SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [ x ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ x ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
The New Paraho Corporation
(Name of registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ ] No fee required
[ x ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(I)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
Common
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
50,772,982
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount of which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): Fee
based on value of note being forgiven of $866,000.
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $866,000
5) Total fee paid: $173.20
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
The New Paraho Corporation
Suite 104, 5387 Manhattan Circle
Boulder, Colorado 80303
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June ___, 2000
PROXY STATEMENT AND NOTICE
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The enclosed proxy is being solicited by the Board of Directors of The
New Paraho Corporation, a Colorado corporation ("Paraho" or the "Company"),
for use at the Special Meeting of the Stockholders of Paraho (the "Special
Meeting") to be held at 10:00 a.m., on June ___, 2000, at the principal
office of the Company listed above, and at any adjournment thereof. This
Proxy Statement serves as notice of the Special Meeting, a description of
the proposals to be addressed at the Special Meeting, and a source of
information on the Company and its management.
Stockholders may revoke their proxies by delivering a written notice
of revocation to the Secretary of the Company at any time prior to the
exercise thereof, by the execution of a later-dated proxy by the same
person who executed the prior proxy with respect to the same shares or by
attendance at the Special Meeting and voting in person by the person who
executed the prior proxy.
The solicitation will be primarily by mail but may also include
telephone, telegraph or oral communication by officers or regular
employees. Officers and employees will receive no additional compensation
in connection with the solicitation of proxies. All costs of soliciting
proxies will be borne by Capital Consulting of Utah, Inc. The Company will
not reimburse Capital Consulting of Utah, Inc., for the cost of soliciting
proxies or the preparation of this proxy statement. The total amount
estimated in connection with the solicitation of shareholders is
approximately $25,000. Should Proposal 1 be approved, Capital Consulting
of Utah, Inc. will become the controlling shareholder of the Company.
The approximate mailing date of the proxy statement and proxy to
stockholders is June 2, 2000.
All proxies will be voted as specified. In the absence of specific
instructions, proxies will be voted FOR:
(1) approval of the transfer of all or substantially all of the
assets of Paraho to Shale Technologies, L.L.C.;
(2) the election of three Directors of Paraho to serve for a term of
one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
(3) approval of a plan of merger to effect a change of domicile from
Colorado to Nevada and change the capitalization from 75,000,000 shares
of common stock, par value $.01 to 100,000,000 common stock, par value
$.001;
(4) approval of the change of the Company's corporate name to "NPC
Holdings, Inc.";
(5) approval of the Company's Stock Incentive Plan; and
(6) approval of all other matters by the persons named in the proxies
in accordance with their judgment.
PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON THE PROXY. STOCKHOLDERS
RECEIVING MORE THAN ONE PROXY BECAUSE OF SHARES REGISTERED IN DIFFERENT
NAMES OR ADDRESSES MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN EACH PROXY IN ORDER TO VOTE ALL
SHARES TO WHICH ENTITLED.
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
Record Date. Stockholders of record at the close of business on May 25,
2000, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Shares Outstanding. As of May 25, 2000, a total of 50,772,982 shares
of the Company's Common Stock (the "Common Stock") were outstanding and
entitled to vote.
One Shareholder Owns over 50% of the Issued and Outstanding Stock.
Energy Resources Technology Land, Inc., ("ERTL") owns and controls
approximately 82% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the
Company. ERTL intends to vote on each of the proposals set forth in this
Proxy Statement and Notice as recommended by the Board of Directors of the
Company. As a result of ERTL's controlling interest in the Common Stock of
the Company, each of the Proposals will therefore be approved. However,
dissenting shareholders are afforded certain Dissenter's Rights under
Colorado law, as set forth below.
Voting Rights and Procedures. Each outstanding share of Common Stock is
entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
The Company's Bylaws and Colorado law require the presence, in person or
by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled
to vote to constitute a quorum to convene the Special Meeting. Shares
represented by proxies that reflect abstentions or "broker non-votes"
(i.e., shares held by a broker or nominee which are represented at the
meeting, but with respect to which such broker or nominee is not empowered
to vote on a particular proposal) will be counted as shares that are
present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum.
Dissenters' Rights. Shareholders who own shares of the Company as of
the Record Date may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights under Article
113 of the Colorado Business Corporation Act ("CBCA") in connection with
the sale of the Company's assets and the plan of merger to change the
domicile and capitalization of the Company. The following summary of the
provisions of Article 113 is not intended to be a complete statement of
such provisions and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of Article 113, a copy of which is attached to the Proxy Statement as
Appendix A and is incorporated herein by reference.
In the event the sale of assets and the plan of merger are approved by
the required vote of the Company's shareholders and the sale or assets and
the plan of merger are not abandoned or terminated, each holder of shares
of the Company's common stock who does not vote in favor of the sale and
merger and who follows the procedures set forth in Article 113 will be
entitled to have his shares of the Company's common stock purchased by the
Company for cash at their Fair Value (as defined below). The "Fair Value"
of shares of the Company's common stock will be determined as of the day
before the first announcement of the proposed sale of assets and merger,
excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the proposed
sale of assets and merger, except to the extent that exclusion would be
inequitable. The shares of the Company's common stock with respect to
which holders have perfected their purchase demand in accordance with
Article 113 and have not effectively withdrawn or lost such rights are
referred to in this Proxy Statement as the "Dissenting Shares."
Prior to the vote taken to approve the proposed sale of assets and
merger at the Special Meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert
dissenters' rights must (a) deliver written notice to the Company of his
intent to demand payment for shares if the proposed sale of assets and
merger are approved and (b) may not vote any of his shares in favor of the
proposed sale of assets or merger. Within ten days after approval of the
sale of assets and merger by the Company's shareholders, the Company must
mail a notice of such approval (the "Approval Notice") to all shareholders
who are entitled to demand payment for their shares under Article 113,
together with a copy of Article 113 and a form for demanding payment. If a
shareholder's shares are held of record by a third party (for example, a
broker), the record holder must either assert the dissent rights or must
consent to the beneficial owner's assertion of dissent rights.
A shareholder of the Company electing to exercise dissenters' rights
must, within 30 days after the date on which the Approval Notice is mailed
to such shareholder, demand in writing from the Company, the purchase of
his shares of the Company's common stock and payment to the shareholder of
their Fair Value and must submit the certificate(s) representing the
Dissenting Shares to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Approval Notice. A shareholder who does not demand payment and deposit
share certificates as required, by the date set in the Approval Notice, is
not entitled to payment for shares under Article 113. A holder who elects
to exercise dissenter's rights should mail or deliver his written demand
for payment to the Company at Suite 104, 5387 Manhattan Circle, Boulder,
Colorado 80303 directed to the attention of Mr. Kip Eardley. The demand
should specify the holder's name and mailing address, the number of shares
of the Company's common stock owned by such shareholder, and state that
such holder is demanding purchase of his shares in payment of their Fair
Value. Upon the later of the Effective Time and receipt by the Company of
each payment demand made pursuant to Article 113, the Company shall pay the
amount it estimates to be the Fair Value of the Dissenting Shares, plus
interest at the rate of interest then paid by the Company on its principal
loans, to each dissenter who has complied with the requirements of Article
113 and who has not yet received payment, together with certain financial
information of the Company, an explanation of how interest was calculated
and a copy of Article 113.
Any holder of dissenting Shares who has not accepted an offer made by
the Company may, within 30 days after the Company first offered payment for
his shares, notify the Company in writing of his own estimate of the Fair
Value of his shares and demand payment of the estimated amount, plus
interest, less any payment made under Article 113, if (i) the holder of
Dissenting Shares believes that the amount offered or paid by the company
under Article 113 is less than the Fair Value of the shares, or that the
interest due was incorrectly calculated, (ii) the Company fails to make
payment within 60 days after the date set by the Company as the date by
which it must receive the payment demand, or (iii) the Company, having
failed to consummate the proposed sale of assets and merger, does not
return share certificates deposited by a holder as required by Article 113.
If the Company and the shareholder fail to agree upon the Fair Value of the
shares, then within 60 days after receiving the payment demand, the Company
must petition the District Court of Jefferson County (the "Court") to
determine the Fair Value of such holder's shares of the Company's common
stock. If the Company does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day
period, it shall pay each holder of Dissenting Shares whose demand remains
unresolved the amounts demanded. The Company shall make all holders of
Dissenting Shares whose demands remain unresolved parties to the proceeding
as an action against their shares. The Court may appoint one or more
persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the
question of Fair Value. Each holder of Dissenting Shares made a party to
the proceeding is entitled to judgment for the amount, if any, by which the
Court finds that the Fair Value of his shares, plus interest, exceeds the
amount paid by the Company.
If any holder of shares of the Company's common stock who demands the
purchase of his shares under Article 113 fails to perfect, or effectively
withdraws or loses his right to, such purchase, the shares of such holder
will be returned to such holder.
APPROVAL OF THE TRANSFER OF ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL
OF THE ASSETS OF THE NEW PARAHO CORPORATION TO SHALE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
(PROPOSAL NO. 1)
At the Special Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve the
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of The New Paraho
Corporation to Shale Technologies, L.L.C. A copy of the proposed
Acquisition Agreement is presented in Appendix B to this proxy statement
for your review and approval.
Purpose of the Disposition of Assets
Since inception, the Company has attempted to pursue business
opportunities utilizing its proprietary technology applicable to the
retorting of oil from shale by use of an aboveground, vertical shaft
retort. In this effort, the Company has acquired additional intellectual
properties for testing and commercial development of the use of shale oil
in the production of asphalt and has acquired interests in oil shale lands.
The Company has not been successful in obtaining the necessary funding to
pursue its objectives and has exhausted its financial resources. The
Company has not had operations for the past year.
As reported in the Company's Form 10-KSB report for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1999, the Company may be required to sell assets or
liquidate to meet its obligations. Currently, the Company is indebted in
the amount of $866,000 to Shale Technologies, L.L.C. The indebtedness is
pursuant to a promissory note originally dated August 29, 1989, which was
assigned to Shale Technologies, L.L.C. The audited assets of the Company
as of June 30, 1999 were $190,000 and as of March 31, 2000, the unaudited
assets were $117,577. The Company has not been able to commence its
intended business operations and consequently has not generated any
revenue. Further, the Company has been unable to find a funding source to
pursue operations.
In view of the current financial situation of the Company, Management
has determined it is in the best interest of the shareholders to sell all
the assets of the Company in return for cancellation of debt, assumption of
all liabilities and indemnification from any and all environmental causes
of action. This decision has been approved by the directors of the Company
who are not related to either ERTL, the Tell ERTL Family Trust, or Shale
Technologies, L.L.C. By selling the assets and reducing liabilities to
zero, the Company will be situated to pursue a new business venture.
The pro forma financial statements showing the effect of the sale of
assets of the Company are presented in Appendix E of this proxy statement.
Interested Parties
Certain officers and directors of the Company either directly or
indirectly control approximately 82% of the Company's issued and
outstanding stock. These same officers and directors indirectly control
Shale Technologies, L.L.C., to whom the Company desires to sell the assets
in return for cancellation of debt, assumption of liabilities and
indemnification from environmental causes of action. Further, these same
officers and directors are the parties to whom the debt is owed, either
directly or indirectly.
Theo Ertl, Joseph L. Fox, Jann Ertl, Jill Ertl, Twig Ertl and Buff
Ertl Palm are all either directors, officers or five-percent or greater
shareholders, or a combination of the above, of ERTL, which owns
approximately 82% of the Company's outstanding common stock. These parties
also, either directly or indirectly, control Shale Technologies, L.L.C., a
wholly owned subsidiary of ERTL.
Theo Ertl, Jann Ertl, Jill Ertl, Twig Ertl and Buff Ertl Palm are all
beneficiaries of the Tell Ertl Family Trust (the "Trust"). Joseph L. Fox
and Theo Ertl are trustees of the Trust. The Trust had extended a
$5,500,000 line of credit to the Company, the remaining balance of which
currently is due on July 1, 2000. As of June 30, 1995, the Company had
drawn substantially all of the funds available under this line of credit.
At that time, in recognition of the Company's inability to repay the
interest on this note, the Trust waived unpaid interest accrued to date and
eliminated further interest accruals. The Company had used the line of
credit to fund the Asphalt Feasibility Program. On December 18, 1996, the
Company used funds from the annual principal payment received on its note
receivable from The Oil Shale Corporation to reduce the principal amount of
the note payable to the Trust. Also on that date, New Paraho executed an
assignment to the Trust of its interest in the note receivable, in the
amount of $3,083,120. These payments, in addition to two other principal
payments to the Trust during fiscal year 1997 have reduced the total amount
outstanding on the line of credit to $865,596. This note was subsequently
assigned to Shale Technologies, L.L.C.
Certain Colorado oil shale land (the "Mahogany Land"), which the
Company mined for purposes of the Asphalt Feasibility Program, is owned 37
1/2% by the Trust, 37 1/2% by certain trusts of which Jann Ertl, Jill Ertl,
Twig Ertl, Buff Ertl Palm and others are beneficiaries (the "Children's
Trusts"). The other 25% is owned by unrelated parties.
If the disposition of the assets is approved by the shareholders,
Capital Consulting of Utah, Inc., a Utah corporation will purchase the
41,784,562 shares of common stock owned by ERTL for $100,000 and thus
become the majority shareholder of the Company. Prior to the effect of
this transaction, Capital Consulting of Utah, Inc., was not an affiliate or
shareholder of the Company.
Assets to be Sold
The Company intends on selling all of its assets which are more fully
set forth on the enclosed unaudited financial statements. The property
consists of three patents, office equipment, plant equipment, land, and
leases to mineral rights. The Company did not engage the services of a
disinterested "Special Review Person," or an independent appraisal of the
assets to be sold, rather, the Company has relied upon the stated values as
verified by the Company's auditors.
Consideration
In return for the assets of the Company, the purchasers will cancel the
outstanding debt in the amount of $866,000, assume any remaining
liabilities and indemnify the Company against any causes of action under
the environmental laws.
Business Strategy
Should the shareholders approve this proposal, the Company intends to
seek, investigate, and if warranted, acquire an interest in a business
opportunity. The Company does not propose to restrict its search for a
business opportunity to any particular industry or geographical area and
may, therefore, engage in essentially any business in any industry. The
Company has unrestricted discretion in seeking and participating in a
business opportunity, subject to the availability of such opportunities,
economic conditions and other factors.
The selection of a business opportunity in which to participate is
complex and extremely risky and will be made by management in the exercise
of its business judgment. There is no assurance that the Company will be
able to identify and acquire any business opportunity which will ultimately
prove to be beneficial to the Company and its shareholders.
The activities of the Company are subject to several significant risks
which arise primarily as a result of the fact that the Company has no
specific business and may acquire or participate in a business opportunity
based on the decision of management which will, in all probability, act
without the consent, vote, or approval of the Company's shareholders.
Sources of Opportunities
It is anticipated that business opportunities may be available to the
Company from various sources, including its officers and directors,
professional advisers, securities broker-dealers, venture capitalists,
members of the financial community, and others who may present unsolicited
proposals.
The Company will seek a potential business opportunity from all known
sources, but will rely principally on personal contacts of its officers and
directors as well as indirect associations between them and other business
and professional people. Although the Company does not anticipate engaging
professional firms specializing in business acquisitions or
reorganizations, if management deems it in the best interests of the
Company, such firms may be retained. In some instances, the Company may
publish notices or advertisements seeking a potential business opportunity
in financial or trade publications.
Criteria
The Company will not restrict its search to any particular business,
industry or geographical location. The Company may acquire a business
opportunity or enter into a business in any industry and in any stage of
development. The Company may enter into a business or opportunity
involving a "start-up" or new company. The Company may acquire a business
opportunity in various stages of its operation.
In seeking a business venture, the decision of management of the
Company will not be controlled by an attempt to take advantage of an
anticipated or perceived appeal of a specific industry, management group,
or product or industry, but will be based upon the business objective of
seeking long-term capital appreciation in the real value of the Company.
In analyzing prospective business opportunities, management will
consider such matters as the available technical, financial and managerial
resources; working capital and other financial requirements; the history of
operations, if any; prospects for the future; the nature of present and
expected competition; the quality and experience of management services
which may be available and the depth of the management; the potential for
further research, development or exploration; the potential for growth and
expansion; the potential for profit; the perceived public recognition or
acceptance of products, services, trade or service marks, name
identification; and other relevant factors.
Generally, the Company will analyze all available factors in the
circumstances and make a determination based upon a composite of available
facts, without reliance upon any single factor as controlling.
Methods of Participation of Acquisition
Specific business opportunities will be reviewed and, on the basis of
that review, the legal structure or method of participation deemed by
management to be suitable will be selected. Such structures and methods
may include, but are not limited to, leases, purchase and sale agreements,
licenses, joint ventures, other contractual arrangements, and may involve a
reorganization, merger or consolidation transaction. The Company may act
directly or indirectly through an interest in a partnership, corporation,
or other form of organization.
Procedures
As part of the Company's investigation of business opportunities,
officers and directors may meet personally with management and key
personnel of the firm sponsoring the business opportunity, visit and
inspect material facilities, obtain independent analysis or verification of
certain information provided, check references of management and key
personnel, and conduct other reasonable measures.
The Company will generally request that it be provided with written
materials regarding the business opportunity containing such items as a
description of product, service and company history; management resumes;
financial information; available projections with related assumptions upon
which they are based; an explanation of proprietary products and services;
evidence of existing patents, trademarks or service marks or rights
thereto; present and proposed forms of compensation to management; a
description of transactions between the prospective entity and its
affiliates; relevant analysis of risks and competitive conditions; a
financial plan of operation and estimated capital requirements; and other
information deemed relevant.
Vote and Recommendation
Approval of the disposition of the assets will require the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Abstentions as to this Proposal 1 will be treated as votes
against Proposal 1. Broker non-votes, however, will be treated as unvoted
for purposes of determining approval of Proposal 1 and will not be counted
as votes for or against Proposal 1. Properly executed, unrevoked Proxies
will be voted FOR Proposal 1 unless a vote against Proposal 1 or abstention
is specifically indicated in the Proxy.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote "For" the Sale of Assets.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL NO. 2)
The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws authorize a Board
comprised of not more than twelve members. Shareholders will be asked to
elect three new Directors.
Set forth below for each nominee for election as a Director, based on
information supplied by him, are his name, age as of the date of the
Special Meeting, any presently held positions with the Company, his
principal occupation now and for the past five years, other Directorships
in public companies and his tenure of service with the Company as a
Director. Each shall hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders
in 2001.
Nominees For Election As Directors
Kelly H. Adams, 47 years old. Mr. Adams is the General Sales Manager
for The Utah Auto Collection, a new and used automobile dealership. He has
worked in the automobile industry since 1988. Over the years, he has
received numerous awards and certifications including the Ford Motor Credit
Top Five Dealer Award.
Pete R. Falvo, 64 years old. Mr. Falvo is a self employed Real Estate
Agent with Realty Executives. He represents buyers and sellers of
residential and commercial properties and has been a realtor since 1970.
Mr. Falvo has served in several capacities on the Salt Lake Board of
Realtors.
Christopher J. Nielsen, 41 years old. Mr. Nielsen is employed as a
sales executive to EIS. EIS is a distributor of manufacturing supplies.
Mr. Nielsen has worked in sales for the past twenty years.
Vote and Recommendation
Each Director is elected by vote of a plurality of the shares of voting
stock present and entitled to vote, in person or by proxy, at the Special
Meeting. Abstentions or broker non-votes as to the election of directors
will not affect the election of the candidates receiving the plurality of
votes. Unless instructed to the contrary, the shares represented by the
proxies will be voted FOR the election of the nominees named above as
directors. Although it is anticipated that each nominee will be able to
serve as a director, should any nominee become unavailable to serve, the
proxies will be voted for such other person or persons as may be designated
by the Company's Board of Directors.
The Board Recommends a Vote "For" The Nominees
APPROVAL OF PLAN OF MERGER TO EFFECT
A CHANGE OF DOMICILE AND CAPITALIZATION
(PROPOSAL NO. 3)
At the Special Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve a plan of
merger to effect a change of domicile from the state of Colorado to the
state of Nevada. A copy of the proposed plan of merger is attached to this
proxy statement as Appendix C and incorporated herein by reference.
Management of the Company believes the change of domicile will benefit the
shareholders in that Nevada corporate law allows the board of directors
greater versatility in performing business operations of the Company.
Further, shareholders will be asked to approve a change in capitalization
of the Company from 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 to
100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001. Management of the
Company believes changing the capital structure of the corporation will
provide the Company broader discretion in acquiring potential business
opportunities.
The Board of Directors believes that a change of domicile to the state
of Nevada will provide greater opportunities for the company to seek
alternative forms of business. Nevada's corporate laws and tax structure
favor companies organized within the State. The Board of Directors also
believes that many of the prospective acquisition candidates that might
consider the company as a reverse acquisition candidate will view Nevada as
a favorable venue.
If the reorganization is approved, the Company will merge with a
wholly owned subsidiary organized in Nevada. Once the reorganization is
approved, the company will seek reverse acquisition candidates with viable
business operations, with the intention of merging the new business
operations into the company. If this objective is successfully
accomplished, the existing shareholders of the company may hold a minority
ownership position in the merged entity.
If approved by the shareholders of the Company's common stock, it is
anticipated that the merger will become effective immediately upon the
later of the filing of articles of merger with the Secretary of State of
Colorado in accordance with Article 7-111-105 of the CBCA and the filing of
articles of merger with the Secretary of State of Nevada in accordance with
Section 78.770 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. However, the agreement and
plan of merger may be terminated and abandoned by action of the respective
Boards of Directors of the Company and the Nevada Company.
Upon filing the Colorado Corporation will cease to exist, the Nevada
Corporation will be the surviving corporation in the merger, and the
current shareholders of the Colorado Corporation will then own an
equivalent number of shares of common stock in the Nevada Corporation.
The Nevada Company is being organized with 100,000,000 shares of
common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized. Upon approval of the
reorganization, the Company will merge with and into the Nevada Company,
and the Nevada Company will be the surviving company. The Colorado
corporation will cease to exist upon filing of Articles of Merger.
Shareholders of the Company will receive new certificates representing
their interest in the Nevada Company in replacement for their shares of
Paraho, on a share for share basis.
The reorganization will not alter the percentages of ownership of
individual shareholders in the Company, but the increase in authorized
common stock creates the potential for substantial additional dilution. The
Board of Directors believes that the increase in capitalization is
necessary to effectively seek acquisition candidates. It is likely that
additional shares will be issued in any such acquisition, and such issuance
will dilute existing ownership. The effect of such dilution on the value of
the shares cannot be determined at this time.
Vote and Recommendation
Approval of the plan of merger to effect a change in domicile and
capitalization will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. Abstentions
as to this Proposal 3 will be treated as votes against Proposal 3. Broker
non-votes, however, will be treated as unvoted for purposes of determining
approval of Proposal 3 and will not be counted as votes for or against
Proposal 3. Properly executed, unrevoked Proxies will be voted FOR
Proposal 3 unless a vote against Proposal 3 or abstention is specifically
indicated in the Proxy.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote "For" the Change of Domicile and
Capitalization.
CHANGE IN CORPORATE NAME
(PROPOSAL NO. 4)
Due to the evolving nature of the Company's business and as part of the
Acquisition Agreement (see Proposal 1) where the Company has agreed to
transfer the name "The New Paraho Corporation", the Board of Directors has
determined that it is the best interests of the Company to change its
corporate name to NPC Holdings, Inc. The Board of Directors has approved a
change in the Company's corporate name to NPC Holdings, Inc. Subject to
stockholder approval, NPC Holdings, Inc. will be the name of the Company.
The name change will be effected by an amendment to the Company's Articles
of Incorporation.
Vote and Recommendation
Approval of the change in corporate name will require the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock. Abstentions as to this Proposal 4 will be treated as votes
against Proposal 4. Broker non-votes, however, will be treated as unvoted
for purposes of determining approval of Proposal 4 and will not be counted
as votes for or against Proposal 4. Properly executed, unrevoked Proxies
will be voted FOR Proposal 4 unless a vote against Proposal 4 or abstention
is specifically indicated in the Proxy.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote "For" the Corporate Name Change.
APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S
INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
(PROPOSAL NO. 5)
At the Special Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve the
Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is being
submitted to stockholders in order to satisfy the stockholder approval
requirements of Section 422 and Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). A copy of the Plan is presented in
Appendix D to this proxy statement for your review and approval.
Purpose of the Plan
The purposes of the Plan are to enhance the growth and profitability of
the Company by providing the incentive of long-term rewards to employees
and consultants, to attract and retain employees and consultants of
outstanding competence and ability, to encourage long-term stock ownership
by employees and consultants, and to further align the interests of such
employees with those of the stockholders by providing them with the
incentive of long-term rewards through and an opportunity for capital
accumulation in the form of a proprietary interest in the Company. The
Plan is not a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan designed to
qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code or employee benefit plan subject
to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974.
Additional purposes of the Plan are to satisfy the stockholder approval
requirements of Section 422 and 162(m) of the Code. Section 422 provides
for incentive stock option awards that have beneficial tax consequences for
employees, and thereby facilitates the broader purposes of the Plan.
Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a public company's deductions for
employee remuneration exceeding $1,000,000 per year for its Chief Executive
Officer and other four most highly compensated officers, but contains an
exception for "performance-based compensation" that meets certain
requirements. In order for the Plan to meet these requirements, the
material terms of the Plan must be approved by the Company's stockholders,
as set forth herein. Although the Company does not expect compensation to
approach the $1,000,000 limit in the foreseeable future, the Plan is
intended to qualify grants of stock options, stock awards, and cash awards
made under the Plan as "performance-based compensation" pursuant to section
162(m) of the Code should that circumstance ever arise. The Plan limits
the number of shares subject to options and stock awards granted to any
individual in any calendar year to no more than 50,000 shares.
Any award intended to be "performance-based compensation" shall be
conditioned on the achievement of one or more performance measures and
shall be made during the period required under Section 162(m). The Plan
specifies one performance measure, which is positive income from continuing
operations. This means that for any fiscal year in which the Company has
positive income from continuing operations the Executive Compensation
Committee may grant awards intended to be performance-based compensation
within the meaning of Section 162(m). Other "performance measures" that
may be used by the Executive Compensation Committee for such awards shall
be based on one or more of the following:
(i) operating profits (including earnings before interest expense,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization), net profits, earnings per share,
profit returns and margins, revenues, shareholder return and/or value,
stock price, working capital, shareholder equity, and economic profit,
which may be measured on a Company, subsidiary, or business unit basis; or
(ii) any one or more of the performance criteria set forth in the next
preceding subparagraph (i) measured on the basis of a relative comparison
of Company, subsidiary, or business unit performance to the performance of
a peer group of entities or other external measure of the selected
performance criteria;
provided, that profit, earnings, and revenues used for any performance
measure shall exclude: gains or losses on operating asset sales or
dispositions; litigation or claim judgments or settlements; accruals for
historic environmental obligations; effect of changes in tax law or rate on
deferred tax liabilities; accruals for reorganization and restructuring
programs; uninsured catastrophic property losses; the cumulative effect of
changes in accounting principles; and any extraordinary non-recurring items
described in applicable accounting principles.
Description of the Plan
The purpose of the Plan is to provide directors, officers, employees,
and consultants with additional incentives by increasing their ownership
interests in the Company. Directors, officers, and other employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the Plan. In
addition, awards may be granted to consultants providing valuable services
to the Company. Awards under the Plan may include incentive stock options
("ISOs"), non-qualified stock options ("NQSOs"), stock appreciation rights,
stock units, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares,
performance units, or cash awards.
The Plan provides for administration by an Executive Compensation
Committee of the Board, and in the absence of such a committee, the Board
of Directors. It is expected that an Executive Compensation Committee will
be formed in 2000 following the Special Meeting. The Executive
Compensation Committee generally has discretion to determine the terms of a
Plan Award, including the type of award, number of shares or units covered
by the award, option price, term, vesting schedule, and post-termination
exercise period or payment. Notwithstanding this discretion: (i) the
number of shares subject to an award granted to any individual in any
calendar year may not exceed 50,000 shares; (ii) the option price per share
of Common Stock may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of such
share at the time of grant or 110% of the fair market value of such shares
if the option is granted to a stockholder owning more than 10% of the
combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or a
parent or subsidiary on the date of the grant of the option (a "10%
stockholder"); and (iii) the term of any ISO may not exceed 10 years, or
five years if the option is granted to a 10% stockholder. No outstanding
stock option or other award under the Plan has been granted subject to the
receipt of stockholder approval of the Plan.
A maximum of 250,000 shares of Common Stock may be subject to
outstanding awards under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock which are
attributable to awards which have expired, terminated, or been canceled or
forfeited during any calendar year are available for issuance or use in
connection with future awards.
The Plan will remain in effect indefinitely, unless earlier terminated
by the Board of Directors. No ISO may be granted more than 10 years after
the original adoption of the Plan by the Board. The Plan may be amended by
the Board of Directors without the consent of the stockholders of the
Company, except that stockholder approval is required for any amendment
that materially increases the aggregate number of shares of stock that may
be issued under the Plan or materially modifies the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the Plan.
Tax Treatment of Awards
Incentive Stock Options. An employee will not recognize federal
taxable income, upon either the grant or exercise of the ISO. However, for
purposes of the alternative minimum tax imposed under the Code, in the year
in which an ISO is exercised, the amount by which the fair market value of
the shares acquired upon exercise exceeds the exercise price will be
treated as an item of adjustment and included in the computation of the
recipient's alternative minimum taxable income. An employee who disposes
of the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO after two years from the
date the ISO was granted and after one year from the date such shares were
issued upon exercise of the ISO will recognize long-term capital gain or
loss in the amount of the difference between the amount realized on the
sale and the exercise price, and the Company will not be entitled to any
tax deduction by reason of the grant or exercise of the ISO. As a general
rule, if an employee disposes of the shares acquired upon exercise of an
ISO before satisfying both holding period requirements (a "disqualifying
disposition"), his or her gain recognized on such a disposition will be
taxed as ordinary income to the extent of the difference between the fair
market value of such shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price,
and the Company will be entitled to a deduction in that amount. The gain,
if any, in excess of the amount recognized as ordinary income on such a
disqualifying disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain,
depending upon the length of time the shares were held prior to
disposition.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. There are no federal income tax
consequences to an individual or to the Company upon the grant of an NQSO
under the Plan. Upon the exercise of an NQSO, an individual will recognize
ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price
of the NQSO, and the Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding
federal income tax deduction. Upon the sale of shares acquired by the
exercise of an NQSO, an individual will have a capital gain or loss (long-
term or short-term depending upon the length of time the shares were held)
in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the
sale and the individual's adjusted tax basis in the shares (the exercise
price plus the amount of ordinary income recognized by the individual at
the time of exercise of the NQSO).
Stock Appreciation Rights. There are no federal income tax consequences
to an individual or to the Company upon the grant of a SAR under the Plan.
Upon the exercise of a SAR, an individual will recognize ordinary
compensation income in an amount equal to the consideration received, and
the Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding federal income
tax deduction. If the SAR is paid by the Company in shares of stock, sale
of the shares will result in a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss
in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the
sale and the individual's adjusted tax basis in the shares (the amount of
ordinary income recognized by the individual at the time of exercise of the
SAR).
Other Stock or Unit Awards. Generally, stock units, restricted stock,
restricted stock units, performance shares, and performance units have no
federal income tax consequences at the time of grant, because the awards
are subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions rendering the awards
subject to a risk of forfeiture. The recipient of the award may make an
election under Section 83 of the Code to realize ordinary compensation
income at the time of grant equal to the fair market value of the award at
that time, in which case the Company is entitled to a corresponding federal
income tax deduction. If no Section 83 election is made, then ordinary
compensation income is not recognized until the risk of forfeiture lapses,
and the Company is entitled to a federal income tax deduction at that time.
Subsequent sale of the shares will result in a long-term or short-term
capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the
amount realized upon the sale and the recipient's adjusted tax basis in the
shares (the amount of ordinary income recognized through the Section 83
election or, if no such election is made, at the time the risk of
forfeiture lapses).
Vote Required
The proposal to approve the Incentive Stock Plan must be approved by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of voting stock present and
voted on the proposal, in person or by proxy, at the Special Meeting.
Abstentions will have the effect of a negative vote on the proposal. If no
direction is indicated on the proxy, the shares represented by the proxy
will be voted FOR the proposal. "Broker Non-votes" as to the proposal will
not affect the outcome of the vote on the proposal.
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote "For" the approval of the Company
Incentive Stock Plan.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The table on the following page sets forth as of May 25, 2000, the
number and percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock which,
according to the information supplied to the Company, were beneficially
owned by (i) each person who is currently a director of the Company, (ii)
each Named Executive Officer (as defined below), (iii) all current
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group and (iv) each
person who, to the knowledge of the Company, is the beneficial owner of
more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock. Except as otherwise
indicated, the persons named in the table have sole voting and dispositive
power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community
property laws where applicable.
Name and Address of Amount and Nature Percent of Class
Beneficial Owner of Beneficial Ownership
of Common Stock
Energy Resources Technology 41,784,562 82%
Land, Inc., ("ERTL)
5387 Manhattan Circle, #104
Boulder, COO 80303
Larry A. Lukens (1) -0- -0-
Adam Reeves (1) 46,186 *
William J. Murray, Jr. (1) 63,280 *
Theo Ertl (1) 42,080,562 (2)(3) 82.87% (2)(3)
Joseph L. Fox (1) 41,858,562 (2)(4) 82.44% (2)(4)
Jann Ertl (1) -0- -0-
Jill Ertl (1) -0- -0-
Twig Ertl (1) 20,000 *
Buff Ertl Palm (1) 12,100 *
Peter Richard (1) 3,000 *
All Directors and Officers
As a group (10 Persons) 218,566 83.31%
* Indicates ownership of less than 1% of the class.
(1) Officer and/or director of the Company.
(2) Theo Ertl and Joseph L. Fox are trustees of the Theo Ertl Revocable
Trust, which holds 83% of the voting stock of ERTL. J Because of their
positions and ownership, Theo Ertl and Joseph L. Fox have the power to
affect the manner in which ERTL votes or disposes of the shares of the
Company owned by ERTL.
(3) Theo Ertl is the trustee of the Buff Ertl White Trust, the Jill Ertl
Esbensen Trust, the Jann Ertl Trust, and the Twig Ertl Trust, each of
which owns 74,000 shares of the Company's common stock. As trustee of
these trusts, Theo Ertl has the power to affect the manner in which
the trusts vote or dispose of the shares of the Company owned by the
trusts.
(4) Joseph Fox is the majority shareholder of JLF Investments, Inc., which
owns 74,000 shares of the Company's common stock.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
All executive officers are elected by the Board and hold office until
the next Annual Meeting of stockholders and until their successors are
elected and qualify.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Annual Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to the
Company for the prior fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 of those persons
who were either (i) the chief executive officer of the Company during the
last completed fiscal year or (ii) one of the other four most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company as of the end of the last
completed fiscal year whose annual salary and bonuses exceeded $100,000
(collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").
Name and Long Term All Other
Principal Annual Compensation Compensation Compensation
Position (1)
Year Salary($) Bonus($) Other Annual Options/
Compensation SARs(#)
Joseph L. Fox
President,
Chief Executive
Officer (1) 1999 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
(1) Mr. Fox's salary is paid entirely by ERTL. ERTL then bills the
Company for the amount of salary related to the time spent by Mr. Fox on
business pertaining to the Company.
Employment and Other Arrangements
The Company has no agreement or understanding, express or implied,
with any officer, director, or principal stockholder, or their affiliates
or associates, regarding employment with the Company or compensation for
services. There are no other plans, understandings, or arrangements
whereby any of the Company's officers, directors, or principal
stockholders, or any of their affiliates or associates, would receive
funds, stock, or other assets in connection with operating the Company.
Stock Options and Warrants
No stock options were issued to any of the Named Executive Officers
during fiscal year 1999.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The following discussion includes certain relationships and related
transactions which occurred during the Company's fiscal year ended December
31, 1999.
Theo Ertl, Joseph L. Fox, Jann Ertl, Jill Ertl, Twig Ertl and Buff
Ertl Palm are all either directors, officers or five-percent or greater
shareholders, or a combination of the above, of ERTL.
Theo Ertl, Jann Ertl, Jill Ertl, Twig Ertl and Buff Ertl Palm are all
beneficiaries of the Tell Ertl Family Trust (the "Trust"). Joseph L. Fox
and Theo Ertl are trustees of the Trust. The Trust had extended a
$5,500,000 line of credit to the Company, the remaining balance of which
currently is due on July 1, 2000. As of June 30, 1995, the Company had
drawn substantially all of the funds available under this line of credit.
At that time, in recognition of the Company's inability to repay the
interest on this note, the Trust waived unpaid interest accrued to date and
eliminated further interest accruals. The Company had used the line of
credit to fund the Asphalt Feasibility Program. On December 18, 1996, the
Company used funds from the annual principal payment received on its note
receivable from The Oil Shale Corporation to reduce the principal amount of
the note payable to the Trust. Also on that date, New Paraho executed an
assignment to the Trust of its interest in the note receivable, in the
amount of $3,083,120. These payments, in addition to two other principal
payments to the Trust during fiscal year 1997 have reduced the total amount
outstanding on the line of credit to $865,596. This note was subsequently
assigned to Shale Technologies, L.L.C.
Certain Colorado oil shale land (the "Mahogany Land"), which the
Company mined for purposes of the Asphalt Feasibility Program, is owned 37
1/2% by the Trust, 37 1/2% by certain trusts of which Jann Ertl, Jill Ertl,
Twig Ertl, Buff Ertl Palm and others are beneficiaries (the "Children's
Trusts"). The other 25% is owned by unrelated parties. The trustees of the
Trust, the trustee of the Children's Trusts and the remaining owners have
agreed to grant the Company the right, at no cost, to extract sufficient
oil shale from the Mahogany Land to conduct the Asphalt Feasibility
Program. If the Asphalt Feasibility Program is successful, the Company
would negotiate with the trustees of the Trust, the trustee of the
Children's Trusts and the remaining owners for additional mining rights.
Any ore that is extracted will be accounted for so as to reflect the
comparable cost of extracting the oil shale from property owned by
unrelated parties.
OTHER INFORMATION
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires officers
and Directors of the Company and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of
ownership and changes in their ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and forward copies of such filings to the Company. Based on
the copies of filings received by the Company, during the most recent
fiscal year, the directors, officers, and beneficial owners of more than
ten percent of the equity securities of the Company registered pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, have filed on a timely basis, all required
Forms 3, 4, and 5 and any amendments thereto.
FORM 10-K
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S MOST
RECENT REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COMPANY'S SECRETARY AT THE NEW
PARAHO CORPORATION, SUITE 104, 5387 MANHATTAN CIRCLE, BOULDER, COLORADO
80303.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of the
Company knows of no other matters which may come before the Special
Meeting. However, if any matters other than those referred to herein
should be presented properly for consideration and action at the Special
Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxies will be
voted with respect thereto in accordance with the best judgment and in the
discretion of the proxy holders.
Please sign the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed return
envelope.
Dated: ___________________, 2000
APPENDIX A
Colorado Business Corporation Act
Article 13
Dissenters' Rights
7-113-101. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this article:
(1) "Beneficial shareholder" means the beneficial owner of shares held in a
voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
(2) "Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before
the corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring domestic or foreign
corporation, by merger or share exchange of that issuer.
(3) "Dissenter" means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from
corporate action under section 7-113-102 and who exercises that right at
the time and in the manner required by part 2 of this article.
(4) "Fair value", with respect to a dissenter's shares, means the value of
the shares immediately before the effective date of the corporate action to
which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in
anticipation of the corporate action except to the extent that exclusion
would be inequitable.
(5) "Interest" means interest from the effective date of the corporate
action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the
corporation on its principal bank loans or, if none, at the legal rate as
specified in section 5-12-101, C.R.S.
(6) "Record shareholder" means the person in whose name shares are
registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of
shares that are registered in the name of a nominee to the extent such
owner is recognized by the corporation as the shareholder as provided in
section 7-107-204.
(7) "Shareholder" means either a record shareholder or a beneficial shareholder.
7-113-102. RIGHT TO DISSENT
(1) A shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, is entitled to dissent
and obtain payment of the fair value of the shareholder's shares in the
event of any of the following corporate actions:
(a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party if:
(I) Approval by the shareholders of that corporation is required for the
merger by section 7-111-103 or 7-111-104 or by the articles of
incorporation; or
(II) The corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent
corporation under section 7-111-104;
(b) Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a
party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired;
(c) Consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all,
or substantially all, of the property of the corporation for which a
shareholder vote is required under section 7-112-102 (1); and
(d) Consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all,
or substantially all, of the property of an entity controlled by the
corporation if the shareholders of the corporation were entitled to vote
upon the consent of the corporation to the disposition pursuant to section
7-112-102 (2).
(1.3) A shareholder is not entitled to dissent and obtain payment, under
subsection (1) of this section, of the fair value of the shares of any
class or series of shares which either were listed on a national securities
exchange registered under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or on the national market system of the national association of
securities dealers automated quotation system, or were held of record by more
than two thousand shareholders, at the time of:
(a) The record date fixed under section 7-107-107 to determine the
shareholders entitled to receive notice of the shareholders, meeting at
which the corporate action is submitted to a vote;
(b) The record date fixed under section 7-107-104 to determine shareholders
entitled to sign writings consenting to the corporate action; or
(c) The effective date of the corporate action if the corporate action is
authorized other than by a vote of shareholders.
(1.8) The limitation set forth in subsection (1.3) of this section shall
not apply if the shareholder will receive for the shareholder's shares,
pursuant to the corporate action, anything except:
(a) Shares of the corporation surviving the consummation of the plan of
merger or share exchange;
(b) Shares of any other corporation which at the effective date of the plan
of merger or share exchange either will be listed on a national securities
exchange registered under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or on the national market system of the national association of
securities dealers automated quotation system, or will be held of record by
more than two thousand shareholders;
(c) Cash in lieu of fractional shares; or
(d) Any combination of the foregoing described shares or cash in lieu of
fractional shares.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 1321, ss.30, effective June 1, 1996.)
(2.5) A shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, is entitled to
dissent and obtain payment of the fair value of the shareholder's shares in
the event of a reverse split that reduces the number of shares owned by the
shareholder to a fraction of a share or to scrip if the fractional share or
scrip so created is to be acquired for cash or the scrip is to be voided
under section 7-106-104.
(3) A shareholder is entitled to dissent and obtain payment of the fair
value of the shareholder's shares in the event of any corporate action to
the extent provided by the bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors.
(4) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for the
shareholder's shares under this article may not challenge the corporate
action creating such entitlement unless the action is unlawful or
fraudulent with
respect to the shareholder or the corporation.
7-113-103. DISSENT BY NOMINEES AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
(1) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all
the shares registered in the record shareholder's name only if the record
shareholder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one
person and causes the corporation to receive written notice which states
such dissent and the name, address, and federal taxpayer identification
number, if any, of each person on whose behalf the record shareholder
asserts dissenters' rights . The rights of a record shareholder under this
subsection (1) are determined as if the shares as to which the record
shareholder dissents and the other shares of the record shareholder were
registered in the names of different shareholders.
(2) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to the shares
held on the beneficial shareholder's behalf only if:
(a) The beneficial shareholder causes the corporation to receive the record
shareholder's written consent to the dissent not later than the time the
beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters' rights; and
(b) The beneficial shareholder dissents with respect to all shares
beneficially owned by the beneficial shareholder.
(3) The corporation may require that, when a record shareholder dissents
with respect to the shares held by any one or more beneficial shareholders,
each such beneficial shareholder must certify to the corporation that the
beneficial shareholder and the record shareholder or record shareholders of
all shares owned beneficially by the beneficial shareholder have asserted,
or will timely assert, dissenters' rights as to all such shares as to which
there is no limitation on the ability to exercise dissenters' rights . Any
such requirement shall be stated in the dissenters' notice given pursuant
to section 7-113-203.
7-113-201. NOTICE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
(1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the
notice of the meeting shall be given to all shareholders, whether or not
entitled to vote. The notice shall state that shareholders are or may be
entitled to assert dissenters' rights under this article and shall be
accompanied by a copy of this article and the materials, if any, that,
under articles 101 to 117 of this title, are required to be given to
shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed action at the meeting.
Failure to give notice as provided by this subsection (1) shall not affect
any action taken at the shareholders' meeting for which the notice was to
have been given, but any shareholder who was entitled to dissent but who
was not given such notice shall not be precluded from demanding payment for
the shareholder's shares under this article by reason of the shareholder's
failure to comply with the provisions of section 7-113-202 (1).
(2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant
to section 7-107-104, any written or oral solicitation of a shareholder to
execute a writing consenting to such action contemplated in section 7-107-
104 shall be accompanied or preceded by a written notice stating that
shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights under this
article, by a copy of this article, and by the materials, if any, that,
under articles 101 to 117 of this title, would have been required to be
given to shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed action if the
proposed action were submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting.
Failure to give notice as provided by this subsection (2) shall not affect
any action taken pursuant to section 7-107-104 for which the notice was to
have been given, but any shareholder who was entitled to dissent but who
was not given such notice shall not be precluded from demanding payment for
the shareholder's shares under this article by reason of the shareholder's
failure to comply with the provisions of section 7-113-202 (2).
7-113-202. NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT
(1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting and if
notice of dissenters' rights has been given to such shareholder in
connection with the action pursuant to section 7-113-201 (1), a shareholder
who wishes to assert dissenters' rights shall:
(a) Cause the corporation to receive, before the vote is taken, written
notice of the shareholder's intention to demand payment for the
shareholder's shares if the proposed corporate action is effectuated; and
(b) Not vote the shares in favor of the proposed corporate action.
(2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant
to section 7-107-104 and if notice of dissenters' rights has been given to
such shareholder in connection with the action pursuant to section 7-113-
201 (2), a shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters' rights shall not
execute a writing consenting to the proposed corporate action.
(3) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1)
or (2) of this section is not entitled to demand payment for the
shareholder's shares under this article.
7-113-203. DISSENTERS' NOTICE
(1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is authorized, the corporation shall give a written
dissenters' notice to all shareholders who are entitled to demand payment
for their shares under this article.
(2) The dissenters' notice required by subsection (1) of this section shall
be given no later than ten days after the effective date of the corporate
action creating dissenters' rights under section 7-113-102 and shall:
(a) State that the corporate action was authorized and state the effective
date or proposed effective date of the corporate action;
(b) State an address at which the corporation will receive payment demands
and the address of a place where certificates for certificated shares must
be deposited;
(c) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of the
shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
(d) Supply a form for demanding payment, which form shall request a
dissenter to state an address to which payment is to be made;
(e) Set the date by which the corporation must receive the payment demand
and certificates for certificated shares, which date shall not be less than
thirty days after the date the notice required by subsection (1) of this
section is given;
(f) State the requirement contemplated in section 7-113-103 (3), if such
requirement is imposed; and
(g) Be accompanied by a copy of this article.
7-113-204. PROCEDURE TO DEMAND PAYMENT
(1) A shareholder who is given a dissenters' notice pursuant to section 7-
113-203 and who wishes to assert dissenters' rights shall, in accordance
with the terms of the dissenters' notice:
(a) Cause the corporation to receive a payment demand, which may be the
payment demand form contemplated in section 7-113-203 (2) (d), duly
completed, or may be stated in another writing; and
(b) Deposit the shareholder's certificates for certificated shares.
(2) A shareholder who demands payment in accordance with subsection (1) of
this section retains all rights of a shareholder, except the right to
transfer the shares, until the effective date of the proposed corporate
action giving rise to the shareholder's exercise of dissenters' rights and
has only the right to receive payment for the shares after the effective
date of such corporate action.
(3) Except as provided in section 7-113-207 or 7-113-209 (1) (b), the
demand for payment and deposit of certificates are irrevocable.
(4) A shareholder who does not demand payment and deposit the shareholder's
share certificates as required by the date or dates set in the dissenters'
notice is not entitled to payment for the shares under this article.
7-113-205. UNCERTIFICATED SHARES
(1) Upon receipt of a demand for payment under section 7-113-204 from a
shareholder holding uncertificated shares, and in lieu of the deposit of
certificates representing the shares, the corporation may restrict the
transfer thereof.
(2) In all other respects, the provisions of section 7-113-204 shall be
applicable to shareholders who own uncertificated shares.
7-113-206. PAYMENT
(1) Except as provided in section 7-113-208, upon the effective date of the
corporate action creating dissenters' rights under section 7-113-102 or
upon receipt of a payment demand pursuant to section 7-113-204, whichever
is later, the corporation shall pay each dissenter who complied with
section 7-113-204, at the address stated in the payment demand, or if no
such address is stated in the payment demand, at the address shown on the
corporation's current record of shareholders for the record shareholder
holding the dissenter's shares, the amount the corporation estimates to be
the fair value of the dissenter's shares, plus accrued interest.
(2) The payment made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be
accompanied by:
(a) The corporation's balance sheet as of the end of its most recent fiscal
year or, if that is not available, the corporation's balance sheet as of
the end of a fiscal year ending not more than sixteen months before the
date of payment, an income statement for that year, and, if the corporation
customarily provides such statements to shareholders, a statement of
changes in shareholders' equity for that year and a statement of cash flow
for that year, which balance sheet and statements shall have been audited
if the corporation customarily provides audited financial statements to
shareholders, as well as the latest available financial statements, if any,
for the interim or full-year period, which financial statements need not be
audited;
(b) A statement of the corporation's estimate of the fair value of the shares;
(c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
(d) A statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under section 7-
113-209; and
(e) A copy of this article.
7-113-207. FAILURE TO TAKE ACTION
(1) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters'
rights under section 7-113-102 does not occur within sixty days after the
date set by the corporation by which the corporation must receive the
payment demand as provided in section 7-113-203, the corporation shall
return the deposited certificates and release the transfer restrictions
imposed on uncertificated shares.
(2) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters'
rights under section 7-113-102 occurs more than sixty days after the date
set by the corporation by which the corporation must receive the payment
demand as provided in section 7-113-203, then the corporation shall send a
new dissenters' notice, as provided in section 7-113-203, and the
provisions of sections 7-113-204 to 7-113-209 shall again be applicable.
7-113-208. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO SHARES ACQUIRED AFTER
ANNOUNCEMENT OF PROPOSED CORPORATE ACTION
(1) The corporation may, in or with the dissenters' notice given pursuant
to section 7-113-203, state the date of the first announcement to news
media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action creating
dissenters' rights under section 7-113-102 and state that the dissenter
shall certify in writing, in or with the dissenter's payment demand under
section 7-113-204, whether or not the dissenter (or the person on whose behalf
dissenters rights are asserted) acquired beneficial ownership of the shares
before that date. With respect to any dissenter who does not so certify in
writing, in or with the payment demand, that the dissenter or the person on
whose behalf the dissenter asserts dissenters' rights acquired beneficial
ownership of the shares before such date, the corporation may, in lieu of
making the payment provided in section 7-113-206, offer to make such
payment if the dissenter agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of the demand.
(2) An offer to make payment under subsection (1) of this section shall
include or be accompanied by the information required by section 7-113-206
(2).
7-113-209. PROCEDURE IF DISSENTER IS DISSATISFIED WITH PAYMENT OR OFFER
(1) A dissenter may give notice to the corporation in writing of the
dissenter's estimate of the fair value of the dissenter's shares and of the
amount of interest due and may demand payment of such estimate, less any payment
made under section 7-113-206, or reject the corporation's offer under
section 7-113-208 and demand payment of the fair value of the shares and
interest due, if:
(a) The dissenter believes that the amount paid under section 7-113-206 or
offered under section 7-113-208 is less than the fair value of the shares
or that the interest due was incorrectly calculated;
(b) The corporation fails to make payment under section 7-113-206 within
sixty-days after the date set by the corporation by which the corporation
must receive the payment demand; or
(c) The corporation does not return the deposited certificates or release
the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares as required by
section 7-113-207 (1).
(2) A dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section
unless the dissenter causes the corporation to receive the notice required
by subsection (1) of this section within thirty days after the corporation
made or offered payment for the dissenter's shares.
7-113-301. COURT ACTION
(1) If a demand for payment under section 7-113-209 remains unresolved, the
corporation may, within sixty days after receiving the payment demand,
commence a proceeding and petition the court to determine the fair value of
the shares and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the
proceeding within the sixty-day period, it shall pay to each dissenter
whose demand remains unresolved the amount demanded.
(2) The corporation shall commence the proceeding described in subsection
(1) of this section in the district court of the county in this state where
the corporation's principal office is located or, if the corporation has no
principal office in this state, in the district court of the county in
which its registered office is located. If the corporation is a foreign
corporation without a registered office, it shall commence the proceeding
in the county where the registered office of the domestic corporation
merged into, or whose shares were acquired by, the foreign corporation was
located.
(3) The corporation shall make the dissenters, whether or not residents of
this state, whose demands remain unresolved parties to the proceeding
commenced under subsection (2) of this section as in an action against their
shares, and all parties shall be served with a copy of the petition.
Service on each dissenter shall be by registered or certified mail, to the
address stated in such dissenter's payment demand, or if no such address is
stated in the payment demand, at the address shown on the corporation's
current records of shareholder holding the dissenter's shares, or as
provided by law.
(4) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced
under subsection (2) of this section is plenary and exclusive. The court
may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and
recommend a decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers have the
powers described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to such
order. The parties to the proceeding are entitled to the same discovery
rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
(5) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding commenced under
subsection (2) of this section is entitled to judgment for the amount, if
any, by which the court finds the fair value of the dissenter's shares,
plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation, or for the fair
value, plus interest, of the dissenter's shares for which the corporation
elected to withhold payment under section 7-113-208.
7-113-302. COURT COSTS AND COUNSEL FEES
(1) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under section 7-113-301
shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable
compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court
shall assess the costs against the corporation; except that the court may
assess costs against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court
finds equitable, to the extent the court finds the dissenters acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding payment under
section 7-113-209.
(2) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts
for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a) Against the corporation and in favor of any dissenters if the court
finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of
part 2 of this article; or
(b) Against either the corporation or one or more dissenters, in favor of
any other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees
and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good
faith with respect to the rights provided by this article.
(3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were
of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the
fees for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the
court may award to said counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the
amounts awarded to the dissenters who were benefitted.
<PAGE>
Appendix B
ACQUISITION AGREEMENT
THIS ACQUISITION AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as this
"Agreement") is entered into this ___day of April, 2000, by and among
CAPITAL CONSULTING OF UTAH, INC.,a Utah corporation (hereinafter
"Capital"); THE NEW PARAHO CORPORATION., a Colorado corporation
(hereinafter "New Paraho"), ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY LAND, INC., a
Colorado corporation (hereinafter "ERTL"); and SHALE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.,
a Colorado Limited Liability Company (hereinafter "Shale"), based on the
following premises.
Premises
A. ERTL owns 41,784,562 shares of common stock (the "Stock") of
New Paraho, par value $0.01 per share, representing approximately
82% of the issued and outstanding stock of New Paraho.
B. New Paraho is indebted to Shale in the approximate principal
amount of $866,000 (the "New Paraho Debt").
C. Capital desires to acquire all of the common stock of New
Paraho owned by ERTL, and ERTL desires to transfer such stock to
Capital, all pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
D. Contemporaneously with the closing of such stock transfer,
New Paraho will transfer to Shale all of its tangible and
intangible property, including, without limitation, a lease of
approximately 200 acres near Rifle, Colorado, and rights to
approximately 9,812 acres of oil shale lands in Uintah County,
Utah (collectively, the "Properties"), in consideration of the
cancellation of the entire balance of the New Paraho Debt.
Agreement
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the stated premises, which are incorporated
herein by reference, and for and in consideration of the mutual covenants
and agreements hereinafter set forth and the mutual benefit to the parties
to be derived herefrom, it is hereby agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I
ACQUISITION OF ASSETS
Section 1.01 Acquisition of Stock by Capital. On the terms and
conditions contained in this Agreement, ERTL, shall sell, assign, transfer,
convey, set over, and deliver to Capital, and Capital shall purchase from
ERTL, all of the shares of common stock of New Paraho owned or held of
record by ERTL, consisting of 41,784,562 shares.
Section 1.02 Payment of Capital. The purchase price to be paid by
Capital to ERTL for the Stock shall be $100,000.00 payable at the closing
in cash or immediately available funds by wire transfer, certified official
bank check, or other means of payment acceptable to ERTL.
Section 1.03 Closing. The closing (the "Closing") of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be immediately following
the shareholder's meeting set forth in Section 4.06, held on such a date
(the "Closing Date") and at such time as the parties may agree, but, if not
previously closed, on June 15, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Such Closing
shall take place at the offices of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP, or at such
other location as may be mutually acceptable to the parties hereto and
their respective legal counsel.
Section 1.04 Closing Events.
(a) At the Closing, the following shall be executed,
acknowledged, and delivered to Capital:
(i) Certificates representing all of the capital stock of
New Paraho owned or held of record by ERTL, properly
endorsed for transfer with signatures guaranteed.
(i) Such other bills of sale, assignments, and other
documents and instruments of conveyance and transfer,
all in form and substance satisfactory to Capital and
its counsel, necessary to vest marketable title in
Capital to the shares of New Paraho being conveyed
hereunder pursuant to this Agreement.
(ii) All certificates, opinions, schedules, agreements,
resolutions, or other instruments required by this
Agreement to be so delivered at or prior to the
Closing.
(iii) Such other items as may be reasonably requested by
Capital and its legal counsel to effectuate or evidence
the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) At the Closing, Capital shall deliver to ERTL payment of the
purchase price in accordance with section 1.02 or, if paid
into escrow, said funds shall be released from Escrow to
ERTL.
Section 1.05 Transfer of New Paraho Assets and Assumption of
Liabilities
(a) Transfer of Assets. Contemporaneously with or
prior to the Closing, New Paraho shall sell, assign,
transfer, convey, set over, and deliver to Shale, all of New
Paraho's business, operations, and assets, including,
without limitation, all interests in real and tangible
personal property including the Utah oil shale land
generally described in item 2 of New Paraho's Annual Report
on form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 (the
"1999 10-KSB"); its equipment, inventory, and fixtures; all
tangible rights and property, including, without limitation,
the intellectual properties for the testing and commercial
development of the use of oil shale in the production of
asphalt, the related feasibility studies, the Paraho
Process, and the Shale Oil Modified Asphalt Technology, as
generally described in the 1999 10-KSB; all of Seller's
rights under leases (including the Pilot Plant lease, as
generally described in the 1999 10-KSB), contracts, and
agreements to which it is a party or by which it benefits;
all of Seller's goodwill and going concern value, including
the rights to its name and any trade names, servicemarks or
copyrights; and all other rights, interests, assets, and
properties owned by New Paraho or used in connection with
its business and operations.
(b) Purchase Price. In consideration of the rights,
interests, assets, and properties transferred to Shale as
set forth in section 1.05(a):
(i) Shale shall cancel any and all amounts due and owing by
New Paraho to Shale existing on the Closing Date.
(ii) Shale shall assume and agree to discharge all
liabilities and obligations of New Paraho existing on
the Closing date or applicable to the assets conveyed
to Shale hereunder or attributable to periods (or
portions thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing
date together with all liabilities and obligations to
be paid or performed after the Closing Date under the
contracts and other agreements relating to the assets
being conveyed to Shale hereunder; and
(iii) Shale shall indemnify and hold harmless New Paraho
from and against any and all losses, costs,
obligations, liabilities, damages, expenses or other
charges and any and all expenses incurred in connection
with investigating, defending or asserting any claim,
action, suit or proceeding incident to any matter
indemnified against hereunder (including, without
limitation, court filing fees, court costs, arbitration
fees or costs, witness fees, and reasonable fees and
disbursements of legal counsel, investigators, expert
witnesses, accountants and other professionals)
incurred by New Paraho in connection with or arising
from the ownership, occupancy, operation, use or
control of any of the assets transferred to Shale by
New Paraho pursuant hereto.
(c) Closing Events. At the Closing:
(i) New Paraho shall execute, acknowledge,
and deliver to Shale (or shall cause to be executed,
acknowledged, and delivered) (A) the deeds, bills of
sale, assignments, and other documents and instruments
of conveyance and transfer, all in form and substance
satisfactory to Shale and its counsel, necessary to
vest marketable title in Shale to all the rights,
interests, assets, and properties acquired by Shale
pursuant to this Agreement; (B) originals or copies of
all of New Paraho's agreements, contracts, and
commitments assumed by Shale hereunder; (C) originals
of all copyrights, patents, patent applications,
trademarks, or registrations; (D) all certificates,
opinions, schedules, agreements, resolutions, or other
instruments required by this Agreement to be so
delivered at or prior to the Closing; and (F) such
other items as may be reasonably requested by Shale and
its legal counsel to effectuate or evidence the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(ii) Shale shall deliver to New Paraho (A)
the original promissory notes of New Paraho evidencing
the obligations owed by New Paraho to Shale, each
marked "paid", (B) separate assumptions evidencing the
obligation of Shale to assume and timely pay and
discharge the obligations to be assumed by it
hereunder; (C) all certificates, opinions, schedules,
agreements, resolutions, or other instruments required
by this Agreement to be so delivered at or prior to the
Closing; and (D) such other items as may be reasonably
requested by Capital and its legal counsel to
effectuate or evidence the transactions contemplated
hereby.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS, COVENANTS, AND WARRANTIES
OF ERTL, NEW PARAHO, AND SHALE
As an inducement to, and to obtain the reliance of Capital, ERTL, New
Paraho, and Shale jointly and severally represent, covenant, and warrant to
Capital as follows:
Section 2.01 Organization. ERTL and Paraho are corporations, and
Shale is a limited liability company, each validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the state of Colorado and has power and is duly
authorized, qualified, franchised, and licensed under all applicable laws,
regulations, ordinances, and orders of public authorities to own all of its
properties and assets and to carry on its business in all material respects
as it is now being conducted. There is no jurisdiction in which either
ERTL, New Paraho, or Shale is not so qualified in which the character and
location of the assets owned by it or the nature of the business transacted
by it requires qualification, except where failure to do so would not have
a material adverse effect on the business or properties of either ERTL, New
Paraho, or Shale. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Environmental Indemnity Agreement, and any other agreement and instrument
to be delivered in connection herewith, do not, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the terms
hereof will not, violate any provision of ERTLS's, Shale's or New Paraho's
articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Section 2.02 Approval of Agreement. The boards of directors of
ERTL and New Paraho and the member/managers of Shale have authorized the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by ERTL, Shale and New Paraho and
the Environmental Indemnity Agreement by ERTL, and have approved the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to the
approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by the holders
of a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of New Paraho, the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by ERTL, New Paraho,
and Shale, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do
not require any further authorization or consent of ERTL, New Paraho, or
Shale. This Agreement is the legal, valid, and binding agreement of ERTL,
New Paraho, and Shale, enforceable between the parties in accordance with
its terms.
Section 2.03 New Paraho. The assets being transferred by New Paraho
to Shale as described in Section 1.05(a) constitute all the assets,
tangible and intangible, owned by New Paraho or in which New Paraho has an
interest.
Section 2.04 Real Property Interests. Schedule 2.04 contains a
complete and accurate list of all interests in any real property, including
a list of each lease or similar agreement under which New Paraho is lessee
of, or holds or operates, any real property owned by any third person. New
Paraho has the right, power, and authority to transfer all of its interests
in real property to Shale, subject to certain required consents under
certain circumstances, which consents, if applicable, will be obtained
prior to closing as a condition to closing.
Section 2.05 Personal Property. Included in Schedule 2.05 is a
complete and accurate list of all machinery, equipment, vehicle, furniture
and other tangible and intangible property owned or leased by New Paraho
(except that included within the definition of Intellectual Property as set
forth in section 2.09). New Paraho has the right, power, and authority to
transfer all of its tangible and intangible property to Shale, without the
consent of any other person or entity, as contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 2.06 Stock. The stock transferred to Capital by ERTL
pursuant to this Agreement represents all of the Capital Stock of New
Paraho owned or held of record by ERTL or in which ERTL has an interest.
Section 2.07 Capitalization. Schedule 2.07 sets forth the
authorized capital stock of New Paraho and indicates the number of issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of New Paraho, the holders of such
issued and outstanding capital stock and the number of shares held by each
holder. There are no treasury shares or shares reserved for issuance upon
the exercise of options, warrants or other securities or the exercise of
conversion or other rights. There are no dividends or other amounts due or
payable with respect to any of the shares of capital stock of New Paraho.
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.07 and except for this Agreement, there
are no agreements, arrangements, options, warrants, calls rights, or
commitments of any character relating to the issuance, sale, purchase or
redemption of any shares of capital stock of New Paraho. All of the
outstanding shares of capital stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-
assessable and not issued in violation of the pre-emptive or other right of
any person.
Section 2.08 Title to Property. New Paraho has good and marketable
title to all of the assets being conveyed to Shale hereunder and ERTL has
good and marketable title to the Stock being conveyed to Capital hereunder,
free and clear of all liens, pledges, charges, or encumbrances. Upon
delivery to Capital on the Closing date of the instruments of transfer
contemplated by section 1.04(a), ERTL will thereby transfer to Capital good
and marketable title to the New Paraho stock being conveyed, subject to no
encumbrances.
Section 2.09 Books and Records. The books and records, financial
and otherwise, of New Paraho are in all material respects complete and
correct and have been made and maintained in accordance with sound business
and bookkeeping practices and, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of New Paraho. New
Paraho has maintained a system of internal accounting controls sufficient
to provide reasonable assurances that (a) transactions have been and are
executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorization;
(b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of
financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles or any other criteria applicable to such statements and to
maintain accountability for assets; (c) access to assets is permitted only
in accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and (d)
the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets
at reasonable intervals, and appropriate action is taken with respect to
any differences.
Section 2.10 Transactions with Affiliates. Schedule 2.11 hereto
sets forth a description of every material contract, agreement, or
arrangement between New Paraho and any person who is or has ever been an
officer or director of New Paraho or person owning of record, or known by
New Paraho to own beneficially, 5% or more of the issued and outstanding
common stock of New Paraho and which is to be performed in whole or in part
after the date hereof or was entered into within three years before the
date hereof. In all of such circumstances, the contract, agreement, or
arrangement was for a bona fide business purpose of New Paraho, and the
amount paid or received, whether in cash, in services, or in kind, is, has
been during the full term thereof, and is required to be during the
unexpired portion of the term thereof, no less favorable to New Paraho than
terms available from otherwise unrelated parties in arm's length
transactions. Except as disclosed in Schedule 2.11 hereto to otherwise
disclosed herein, no officer or director of New Paraho or 5% shareholder of
New Paraho has, or has had during the preceding three years, any interest,
directly or indirectly, in any material transaction with New Paraho.
Schedule 2.11 hereto also includes a description of any commitment by New
Paraho, whether written or oral, to lend any funds to, borrow any money
from, or enter into any other material transaction with, any such
affiliated person.
Section 2.11 Reports; Financial Statements, Liabilities. For the
three calendar years preceding the date of this Agreement, New Paraho and
its subsidiaries have filed all forms, reports, statements and other
documents required to be filed with (a) the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") including, (i) all Annual Reports on Form 10-K, (ii)
all Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, (iii) all proxy, information or consent
solicitation statements relating to meetings of stockholders or consents in
lieu thereof (whether annual or special), (iv) all Current Reports on Form
8-K and (v) all other reports, schedules, registration statements or other
documents, and (b) any applicable state or provincial securities
authorities and all forms, reports, statements and other documents required
to be filed with any other applicable federal, state, or provincial
regulatory authorities, except where the failure to file any such forms,
reports, statements or other documents would not have a material adverse
effect on New Paraho or its business or properties (all such forms,
reports, statements and other documents in clauses (a) and (b) of this
Section 2.12 being referred to herein, collectively, as the "New Paraho
Reports"). The New Paraho Reports, including all New Paraho Reports filed
after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing,(x) were or will
be prepared in accordance with the requirements of applicable law
(including the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC
thereunder), and (y) did not at the time they were filed, or will not at
the time they are filed, contain any untrue statement of material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading. New Paraho did not have, as of
the date of the most recent financial statements included in such New
Paraho Reports, except as and to the extent reflected or reserved against
therein, any liabilities or obligations (absolute or contingent) which
should be reflected in a balance sheet or the notes thereto prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and all assets
reflected therein present fairly the assets of New Paraho in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. After giving effect to the
transfer of assets to Shale for the consideration, including the assumption
of liabilities and obligations provided herein, new Paraho will have no
liabilities or obligations, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated.
Section 2.12 Shareholders' List. The stockholders' list of New
Paraho to be delivered to Capital pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof is a true
and accurate copy thereof as of the date indicated thereon. The transfer
agent (the "Transfer Agent") of New Paraho retains in safekeeping all
certificates that have been or should be canceled on the registration of
transfer thereof. All of such canceled certificates have on their face in
conspicuous permanent ink or perforations the word "canceled." All stock
certificates are accounted for as either canceled and in the possession of
the Transfer Agent, outstanding, or unissued. To the best of New Paraho's
knowledge, except for securities broker-dealers, clearing agencies,
securities depositories, banks, or other securities industry entities
registered with the SEC whose regular business consists of holding
securities beneficially owned by others, each stockholder listed on such
stockholders' list is the beneficial owner thereof, and such stockholder is
not a party to, and such stockholder's stock is not subject to, any
agreement, understanding, power-of-attorney, or other arrangement of any
kind with any person who is an affiliate of New Paraho or acting in concert
with such affiliate under which such affiliate or person acting in concert
with such affiliate has or shares investment or voting power over such
securities.
Section 2.13 Compliance with Securities Laws, Rules, and
Regulations. All securities of New Paraho issued since its inception,
consisting solely of common voting stock, have been issued pursuant to and
in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and
regulations; specifically, all offers and sales of shares of common voting
stock were made pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements
of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), and pursuant to available exemptions provided by applicable state
securities laws. Further, New Paraho has made all the required filings
with any federal or state regulatory agency regarding the offer and sale of
all issued and outstanding shares of common voting stock.
Section 2.14 Certain Business Practices. None of New Paraho, or
any directors, officers, agents or employees of New Paraho has used any
funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful
expenses relating to initiating or maintaining a trading market in New
Paraho's securities, or any political activity, made any unlawful payment
to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or
domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provision of the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or made any other
unlawful payment.
Section 2.15 Public Trading Activity. Neither New Paraho nor, to
the best of New Paraho's knowledge, any other person, has at any time
during the past year or currently has any agreement, plan, or arrangement
to at any time in the future (a) submit or publish or cause to be submitted
or published, directly or indirectly, any quotation for the common stock of
New Paraho on behalf of New Paraho or any of its affiliates; or (b) provide
to any securities broker-dealer any incentive or inducement, financial or
otherwise, to publish quotations for the common stock of New Paraho at any
specific or minimum prices or amounts or to execute any specific
transactions in such common stock, other than usual and customary
commissions and markups.
Section 2.16 Taxability of Outstanding Stock. To the extend
applicable, New Paraho has complied with the securities laws of each and
every jurisdiction in which a shareholder resided as of the date such
shareholder purchased securities from New Paraho, and such shares purchased
from New Paraho can be resold without restriction (except for any
applicable control restrictions) by such shareholder in said jurisdiction
immediately after the closing as herein contemplated.
Section 2.17 Litigation and Proceedings. There are no actions,
suits, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of New Paraho,
threatened by or against, or affecting New Paraho or its properties, at law
or in equity, before any court or other governmental agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or before any arbitrator of any kind;
New Paraho does not have any knowledge of any default on its part with
respect to any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, award, rule, or
regulation of any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency or
instrumentality.
Section 2.18 Material Contract Defaults. New Paraho is not in
default in any respect under the terms of any outstanding contract,
agreement, lease, or other commitment which is material to the business,
operations, properties, assets, or condition of New Paraho, and there is no
event of default or other event which, with notice or lapse of time or
both, would constitute a default in any material respect under any such
contract, agreement, lease, or other commitment in respect of which New
Paraho has not taken adequate steps to prevent such a default from
occurring.
Section 2.19 Taxes. All federal, state, local, and foreign tax
returns and tax reports required to be filed by or on behalf of New Paraho
have been filed with the appropriate governmental agency and all
jurisdictions in which such reports are required to be filed and all taxes
which have become due pursuant to such tax returns or to any assessment
which has become payable have been paid.
Section 2.20 Third-Party Consents. Except as set forth in
Schedule 2.11, none of the contracts agreements, leases, or other
commitments, written or oral, to which New Paraho is a party or to which
any of its properties or assets are subject require the consent of the
other party to consummate the transactions herein contemplated, except
where the failure to obtain such consent would not have a material adverse
effect on the assets transferred pursuant hereto.
Section 2.21 No Conflict With Other Instruments. The execution of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement will not result in the breach of any term or provision of,
or constitute an event of default under, any material indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, or other material contract, agreement, or instrument to
which ERTL, New Paraho, or Shale is a party or to which any of their
respective properties or operations are subject.
Section 2.22 Compliance With Laws and Regulations. New Paraho has
complied with all applicable statutes and regulations of any federal,
state, or other governmental entity or agency thereof, except to the extent
that noncompliance would not materially and adversely affect the business,
operations, properties, assets, or condition of New Paraho or except to the
extent that noncompliance would not result in the incurrence of any
material liability for New Paraho.
Section 2.23 Minute Book. The minute book of New Paraho
contains, and will contain at the Closing date, evidence of the due
election and incumbency of the board of directors and officers of New
Paraho executing this Agreement or any document, certificate, or other
instrument executed in order to consummate the transactions herein
contemplated together with an accurate and complete record of the proceeds
of all meetings of directors, committees thereof, or stockholders and all
written consents in lieu thereof.
Section 2.24 Information. The information concerning ERTL, New
Paraho, and Shale set forth in this Agreement, in the exhibits hereto, and
in the schedules is complete and accurate in all material respects and does
not contain any untrue statement of a material respect and does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
Section 2.25 Schedules. ERTL, New Paraho, and Shale have
delivered to Capital schedules which consist of separate schedules dated as
of the date of execution of this Agreement and documents, instruments and
data as of such date, all certified by a duly authorized officer of ERTL,
New Paraho, and Shale, respectively, as complete, true, and correct. ERTL,
New Paraho, and Shale shall cause the schedules and the other documents,
instruments, and data delivered to Capital hereunder to be updated after
the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS, COVENANTS, AND WARRANTIES OF CAPITAL
As an inducement to, and to obtain the reliance of ERTL, New Paraho,
and Shale, Capital represents, covenants and warrants as follows:
Section 3.01 Organization. Capital is a corporation validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Utah and has
the corporate power and is duly authorized, qualified, franchised, and
licensed under all applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, and orders of
public authorities to own all of its properties and assets and to carry on
its business in all material respects as it is now being conducted and is
contemplated under the provisions of this Agreement. There is no
jurisdiction in which Capital is not so qualified in which the character
and location of the assets owned by it, or the nature of the business
transacted by it, requires qualification, except where failure to do so
would not have a material adverse effect on the business or properties of
Capital. The execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in
accordance with the terms hereof will not, violate any provision of
Capital's articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Section 3.02 Approval of Agreement. The board of directors of
Capital has authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Capital and has approved the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by
Capital and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not
require any further authorization or consent of Capital. This Agreement is
the legal, valid and binding agreement of Capital enforceable between the
parties in accordance with its terms.
Section 3.03 Investment Representations.
(a) Capital is an "accredited investor" as that term
is defined under rule 501 of regulation D promulgated under
the Securities Act.
(b) Capital acknowledges that neither the SEC nor the
securities commission of any state or other federal agency
has made any determination as to the merits of purchasing
the Stock. Capital understands that the offer of the Stock
has not been registered with or passed on by any securities
regulatory agency, that the representations and warranties
set forth herein provides a necessary prerequisite for
determining whether Capital is qualified to make an
investment in such securities and is a basis for New Paraho
and ERTL to rely on exemptions from registration provided in
section 4(1) of the Securities Act and preemption from the
registration or qualification requirements (other than
notice filing and fee provisions) of applicable state laws
under the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of
1996;
(c) Capital acknowledges that an investment in New
Paraho involves a high degree of risk. Capital acknowledges
that, except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, no
representations or warranties have been made to Capital, or
to its advisors, by New Paraho or ERTL, or by any person
acting on behalf of them, with respect to their business, or
any other aspects or consequences of the purchase of the
Stock and/or an investment in New Paraho, and that Capital
has not relied upon any information concerning the offering,
written or oral, other than that contained in this
Agreement.
(d) Capital has been provided with all materials and
information requested by Capital or its representatives,
including any information requested to verify any
information furnished, and Capital has been provided the
opportunity for direct communication with New Paraho and its
representatives regarding the purchase made hereby,
including the opportunity to ask questions of and receive
answers from executive officers and directors of New Paraho.
(e) All information which Capital has provided to New
Paraho or its agents or representatives concerning Capital's
suitability to invest in New Paraho is complete, accurate,
and correct as of the date of the signature on the last page
of this Agreement.
(f) Capital was at no time solicited by any leaflet,
public promotional meeting, circular, newspaper or magazine
article, radio or television advertisement, or any other
form of general advertising or solicitation in connection
with the offer, sale, or purchase of the Stock through this
Agreement.
(g) Capital has adequate means of providing for its
current needs and possible personal contingencies and has no
need now, and anticipates no need in the foreseeable future,
to sell any of the Stock. Capital is able to bear the
economic risks of this investment, and, consequently,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, is able to
hold the Stock for an indefinite period of time, and has a
sufficient net worth to sustain a loss of the entire
investment, in the event such a loss should occur.
(h) Capital has no present intention of dividing any
of the Stock or the rights under this Agreement with others
or of reselling or otherwise disposing of all or any portion
of such securities.
(i) In connection with the acquisition by Capital of
the Stock, Capital represents that such securities are being
acquired without a view to, or for, resale in connection
with any distribution of such securities or any interest
therein without registration or other compliance under the
Securities Act and that Capital has no direct or indirect
participation in any such undertaking or in the underwriting
of such an undertaking.
(j) Capital understands that the Stock has not been
registered, but is being acquired by reason of a specific
exemption under the Securities Act as well as under certain
state statutes for transactions by any person other than an
issuer, underwriter or dealer and that any disposition of
such securities may, under certain circumstances, be
inconsistent with this exemption and may make Capital an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
(k) Capital acknowledges that the Stock must be held
and may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of
for value unless subsequently registered under the
Securities Act or in reliance on exemptions from
registration under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws. Capital understands that such an exemption
may not be available and, in such case, Capital would not be
able to resell such securities. New Paraho is under no
obligation to register the Stock under the Securities Act or
under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; if rule 144 is available, and no assurance is given
that it will be, initially only routine sales of such
securities in limited amounts can be made in reliance on
rule 144 in accordance with the terms and conditions of that
rule; in the event rule 144 is not available, compliance
with regulation A or some other exemption may be required
before Capital can sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of
such securities without registration under the Securities
Act; and the certificates representing such securities will
bear a legend so restricting the sale of such securities.
(l) Capital understands that sales of such securities
in reliance on rule 144 can only be made in limited amounts
in accordance with the terms and conditions of that rule,
and that after two years from the date such securities are
fully paid for pursuant to rule 144(k), such securities can
generally be sold without meeting these conditions provided
the holder is not (and has not been for the preceding three
months) an affiliate of New Paraho.
Section 3.05 Information. The information concerning Capital set
forth in this Agreement and in the exhibits hereto is complete and accurate
in all material respects and does not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.
ARTICLE IV
SPECIAL COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Deliveries. Within five (5) days after the date of
this Agreement, New Paraho shall deliver to Capital, at Capital's offices,
originals or true and correct copies of: (a) all written contracts relating
to stockholders, directors, officers, employees, and agents, and any
attorneys, accounts, and other professional or agent engaged by New Paraho;
(b) the current stockholder list, showing each stockholder's name, address,
number of shares owned, and denomination and date of each certificate, all
as of a date within five (5) days of the date of this Agreement; (c) a
transaction register from New Paraho's Transfer Agent setting forth the
details of all issuances of common stock certificates, indicating in the
case of each certificate the date of issuance, certificate number, number
of shares, registered owner, and whether such certificate constitutes an
original issuance or the transfer of outstanding stock, indicating, in the
case of transfers, the number of the certificate from which such stock was
transferred; and (d) all filings, notices, or other communications with the
SEC, the NASD, any state securities commission, state corporation
commission, or similar agency, and any non-United States securities
commission, non-United States corporations commission, Canadian province,
or similar authority, together with copies of all communications received
by New Paraho.
Section 4.02 Access to Properties and Records. Until the Closing,
New Paraho will afford to the officers and authorized representatives of
Capital full access to its properties, books, and records in order that
Capital may have full opportunity to make such reasonable investigation as
it shall desire to make of the affairs of New Paraho, and will furnish
Capital with such additional financial and operating data and other
information as to its business and properties as Capital shall from time to
time reasonably request. Any such investigation by Capital shall be
conducted in such a manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the
operations of New Paraho and all information obtained in connection with
such investigation shall be treated as confidential in accordance with
section 7.01.
Section 4.03 Third-Party Consents. Capital and ERTL, New Paraho,
and Shale agree to cooperate with each other in order to obtain required
third-party consents to this Agreement and the transactions herein
contemplated.
Section 4.04 Action Prior to Closing. From and after the date of
this Agreement until the Closing Date and except as set forth in the
schedules or as permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, each party
hereto, will:
(a) Carry on its business in substantially the same
manner as it has heretofore;
(b) Maintain and keep its assets in as good repair and
condition as at present, except for depreciation due to
ordinary wear and tear and damage due to casualty;
(c) Maintain in full force and effect insurance
comparable in amount and in scope of coverage to that now
maintained by it;
(d) Perform in all material respects all of its
obligations under material contracts, leases, and
instruments relating to or affecting its assets, properties,
and business;
(e) Use its best efforts to maintain and preserve its
business organization intact, to retain its key employees,
and to maintain its relationship with its material suppliers
and customers; and
(f) Fully comply with and perform in all material
respects all obligations and duties imposed upon it by all
federal and state laws and all rules, regulations, and
orders imposed by federal or state governmental authorities.
Section 4.05 Indemnification on Transfer of Stock. Capital agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless ERTL, New Paraho, and Shale from and against
any and all loss, cost, liability, penalty, damages or other charges and
any and all expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending
any claim, action or proceeding incident to any matter indemnified against
hereunder (including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees) incurred by any such person in connection with or arising
from the offer or sale by Capital or any affiliate thereof of the Stock
acquired by Capital pursuant to this Agreement in violation of the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, or any applicable state
securities laws.
Section 4.06 Stockholder Meeting. Within thirty (30) days after
the mailing of the proxy statement pursuant to Section 4.07(a) hereof, New
Paraho shall, at a meeting of its stockholders duly called by its board of
directors to be held as soon as practicable, present for the authorization
and approval of its stockholders, in accordance with its articles of
incorporation and bylaws, the applicable provisions of the laws of the
state of Colorado and all applicable federal and state securities laws,
this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of New Paraho to Shale
pursuant to section 1.05, the change in domicile of New Paraho to Nevada,
the amendment of the articles of incorporation of New Paraho, the change of
the name of New Paraho to such name as may be acceptable to Capital, and
the election as directors of those persons nominated by Capital. ERTL
shall cause to be delivered to Capital one or more irrevocable proxies in
form acceptable to Capital and its counsel representing the shares of the
issued and outstanding common stock of New Paraho owned or held by ERTL,
authorizing Capital as the proxy of ERTL to vote the shares subject thereto
at the New Paraho stockholders' meeting in favor of approval of this
Agreement and the other matters set forth above.
Section 4.07 Proxy Statement.
(a) Within thirty (30) days after the execution of
this Agreement, New Paraho shall prepare and file with the
SEC a proxy statement for stockholders of New Paraho in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the "Proxy Statement"). New Paraho shall use its
best efforts to obtain the SEC's approval of the Proxy
Statement, if reviewed by the SEC, as promptly as
practicable. Each of New Paraho and Capital shall furnish
to the other all information concerning it and the holders
of its capital stock as the other may reasonably request in
connection with such actions. Within ten (10) days after
the expiration of the waiting period set forth in Rule 14a-6
or, if the preliminary proxy statement is reviewed by the
SEC, the resolution of all comments of the SEC, whichever is
later, New Paraho shall mail the Proxy Statement to its
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
stockholders meeting. The Proxy Statement shall include the
recommendation of New Paraho's board of directors in favor
of the matters set forth herein, subject to the fiduciary
obligations of New Paraho's board of directors to its
shareholders.
(b) The information supplied by New Paraho for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement shall not, at the time the
Proxy Statement is mailed to the stockholders of New Paraho,
contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein not
misleading. If at any time prior to the Closing any event
or circumstance relating to New Paraho or any of its
affiliates, or its officers or directors, is discovered by
New Paraho that should be set forth in a supplement to the
Proxy Statement, New Paraho shall promptly inform Capital
thereof in writing. All documents that New Paraho is
responsible for filing with the SEC in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein shall comply as to form in
all material respects with the applicable requirements of
the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
(c) The information supplied by Capital for inclusion
in the Proxy Statement shall not, at the time the Proxy
Statement is mailed to the stockholders of New Paraho,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein not
misleading. If at any time prior to the Closing any event
or circumstance relating to Capital or any of its
affiliates, or to its officers or directors, is discovered
by Capital that should be set forth in a supplement to the
Proxy Statement, Capital shall promptly inform New Paraho
thereof in writing.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
Section 5.01 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the
Parties. The obligations of each party under the terms of this Agreement
are subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of the
following conditions:
(a) All required third-party consents to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been received, unless waived by the parties.
(b) There shall not be any action or threatened action
before any court or governmental body to restrain, prohibit,
or invalidate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or which in the judgment of the board of directors
of any party, made in good faith and based on the advice of
legal counsel, makes it inadvisable to proceed with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 5.02 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Capital.
The obligations of Capital under the terms of this Agreement are subject to
the satisfaction, at or before the Closing Date, of the following
conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties made by ERTL,
New Paraho, and Shale in this Agreement were true when made
and shall be true at the Closing Date with the same force
and effect as if such representations and warranties were
made at and as of the Closing Date.
(b) ERTL, New Paraho, and Shale shall have performed
or complied with all covenants and conditions required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by such
parties prior to or at the Closing.
(c) No litigation, proceeding, investigation, or
inquiry is pending or, to the best knowledge of ERTL, New
Paraho, or Shale, threatened, which might result in an
action to enjoin or prevent the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or which might
result in a material adverse change in the assets,
properties, or business of ERTL, New Paraho, or Shale.
(d) The closing of the transfer of all of the assets
and the assumption of all of the liabilities of New Paraho
by Shale pursuant to section 1.05, above shall have been
completed, subject to waiver or partial waiver by the
parties.
(e) ERTL, New Paraho, and Shale shall have taken all
corporate or other action necessary to approve the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Capital shall
have been furnished with certified copies of resolutions
adopted by the respective board of directors of ERTL and New
Paraho, and the members/managers of Shale, and the
stockholders of New Paraho, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to counsel for Capital, approving the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) The Bylaws of New Paraho shall have been amended
to reduce the size of the board of directors of New Paraho
from 12 to no less than 3 persons.
(g) New Paraho shall have amended its articles of
incorporation to change its name to a name designated by
Capital prior to Closing.
(h) Capital shall have received reports from the
Secretary of State of the state of Colorado confirming that
there exist no encumbrances of record on any of the assets
being conveyed hereunder.
(i) Each director and officer and each of the
stockholders holding beneficially or of record more than 5%
of the issued and outstanding common stock of New Paraho
shall have delivered to Capital an instrument, in form and
substance satisfactory to Capital, dated the Closing Date,
releasing New Paraho and Capital from any and all claims of
such director, officer, or stockholder against New Paraho,
and any and all obligations of New Paraho to such director,
officer, or stockholder.
(j) There shall be no existing agreements between New
Paraho and any stockholder, any relative of any director,
officer, broker, underwriter, employee, agent or any
stockholder, or any affiliates of the stockholder for any
wages, fees, advances, expense reimbursement, options,
warrants, or other rights to acquire securities from New
Paraho.
(k) There shall not be any action taken, or any
statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, entered,
enforced or deemed applicable to the transactions
contemplated hereby by any governmental entity in connection
with the grant of any regulatory approval necessary, in the
reasonable business judgment of New Paraho, to the
continuing operation of the current or future business of
New Paraho, which imposes any condition or restriction upon
New Paraho or its proposed future business or operations
which, in the reasonable business judgment of Capital, would
be materially burdensome in the context of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(l) New Paraho shall not have received notice of or
otherwise have knowledge of any pending inquiry, matter
under investigation, formal order of investigation, or other
possible enforcement action from the SEC or any provincial
or state securities or other regulatory authority involving
or possibly involving, whether or not actually threatened,
any violation of any law administered by such agency or
authority by either New Paraho or any of its present or
former affiliates or in concert with any of them.
(m) ERTL, New Paraho, and Shale shall have delivered
to Capital a certificate, signed by a duly authorized
officer of such parties and dated as of the Closing Date,
warranting that the foregoing have been satisfied and that
all documents delivered at Closing are accurate and shall
have provided reasonable proof thereof as reasonably
required by Capital.
Section 5.03 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of ERTL, New
Paraho, and Shale. The obligations of ERTL, New Paraho, and Shale under
this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing
Date, of the following conditions:
(a) The representations and warranties made by Capital
in this Agreement were true when made and shall be true as
of the Closing Date except for changes permitted by this
Agreement or made in the ordinary course of business.
(b) Capital shall have performed and complied with all
covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be
performed or complied with by Capital prior to or at the
Closing.
(c) No litigation, proceeding, investigation, or
inquiry is pending or, to the best knowledge of Capital,
threatened, which might result in an action to enjoin or
prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or which might result in any adverse material
change in the assets, properties, or business operations of
Capital.
(d) Capital shall have delivered to ERTL, New Paraho,
and Shale a certificate, signed by a duly authorized officer
of Capital and dated as of the Closing Date, warranting that
the foregoing have been satisfied and that all documents
delivered at Closing are accurate and shall have provided
reasonable proof thereof as reasonably required by ERTL, New
Paraho, and Shale.
Section 5.04 Other Items. The parties hereto shall have received
such further documents, certificates, or instruments relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby as they may reasonably request.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION
Section 6.01 Termination. Anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Closing Date:
(a) by the mutual consent of the boards of directors
of Capital, ERTL, and New Paraho, and the members/managers
of Shale;
(b) by any party, if the Closing shall not have
occurred on or before June 15, 2000 (or such later date as
may be mutually agreed to by the parties);
(c) by Capital in the event of any material breach by
ERTL, New Paraho, or Shale of any of the agreements,
representations, or warranties of such parties contained
herein and the failure of such parties to cure such breach
within seven days after receipt of notice from Capital
requesting such breach to be cured: or
(d) by ERTL, New Paraho, or Shale in the event of any
material breach by Capital of any of the agreements,
representations, or warranties of Capital contained herein
and the failure of Capital to cure such breach within seven
days after receipt of notice from ERTL, New Paraho, or Shale
requesting such breach to be cured.
Section 6.02 Notice of Termination. Any party desiring to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to section 6.01 shall give notice of such
termination to the other parties to this Agreement.
Section 6.03 Effect of Termination. In the event that this
Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to this Article VI, all further
obligations of the parties under this Agreement (other than sections 7.01
and 7.02 shall be terminated without further liability of any party to the
other; provided that, nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability
for its willful breach of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Confidential Nature of Information. Each party
agrees that it will treat in confidence the content of all discussions,
negotiations, documents, materials and other information, including but not
limited to operational, economic, or financial information or data of any
nature whatsoever relating to the future, present or past business
operations, plans or assets, which either party shall have obtained
regarding the other parties during the course of the discussions and
negotiations leading to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby (whether obtained before or after the date of this Agreement), the
investigation provided for herein pursuant to section 4.01 and the
preparation of this Agreement and other related documents, and, in the
event the transactions contemplated hereby shall not be consummated, each
party will return to the other party all copies of non-public documents and
materials which have been furnished in connection therewith. Such
documents, materials and information shall not be communicated to any third
person (other than to their respective counsel, accountants, financial
advisors or lenders) and shall not be used for any purpose to the detriment
of the other party. No other party shall use any confidential information
in any manner whatsoever except solely for the purpose of evaluating the
proposed purchase and sale of the assets hereunder; provided, however, that
the obligation of each party to treat such documents, materials and other
information in confidence shall not apply to any information which (i) is
or becomes available to such party from a source other than the other
party, except from insiders and affiliates of such other party, (ii) is or
becomes available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by
such party or its agents, (iii) is required to be disclosed under
applicable law or judicial process, but only to the extent it must be
disclosed, or (iv) such party reasonably deems necessary to disclose to
obtain any of the consents or approvals contemplated hereby.
Section 7.02 Expenses. Capital will pay all costs and expenses
incident to its negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and to its
performance and compliance with all agreements and conditions contained
herein on its part to be performed or complied with, including the fees,
expenses and disbursements of its counsel and accountants. Shale will pay
all costs and expenses incident to its, ERTL's, and New Paraho's
negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and to their performance and
compliance with all agreements and conditions contained herein on their
part to be performed or complied with, including the fees, expenses and
disbursements of their counsel and accountants.
Section 7.03 No Brokers. Each party hereto agrees that no third
person has in any way brought the parties together or been instrumental in
the negotiation, execution, or consummation of this Agreement. Each party
agrees to indemnify the others against any claim by any third person for
any commission, brokerage, finder's fee, or other payment with respect to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby based upon any
alleged agreement or understanding between such party and such third
person, whether expressed or implied, arising from the actions of such
party. The covenants set forth in this section 7.03 shall survive the
Closing Date and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated.
Section 7.04 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
enforced and construed under and in accordance with, the laws of the United
States of America, and, with respect to other matters of state law, the
laws of the state of Utah, with respect to which the laws of the state of
Colorado shall apply.
Section 7.05 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, or other
communications required or authorized hereunder shall be deemed given
sufficiently if in writing and if personally delivered; if sent by
facsimile transmission, confirmed with a written copy thereof sent by
overnight express delivery; if sent by registered mail or certified mail,
return receipt requested and postage prepaid; or if sent by overnight
delivery:
If to Capital, to:
Capital Consulting of Utah, Inc.
Attn: Kip Eardly, President
6337 South Highland Drive, Suite 130
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
Fax: (801) 269-9522
With copies to:
Michael L. Labertew, L.L.C.
4685 South Highland Drive #202A
Salt Lake City, Utah 84117
Fax: (801) 363-3555
If to ERTL, New Paraho, Energy Resources
Technology Land, Inc. or Shale:
New Paraho Group
Attn: Joseph L. Fox
5387 Manhattan Circle, Suite 104
Boulder, Colorado 80303
Fax: (303) 543-8881
With copies to:
Thomas A. Richardson, Esq.
Holme Roberts & Owen LLP
Suite 4100, 1700 Lincoln
Denver, Colorado 80203
Fax: (303) 886-0200
or such other addresses and facsimile numbers as shall be furnished in
writing by any party in the manner for giving notices hereunder, and any
such notice, demand, request, or other communication shall be deemed to
have been given as of the date so delivered or sent by facsimile
transmission, three days after the date so mailed, or one day after the
date so sent by overnight delivery.
Section 7.06 Attorney's Fees. In the event that any party
institutes any action or suit to enforce this Agreement or to secure relief
from any default hereunder or breach hereof, the breaching party or parties
shall reimburse the nonbreaching party or parties for all costs, including
reasonable attorney's fees, incurred in connection therewith and in
enforcing or collecting any judgment rendered therein.
Section 7.07 Schedules; Knowledge. Whenever in any section of
this Agreement reference is made to information set forth in the schedules,
such reference is to information specifically set forth in such schedules
and clearly marked to identify the section of this Agreement to which the
information relates. Whenever any representation is made to the
"knowledge" of any party, it shall be deemed to be a representation that no
officer or director of such party, after reasonable investigation, has any
knowledge of such matters.
Section 7.08 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the
Environmental Indemnity Agreement, together with the documents to be
delivered pursuant hereto, represent the entire agreement between the
parties relating to the subject matter hereof. There are no other courses
of dealing, understanding, agreements, representations, or warranties,
written or oral, except as set forth herein.
Section 7.09 Survival; Termination. The representations,
warranties, and covenants of the respective parties shall survive the
Closing.
Section 7.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of
which taken together shall be but a single instrument.
Section 7.11 Amendment or Waiver. Every right and remedy provided
herein shall be cumulative with every other right and remedy, whether
conferred herein, at law, or in equity, and may be enforced concurrently
herewith, and no waiver by any party of the performance of any obligation
by the other shall be construed as a waiver of the same or any other
default then, theretofore, or thereafter occurring or existing. At any
time prior to the Closing Date, this Agreement may be amended by a writing
signed by all parties hereto, with respect to any of the terms contained
herein, and any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived or the
time for performance thereof may be extended by a writing signed by the
party or parties for whose benefit the provision is intended.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed as of the date first above written.
CAPITAL CONSULTING OF UTAH, INC.
By__________________________________
Kip Eardley, President
ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY LAND,
INC.
By___________________________________
Joseph L. Fox, President
THE NEW PARAHO CORPORATION
By____________________________________
Joseph L. Fox
Shale Technologies, L.L.C.
By ____________________________________
Its Manager/Member
Exhibit "A"-Environmental Indemnity Agreement
Schedule 2.04- Real Property Interests of New Paraho
Schedule 2.05- Personal Property of New Paraho
Schedule 2.07- Capitalization
Schedule 2.09- Intellectual Property of New Paraho
Schedule 2.11- Transactions with Affiliates
ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY
THIS ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY (hereinafter referred to as this
"Indemnity") is made this_______day of ____________, 2000, by ENERGY
RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY LAND, INC., a Colorado corporation (hereinafter
"ERTL"), based on the following premises.
Premises
A. ERTL owns approximately 82% of common stock (the "stock") of
New Paraho Corp., a Colorado corporation ("New Paraho").
B. Contemporaneously with the execution of this Indemnity,
Capital, ERTL, New Paraho, and Shale have entered into that certain
Acquisition Agreement of even date herewith pursuant to which Capital will
acquire all of the common stock of New Paraho owned by ERTL.
C. Also pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, at the
closing thereof, New Paraho will transfer to Shale all of its tangible and
intangible property, including, without limitation, a lease of
approximately 200 acres near Rifle, Colorado, and rights to approximately
9,812 acres of oil shale lands in Uintah County, Utah, all as more
particularly described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and incorporated
herein by this reference (collectively, the "Properties").
D. It is a condition precedent to the execution and delivery of
such Acquisition Agreement by Capital that, among other things, ERTL shall
have executed and delivered to Capital an indemnity relating to
environmental matters.
Indemnity
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the stated premises, which are incorporated
herein by reference, and in order to induce Capital to enter into the
Acquisition Agreement, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1. Warranties and Representations. ERTL warrants and represents
to Capital and New Paraho as follows:
(a) The Properties are, and, except as previously
disclosed to Capital in writing, to the best of ERTL's
knowledge, at all times have been, operated in compliance
with all applicable Environmental Laws (as hereinafter
defined); and to the best of ERTL's knowledge, no condition
exists with respect to the Properties or other property
owned or operated by New Paraho or any affiliate of or party
related to New Paraho that would or could reasonably be
expected to subject New Paraho, any affiliate of or party
related to New Paraho, or Capital to any damages (including,
without limitation, actual, consequential, exemplary and
punitive damages), material liability (absolute or
contingent, determined or determinable), penalties,
injunctive relief or cleanup costs under any applicable
Environmental Laws, or that require or could reasonably be
expected to require cleanup, removal, remedial action or
other response by New Paraho, ERTL or Capital, or any
affiliate of or party related to New Paraho, ERTL or
Capital, pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws as
they relate to the Properties.
(b) Neither New Paraho nor ERTL have received and, to
the best of ERTL's knowledge, none of their affiliates have
received, and none of New Paraho's, ERTL's, or their
affiliates' or related parties' predecessors in title to the
Properties have received, any notice from a governmental
agency asserting or alleging a violation of any
Environmental Laws as they relate to the Properties.
(c) There are no pending or threatened suits, actions,
claims or proceedings against New Paraho, ERTL or their
respective affiliates or related parties and, to the best of
ERTL's knowledge, there are no pending or threatened suits,
actions, claims or proceedings against New Paraho's or
ERTL's affiliates' or related parties' predecessors in
title, arising from related to, directly or indirectly, any
Environmental Laws as they relate to the Properties.
(d) Neither New Paraho, ERTL nor any affiliate of or
party related to New Paraho or ERTL or any part of the
Properties, nor, to the best of ERTL's knowledge, their
affiliates' or related parties' predecessors are subject to
any judgment, decree, order or citation related to or
arising out of any Environmental Laws, and neither New
Paraho, ERTL nor any affiliate or party related to New
Paraho or ERTL has been named or listed as a potentially
responsible party by any governmental or other entity in a
matter arising under or relating, directly or indirectly, to
any Environmental Laws.
(e) New Paraho had obtained or caused to be obtained
all permits, licenses, and approvals required under all
Environmental Laws relating to the Properties.
(f) There are not now, nor to the best of ERTL's
knowledge have there ever been, Hazardous Materials (as
hereinafter defined) discharged, leaked, spilled or released
in, on, to, from or at the Properties or other properties
owned or operated by New Paraho or any of its affiliates or
stored, treated, or recycled at or in tanks or other
facilities thereon or related thereto which give rise or
could reasonably be expected to give rise to material
liability under any Environmental Laws.
(g) The use which Shale makes and intends to make of
the Properties will not result in: (a) the use or storage of
any Hazardous Materials on, in or in connection with the
Properties, or disposal of any Hazardous Materials from the
Properties except in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, or (b) the treatment, processing,
discharge or release of any Hazardous Materials on, in, to
or from the Properties except in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws.
(h) There are no underground storage tanks, surface
impoundments, or wastewater injection wells located on or in
the Properties.
As used herein, the term "Environmental Laws" shall mean any one or
more of the following:
(i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act
of 1986, 42 U.S.C ss 9601 et seq. ("CERCLA"); (ii) the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment of
1984, 42 U.S.C ss 6901 et seq. ("RCRA"); (iii) the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.
ss 7401 et seq.; (iv) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C.ss
1251 et seq.; (v) the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. ss 2601 et
seq.; (vi) the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. ss 300f to 300j-
11; (vii) the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986,
42 U.S.C. ss 1101 et seq.; (viii) the Hazardous Materials Transportation
Act, 49 U.S.C.ss 1801 et seq.; and (ix) all other foreign, federal, state,
tribal and local laws (whether common or statutory), rules, regulations,
consent agreements, compliance schedules, and orders directly and/or
indirectly relating to public health and safety, air pollution, water
pollution, noise control, wetlands, oceans, waterways, and/or the presence,
use, generation, manufacture, transportation, processing, treatment,
handling, discharge, release, disposal, or recovery of pollutants,
contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or
materials and/or underground storage tanks, including, without limitation,
all rules, regulations and orders of all state and local governmental
bodies, authorities and agencies pertaining or relating to the exploration,
development, regulation and conservation of oil and gas resources, as each
of the foregoing laws, rules, regulations, consent agreements, compliance
schedules and orders may be enacted, amended, supplemented, or reauthorized
from time to time.
As used herein, the term "Hazardous Materials" shall mean any one or
more of the following substances, wastes and materials: (i) any substance,
waste or material defined as a "hazardous substance," "hazardous material,"
"hazardous waste," "pollutant," "contaminant," "toxic material," or "toxic
substance," in any of the applicable Environmental Laws, or in the
standards, criteria, rules and/or regulations promulgated pursuant to any
of said Environmental Laws (including without limitation Hydrocarbons); and
(ii) any substance, waste or material, the presence of which requires
investigation or remediation under any Environmental Laws.
2. Indemnity. ERTL agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold
harmless Capital, New Paraho, their respective affiliates and related
parties, and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, partners,
members, employees, consultants and agents (individually, an "Indemnified
Party," and collectively, "Indemnified Parties") from and against, and
shall reimburse and pay Indemnified Parties with respect to, any and all
claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages (including without limitation
actual, consequential, exemplary and punitive damages), causes of action,
judgments, penalties, fees, costs and expenses (including without
limitation attorneys' fees, court costs and legal expenses and consultant's
and expert's fees and expenses) of any and every kind of character, known
or unknown, fixed or contingent, that may be imposed upon, asserted
against, or incurred or paid by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party on
account of, in connection with, or arising out of (1) the breach of any
representation or warranty of ERTL relating to Environmental Laws or
Hazardous Materials, or (2) the failure of ERTL to perform any agreement,
covenant or obligation required to be performed by ERTL and Shale relating
to Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials, (3) any violation of or
failure to comply with any Environmental Law now existing or hereafter
occurring, (4) the removal of any Hazardous Materials from the Properties
(or if removal is prohibited by law, the taking of whatever action is
required by law), (5) any act, omission, event or circumstance existing or
occurring or resulting from or in connection with the ownership,
construction, occupancy, operation, use or maintenance of the Properties,
regardless of whether the act, omission, event or circumstance constituted
a violation of or failure to comply with any Environmental Law at the time
of its existence or occurrence, and (6) any and all claims or proceedings
(whether brought by private party or governmental agency) for bodily injury
or damage, abatement or remediation, environmental damage, or impairment or
any other injury or damage resulting from or relating to any Hazardous
Material located upon or migrating into, on, from or throughout the
Properties (whether or not any or all of the foregoing was caused by New
Paraho or ERTL, a prior owner of the Properties, an operator or prior
operator of the Properties, their respective tenants or subtenants, or any
third party and whether or not the alleged liability is attributable to the
handling, storage, use, treatment, processing, distribution, manufacture,
generation, discharge, transportation or disposal of such Hazardous
Material or the mere presence of such Hazardous Material on the
Properties). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is the
intention of ERTL, and ERTL agrees, that the foregoing indemnities shall
apply to each Indemnified Party with respect to claims, demands,
liabilities, losses, damages (including without limitation actual,
consequential, exemplary and punitive damages), causes of action,
judgments, penalties, fees, costs, court costs and legal expenses and
consultant's and expert's fees and expenses, of any kind or character,
known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that in whole or in part are caused
by or arise out of the negligence of such Indemnified Party; however, such
indemnities shall not apply to any Indemnified Party to the extent the
subject of the indemnification is caused by or arises out of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. Any amount to
be paid hereunder by ERTL to New Paraho or Capital or for which ERTL has
indemnified an Indemnified Party shall be a demand obligation owing to ERTL
to New Paraho or Capital and shall bear interest at a rate of fifteen
percent (15%) per annum until paid.
3. Notice of Claims
(a) Any Indemnified Party seeking indemnification
hereunder shall give to the party obligated to provide indemnification to
such Indemnified Party (the "indemnitor") a notice (a "Claim Notice")
describing in reasonable detail the facts giving rise to any claim for
indemnification hereunder and shall include in such Claim Notice (if then
known) the amount or the method of computation of the amount of such claim,
and a reference to the provision of this Indemnity or any other agreement,
document or instrument executed hereunder or in connection herewith upon
which such claim is based; provided, that a Claim Notice in respect of any
action at law or suit in equity by or against a third person as to which
indemnification will be sought shall be given promptly after the action or
suit is commenced; provided further that failure to give such notice shall
not relieve the Indemnitor of its obligations hereunder except to the
extent it shall have been prejudiced by such failure.
(b) After the giving of any Claim Notice pursuant hereto, the
amount of indemnification to which an Indemnified Party shall be entitled
pursuant to this Indemnity shall be determined: (i) by the written
agreement between the Indemnified Party and the Indemnitor; (ii) by a final
judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction; or (iii) by any
other means to which the Indemnified Party and the Indemnitor shall agree.
The judgment or decree of a court shall be deemed final when the time for
appeal, if any, shall have expired and no appeal shall have been taken or
when all appeals taken shall have been finally determined. The Indemnified
Party shall have the burden of proof in establishing the amount of Loss and
Expense suffered by it.
4. Third Person Claims. The Indemnitor shall have the right to
conduct and control, through counsel of its choosing, the defense,
compromise or settlement of any third person claim, action or suit against
the Indemnified Party as to which indemnification will be sought by any
Indemnified Party from any Indemnitor hereunder, if the Indemnitor has
acknowledged and agreed in writing that, if the same is adversely
determined, the Indemnitor has an obligation to provide indemnification to
the Indemnified Parties in respect thereof, and in any such case the
Indemnified Party shall cooperate in connection therewith and shall furnish
such records, information and testimony and attend such conferences,
discovery proceedings, hearings, trials and appeals as may be reasonablely
requested by the Indemnitor in connection therewith; provided, that the
Indemnified Parties may participate, through counsel chosen by them and at
their own expense, in the defense of any such claim, action or suit as to
which the Indemnitor has so elected to conduct and control the defense
thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Parties shall have
the right to pay, settle or compromise any such claim, action or suit,
provided that in such event the Indemnified Parties shall waive any right
to indemnity therefor hereunder.
5. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Indemnity shall be governed by,
enforced, and construed under and in accordance with the laws of the United
States of America, and, with respect to other matters of state law, the
laws of the state of Utah.
(b) Notices. All notices, demands, requests, or other
communications required or authorized hereunder shall be deemed given
sufficiently if in writing and if personally delivered; if sent by
facsimile transmission, confirmed with a written copy thereof sent by
overnight express delivery; if sent by registered mail or certified mail,
return receipt requested and postage prepaid; or if sent by overnight
express delivery to the addresses set forth in the Acquisition Agreement or
such other addresses and facsimile numbers as shall be furnished in writing
by any party in the manner for giving notices hereunder, and any such
notice, demand, request, or other communication shall be deemed to have
been given as of the date so delivered or sent by facsimile transmission,
three days after the date so mailed, or one day after the date so sent by
overnight delivery.
(c) Attorney's Fees. In the event that any party institutes
any action or suit to enforce this Agreement or to secure relief from any
default hereunder or breach hereof, the breaching party or parties shall
reimburse the nonbreaching party or parties for all costs, including
reasonable attorney's fees, incurred in connection therewith and in
enforcing or collecting any judgment rendered therein.
(d) Knowledge. Whenever any representation is made to the
"knowledge" of any party, it shall be deemed to be a representation that no
officer or director of such party, after reasonable investigation, has any
knowledge of such matters.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Indemnity and the Acquisition
Agreement, together with the documents to be delivered pursuant hereto,
represent the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject
matter hereof. There are no other courses of dealing, understanding,
agreements, representations, or warranties, written or oral, except as set
forth herein.
(f) Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements contained herein shall be perpetual and shall survive the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement.
(g) Counterparts. This Indemnity may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
taken together shall be but a single instrument.
(h) Waiver. Every right and remedy provided herein shall be
cumulative with every other right and remedy, whether conferred herein, at
law, or in equity, and may be enforced concurrently herewith, and no waiver
by any party of the performance of any obligation by the other shall be
construed as a waiver of the same or any other default then, theretofore,
or thereafter occurring or existing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed as of the date first above written.
ENERGY RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY LAND,
INC.
By___________________________________
Joseph L. Fox, President
STATE OF COLORADO )
:ss
COUNTY OF _______________ )
On this _______ day of __________________, 2000, before me the
undersigned authority, personally appeared Joseph L. Fox, known to me to be
the president of Energy Resources Technology Land, Inc., and acknowledged
to me that the above instrument was signed by him.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
_______________________________________
Notary Public
Appendix C
PLAN OF MERGER
THIS PLAN OF MERGER, dated June ____, 2000, is made and entered into
by and between NPC Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("NPC"), and The
New Paraho Corporation, a Colorado corporation ("Paraho"). NPC is
sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Surviving Corporation," and
Paraho is sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Constituent
Corporation."
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Paraho is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the state of Colorado, having an authorized capital of 75,000,000
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock of
Paraho"), of which 50,772,982 shares are issued and outstanding as of the
date hereof; and
WHEREAS, NPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under the
laws of the state of Nevada, having an authorized capital of 100,000,000
shares of common stock, par value $0.001 (the "Common Stock of NPC"), of
which 1,000 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof; and
WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of Paraho and NPC have
each duly approved this Plan of Merger (the "Plan") providing for the
merger of Paraho with and into NPC with NPC as the surviving corporation as
authorized by the statutes of the states of Nevada and Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Paraho owns all the issued and outstanding voting securities
of NPC;
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the foregoing premises and in consideration
of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and for the
purpose of setting forth the terms and conditions of said merger and the
manner and basis of causing the shares of Common Stock of Paraho to be
converted into shares of Common Stock of NPC and such other provisions as
are deemed necessary or desirable, the parties hereto have agreed and do
hereby agree, subject to the approval and adoption of this Plan by the
requisite vote of the stockholders of the Constituent Corporation, and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, as follows:
ARTICLE I
MERGER AND NAME OF SURVIVING CORPORATION
On the effective date of the merger, Paraho shall cease to exist
separately and NPC shall be merged with and into NPC, which is hereby
designated as the "Surviving Corporation," the name of which on and after
the effective date of the merger shall be "NPC Holdings, Inc." or such
other name as may be available and to which the parties may agree.
ARTICLE II
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF MERGER
The terms and conditions of the merger are (in addition to those set
forth elsewhere in this Plan) as follows:
(a) On the effective date of the merger:
(i) Paraho shall be merged into NPC to form a single
corporation and NPC shall be, and is designated herein as,
the Surviving Corporation;
(ii) The separate existence of Paraho shall cease;
(iii) The Surviving Corporation shall have all the
rights, privileges, immunities, and powers and shall be
subject to all duties and liabilities of a corporation
organized under the laws of Nevada; and
(iv) The surviving Corporation shall thereupon and
thereafter possess all the rights, privileges, immunities,
and franchises, of a public as well as of a private nature,
of the Constituent Corporation; and all property, real,
personal, and mixed, and all debts due of whatever account,
including subscriptions to shares, and all other causes of
action, and all and every other interest, of or belonging to
or due to the Constituent Corporation, shall be taken and
deemed to be transferred to and vested in the Surviving
Corporation without further act or deed; the title to any
real estate, or any interest therein, vested in the
Constituent Corporation shall not revert or be in any way
impaired by reason of the merger; the Surviving Corporation
shall thenceforth be responsible and liable for all the
liabilities and obligations of the Constituent Corporation;
any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or
against the Constituent Corporation may be prosecuted as if
the merger had not taken place, or the Surviving Corporation
may be substituted in place of the Constituent Corporation;
and neither the rights of creditors nor any liens on the
property of the Constituent Corporation shall be impaired by
the merger.
(b) On the effective date of the merger, the board of directors
of the Surviving Corporation and the members thereof, shall be
and consist of the members of the board of directors of Paraho
immediately prior to the merger, to serve thereafter in
accordance with the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation and until
their respective successors shall have been duly elected and
qualified in accordance with such bylaws and the laws of the
state of Nevada.
(c) On the effective date of the merger, the officers of the
Surviving Corporation shall be and consist of the officers of
Paraho immediately prior to the merger, such officers to serve
thereafter in accordance with the bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation and until their respective successors shall have been
duly elected and qualified in accordance with such bylaws and the
laws of the state of Nevada.
If on the effective date of the merger, a vacancy shall exist in the
board of directors or in any of the offices of the Surviving Corporation,
such vacancy may be filled in the manner provided in the bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation and the laws of the state of Nevada.
ARTICLE III
MANNER AND BASIS OF CONVERTING SHARES
The manner and basis of converting the shares of Common Stock of
Paraho into shares of the Common Stock of NPC, and the mode of carrying the
merger into effect are as follows:
(a) Each one share of Common Stock of Paraho outstanding on the
effective date of the merger shall, without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, be converted into one fully paid and
nonassessable share of Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation,
so that the 50,772,982 outstanding shares of Paraho are
converted into an aggregate of 50,772,982 shares of NPC, which
shall be, on conversion, validly issued and outstanding, fully
paid, and nonassessable, and shall not be liable to any further
call, nor shall the holder thereof be liable for any further
payment with respect thereto. Until so surrendered, each such
outstanding certificate of Paraho which, prior to the effective
date of the merger, represented shares of the Common Stock of
Paraho shall for all purposes evidence the ownership of the
shares of Common Stock of NPC into which such shares shall have
been converted. NPC shall not issue any fractional interest in
shares of Common Stock of NPC in connection with the aforesaid
conversion and the number of shares of NPC to which Paraho shares
will be converted shall be rounded to the nearest whole number of
shares.
(c) All shares of Common Stock of NPC into which shares of the
Common Stock of Paraho shall have been converted pursuant to this
Article III shall be issued in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to the shares of Common Stock of Paraho.
(d) If any certificate for shares of Common Stock of NPC is to
be issued in a name other than that in which the certificate
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a
condition of the issuance thereof that the certificate so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper
form for transfer and that the person requesting such exchange
pay to NPC or any agent designated by it any transfer or other
taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for
shares of Common Stock of NPC in any name other than that of the
registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or establish to
the satisfaction of NPC and or any agent designated by it that
such tax has been paid or is not payable.
ARTICLE IV
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
1. The articles of incorporation of NPC shall, on the merger
becoming effective, be and constitute the articles of incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation unless and until amended in the manner provided by
law.
2. The bylaws of NPC shall, on the merger becoming effective, be and
constitute the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until amended in the
manner provided by law.
ARTICLE V
OTHER PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO MERGER
This Plan shall be submitted to a vote of shareholders of Paraho and
NPC as provided by the laws of the states of Colorado and Nevada. After the
approval or adoption thereof by the shareholders of Paraho and NPC in
accordance with the requirements of the laws of the states of Colorado and
Nevada, all required documents shall be executed, filed, and recorded in
accordance with all requirements of the states of Colorado and Nevada.
ARTICLE VI
APPROVAL AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE MERGER; MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
1. In order to aid the parties in establishing a date certain for
effectiveness of the merger for accounting and other purposes, the merger
shall be deemed to have become effective as of June ____, 2000, subject to
performance of the following:
(a) This Plan shall be authorized, adopted, and approved on
behalf of the Constituent Corporation and the Surviving
Corporation in accordance with the laws of the states of Colorado
and Nevada; and
(b) Articles of Merger (with this Plan attached as part
thereof), setting forth the information required by, and executed
and certified in accordance with, the laws of the states of
Colorado and Nevada, shall be filed in the office of the
secretary of state of the states of Colorado and Nevada and each
secretary of state shall have issued a certificate of merger
reflecting such filing.
2. If at any time the Surviving Corporation shall deem or be advised
that any further grants, assignments, confirmations, or assurances are
necessary or desirable to vest, perfect, or confirm title in the Surviving
Corporation, of record or otherwise, to any property of Paraho acquired or
to be acquired by, or as a result of, the merger, the officers and
directors of Paraho or any of them shall be severally and fully authorized
to execute and deliver any and all such deeds, assignments, confirmations,
and assurances and to do all things necessary or proper so as to best
prove, confirm, and ratify title to such property in the Surviving
Corporation and otherwise carry out the purposes of the merger and the
terms of this Plan.
3. For the convenience of the parties and to facilitate the filing
and recording of this Plan, any number of counterparts hereof may be
executed, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original
instrument and all such counterparts together shall be considered one
instrument.
4. This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the state of Nevada.
5. This Plan cannot be altered or amended except pursuant to an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Constituent Corporation has caused this Plan
of Merger to be executed, all as of the date first above written.
The New Paraho Corporation NPC Holdings, Inc.
a Colorado corporation a Nevada corporation
By:_______________________ By:_________________________
Appendix D
THE NEW PARAHO CORPORATION
LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1
GENERAL
1.1. Purpose. The _______________________, Long-Term Stock Incentive
Plan (the "Plan") has been established by ____________________________ (the
"Company") to (i) attract and retain persons eligible to participate in the
Plan; (ii) motivate Participants, by means of appropriate incentives, to
achieve long-range goals; (iii) provide incentive compensation
opportunities that are competitive with those of other similar companies;
and (iv) further identify Participants' interests with those of the
Company's other shareholders through compensation that is based on the
Company's common stock; and thereby promote the long-term financial
interest of the Company and the Subsidiaries, including the growth in value
of the Company's equity and enhancement of long-term shareholder return.
1.2. Participation. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan,
the Committee shall determine and designate, from time to time, from among
the Eligible Persons (including transferees of Eligible Persons to the
extent the transfer is permitted by the Plan and the applicable Award
Agreement), those persons who will be granted one or more Awards under the
Plan, and thereby become "Participants" in the Plan. In the discretion of
the Committee, a Participant may be granted any Award permitted under the
provisions of the Plan, and more than one Award may be granted to a
Participant. Awards may be granted as alternatives to or replacement of
awards outstanding under the Plan, or any other plan or arrangement of the
Company or a Subsidiary (including a plan or arrangement of a business or
entity, all or a portion of which is acquired by the Company or a
Subsidiary).
1.3. Operation, Administration, and Definitions. The operation and
administration of the Plan, including the Awards made under the Plan, shall
be subject to the provisions of Section 4 (relating to operation and
administration). Capitalized terms in the Plan shall be defined as set
forth in the Plan (including the definition provisions of Section 6 of the
Plan).
SECTION 2
OPTIONS AND SARS
2. 1. Definitions.
(a) The grant of an "Option" entitles the Participant to purchase shares
of Stock at an Exercise Price established by the Committee. Options
granted under this Section 2 may be either Incentive Stock Options
("ISOs") or Non-Qualified Options ("NQOs"), as determined in the
discretion of the Committee. An "ISO" is an Option that is intended
to satisfy the requirements applicable to an "incentive stock option"
described in section 422(b) of the Code. An "NQO" is an Option that
is not intended to be an "incentive stock option" as that term is
described in section 422(b) of the Code.
(b) A stock appreciation right (an "SAR") entities the Participant to
receive, in cash or Stock (as determined in accordance with subsection
2.5), value equal to (or otherwise based on) the excess of: (a) the
Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Stock at the time
of exercise; over (b) an Exercise Price established by the Committee.
2.2. Exercise Price. The "Exercise Price" of each Option and SAR
granted under this Section 2 shall be established by the Committee or shall
be determined by a method established by the Committee at the time the
Option or SAR is granted; except that the Exercise Price shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of
grant.
2.3. Exercise. An Option and an SAR shall be exercisable in
accordance with such terms and conditions and during such periods as may be
established by the Committee.
2.4. Payment of Option Exercise Price. The payment of the Exercise
Price of an Option granted under this Section 2 shall be subject to the
following:
(a) Subject to the following provisions of this subsection 2.4, the full
Exercise Price for shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise of any
Option shall be paid at the time of such exercise (except that, in the
case of an exercise arrangement approved by the Committee and
described in paragraph 2.4(c), payment may be made as soon as
practicable after the exercise).
(b) The Exercise Price shall be payable in cash or by tendering, by either
actual delivery of shares or by attestation, shares of Stock
acceptable to the Committee (including Shares deemed issued for
purposes of exercising a conversion right under an Award), and valued
at Fair Market Value as of the day of exercise, or in any combination
thereof, as determined by the Committee.
(c) The Committee may permit a Participant to elect to pay the Exercise
Price upon the exercise of an Option by irrevocably authorizing a
third party to sell shares of Stock (or a sufficient portion of the
shares) acquired upon exercise of the Option and remit to the Company
a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire Exercise
Price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise.
2.5. Settlement of Award. Shares of Stock delivered pursuant to the
exercise of an option or SAR shall be subject to such conditions,
restrictions and contingencies as the Committee may establish in the
applicable Award Agreement. Settlement of SARs may be made in shares of
Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value at the time of exercise), in cash,
or in a combination thereof, as determined in the discretion of the
Committee. The Committee, in its discretion, may impose such conditions,
restrictions and contingencies with respect to shares of Stock acquired
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or an SAR as the Committee determines
to be desirable.
SECTION 3
OTHER STOCK AWARDS
3.1. Definitions.
(a) A "Stock Unit" Award is the grant of a right to receive shares of
Stock in the future.
(b) A "Performance Share" Award is a grant of a right to receive shares of
Stock or Stock Units which is contingent on the achievement of
performance or other objectives during a specified period.
(c) A "Restricted Stock" Award is an grant of shares of Stock, and a
"Restricted Stock Unit" Award is the grant of a right to receive
shares of Stock in the future, with such shares of Stock or right to
future delivery of such shares of Stock subject to a risk of
forfeiture or other restrictions that will lapse upon the achievement
of one or more goals relating to completion of service by the
Participant, or achievement of performance or other objectives, as
determined by the Committee.
3.2. Restrictions on Stock Awards. Each Stock Unit Award, Restricted
Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award and Performance Share Award shall
be subject to the following:
(a) Any such Award shall be subject to such conditions, restrictions and
contingencies as the Committee shall determine. The Committee may
designate whether any such Award being granted to any Participant are
intended to be " performance-based compensation" as that term is used
in section 162(m) of the Code. Any such Awards designated as intended
to be "performance-based compensation" shall be conditioned on the
achievement of one or more Performance Measures. For Awards intended
to be "performance-based compensation," the grant of the Awards and
the establishment of the Performance Measures shall be made during the
period required under Code section 162(m). The "performance measures"
that may be used by the Committee for such Awards shall be based on
one or more of the following, as selected by the Committee:
(i) operating profits (including EBITDA), net profits,
earnings per share, profit returns and margins, revenues, shareholder
return and/or value, stock price, or working capital, which may be
measured on a Company, Subsidiary, or business unit basis; or
(ii) any one or more of the performance criteria set forth
in the preceding paragraph (i) measured on the basis of a relative
comparison of entity performance to the performance of a peer group of
entities or other external measure of the selected performance
criteria;
provided, that profit, earnings, and revenues used for any performance
measure shall exclude: gains or losses on operating asset sales or
dispositions; litigation or claim judgments or settlements; accruals
for historic environmental obligations; effect of changes in tax law
or rate on deferred tax liabilities; accruals for reorganization and
restructuring programs; uninsured catastrophic property losses; the
cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles; and any
extraordinary non-recurring items as described in Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 30.
SECTION 4
OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION
4.1. Effective Date. Subject to the approval of the shareholders of
the Company in the manner required by the laws of the state of Colorado,
the Plan shall be effective as of ____________, 2000 (the "Effective
Date"); provided, however, that to the extent that Awards are granted under
the Plan prior to its approval by shareholders, the Awards shall be
contingent on approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company. The
Plan shall be unlimited in duration and, in the event of Plan termination,
shall remain in effect as long as any Awards under it are outstanding;
provided, however, that, to the extent required by the Code, no ISO may be
granted under the Plan on a date that is more than ten years from the date
the Plan is adopted or, if earlier, the date the Plan is approved by
shareholders.
4.2. Shares Subject to Plan. The shares of Stock for which Awards may
be granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following:
(a) Subject to the following provisions of this subsection 4.2, the
maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered to
Participants and their beneficiaries under the Plan shall be 250,000.
(b) To the extent that any shares of Stock covered by an Award are not
delivered to a Participant or beneficiary because the Award is
forfeited or canceled, or the shares of Stock are not delivered
because the Award is settled in cash or used to satisfy the applicable
tax withholding obligation, such shares shall not be deemed to have
been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of
shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan.
(c) If the exercise price of any stock option granted under the Plan or
any Prior Plan is satisfied by tendering shares of Stock to the
Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number
of shares of Stock issued net of the shares of Stock tendered shall be
deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of
shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan.
(d) Subject to paragraph 4.2(e), the following additional maximums are
imposed under the Plan.
(i) The maximum number of shares of stock that may be issued by
Options intended to be ISOs shall be 250,000 shares.
(ii) The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued in
conjunction with Awards granted pursuant to Section 3 (relating to
Stock Awards) shall be 250,000 shares.
(iii) The maximum number of shares that may be covered by Awards
granted to any one individual pursuant to Section 2 (relating to
Options and SARs) shall be 50,000 shares during any one-calendar year
period.
(iv) No more than 50,000 shares of Stock may be subject to Stock Unit
awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards and
Performance Share Awards that are intended to be "performance-based
compensation" (as that term is used for purposes of Code section
162(m)) granted to any one individual during any one-calendar-year
period (regardless of when such shares are deliverable).
(e) In the event of a corporate transaction involving the Company
(including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split,
extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares),
the Committee may adjust Awards to preserve the benefits or potential
benefits of the Awards. Action by the Committee may include: (i)
adjustment of the number and kind of shares which may be delivered
under the Plan; (ii) adjustment of the number and kind of shares
subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) adjustment of the Exercise Price
of outstanding Options and SARs; and (iv) any other adjustments that
the Committee determines to be equitable.
4.3. General Restrictions. Delivery of shares of Stock or other
amounts under the Plan shall be subject to the following:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall
have no liability to deliver any shares of Stock under the Plan or
make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless such
delivery or distribution would comply with all applicable laws
(including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933), and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange
or similar entity.
(b) To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of stock
certificates to reflect the issuance of shares of Stock, the issuance
may be effected on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not
prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any stock
exchange.
4.4. Tax Withholding. All distributions under the Plan are subject to
withholding of all applicable taxes, and the Committee may condition the
delivery of any shares or other benefits under the Plan on satisfaction of
the applicable withholding obligations. The Committee, in its discretion,
and subject to such requirements as the Committee may impose prior to the
occurrence of such withholding, may permit such withholding obligations to
be satisfied through cash payment by the Participant, through the surrender
of shares of Stock which the Participant already owns, or through the
surrender of shares of Stock to which the Participant is otherwise entitled
under the Plan.
4.5. Use of Shares. Subject to the overall limitation on the number
of shares of Stock that may be delivered under the Plan, the Committee may
use available shares of Stock as the form of payment for compensation,
grants or rights earned or due under any other compensation plans or
arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary, including the plans and
arrangements of the Company or a Subsidiary assumed in business
combinations.
4.6. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. An Award (including without
limitation an Option or SAR Award) may provide the Participant with the
right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with
respect to Stock subject to the Award (both before and after the Stock
subject to the Award is earned, vested, or acquired), which payments may be
either made currently or credited to an account for the Participant, and
may be settled in cash or Stock as determined by the Committee. Any such
settlements, and any such crediting of dividends or dividend equivalents or
reinvestment in shares of Stock, may be subject to such conditions,
restrictions and contingencies as the Committee shall establish, including
the reinvestment of such credited amounts in Stock equivalents.
4.7. Payments. Awards may be settled through cash payments, the
delivery of shares of Stock, the granting of replacement Awards or
combination thereof as the Committee shall determine. Any Award
settlement, including payment deferrals, may be subject to such conditions,
restrictions and contingencies, as the Committee shall determine. The
Committee may permit or require the deferral of any Award payment, subject
to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include
provisions for the payment or crediting of interest, or dividend
equivalents, including converting such credits into deferred Stock
equivalents. Each Subsidiary shall be liable for payment of cash due under
the Plan with respect to any Participant to the extent that such benefits
are attributable to the services rendered for that Subsidiary by the
Participant. Any disputes relating to liability of a Subsidiary for cash
payments shall be resolved by the Committee.
4.8 Transferability. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee,
Awards under the Plan are not transferable except as designated by the
Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
4.9 Form and Time of Elections. Unless otherwise specified herein,
each election required or permitted to be made by any Participant or other
person entitled to benefits under the Plan, and any permitted modification,
or revocation thereof, shall be in writing filed with the Committee at such
times, in such form, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall require.
4.10 Agreement With Company. An Award under the Plan shall be subject
to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as the
Committee shall, in its sole discretion, prescribe. The terms and
conditions of any Award to any Participant shall be reflected in such form
of written document as is determined by the Committee. A copy of such
document shall be provided to the Participant, and the Committee may, but
need not require that the Participant shall sign a copy of such document.
Such document is referred to in the Plan as an "Award Agreement" regardless
of whether any Participant signature is required.
4.11 Action by Company or Subsidiary. Any action required or
permitted to be taken by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be by
resolution of its board of directors, or by action of one or more members
of the board (including a committee of the board) who are duly authorized
to act for the board, or (except to the extent prohibited by applicable law
or applicable rules of any stock exchange) by a duly authorized officer of
such company.
4.12. Gender and Number. Where the context admits, words in any gender
shall include any other gender, words in the singular shall include the
plural and the plural shall include the singular.
4.13. Limitation of Implied Rights.
(a) Neither a Participant nor any other person shall, by reason of
participation in the Plan, acquire any right in or title to any
assets, funds or property of the Company or any Subsidiary whatsoever,
including, without limitation, any specific funds, assets, or other
property which the Company or any Subsidiary, in their sole
discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a liability under the
Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to the Stock
or amounts, if any, payable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of
the Company or any Subsidiary, and nothing contained in the Plan shall
constitute a guarantee that the assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person.
(b) The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment, and selection
as a Participant will not give any participating person the right to
be retained in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary, nor any
right or claim to any benefit under the Plan, unless such right or
claim has specifically accrued under the terms of the Plan. Except as
otherwise provided in the Plan, no Award under the Plan shall confer
upon the holder thereof any rights as a shareholder of the Company
prior to the date on which the individual fulfills all conditions for
receipt of such rights.
4.14. Evidence. Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by
certificate, affidavit, document or other information, which the person
acting on it considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made or
presented by the proper party or parties.
SECTION 5
COMMITTEE
5.1. Administration. The authority to control and manage the
operation and administration of the Plan shall be vested in a committee
(the "Committee") in accordance with this Section 5. The Committee shall
be selected by the Board, and shall consist solely of one or more members
of the Board who are not employees. If the Committee does not exist, or
for any other reason determined by the Board, the Board may take any action
under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.
5.2. Powers of Committee. The Committee's administration of the Plan
shall be subject to the following:
(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have the
authority and discretion to select from among the Eligible Persons
those persons who shall receive Awards, to determine the time or times
of receipt, to determine the types of Awards and the number of shares
covered by the Awards, to establish the terms, conditions, performance
criteria, restrictions, and other provisions of such Awards, and
(subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6) to cancel or
suspend Awards.
(b) To the extent that the Committee determines that the restrictions
imposed by the Plan preclude the achievement of the material purposes
of the Awards in jurisdictions outside the United States, the
Committee will have the authority and discretion to modify those
restrictions as the Committee determines to be necessary or
appropriate to conform to applicable requirements or practices of
jurisdictions outside of the United States.
(c) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to interpret the
Plan, to establish, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of any
Award Agreement made pursuant to the Plan, and to make all other
determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan.
(d) Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision made
by it under the Plan is final and binding on all persons.
(e) In controlling and managing the operation and administration of the
Plan, the Committee shall take action in a manner that conforms to the
articles and by-laws of the Company, and applicable state corporate
law.
5.3. Delegation by Committee. Except to the extent prohibited by
applicable law or the applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee
may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any
one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its
responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any
such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.
5.4. Information to be Furnished to Committee. The Company and
Subsidiaries shall furnish the Committee with such data and information as
it determines may be required for it to discharge its duties. The records
of the Company and Subsidiaries as to a Participant's employment,
termination of employment, leave of absence, reemployment and compensation
shall be conclusive on all persons unless determined to be incorrect.
Participants and other persons entitled to benefits under the Plan must
furnish the Committee such evidence, data or information as the Committee
considers desirable to carry out the terms of the Plan.
SECTION 6
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Board may, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan, provided that
no amendment or termination may, in the absence of written consent to the
change by the affected Participant (or, if the Participant is not then
living, the affected beneficiary), adversely affect the rights of any
Participant or beneficiary under any Award granted under the Plan prior to
the date such amendment is adopted by the Board; provided that adjustments
pursuant to subsection 4.2(e) shall not be subject to the foregoing
limitations of this Section 6.
SECTION 7
DEFINED TERMS
In addition to the other definitions contained herein, the following
definitions shall apply:
(a) Award. The term "Award" shall mean any award or benefit granted under
the Plan, including, without limitation, the grant of Options, SARs,
Stock Unit Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit
Awards and Performance Share Awards.
(b) Board. The term "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company.
(c) Code. The term "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. A reference to any provision of the Code shall include
reference to any successor provision of the Code.
(d) Eligible Person. The term "Eligible Person" shall mean any director,
officer, employee or consultant of the Company or a Subsidiary. An
Award may be granted to a person in connection with hiring, retention
or otherwise prior to the date the person first performs services for
the Company or the Subsidiaries, provided that such Award shall not
become vested prior to the date the person first performs such
services.
(e) Fair Market Value. For purposes of determining the "Fair Market
Value" of a share of Stock as of any date, the following rules shall
apply:
(i) If the principal market for the Stock is a national securities
exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, then the "Fair Market Value" as
of that date shall be the mean between the lowest and highest reported
sale prices of the Stock on that date on the principal exchange which
the Stock is then listed or admitted to trading.
(ii) If sale prices are not available or if the principal market for
the Stock is not a national securities exchange and the Stock is not
quoted on the NASDAQ stock market, the average between the highest bid
and lowest asked prices for the Stock on such day as reported on the
NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board Service or by the National Quotation Bureau,
Incorporated or a comparable service.
(iii) If the day is not a business day, and as a result,
paragraphs (i) and (ii) above are inapplicable, the Fair Market Value
of the Stock shall be determined as of the last preceding business
day. If paragraphs (i) and (ii) above are otherwise inapplicable,
then the Fair Market Value of the Stock shall be determined in good
faith by the Committee.
(f) Subsidiaries. The term "Subsidiary" means any company during any
period in which it is a "subsidiary corporation" (as that term is
defined in Code section 424(f)) with respect to the Company.
(g) Stock. The term "Stock" shall mean shares of common stock of the
Company.
Appendix E
<TABLE>
THE NEW PARAHO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>
PROFORMA
ASSETS March 31, March 31, June 30,
2000 2000 1999
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current Assets:
Cash $ 6,221 $0 $60,746
Accounts Receivable 0 0 11,000
Note Receivable (Note 2) 0 0 0
Interest Receivable 0 0 0
Prepaid Expenses and other 4,781 0 9,771
Inventory 0 0 0
------ ---- ------
Total Current Assets 11,022 0 81,517
Supplies 12,044 0 12,044
Plant, Furniture and Equipment,
at cost (net of accumulated
depreciation) 614 0 614
Mineral Properties 40,525 0 40,525
Patent, at cost (net of
accumulated amortization) 26,392 0 28,489
Other Assets 27,000 0 27,000
------- ---- -------
Total Assets $117,577 $ 0 $190,189
Continued on the following page
THE NEW PARAHO CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
-Continued from previous page-
PROFORMA
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER' EQUITY March 31, March 31, June 30,
2000 2000 1999
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable $23,462 $0 $ 23,511
Accrued Liabilities 5,810 0 2,000
Reclamation Liability 100,000 0 100,000
------- --- -------
Total Current Liabilities 129,272 0 125,511
Long Term Liabilities:
Note Payable (Note 3) 865,596 0 865,596
Shareholder's Equity:
Common Stock - $ .01 par value,
authorized 75,000,000 shares;
issued 50,980,400; outstanding
50,772,982 507,730 507,730 507,730
Par value of common stock issued
In excess of the fair market
value of assets acquired (352,648) (352,648) (352,648)
Retained earnings (1,032,37) (155,082) (956,000)
-------- ------- --------
Total shareholders' equity (deficit) (877,291) 0 (800,918)
------- ------- --------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $117,577 $0 $ 190,189
[Proxy Form Appendix]
The New Paraho Corporation
Suite 104, 5387 Manhattan Circle
Boulder, Colorado 80303
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints __________________ and
________________ as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute,
and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated
below, all the shares of Common Stock of The New Paraho Corporation (the
"Company") held of record by the undersigned on ______________ 2000, at the
Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June ___, 2000, and at any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
Proposal No. 1 To transfer all or substantially all of the Company's assets
to Shale Technologies, L.L.C.
[] For [] Against [] Abstain
Proposal No. 2 The election of each of the following persons as directors
of the Company; Kelly H. Adams, Pete R. Falvo and Christopher J. Nielsen
(1) Kelly H. Adams (2) Pete R. Falvo (3) Christopher J. Nielsen
[] For all nominees
[] Withhold all nominees
[] Withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee. Write
number(s) of nominee(s) ____
Proposal No. 3 Approve the plan of merger to effect a change of domicile
from Colorado to Nevada and change the capitalization from 75,000,000 shares
of common stock, par value $.01 to 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par
value $.001.
[] For [] Against [] Abstain
Proposal No. 4 Approve change of the Company's corporate name to "NPC
Holdings, Inc." by amending Articles of Incorporation
[] For [] Against [] Abstain
Proposal No. 5 To approve the Company's Stock Incentive Plan
[] For [] Against [] Abstain
Proposal No. 6 Approval of all other matters by the persons named in
the proxies in accordance with their Judgment
[] For [] Against [] Abstain
Note: The proxies are authorized to vote in accordance with their judgment
on any matters other than those referred to herein that are properly
presented for consideration and action at the Special Meeting.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is given, this
proxy will be voted for Proposal No.'s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
All other proxies heretofore given by the undersigned to vote shares of
stock of the Company, which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if
personally present at the Special Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof, are hereby expressly revoked.
Dated:_____________, 2000
________________________________
________________________________
Please sign it exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership
name by an authorized officer or person.
Please mark, sign, date and promptly return the proxy card. If your
address is incorrectly shown, please print changes.
</TABLE>
