylaws,
to designate by resolution or resolutions adopted by a majority of the whole
Board of Directors, one or more committees, each committee to consist of two
or more of the directors of the Corporation, which, to the extent provided in
said resolutions or in the Bylaws of the Corporation and permitted by the
Colorado Business Corporation Act, shall have and may exercise any or all of
the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and
affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the
Corporation to be affixed to all instruments and documents which may require
it.
(4) If the Bylaws so provide, the Board of Directors of the Corporation
shall have power to hold its meetings, to have an office or offices and,
subject to the provisions of the Colorado Business Corporation Act, to keep
the books of the Corporation, outside of said State at such place or places as
may from time to time be designated by it.
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(5) The Board of Directors shall have power to borrow or raise money,
from time to time and without limit, and upon any terms, for any corporate
purposes; and, subject to the Colorado Business Corporation Act, to authorize
the creation, issue, assumption or guaranty of bonds, notes or other evidences
of indebtedness for moneys so borrowed, to include therein such provisions as
to redeemability, convertibility or otherwise, as the Board of Directors, in
its sole discretion, may determine and to secure the payment of principal,
interest or sinking fund in respect thereof by mortgage upon, or the pledge
of, or the conveyance or assignment in trust of, the whole or any part of the
properties, assets and goodwill of the Corporation then owned or thereafter
acquired.
The enumeration and definition of a particular power of the Board of
Directors included in the foregoing shall in no way be limited or restricted
by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any
other article of these Articles of Incorporation, or construed as or deemed by
inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit any powers conferred
upon the Board of Directors under the laws of the State of Colorado now or
hereafter in force.
FOURTH: Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the
affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the
matter shall be sufficient, valid and effective, after due authorization,
approval or advice of such action by the Board of Directors, as required by
law, to approve and authorize the following acts of the Corporation:
(i) the amendment of these Articles of Incorporation;
(ii) the merger of the Corporation into another corporation or the merger
of one or more other corporations into the Corporation;
(iii) the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all, or
substantially all, of the property and assets of the Corporation, including
its goodwill and franchises;
(iv) the participation by the Corporation in a share exchange (as defined
in the Colorado Business Corporation Act) as the corporation the stock of
which is to be acquired; and
(v) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of or the revocation of any such proceedings relating to the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI
AUTHORIZATION OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The total number of shares of the capital stock which theCorporation has
authority to issue is one hundred million (100,000,000) shares, divided into
fifty million (50,000,000) shares of common stock with no par value per share
(the "Common Stock"), and fifty million (50,000,000) shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock with a par value of $100 per share (hereinafter
sometimes referred to as the "Series A Convertible Preferred Stock" or the
"Preferred Stock").
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A description of the "Series A Convertible Preferred Stock", including
the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to distributions, qualifications, and terms and conditions for
redemption, all as set by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, is as
follows:
1. Designation and Initial Number. The class of shares of Preferred Stock
hereby classified shall be designated the "Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock." The initial number of authorized shares of the Preferred Stock shall
be fifty million (50,000,000).
2. Distributions. Commencing on January 1, 2001, the holders of the
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, out of funds at the time legally
available for payment of distributions in the State of Colorado, a
non-cumulative distribution at the rate of $1.00 per share per annum, payable
semi-annually in equal installments on the first days of January and July in
each year, if, as and when determined by the Board of Directors, before any
distribution shall be set apart or paid on any other capital stock for such
year.
3. Redemption. The Corporation, at the option of the Board of Directors,
may redeem the whole or any part of the Preferred Stock at any time outstanding,
at any time or from time to time after January 1, 2001, provided that the
Corporation, at any such time, shall have consummated a sale of its
securities pursuant to an effective registration statement (a "Public Offering")
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), upon
at least 30 days' prior written notice to the holders of record of the
Preferred Stock to be redeemed, by paying a redemption price per share equal
to 150% of the par value thereof, plus all accrued and unpaid distributions
declared thereon, at the date fixed for redemption, without interest, in cash,
for each share of Preferred Stock so redeemed. The Board of Directors shall
have full power and authority, subject to the limitations and provisions
herein contained, to prescribe the manner in which and the terms and conditions
upon which the Preferred Stock shall be redeemed at any time and from time to
time. The notice of redemption to each stockholder whose shares of Preferred
Stock are to be redeemed shall specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock
of such stockholder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption and the
redemption price at which the shares of Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, and
shall specify where payment of the redemption price is to be made upon surrender
of such shares, shall state the conversion rate then in effect, and that
conversion rights of such shares shall terminate at the closing of business on
the date fixed for redemption. None of the Preferred Stock acquired by the
Corporation by redemption or otherwise shall be reissued or disposed of but
shall, from time to time, be retired in the manner provided by law.
4. Liquidation or Dissolution. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the
holders of the issued and outstanding Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive for each share of Preferred Stock, before any distribution of the assets
of the Corporation shall be made to the holders of any other capital stock, a
dollar amount equal to the par value thereof plus all accrued and unpaid
distributions declared thereon, without interest. After such payment shall have
been made in full to the holders of the issued and outstanding Preferred Stock,
or funds necessary for such payment shall have been set aside in trust for the
account of the holders of the issued and outstanding Preferred Stock so as to
be and continue to be available therefor, then, before any further distribution
of the assets of the Corporation shall
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be made, a dollar amount equal to that already distributed to the holders of
the Preferred Stock shall be distributed pro-rata to the holders of the other
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the rights
of any other class of capital stock set forth in the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation or Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation to State
Terms of Series Shares filed by the Corporation. After such payment shall have
been made in full to the holders of such other issued and outstanding capital
stock, or funds necessary for such payment shall have been set aside in trust
for the account of the holders of such other issued and outstanding capital
stock so as to be and continue to be available therefor, the holders of the
issued and outstanding Preferred Stock shall be entitled to participate with
the holders of all other classes of issued and outstanding capital stock in
the final distribution of the remaining assets of the Corporation, and,
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subject to any rights of any other class of capital stock set forth in the
Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation or any Amendments to the Articles
of Incorporation to State Terms of Series Shares filed by the Corporation, the
remaining assets of the Corporation shall be divided and distributed ratably
among the holders of both the Preferred Stock and the other capital stock then
issued and outstanding according to the proportion by which their respective
record ownership of shares of the Preferred Stock and such capital stock bears
to the total number of shares of the Preferred Stock and such capital stock
then issued and outstanding. If, upon such liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up, the assets of the Corporation distributable, as aforesaid, among
the holders of the Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to permit the payment
to them of said amount, the entire assets shall be distributed ratably among
the holders of the Preferred Stock. A consolidation or merger of the
Corporation, a share exchange, a sale, lease, exchange or transfer of all or
substantially all of its assets as an entirety, or any purchase or redemption
of stock of the Corporation of any class, shall not be regarded as a
"liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation"
within the meaning of this paragraph 4.
5. Conversion Privilege. Preferred Stock shall be convertible into Common
Stock as hereinafter provided and, when so converted, shall be canceled and
retired and shall not be reissued as such:
(A) Any holder of the Preferred Stock may at any time or from time
to time convert such stock into the Common Stock of the Corporation, on
presentation and surrender to the Corporation, of the certificates of the
Preferred Stock to be so converted.
(B) Each holder of Preferred Stock shall have the right to convert
such Preferred Stock on and subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) The Preferred Stock shall be converted into Common Stock at
the conversion rate, determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time
of conversion. Unless such conversion rate shall be adjusted as hereinafter
provided, the conversion rate shall be one share of Common Stock for each
share of Preferred Stock so converted.
(ii) In order to convert Preferred Stock into Common Stock, the
holder thereof shall on any business day surrender at the executive offices of
the Company at 735 Broad Street, Suite 800, Chattanooga, TN 37402 the
certificate or certificates representing such shares, duly endorsed to the
Corporation or in blank, and give written notice to the Corporation at said
office of the number of said shares which such holder elects to convert.
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Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the
close of business on the day of such surrender for conversion, and the person
or persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion
shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common
Stock at such time. As promptly as practicable on or after the date of any
conversion, the Corporation shall issue and deliver a certificate or
certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
such conversion, together with cash in lieu of any fraction of a share, as
provided in subparagraph (H) of this paragraph 5, to the person or persons
entitled to receive same. In case of the conversion of only a part of the
shares of any holder of Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall also issue and
deliver to such holder a new certificate of Preferred Stock representing the
number of shares of such Preferred Stock not converted by such holder.
(C) The conversion rate as hereinabove provided shall be subject to
adjustment as follows:
(i) In case the Corporation shall (a) pay a distribution in
shares of its capital stock, (b) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common
Stock into a greater number of shares, (c) combine its outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (d) issue by reclassification
of its shares of Common Stock any shares of its capital stock, the conversion
rate in effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the holder
of a share of Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion after the record date
fixing stockholders to be affected by such event shall be entitled to receive,
upon conversion, the number of shares of Common Stock which such holder would
have owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening of such event
had such share of Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to the
record date in the case of such dividend or the effective date in the case of
any such subdivision, combination or reclassification. An adjustment made pursua
nt to this subparagraph 5(C)(i) shall be made whenever any of such events
shall happen, but shall become effective retroactively after such record date
or such effective date, as the case may be, as to shares of Preferred Stock
converted between such record date or effective date and the date of happening
of any such event.
(ii) In case the Corporation shall issue rights or warrants to
all holders of its Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase
shares of Common Stock at a price per share, which, when added to the amount
of consideration received or receivable by the Corporation for such right or
warrant, is less than the current market price (as hereinafter defined) per
share of Common Stock at the record date mentioned below, the conversion rate
shall be adjusted so that thereafter, until further adjusted, each share of
Preferred Stock shall be convertible into that number of shares of Common
Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock into
which such share of Preferred Stock was theretofore convertible by a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number of
additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such rights
or warrants, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants
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plus the number of shares which an amount equal to the sum of (a) the
aggregate exercise price of the total number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise of such rights or warrants, plus (b) the aggregate
amount of consideration, if any, received, or receivable by the Corporation
for any such rights or warrants, would purchase at such current market price.
Such adjustment shall be made whenever such rights or warrants are issued, but
shall also be effective retroactively as to shares of Preferred Stock
converted between the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to receive such rights or warrants and the date such rights or
warrants are exercised.
(iii) In case the Corporation shall distribute to all holders
of its Common Stock any one or more of the following: (a) evidence of its
indebtedness, (b) assets (excluding cash distributions, distributions made out
of current or retained earnings and distributions of the stock of any
subsidiary), or (c) rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase securities
issued by, or property of, the Corporation (excluding those referred to in
subparagraph 5(C)(ii) above), then in each such case the conversion rate shall
be adjusted as provided below so that thereafter, until further adjusted, the
number of shares of Common Stock into which each share of Preferred Stock
shall be convertible shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares
of Common Stock into which such share of Preferred Stock was theretofore
convertible by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the current market
price per share of Common Stock on the date of such distribution, and the
denominator of which shall be such current market price per share of the
Common Stock, less the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the
portion of the assets or evidence of indebtedness so distributed or of such
rights or warrants applicable to one share of the Common Stock. Such
adjustment shall be made whenever any such distribution is made, but shall
also be effective retroactively as to shares of Preferred Stock converted
between the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to
receive such distribution and the date such distribution is made.
(iv) For the purpose of any computation under subparagraphs
5(C)(ii) and (iii) above, the current market price per share of Common Stock
at any date shall be (a) if the Common Stock is listed on any national
securities exchange, the average of the daily closing prices for the 15
consecutive business days commencing 20 business days before the day in
question (the "Trading Period"); (b) if the Common Stock is not listed on any
national securities exchange but is quoted on the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"), the average of
the high and low bids as reported on NASDAQ for the Trading Period; and (c) if
the Common Stock is neither listed on any national securities exchange nor
quoted on NASDAQ, the higher of (x) the conversion price then in effect, or
(y) the tangible book value per share as of the end of the Corporation's
immediately preceding fiscal year.
(v) No adjustment in the conversion rate shall be required
unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in
such rate; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this
subparagraph 5(C)(v) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and
taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this
subparagraph 5(C) shall be made to the nearest one-hundredth of a share.
(D) No adjustment of the conversion rate shall be made in any of the
following cases:
(i) upon the grant or exercise of stock options hereafter
granted, or under any employee stock option plan now or hereafter authorized,
to the extent that the aggregate of the number of shares which may be
purchased under such options and the number of shares issued under such
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employee stock purchase plan is less than or equal to ten percent (10%) of the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on January 1 of the year of the
grant or exercise;
(ii) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of
Preferred Stock;
(iii) shares issued in connection with the acquisition by the
Corporation or by any subsidiary of the Corporation of 80% or more of the
assets of another corporation, and shares issued in connection with the
acquisition by the Corporation or by any subsidiary of the Corporation of 80%
or more of the voting shares of another corporation (including shares issued
in connection with such acquisition of voting shares of such other corporation
subsequent to the acquisition of an aggregate of 80% of such voting shares),
shares issued in a merger of the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation
with another corporation in which the Corporation or the Corporation's
subsidiary is the surviving corporation, and shares issued upon the conversion
of other securities issued in connection with any such acquisition or in any
such merger;
(iv) shares issued by way of dividend or other distribution on
Common Stock excluded from the calculation of the adjustment under this
subparagraph 5(D) or on Common Stock resulting from any subdivision or
combination of Common Stock so excluded; or
(v) shares issued pursuant to all stock options and warrants
outstanding on the date of the filing of these Articles.
(E) Whenever the conversion rate is adjusted as herein provided, the
Corporation shall prepare a certificate signed by the Treasurer of the
Corporation setting forth the adjusted conversion rate and showing in
reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based. As promptly
as practicable, the Corporation shall cause a copy of the certificate referred
to in this subparagraph 5(E) to be mailed to each holder of record of issued
and outstanding Preferred Stock at the address of such holder appearing on the
Corporation's books.
(F) The Corporation shall pay all taxes that may be payable in
respect of the issue or delivery of Common Stock on conversion of Preferred
Stock pursuant hereto, but shall not pay any tax which may be payable with
respect to income or gains of the holder of any Preferred Stock or Common
Stock or any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in
the issue and delivery of the Common Stock in a name other than that in which
the Preferred Stock so converted was registered, and no such issue or delivery
shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to
the Corporation the amount of any such tax, or has established, to the
satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid.
(G) Upon conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock, the holders of
the shares of Preferred Stock so converted shall not be entitled to receive
any distributions declared with respect to such shares of Preferred Stock
unless such distributions shall have been declared by the Board of Directors
and the record date for such distributions shall have been on or before the
date such shares shall have been converted. No payment or adjustment shall be
made on account of distributions declared and payable to holders of Common
Stock of record on a date prior to the date of conversion.
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(H) No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares
shall be issued upon the conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock. If more
than one share of Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for conversion at one
time by the same holder, the number of full shares issuable upon conversion
thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of such shares
so surrendered. If the conversion of any share of Preferred Stock results in a
fraction, an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the current market
price (determined as provided in subparagraph 5(C)(iv) above) of the Common
Stock on the day of conversion shall be paid to such holder in cash by the
Corporation.
(I) The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available,
free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized Common Stock, for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of the issued and outstanding Preferred
Stock, the full number of shares of Common Stock then deliverable in the event
and upon the conversion of all of the Preferred Stock then issued and
outstanding.
6. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph 6, each
share of Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote, voting together with the
holders of shares of Common Stock and not as a class, on each matter submitted
to a vote at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that
at any time two consecutive semi-annual distributions payable on the Preferred
Stock shall be in default (a "Two Dividend Default"), then immediately upon
the happening of a Two Dividend Default and until the Two Dividend Default and
all defaults in the payment of semi-annual distributions subsequent to the Two
Dividend Default shall be cured, the holders of Preferred Stock shall have the
right, voting separately as a class, to elect one-third of the Directors of
the Corporation. In the event that at any time four consecutive semi-annual
distributions payable on the Preferred Stock shall be in default (a "Four
Dividend Default"), then immediately upon the happening of such Four Dividend
Default and until such Four Dividend Default and all defaults in the payment
of semi-annual distributions subsequent to the Four Dividend Default shall be
cured, the holders of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately
as a class, to elect a majority of the Directors of the Corporation.
The foregoing voting rights are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Special Voting Rights." The Special Voting Rights shall be exercised only at
annual meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation, and only if the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock entitled to
such Special Voting Rights are present in person or by proxy.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 6, upon payment in
full of all defaults in the payment of semi-annual distributions subsequent to a
Four Dividend Default and of the distribution which resulted in the Four
Dividend Default, so that no more than three consecutive semi-annual
distributions remain in default, the Special Voting Rights of the holders of
Preferred Stock shall be reduced so that they shall have the right, voting
separately as a class, to elect one-third of the Directors of the Corporation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph 6, upon payment in
full of (i) all defaults in the payment of semi-annual distributions subsequent
to a Two Dividend Default and of the distribution which resulted in the Two
Dividend Default, or (ii) upon payment in full of all semi-annual distributions
subsequent to a Four Dividend Default and three of the distributions which
resulted in a Four Dividend Default, so that, in each such case, no more than
one semi-annual distribution remains in default, the Special Voting Rights
shall terminate, and the voting power in the election of Directors shall again
be vested equally in the holders of the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock,
who shall each be entitled to one vote per share. Each Director elected by the
holders of shares of Preferred Stock as a result of the Special Voting Rights
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set forth above shall serve only until the next annual meeting of stockholders,
or until the date the Special Voting Rights shall have terminated as provided in
this paragraph 6, whichever event first occurs.
7. Registration Rights.
(A) "Piggy-Back" Registration Rights:
(i) If, at any time and from time to time after the
Corporation's first Public Offering, the Corporation proposes to
register any of its securities on Forms S-1, S-2, S-3, SB-1 or SB-2, or any
successor forms, under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") and applicable
state securities laws (the "State Acts"), the Corporation shall give
prompt written notice to each holder of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock into
whichit has been converted) of its intention to do so, and, upon the written
request of any such stockholder made within 30 days after the receipt of any
such notice, which written request shall specify the number of shares such
stockholder desires to be registered, the Corporation shall use its reasonable
efforts to cause all such shares of such stockholder to be registered under the
Act and State Acts to permit the sale of such shares. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the Corporation shall have the
right to discontinue any registration of such shares of such stockholder at
any time prior to the effective date of such registration if the registration
of other securities giving rise to such registration is discontinued.
(ii) If any stockholder shall request inclusion ofany shares
held by such stockholder in the registration of other securities of the
Corporation and such proposed registration by the Corporation is, in whole or
in part, an underwritten Public Offering, and if the managing underwriter
determines and advises the Corporation in writing that inclusion in such
registration of all proposed securities (including securities being offered by
or on behalf of the Corporation and securities covered by requests for
registration) would adversely affect the marketability of the offering of the
securities proposed to be registered by the Corporation, then such stockholder
shall be entitled to participate pro-rata with the other stockholders having
similar incidental registration rights with respect to such registration to
the extent the managing underwriter determines that such shares may be
included without such adverse effect.
(iii) The rights of such stockholders to have their shares
included in such registration shall expire on the first to occur of January 1,
2010, or that date which is 10 years after the Corporation's first Public
Offering.
(B) Demand Registration Rights: At any time after the Corporation's
first Public Offering of its stock, the Corporation shall, upon receipt of a
written request from the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate issued and
outstanding Preferred Stock and the Common Stock into which it has been
converted, prepare and file under the Act a registration statement in respect
of such shares. In the event that not all of such shares have been registered
as herein set forth, the Corporation shall, upon receipt of a written request
from the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate remaining unregistered
Preferred Stock and the Common Stock into which it has been converted, prepare
and file under the Act no more than one additional registration statement to
register the remaining balance of the shares not so registered.
<PAGE>
(C) Expenses: The Corporation shall pay all expenses incident to its
performance of or compliance with the provisions of subparagraphs 7(A) and
7(B) hereof, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees,
fees and expenses of compliance with the Act and State Acts, printing
expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Corporation (but not the legal fees of any such stockholder) and all
independent public accountants and other persons retained by the Corporation,
and any fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or
sellers of securities (excluding underwriting commissions and discounts).
(D) Obligations of the Corporation: If and whenever the Corporation
is required to use its reasonable efforts to effect or cause the registration
of any shares under the Act as provided in this paragraph 7, the Corporation
shall, as expeditiously as possible:
(i) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with
respect to such shares and use its reasonable efforts to cause such
registration statement to become effective;
(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in
connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement
effective and such prospectus current for a period not in excess of nine
months as may be necessary in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration
statement;
(iii) furnish to each seller of such shares such number of
copies of such registration statement and each such amendment and supplement
thereto (in each case including all exhibits), such number of copies of the
prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary
prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Act, and such other
documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
disposition of the shares owned by such seller;
(iv) use its reasonable efforts to register or qualify such
shares covered by such registration statement under such State Acts as each
seller reasonably requests, and do any and all other acts and things which may
be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such seller to consummate the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the shares owned by such seller, except
that the Corporation shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify to
do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so
qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or to
consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction; and
(v) notify each seller of any such securities covered by such
registration statement, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
required to be delivered under the Act or upon the happening of any event as a
result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as
then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing, and at the request of any such seller prepare and furnish to such
<PAGE>
seller a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of
such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of such securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
the light of the circumstances then existing.
(E) Indemnification and Notification:
(i) The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each
holder of any shares included in the Corporation's registration statement
pursuant to this paragraph 7, and each person, if any, who controls such
holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) caused by any untrue statement of a material fact contained
in any such registration statement, or contained in a prospectus furnished
thereunder, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or caused by any
omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading (provided, however, that the foregoing indemnification
and agreement to hold harmless shall not apply insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, expenses, and liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or
omission is based upon information furnished in writing to the Corporation by
any such holder expressly for use in any registration statement or prospectus).
(ii) Promptly after receipt by any holder of any shares
included in the Corporation's registration statement pursuant to this
paragraph 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, said holder shall, if
a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Corporation under this
paragraph 7, notify the Corporation in writing of the commencement thereof,
but the omission so to notify the Corporation shall not relieve it from any
liability which it may have to them under this paragraph 7. In case any such
action is brought against any holder of any shares registered pursuant to this
paragraph 7 and the Corporation is notified of the commencement thereof as
provided herein, the Corporation shall be entitled to participate in, and, to
the extent that it may wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such holder, and after notice from the Corporation
to such holder of the Corporation's election so to assume the defense thereof,
the Corporation shall not be liable under this paragraph 7 for any legal or
other expense subsequently incurred by such holder in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
(iii) Each holder of any shares registered pursuant to this
paragraph 7 agrees to cooperate fully with the Corporation in effecting
registration and qualification of the Preferred Stock (or the Common Stock
into which it has been converted) and of such distribution, and shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation and each person who may control
the Corporation within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, each director of
the Corporation, and each officer who signed any registration statement from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses, and liabilities
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) caused by any untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any such registration statement, or contained in a
prospectus furnished thereunder, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
caused by any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, to the extent that
<PAGE>
such untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Corporation by any such holder for inclusion therein.
8. Changes In Terms of Preferred Stock. The terms of the Preferred Stock
may not be amended, altered or repealed, and no class of capital stock or
securities convertible into capital stock shall be authorized which has
superior rights to the Preferred Stock as to distributions, liquidation or
vote, without the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
9. No Implied Limitations. Except as otherwise provided by express
provisions of these Articles of Incorporation, nothing herein shall limit, by
inference or otherwise, the discretionary right of the Board of Directors to
classify and reclassify and issue any shares of Preferred Stock and to fix or
alter all terms thereof to the full extent provided in the Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation.
10. General Provisions. In addition to the above provisions with respect
to the Preferred Stock, such Preferred Stock shall be subject to, and entitled
to the benefits Of, the provisions set forth in the Corporation's Articles of
Incorporation with respect to Preferred Stock generally.
11. Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given by the
Corporation with respect to the Preferred Stock shall be in writing, and if
delivered by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the holders
of the Preferred Stock at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the
books of the Corporation, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly
given, whether or not the stockholder actually receives such notice; provided,
however, that failure to duly give such notice by mail, or any defect in such
notice, to the holders of any stock designated for redemption, shall not
affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares
of Preferred Stock.
ARTICLE VII
SPECIAL PROVISIONS WHEN TWO CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK ARE
AUTHORIZED IN THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Election and Filling of Vacancies. With respect to the election of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation:
(1) the holders of Class A Common Stock (a) shall nominate and elect one
(1) director who shall be known as the Class A Director, and (b) in the event
of the death, disability, removal, resignation or refusal to act of the Class
A Director, the holders of Class A Common Stock, to the exclusion of the
holders of all other classes of stock of the Corporation, shall nominate and
elect a director to fill the vacancy so created by such death, disability,
removal, resignation or refusal to act; and
(2) the holders of Class B Common Stock (a) shall nominate and elect two
(2) directors who shall be known as the Class B Directors, and (b) in the
event of the death, disability, removal, resignation or refusal to act of any
or all of the Class B Directors, the holders of the Class B Common Stock, to
the exclusion of the holders of all other classes of stock of the Corporation,
shall nominate and elect one or more directors to fill the vacancy or
vacancies so created by such death, disability, removal, resignation or
refusal to act.
ARTICLE VIII
HIGH QUORUM PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS
Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of
all of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum at all
meetings of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by the Colorado
Business Corporation Act, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws.
If less than a quorum shall be in attendance at the time for which the meeting
shall have been called, the meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a
majority vote of the stockholders present or represented, without any notice
other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall attend. At any
adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall attend, any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted if the meeting had been held as
originally called.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IX
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
A shareholder of the corporation shall not be entitled to a preemptive
or preferential right to purchase, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire any
unissued or treasury shares of stock of the corporation, or any options or
warrants to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any such unissued or
treasury shares, or any shares, bonds, notes, debentures, or other securities
convertible into or carrying options or warrants to purchase,subscribe for or
otherwise acquire any such unissued or treasury shares.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
CUMULATIVE VOTING
The shareholders shall not be entitled to cumulative voting.
ARTICLE XI
SHARE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
The corporation shall have the right to impose restrictions upon the
transfer of any of its authorized shares or any interest therein. The board
of directors is hereby authorized on behalf of the corporation to exercise the
corporation's right to so impose such restrictions.
ARTICLE XII
REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The address of the initial registered office of the corporation shall be
17 West Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and the name
of the initial registered agent at such address is Mark T. Thatcher, Esq.
Either the registered office or the registered agent may be changed in the
manner provided by law.
THE UNDERSIGNED CONSENTS TO THE APPOINTMENT AS THE
INITIAL REGISTERED AGENT
______________________________
REGISTERED AGENT
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XIII
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors of the corporation shall consist of no more than
nine (9) directors, and the names and addresses of the persons who are serving
as directors until their successors are elected and shall qualify are as
follows:
Name Title Address
Richard Nadeau, Jr. President 1250 Turks Head Building
Providence, RI 02903
James R. Simmons Vice President 1250 Turks Head Building
Providence, RI 02903
Mark T. Thatcher Secretary 1250 Turks Head Building
Providence, RI 02903
The number of directors shall be fixed in accordance with the
bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV
INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation may:
(A) Indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact
that he is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of the
corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses
(including attorney fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit,
or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, or conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that the person did
not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in
the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
<PAGE>
(B) The corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed
action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
employee, or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against expenses (including attorney fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best
interests of the corporation; but no indemnification shall be made in respect
of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person has been adjudged to be
liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the
corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action
or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication
of liability, but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses which such
court deems proper.
(C) To the extent that a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or
agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits in defense of any
action, suit, or proceeding referred to in (A) or (B) of this Article XI or in
defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorney fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
him in connection therewith.
(D) Any indemnification under (A) or (B) of this Article XI (unless
ordered by a court) and as distinguished from (C) of this Article shall be
made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee,
fiduciary or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in (A) or (B) above. Such
determination shall be made by the board of directors by a majority vote of a
quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit, or
proceeding, or, if such a quorum is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, if
a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion, or by the shareholders.
(E) Expenses (including attorney fees) incurred in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance
of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding as authorized in
(C) or (D) of this Article XI upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of the director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent to repay such amount
unless it is ultimately determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by
the corporation as authorized in this Article XI.
(F) The indemnification provided by this Article XI shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under
any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or
otherwise, and any procedure provided for by any of the foregoing, both as to
action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent and shall inure to the benefit
of heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
(G) The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of
any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of
the corporation or who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as
a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation,
<PAGE>
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability
asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out
of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to
indemnify him against such liability under provisions of this Article XI.
ARTICLE XV
TRANSACTIONS WITH INTERESTED DIRECTORS
No contract or other transaction between the corporation and one (1) or
more of its directors or any other corporation, firm, association, or entity
in which one (1) or more of its directors are directors or officers or are
financially interested shall be either void or voidable solely because of such
relationship or interest, or solely because such directors are present at the
meeting of the board of directors or a committee thereof which authorizes,
approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction, or solely because their
votes are counted for such purpose if:
(A) The fact of such relationship or interest is disclosed or known to
the board of directors or committee which authorizes, approves, or ratifies
the contract or transaction by a vote or consent sufficient for the purpose
without counting the votes or consents of such interested directors;
(B) The fact of such relationship or interest is disclosed or known to
the shareholders entitled to vote and they authorize, approve, or ratify such
contract or transaction by vote or written consent; or
(C) The contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to the
corporation.
Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the
presence of a quorum at a meeting of the board of directors or a committee
thereof which authorizes, approves, or ratifies such contract or transaction.
ARTICLE XVI
VOTING OF SHAREHOLDERS
If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, or
of any class or series, shall be the act of the shareholders.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XVII
INCORPORATOR
The name and address of the incorporator is as follows:
Name Address
Mark T. Thatcher 17 W. Cheyenne Mtn. Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the above named incorporator signed these Articles of
Incorporation on November 24, 1999.
/s/ Mark T. Thatcher
______________________________
MARK T. THATCHER,
Incorporator
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND )
: ss
COUNTY OF )
I, the undersigned, a notary public, hereby certify that on November 24, 1999,
the above named incorporator personally appeared before me and being by me
first duly sworn declared that he is the person who signed the foregoing
document as incorporator, and that the statements therein contained are true.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
______________________________
Notary Public
Address:
(Seal) My Commission Expires:
