<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 1998
Registration No.
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================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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THE ELDER-BEERMAN STORES CORP.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Ohio 31-0271980
- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
3155 El-Bee Road, Dayton, Ohio 45439
- --------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
THE ELDER-BEERMAN STORES CORP.
EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Full Title of the Plans)
SCOTT J. DAVIDO, ESQ.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp.
3155 El-Bee Road
Dayton, Ohio 45439
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(Name and Address of Agent For Service)
(937) 296-2700
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(Telephone Number, Including Are Code, of Agent For Service)
<TABLE>
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
========================================================================================================================
PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF SECURITIES TO OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
BE REGISTERED AMOUNT TO BE REGISTERED SHARE (1) PRICE (1) REGISTRATION FEE (1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock,
without par value 2,250,000 $20.625 $46,406,250 $13,689.84
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Calculated in accordance with Rules 457(h)(1) and 457(c),
based on the average of the high and low sales prices reported
on the Nasdaq National Market System on March 17, 1998.
<PAGE> 2
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
The information called for by Part I of this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") is included in the description of The
Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the "Plan") to
be delivered to persons eligible to participate in the Plan. Pursuant to the
Note to Part I of Form S-8, this information is not being filed with or included
in this Registration Statement.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The following documents filed by The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. (the
"Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated in this
Registration Statement by reference:
(a) the Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 (Commission
File No. 0-2788) filed on November 26, 1997, as amended by
Form 10/A-1 on January 23, 1998 and Form 10/A-2 on February
12, 1998 (the "Form 10");
(b) the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 29,
1998; and
(c) description of the Common Stock of the Company contained in
the Form 10, including any amendment filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to
the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part
thereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement made in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which is also
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
The validity of the Company's Common Stock to be issued in connection
with the Registration Statement will be passed upon by Scott J. Davido, Esq.,
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Davido
has options to purchase 21,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Division (E) of Section 1701.13 of the Ohio General Corporation Law
governs indemnification by a corporation and provides as follows:
(E) (1) A corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any
person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to
any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding,
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whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than
an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact
that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as
a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of
another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a
limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or
proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if
he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person
did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause
to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(2) A corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any
person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to
any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right
of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as
a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of
another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a
limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or
other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees, actually
and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be
made in respect of any of the following:
(a) Any claim, issue, or matter as to which such
person is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct
in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless, and
only to the extent that, the court of common pleas or the
court in which such action or suit was brought determines,
upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability,
but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person
is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses as the court of common pleas or such other court
shall deem proper;
(b) Any action or suit in which the only liability
asserted against a director is pursuant to section 1701.95 of
the Revised Code.
(3) To the extent that a director, trustee, officer, employee,
member, manager, or agent has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in
division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, or in defense of any claim,
issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses,
including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with the action, suit, or proceeding.
(4) Any indemnification under division (E)(1) or (2) of this
section, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation
only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, trustee, officer, employee, member,
manager, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in division (E)(1) or (2) of
this section. Such determination shall be made as follows:
(a) By a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
directors of the indemnifying corporation who were not and are
not parties to or threatened by the action, suit, or
proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this
section;
(b) If the quorum described in division (E)(4)(a) of
this section is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a
quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written
opinion by independent legal counsel other than an attorney,
or a firm having associated with it an attorney,
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who has been retained by or who has performed services for the
corporation or any person to be indemnified within the past
five years;
(c) By the shareholders; or
(d) By the court of common pleas or the court in
which such action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division
(E)(1) or (2) of this section was brought.
Any determination made by the disinterested directors under division
(E)(4)(a) or by independent legal counsel under division (E)(4)(b) of this
section shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or brought
the action or suit by or in the right of the corporation under division (E)(2)
of this section, and, within ten days after receipt of such notification, such
person shall have the right to petition the court of common pleas or the court
in which such action or suit was brought to review the reasonableness of such
determination.
(5) (a) Unless at the time of a director's act or omission
that is the subject of an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in
division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, the articles or the regulations
of a corporation state, by specific reference to this division, that
the provisions of this division do not apply to the corporation and
unless the only liability asserted against a director in an action,
suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this
section is pursuant to section 1701.95 of the Revised Code, expenses,
including attorney's fees, incurred by a director in defending the
action, suit, or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation as they
are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit,
or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
director in which he agrees to both of the following:
(i) Repay such amount if it is proved by
clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent
jurisdiction that his action or failure to act
involved an act or omission undertaken with
deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation
or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best
interests of the corporation;
(ii) Reasonably cooperate with the
corporation concerning the action, suit, or
proceeding.
(b) Expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by
a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or
agent in defending any action, suit, or proceeding referred to
in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, may be paid by the
corporation as they are incurred, in advance of the final
disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, as authorized
by the directors in the specific case, upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the director, trustee, officer,
employee, member, manager, or agent to repay such amount, if
it ultimately is determined that he is not entitled to be
indemnified by the corporation.
(6) The indemnification authorized by this section shall not
be exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any other rights granted
to those seeking indemnification under the articles, the regulations,
any agreement, a vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or
otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to
action in another capacity while holding their offices or positions,
and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a
person.
(7) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or
furnish similar protection, including, but not limited to, trust funds,
letters of credit, or self-insurance, on behalf of or for any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as
a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of
another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a
limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or
other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as
such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify
him against such liability under this section. Insurance may be
purchased from or maintained with a person in which the corporation has
a financial interest.
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(8) The authority of a corporation to indemnify persons
pursuant to division (E)(1) or (2) of this section does not limit the
payment of expenses as they are incurred, indemnification, insurance,
or other protection that may be provided pursuant to divisions (E)(5),
(6), and (7) of this section. Divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section
do not create any obligation to repay or return payments made by the
corporation pursuant to division (E)(5), (6), or (7).
(9) As used in division (E) of this section, "corporation"
includes all constituent entities in a consolidation or merger and the
new or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee, trustee, member, manager, or agent of such
a constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such
constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member,
manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign,
nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership,
joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same
position under this section with respect to the new or surviving
corporation as he would if he had served the new or surviving
corporation in the same capacity.
Section 29 of the Company's Amended Code of Regulations governs
indemnification by the Company and provides as follows:
29. INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation shall indemnify, to the
full extent then permitted by law, any person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or
was a member of the Board of Directors or an officer of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as
a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise. The Corporation shall pay, to the full extent then required
by law, expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a member of
the Board of Directors in defending any such action, suit or proceeding
as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition thereof, and
may pay, in the same manner and to the full extent then permitted by
law, such expenses incurred by any other person. The indemnification
and payment of expenses provided hereby shall not be exclusive of, and
shall be in addition to, any other rights granted to those seeking
indemnification under any law, the Amended Articles of Incorporation,
any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested members of the
Board of Directors, or otherwise, both as to action in official
capacities and as to action in another capacity while he or she is a
member of the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation, and
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a member of the
Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation or as to a person
who has served at the request of the Corporation as a director,
trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of
such persons.
In addition, the Company has purchased insurance coverage that will
insure directors and officers against certain liabilities that might be incurred
by them in such capacity.
The Company has also entered into indemnification agreements with
certain directors and executive officers.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.*
4(a) Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Form 10 of the Company (Commission
File No. 0-2788) (the "Form 10"))
4(b) Amended Code of Regulations of the Company (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3(b) to the Form 10)
4(c) The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. Equity and Performance Incentive Plan
5 Legal Opinion of Scott J. Davido, Esq., Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of the Company
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23(a) Independent Auditors' Consent
23(b) Consent of Scott J. Davido, Esq. (set forth in the opinion filed as
Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement)
24 Power of Attorney of certain directors and executive officers of the
Company
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* In lieu of an opinion of counsel concerning compliance with the
requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and an Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") determination letter
that the Plan is qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, the Company hereby undertakes to submit the
Plan and any amendments thereto to the IRS in a timely manner and will
make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales
are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by
Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or
events arising after the effective date of
the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof)
which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar
value of securities offered would not exceed
that which was registered) and any deviation
from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in
the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20% change in
the maximum aggregate offering price set
forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration
statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
(a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement
is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall
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<PAGE> 7
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Dayton, State of Ohio, on the 16th day of March,
1998.
THE ELDER-BEERMAN STORES CORP.
By: /s/ Scott J. Davido
----------------------------------
Scott J. Davido, Esq.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement on Form S-8 has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on March 16, 1998.
<TABLE>
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Signature Title
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<S> <C>
* Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
- -------------------------------------- Officer
Frederick J. Mershad (Principal Executive Officer)
* President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial
- -------------------------------------- Officer; Director
John A. Muskovich (Principal Financial Officer)
* Senior Vice President, Controller
- -------------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer)
Steven D. Lipton
* Director
- --------------------------------------
Thomas J. Noonan, Jr.
* Director
- --------------------------------------
Bernard Olsoff
* Director
- --------------------------------------
Laura H. Pomerantz
* Director
- --------------------------------------
Stewart M. Kasen
* Director
- --------------------------------------
John J. Wiesner
* Director
- --------------------------------------
Steven C. Mason
* Director
- --------------------------------------
Jack A. Staph
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 9
* The undersigned, pursuant to certain Powers of Attorney executed by
each of the directors and officers noted above and previously filed or
filed herewith contemporaneously with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign and execute
this Registration Statement on Form S-8 on behalf of each of the
persons noted above, in the capacities indicated.
Dated: March 16, 1998 By: /s/ Scott J. Davido
---------------------------------
Scott J. Davido, Esq.
Attorney-in-Fact
EXHIBIT INDEX
4(a) Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the Form 10 of the Company (Commission
File No. 0-2788) (the "Form 10"))
4(b) Amended Code of Regulations of the Company (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3(b) to the Form 10)
4(c) The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. Equity and Performance Incentive Plan
5 Legal Opinion of Scott J. Davido, Esq., Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of the Company
23(a) Independent Auditors' Consent
23(b) Consent of Scott J. Davido, Esq. (set forth in the opinion filed as
Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement)
24 Power of Attorney of certain directors and executive officers of the
Company
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4(c)
THE ELDER-BEERMAN STORES CORP.
EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
(Effective December 30, 1997)
<PAGE> 2
THE ELDER-BEERMAN STORES CORP.
EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
(Effective December 30, 1997)
<TABLE>
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Table of Contents
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Page
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ARTICLE I: Purpose and Definitions.........................................................................1
1.1 Purpose.........................................................................................1
1.2 Effective Date..................................................................................1
1.3 Definitions.....................................................................................1
ARTICLE II: Shares Available Under the Plan.................................................................4
2.1 Shares Available Under the Plan.................................................................4
ARTICLE III: Long-Term Incentive Awards......................................................................4
3.1 Purpose.........................................................................................4
3.2 Option Rights...................................................................................5
3.3 Appreciation Rights.............................................................................6
3.4 Restricted Shares...............................................................................7
3.5 Deferred Shares.................................................................................7
3.6 Performance Shares and Performance Units........................................................8
3.7 Transferability.................................................................................8
3.8 Participation by Employees of a Designated Subsidiary...........................................9
3.9 Awards on the Effective Date....................................................................9
ARTICLE IV: Awards to Non-Employee Directors................................................................9
4.1 Purpose.........................................................................................9
4.2 Awards to Non-Employee Directors................................................................9
4.3 Awards on the Effective Date....................................................................9
ARTICLE V: Annual Incentive Awards.........................................................................9
5.1 Purpose.........................................................................................9
5.2 Definitions....................................................................................10
5.3 Eligibility for Annual Incentive Award.........................................................10
5.4 Annual Incentive Awards........................................................................10
5.5 Deferral Election..............................................................................10
5.6 Grants of Restricted Shares....................................................................10
5.7 Retirement, Disability, Death, Termination of Employment, Change of Ownership..................10
5.8 Administration.................................................................................11
5.9 Claims Procedure...............................................................................11
ARTICLE VI: Administration; General Provisions.............................................................11
6.1 Adjustments....................................................................................11
6.2 Fractional Shares..............................................................................11
6.3 Withholding Taxes..............................................................................12
6.4 Administration of the Plan.....................................................................12
6.5 Amendments, Etc................................................................................12
6.6 Termination....................................................................................13
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 3
THE ELDER-BEERMAN STORES CORP.
EQUITY AND PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
Purpose and Definitions
-----------------------
1.1 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Equity and Performance Incentive Plan
(the "Plan") is to attract and retain directors, officers and key employees for
The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. (the "Corporation") and its Subsidiaries and to
provide to such persons incentives and rewards for superior performance.
1.2 EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan will be effective on the confirmation date
of the Joint Plan of Reorganization of The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. and its
Subsidiaries (the "Joint Plan of Reorganization"). As of the date the Plan
becomes effective, the Plan will be deemed authorized and approved in all
respects and for all purposes, as provided in the Joint Plan of Reorganization,
without any requirements of further action by any shareholders or directors of
The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp.
1.3 DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan,
"Appreciation Right" means a right granted pursuant to Section
3.3 of the Plan, and includes both Tandem Appreciation Rights and Free-Standing
Appreciation Rights.
"Bankruptcy Code" means 11 U.S.C. sections 101-1330.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation and, to
the extent of any delegation by the Board to a committee (or subcommittee
thereof) pursuant to Section 6.5 of the Plan, such committee (or subcommittee
thereof).
"Change of Ownership" means any of the following events:
(a) The sale to any purchaser unaffiliated with the Corporation
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation;
(b) The sale, distribution, or accumulation of more than 50% of
the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation to/by any acquiror or group of
affiliated acquirors that are unaffiliated with the Corporation;
(c) Individuals who, on the completion of the Corporation's
chapter 11 reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code, constitute the Board of
Directors (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director
subsequent to such completion whose election or nomination for election was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the
Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the
Corporation in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without
objection to such nomination) will be an Incumbent Director; provided, however,
that no individual elected or nominated as a director of the Corporation
initially as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect
to directors or any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board will be deemed to be
an Incumbent Director; or
(d) The merger or consolidation of the Corporation with another
entity (as such term is defined in section 101(16) of the Bankruptcy Code) (an
"Entity") unaffiliated with the Corporation if, immediately after such merger or
consolidation, less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding securities of such Entity are held, directly or indirectly, in the
aggregate by the holders immediately prior to such transaction of the then
outstanding securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors.
(e) In no event may "Change of Ownership" be construed to include
any change of control of the Corporation or any Subsidiary that occurs solely as
a result of any exchange or distribution of equity securities of the
<PAGE> 4
Corporation or any Subsidiary upon consummation of a plan of reorganization for
the Corporation or any Subsidiary in its chapter 11 case.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.
"Committee" means the committee described in Section 6.4.
"Common Shares" means shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per
share, of the Corporation or any security into which such Common Shares may be
changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section
6.1 of the Plan.
"Covered Employee" means a Participant who is, or is determined
by the Board to be likely to become, a "covered employee" within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision).
"Date of Grant" means the date specified by the Board on which a
grant of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares or Performance
Units or a grant or sale of Restricted Shares or Deferred Shares will become
effective (which date may not be earlier than the date on which the Board takes
action with respect thereto) and may also include the date on which a grant of
Option Rights to a Non-Employee Director becomes effective pursuant to Section
4.2 of the Plan.
"Deferral Period" means the period of time during which Deferred
Shares are subject to deferral limitations under Section 3.5 of the Plan.
"Deferred Shares" means an award made pursuant to Section 3.5 of
the Plan of the right to receive Common Shares or cash in lieu thereof at the
end of a specified Deferral Period.
"Designated Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary that is (i) not a
corporation or (ii) a corporation in which at the time the Corporation owns or
controls, directly or indirectly, less than 80% of the total combined voting
power represented by all classes of stock issued by such corporation.
"Exercise Right" means the price payable upon exercise of a
Free-Standing Appreciation Right.
"Free-Standing Appreciation Right" means an Appreciation Right
not granted in tandem with an Option Right.
"Incentive Stock Options" means Option Rights that are intended
to qualify as "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code or any
successor provision.
"Market Value per Share" means, as of any particular date, the
fair market value of the Common Shares as determined by the Board, except that,
with respect to options granted pursuant to Section 3.9, Market Value per Share
will be $10.89 per share.
"Non-Employee Director" means a Director of the Corporation who
is not an employee of the Corporation or any Subsidiary.
"Optionee" means the optionee named in an agreement evidencing an
outstanding Option Right.
"Option Price" means the purchase price payable on exercise of an
Option Right.
"Option Right" means the right to purchase Common Shares upon
exercise of an option granted pursuant to Section 3.2 or Section 4.2 of the
Plan.
"Participant" means a person who is selected by the Board to
receive benefits under the Plan and who is at the time an officer, or other key
employee of the Corporation or any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or who has
agreed to commence serving in any of such capacities within 90 days of the Date
of Grant, and also includes each Non-Employee
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Director who receives an award of Option Rights pursuant to Section 4.2 of the
Plan; provided, however, that for purposes of Articles III and V of the Plan,
Participant does not include such Non-Employee Director.
"Performance Objectives" means the measurable performance
objective or objectives established pursuant to the Plan for Participants who
have received grants of Performance Shares or Performance Units or, when so
determined by the Board, Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares
and dividend credits pursuant to the Plan. Performance Objectives may be
described in terms of Corporation-wide objectives and/or objectives that are
related to the performance of the individual Participant or of the Subsidiary,
division, department, region, store or function within the Corporation or
Subsidiary in which the Participant is employed. The Performance Objectives may
be made relative to the performance of other corporations. The Performance
Objectives applicable to any award to a Covered Employee will be based on
specified levels of or growth in one or more of the following criteria:
1. earnings;
2. earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and
amortization;
3. earnings per share (earnings per share will be calculated
without regard to any change in accounting standards that
may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board
after the goal is established);
4. share price;
5. total shareholder return;
6. return on invested capital, equity, or assets;
7. operating earnings;
8. sales growth.
Except where a modification would result in an award no longer
qualifying as performance based compensation within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code, if the Board determines that a change in the business,
operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Corporation, or the
manner in which it conducts its business, or other events or circumstances
render the Performance Objectives unsuitable, the Board may in its discretion
modify such Performance Objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of
achievement, in whole or in part, as the Board deems appropriate and equitable.
"Performance Period" means, in respect of a Performance Share or
Performance Unit, a period of time established pursuant to Section 3.6 of the
Plan within which the Performance Objectives relating to such Performance Share
or Performance Unit are to be achieved.
"Performance Share" means a bookkeeping entry that records the
equivalent of one Common Share awarded pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Plan.
"Performance Unit" means a bookkeeping entry that records a unit
equivalent to $1.00 awarded pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Plan.
"Reload Option Rights" means additional Option Rights granted
automatically to an Optionee upon the exercise of Option Rights pursuant to
Section 3.2(g) of the Plan.
"Restricted Shares" means Common Shares granted or sold pursuant
to Section 3.4 or Section 4.2 of the Plan as to which neither the substantial
risk of forfeiture nor the prohibition on transfers referred to in Section 3.4
of the Plan has expired.
"Spread" means the excess of the Market Value per Share on the
date when an Appreciation Right is exercised, or on the date when Option Rights
are surrendered in payment of the Option Price of other Option Rights, over the
Option Price provided for in the related Option Right or Free-Standing
Appreciation Right, respectively.
"Subsidiary" means a corporation, company or other entity (i)
more than 50% of whose outstanding shares or securities (representing the right
to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, or (ii)
which does not have outstanding shares or securities (as may be the case in a
partnership, joint venture or unincorporated association), but more than 50% of
whose ownership interest representing the right generally to make decisions for
such other entity is, now or hereafter, owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by the Corporation, except that for purposes of determining
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whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive
Stock Options, "Subsidiary" means any corporation in which at the time the
Corporation owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total
combined voting power represented by all classes of stock issued by such
corporation.
"Tandem Appreciation Right" means an Appreciation Right granted
in tandem with an Option Right.
"Voting Shares" means at any time the then-outstanding securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Corporation.
ARTICLE II
Shares Available Under the Plan
-------------------------------
2.1 SHARES AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN. (a) Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 6.1 of the Plan, the number of Common Shares that may be
issued or transferred (i) upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation
Rights, (ii) as Restricted Shares and released from substantial risks of
forfeiture thereof, (iii) as Deferred Shares, (iv) in payment of Performance
Shares or Performance Units that have been earned, (v) as awards to Non-Employee
Directors or (vi) in payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards
made under the Plan may not exceed in the aggregate 2,250,000 shares plus any
shares relating to awards that expire or are forfeited or canceled. Such shares
may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the
foregoing. Upon the payment of any Option Price by the transfer to the
Corporation of Common Shares or upon satisfaction of any withholding amount by
means of transfer or relinquishment of Common Shares, there will be deemed to
have been issued or transferred under the Plan only the net number of Common
Shares actually issued or transferred by the Corporation.
(b) The number of shares available in Subsection (a) of this
Section will be adjusted to account for shares relating to awards that expire;
are forfeited; or are transferred, surrendered, or relinquished upon the payment
of any Option Price by the transfer to the Corporation of Common Shares or upon
satisfaction of any withholding amount.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section or elsewhere in the
Plan to the contrary, the aggregate number of Common Shares actually issued or
transferred by the Corporation upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options may
not exceed 200,000 shares, subject to adjustments as provided in Section 6.1 of
the Plan. Further, no Participant may be granted Option Rights for more than
300,000 Common Shares during any calendar year, subject to adjustments as
provided in Section 6.1 of the Plan.
(d) Upon payment in cash of the benefit provided by any award
granted under the Plan, any shares that were covered by that award will again be
available for issue or transfer hereunder.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the
contrary, in no event may any Participant in any calendar year receive more than
300,000 Appreciation Rights, subject to adjustments as provided in Section 6.1
of the Plan.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the
contrary, in no event may any Participant in any calendar year receive more than
75,000 Restricted Shares or 5,000 Deferred Shares, subject to adjustments as
provided in Section 6.1 of the Plan.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the
contrary, in no event may any Participant in any calendar year receive an award
of Performance Shares or Performance Units having an aggregate maximum value as
of their respective Dates of Grant in excess of $1,000,000.
ARTICLE III
Long-Term Incentive Awards
--------------------------
3.1 PURPOSE. The purpose of the long-term incentive awards provided
under this Article is to provide the Corporation a means to devise tailored
long-term stock and other incentive awards to officers and other key employees
of
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the Corporation or a Subsidiary, which will provide incentive for such employees
to act in the best interests of the Corporation's shareholders, will reinforce
such employees' mutuality of interest with shareholders, and will promote the
long-term interests of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries.
3.2 OPTION RIGHTS. The Board may, from time to time and upon such terms
and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to Participants of
options to purchase Common Shares. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the
authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the
following provisions:
(a) Each grant will specify the number of Common Shares to which
it pertains subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.1 of the Plan.
(b) Each grant will specify an Option Price per share, which may
be equal to or more or less than (but not less than 75% of) the Market Value per
Share on the Date of Grant, except that the Option Price per share for any
Incentive Stock Option will not be less than 100% of the Market Value per Share
on the Date of Grant.
(c) Each grant will specify whether the Option Price will be
payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the Corporation, (ii) by the
actual or constructive transfer to the Corporation of nonforfeitable,
unrestricted Common Shares owned by the Optionee (or other consideration
authorized pursuant to Subsection (d) of this Section) having a value at the
time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, or (iii) by a combination of
such methods of payment.
(d) The Board may determine, at or after the Date of Grant, that
payment of the Option Price of any option (other than an Incentive Stock Option)
may also be made in whole or in part in the form of Restricted Shares or other
Common Shares that are forfeitable or subject to restrictions on transfer,
Deferred Shares, Performance Shares (based, in each case, on the Market Value
per Share on the date of exercise), other Option Rights (based on the Spread on
the date of exercise) or Performance Units. Unless otherwise determined by the
Board at or after the Date of Grant, whenever any Option Price is paid in whole
or in part by means of any of the forms of consideration specified in this
Subsection, the Common Shares received upon the exercise of the Option Rights
will be subject to such risks of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer as may
correspond to any that apply to the consideration surrendered, but only to the
extent of (i) the number of shares or Performance Shares, (ii) the Spread of any
unexercisable portion of Option Rights, or (iii) the stated value of Performance
Units surrendered.
(e) Any grant may provide for deferred payment of the Option
Price from the proceeds of sale through a bank or broker on a date satisfactory
to the Corporation of some or all of the shares to which such exercise relates.
(f) Any grant may provide for payment of the Option Price, at the
election of the Optionee, in installments, with or without interest, upon terms
determined by the Board.
(g) Any grant may, at or after the Date of Grant, provide for the
automatic grant of Reload Option Rights to an Optionee upon the exercise of
Option Rights (including Reload Option Rights) using Common Shares or other
consideration specified in Subsection (d) of this Section. Reload Option Rights
will cover up to the number of Common Shares, Deferred Shares, Option Rights or
Performance Shares (or the number of Common Shares having a value equal to the
value of any Performance Units) surrendered to the Corporation upon any such
exercise in payment of the Option Price or to meet any withholding obligations.
Reload Options may have an Option Price that is no less than the applicable
Market Value per Share at the time of exercise and will be on such other terms
as may be specified by the Board, which may be the same as or different from
those of the original Option Rights.
(h) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant whether
or not any Option Rights previously granted to such Participant remain
unexercised.
(i) Each grant will specify the period or periods of continuous
service by the Optionee with the Corporation or any Subsidiary following the
grant which is necessary before the Option Rights or installments thereof will
become exercisable and may provide for the earlier exercise of such Option
Rights in the event of retirement, disability or death of the Participant or a
Change of Ownership or other similar transaction or event.
(j) Any grant of Option Rights may specify Performance Objectives
that must be achieved as a condition to the exercise of such rights.
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(k) Option Rights granted under the Plan may be (i) options,
including, without limitation, Incentive Stock Options, that are intended to
qualify under particular provisions of the Code, (ii) options that are not
intended so to qualify, or (iii) combinations of the foregoing.
(l) The Board may, at or after the Date of Grant of any Option
Rights (other than Incentive Stock Options), provide for the payment of dividend
equivalents to the Optionee on either a current or deferred or contingent basis
or may provide that such equivalents will be credited against the Option Price.
(m) The exercise of an Option Right will result in the
cancellation on a share-for-share basis of any Tandem Appreciation Right
authorized under Section 3.3 of the Plan.
(n) No Option Right may be exercised more than 10 years from the
Date of Grant.
(o) Each grant of Option Rights will be evidenced by an agreement
executed on behalf of the Corporation by an officer and delivered to the
Optionee and containing such terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as
the Board may approve.
3.3 APPRECIATION RIGHTS. (a) The Board may also authorize the granting
to any Optionee of Tandem Appreciation Rights in respect of Option Rights
granted hereunder at any time prior to the exercise or termination of such
related Option Rights; provided, however, that a Tandem Appreciation Right
awarded in relation to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted concurrently
with such Incentive Stock Option. A Tandem Appreciation Right will be a right of
the Optionee, exercisable by surrender of the related Option Right, to receive
from the Corporation an amount determined by the Board, which will be expressed
as a percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100%) at the time of exercise.
(b) The Board may also authorize the granting to any Participant
of Free-Standing Appreciation Rights. A Free-Standing Appreciation Right will be
a right of the Participant to receive from the Corporation an amount determined
by the Board, which will be expressed as a percentage of the spread (not
exceeding 100%) at the time of exercise.
(c) Each grant of Appreciation Rights may utilize any or all of
the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in
the following provisions:
(i) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on
exercise of an Appreciation Right may be paid by the Corporation in
cash, in Common Shares or in any combination thereof and may either
grant to the Participant or retain in the Board the right to elect among
those alternatives.
(ii) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on
exercise of an Appreciation Right may not exceed a maximum specified by
the Board at the Date of Grant.
(iii) Any grant may specify waiting periods before exercise
and permissible exercise dates or periods and will provide that no
Appreciation Right may be exercised except at a time when the related
Option Right (if applicable) is also exercisable and at a time when the
Spread is positive.
(iv) Any grant may specify that such Appreciation Right may
be exercised only in the event of retirement, disability or death of the
Participant or a Change of Ownership or other similar transaction or
event.
(v) Each grant of Appreciation Rights will be evidenced by
an agreement executed on behalf of the Corporation by an officer and
delivered to and accepted by the Participant, which agreement will
describe such Appreciation Rights, identify the related Option Rights
(if applicable), state that such Appreciation Rights are subject to all
the terms and conditions of the Plan, and contain such other terms and
provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Board may approve.
(vi) Any grant of Appreciation Rights may specify
Performance Objectives that must be achieved as a condition of the
exercise of such rights.
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3.4 RESTRICTED SHARES. The Board may also authorize the grant or sale to
Participants of Restricted Shares. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or
all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements,
contained in the following provisions:
(a) Each such grant or sale will constitute an immediate transfer
of the ownership of Common Shares to the Participant in consideration of the
performance of services, entitling such Participant to voting, dividend and
other ownership rights, but subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and
restrictions on transfer hereinafter referred to.
(b) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional
consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less
than Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.
(c) Each such grant or sale will provide that the Restricted
Shares covered by such grant or sale will be subject to a "substantial risk of
forfeiture" within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code except (if the Board so
determines) in the event of retirement, disability or death of the Participant
or a Change of Ownership or other similar transaction or event, for a period of
not less than 3 years as determined by the Board at the Date of Grant.
(d) Each such grant or sale will provide that during the period
for which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to continue, the
transferability of the Restricted Shares will be prohibited or restricted in the
manner and to the extent prescribed by the Board at the Date of Grant (which
restrictions may include, without limitation, rights of repurchase or first
refusal in the Corporation or provisions subjecting the Restricted Shares to a
continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee).
(e) Any grant of Restricted Shares may specify Performance
Objectives which, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination
of the restrictions applicable to such shares and each grant may specify in
respect of such specified Performance Objectives, a minimum acceptable level of
achievement and will set forth a formula for determining the number of
Restricted Shares on which restrictions will terminate if performance is at or
above the minimum level, but falls short of full achievement of the specified
Performance Objectives.
(f) Any such grant or sale of Restricted Shares may require that
any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon during the period of
such restrictions be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional
Restricted Shares, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the
underlying award.
(g) Each grant or sale of Restricted Shares will be evidenced by
an agreement executed on behalf of the Corporation by an officer and delivered
to and accepted by the Participant and will contain such terms and provisions,
consistent with the Plan, as the Board may approve. Unless otherwise directed by
the Board, all certificates representing Restricted Shares will be held in
custody by the Corporation until all restrictions thereon have lapsed, together
with a stock power executed by the Participant in whose name such certificates
are registered, endorsed in blank and covering such Shares.
3.5 DEFERRED SHARES. The Board may also authorize the granting or sale
of Deferred Shares to Participants. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or
all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements
contained in the following provisions:
(a) Each such grant or sale will constitute the agreement by the
Corporation to deliver Common Shares to the Participant in the future in
consideration of the performance of services, but subject to the fulfillment of
such conditions during the Deferral Period as the Board may specify.
(b) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional
consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is equal
to or less than the Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.
(c) Each such grant or sale will be subject to a Deferral Period
of not less than one year, as determined by the Board at the Date of Grant,
except (if the Board so determines) in the event of retirement, disability,
hardship or death of the Participant or a Change of Ownership or other similar
transaction or event.
(d) During the Deferral Period, the Participant will have no
right to transfer any rights under his or her award and will have no rights of
ownership in the Deferred Shares and will have no right to vote them, but the
Board may,
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<PAGE> 10
at or after the Date of Grant, authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on
such Shares on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, either in cash
or in additional Common Shares.
(e) Each grant or sale of Deferred Shares will be evidenced by an
agreement executed on behalf of the Corporation by any officer and delivered to
and accepted by the Participant and will contain such terms and provisions,
consistent with the Plan, as the Board may approve.
3.6 PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS. The Board may also
authorize the granting of Performance Shares and Performance Units that will
become payable to a Participant upon achievement of specified Performance
Objectives. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and
will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following
provisions:
(a) Each grant will specify the number of Performance Shares or
Performance Units to which it pertains, which number may be subject to
adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other factors; provided,
however, that no such adjustment will be made in the case of a Covered Employee.
(b) The Performance Period with respect to each Performance Share
or Performance Unit will be such period of time (not less than one year, except
in the event of retirement, disability or death of the Participant or a Change
of Ownership or other similar transaction or event, if the Board so determines)
commencing with the Date of Grant as is determined by the Board at the Date of
Grant.
(c) Any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units will
specify Performance Objectives which, if achieved, will result in payment or
early payment of the award, and each grant may specify in respect of such
specified Performance Objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement below
which no payment will be made and will set forth a formula for determining the
number of Performance Shares or Performance Units that will be earned if
performance is at or above the minimum level, but falls short of full
achievement of the specified Performance Objectives. The grant of Performance
Shares or Performance Units will specify that, before the Performance Shares or
Performance Units are earned and paid, the Board must certify that the
Performance Objectives have been satisfied.
(d) Each grant will specify a minimum acceptable level of
achievement in respect of the specified Performance Objectives below which no
payment will be made and will set forth a formula for determining the amount of
payment to be made if performance is at or above such minimum but short of full
achievement of the Performance Objectives.
(e) Each grant will specify the time and manner of payment of
Performance Shares or Performance Units which have been earned. Any grant may
specify that the amount payable with respect thereto may be paid by the
Corporation in cash, in Common Shares or in any combination thereof and may
either grant to the Participant or retain in the Board the right to elect among
those alternatives.
(f) Any grant of Performance Shares may specify that the amount
payable with respect thereto may not exceed a maximum specified by the Board at
the Date of Grant. Any grant of Performance Units may specify that the amount
payable or the number of Common Shares issued with respect thereto may not
exceed maximums specified by the Board at the Date of Grant.
(g) The Board may, at or after the Date of Grant of Performance
Shares, provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to the holder thereof on
either a current or deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in
additional Common Shares.
(h) Each grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units will be
evidenced by an agreement executed on behalf of the Corporation by any officer
and delivered to and accepted by the Participant, which agreement will state
that such Performance Shares or Performance Units are subject to all the terms
and conditions of the Plan, and contain such other terms and provisions,
consistent with the Plan, as the Board may approve.
3.7 TRANSFERABILITY. (a) Except as otherwise determined by the Board on
a case-by-case basis, no Option Right, Appreciation Right or other derivative
security granted under the Plan will be transferable by an Optionee other than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except (in the case of a
Participant who is not a Director or officer of the Corporation)
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to a fully revocable trust of which the Optionee is treated as the owner for
federal income tax purposes. Except as otherwise determined by the Board on a
case-by-case basis, Option Rights and Appreciation Rights will be exercisable
during the Optionee's lifetime only by him or her or by his or her guardian or
legal representative.
(b) The Board may specify at the Date of Grant that part or all
of the Common Shares that are (i) to be issued or transferred by the Corporation
upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, upon the termination
of the Deferral Period applicable to Deferred Shares or upon payment under any
grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units or (ii) no longer subject to
the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in
Section 3.4 of the Plan, will be subject to further restrictions on transfer.
3.8 PARTICIPATION BY EMPLOYEES OF A DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARY. As a
condition to the effectiveness of any grant or award to be made hereunder to a
Participant who is an employee of a Designated Subsidiary, regardless whether
such Participant is also employed by the Corporation or another Affiliate, the
Board may require the Designated Subsidiary to agree to transfer to the
Participant (as, if and when provided for under the Plan and any applicable
agreement entered into between the Participant and the Designated Subsidiary
pursuant to the Plan) the Common Shares that would otherwise be delivered by the
Corporation upon receipt by the Designated Subsidiary of any consideration then
otherwise payable by the Participant to the Corporation. Any such grant or award
may be evidenced by an agreement between the Participant and the Designated
Subsidiary, in lieu of the Corporation, on terms consistent with the Plan and
approved by the Board and the Designated Subsidiary. All Common Shares so
delivered by or to a Designated Subsidiary will be treated as if they had been
delivered by or to the Corporation for purposes of Section 2.1 of the Plan and
all references to the Corporation in the Plan are deemed to refer to the
Designated Subsidiary except with respect to the definitions of the Board and
the Committee and in other cases where the context otherwise requires.
3.9 AWARDS ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE. Long-term incentive awards pursuant to
this Article will be initially made on the Effective Date as provided in Exhibit
A hereto, with such awards to each applicable employee based on gain objective
and salary.
ARTICLE IV
Awards to Non-Employee Directors
--------------------------------
4.1 PURPOSE. The purpose of providing awards to non-employee directors
is to provide the Corporation a means to attract and retain qualified directors,
provide an incentive for such directors to act in the best interests of the
Corporation's shareholders, reinforce such directors' mutuality of interest with
shareholders and promote the long-term interests of the Corporation.
4.2 AWARDS TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. The Board may, from time to time
and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting
to Non-Employee Directors of Option Rights (other than Incentive Stock Options)
and may also authorize the grant or sale of Restricted Shares to Non-Employee
Directors. A grant of Option Rights may be in lieu of all or a portion of such
Non-Employee Director's annual retainer, as elected by the Non-Employee
Director. Each grant of Option Rights awarded pursuant to this Section will be
upon terms and conditions consistent with Section 3.2 of the Plan. Each grant or
sale of Restricted Shares pursuant to this Article will be upon terms and
conditions consistent with Section 3.4 of the Plan.
4.3 AWARDS ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE. Awards to non-employee directors will
be initially made on the Effective Date as provided in Exhibit A hereto.
ARTICLE V
Annual Incentive Awards
-----------------------
5.1 PURPOSE. The purpose of the annual incentive awards provided under
the Plan is to provide for the grant of short-term performance awards to certain
key employees of the Corporation or a Subsidiary based on their attainment of
predetermined goals which will further the interests of the Corporation and its
shareholders.
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5.2 DEFINITIONS. As used in this Article,
"Annual Incentive Award" means an award made pursuant to this
Article.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.
"Goal" means the threshold or thresholds to be satisfied in order
for a Participant to qualify for all or a portion of an Annual Incentive Award,
as determined by the Board.
"Retirement" means termination of employment on or after
attainment of age 55 with a combined total of age and service with the Company
equal to at least 64.
5.3 ELIGIBILITY FOR ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARD. The Board annually will
select Participants eligible to receive an Annual Incentive Award, based on the
impact of the employee's position on Corporation performance, the measurability
of such impact, and the Participant's performance and potential.
5.4 ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS. (a) As soon as practicable (but not later
than the April 15) following the end of the Corporation's fiscal year, the Board
will determine whether and to what extent the Goals have been met and what
Annual Incentive Awards have been earned, and will notify each Participant of
his entitlement, if any, to an Annual Incentive Award. Except as provided in
this Article, an Annual Incentive Award will become nonforfeitable upon such a
determination by the Board that such Award has been earned.
(b) In the event of special or unusual events or circumstances
affecting the application of one or more performance measures to an annual
incentive award, the Board may revise the performance measures and/or underlying
factors and criteria applicable to the Annual Incentive Awards affected, to the
extent deemed appropriate by the Board, in its sole discretion, to avoid
unintended windfalls or hardship.
(c) Annual Incentive Awards earned will be paid in cash as soon
as practicable following the determination by the Board of such Award, subject
to any deferral election made pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Plan. Anything in
this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Corporation will have no
obligation to make payment of any Annual Incentive Award in the event the
Participant's employment is terminated for Cause.
5.5 DEFERRAL ELECTION. A Participant entitled to receive an Annual
Incentive Award may elect to defer up to 50% of such Award (in whole
percentages). Any such election must be made prior to the last business day of
July of the year for which such Award may be earned and will be irrevocable with
respect to such Annual Incentive Award; provided, however, that for the Annual
Incentive Award applicable to the fiscal year in which the Effective Date
occurs, such election must be made by January 15, 1998. The portion of an Annual
Incentive Award deferred pursuant to this Subsection will be converted and
granted as Deferred Shares under Section 3.5 of the Plan using the Market Value
per Share on the last day of the Corporation's fiscal year for which such Award
is earned.
5.6 GRANTS OF RESTRICTED SHARES. The Corporation will grant Restricted
Shares under Section 3.4 of the Plan to each Participant who defers a percentage
of his Annual Incentive Award pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Plan. The number of
Restricted Shares so granted will be equal in value, using the Market Value per
Share on the last day of the Corporation's fiscal year to which the Award
relates, to 25% of the deferred portion of such Award deferred.
5.7 RETIREMENT, DISABILITY, DEATH, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, CHANGE OF
OWNERSHIP. (a) In the event of the Retirement, disability or death of any
Participant prior to the determination of any Annual Incentive Award, and in the
event the Board determines that the Goal(s) set for the Participant are
attained, such Participant or such Participant's beneficiary, as the case may
be, will be eligible to receive a pro rata portion of his Annual Incentive
Award, such portion determined by multiplying the Annual Incentive Award by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the year prior to
his Retirement, disability or death and the denominator of which is 365.
(b) OTHER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If a Participant's
employment is terminated (by him or by the Corporation or a Subsidiary) prior to
the date on which any Annual Incentive Award is paid for any reason other than
Retirement, disability or death, the Participant will forfeit any right to an
Annual Incentive Award or any portion thereof; provided, however, that in
unusual circumstances the Board in its sole discretion may waive the forfeiture
in whole or in part.
10
<PAGE> 13
(c) CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP. If a Participant is employed on the date
a Change of Ownership occurs, the Participant will be eligible to receive an
Annual Incentive Award for the year in which such Change of Ownership occurs of
not less than the Annual Incentive Award payable for the year immediately
preceding such year.
5.8 ADMINISTRATION. (a) This Article will be administered by the Board,
which is the "administrator" for purposes of, and to the extent required by,
ERISA (the "Administrator"). The Board will have such powers as may be necessary
to discharge its duties hereunder, including, but not by way of limitation, to
construe and interpret any provision of this Article or related provisions of
the Plan or of any related agreement, notification or document (including,
without limitation, by supplying omissions from, correcting deficiencies in, or
resolving inconsistencies or ambiguities in the language of this Article or
related provisions of the Plan or such agreement, notification or document), to
determine the rights and status under this Article of Participants and other
persons, to decide disputes arising under this Article and to make any
determinations and findings with respect to benefits under this Article and the
persons entitled thereto as may be required for the purposes of this Article.
(b) The Board may, from time to time, employ and/or designate
agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit, and may
from time to time consult with legal counsel who may be counsel to the
Corporation. No member of the Board may act in respect of his own interests
under this Article. All decisions and determinations by the Administrator will
be final and binding on all parties. All decisions of the Board will be made by
the vote of the majority, including actions in writing taken without a meeting.
(c) All elections, notices and directions under this Article by a
Participant must be made on such forms and in such manner as the Board
prescribes.
5.9 CLAIMS PROCEDURE. To the extent required by ERISA, the Board will
provide to any Participant or beneficiary whose claim for benefits under this
Article has been fully or partially denied (the "claimant") a written notice
setting forth (a) the specific reasons for such denial, (b) a designation of any
additional material or information required and (c) an explanation of this claim
review procedure. Such notice will state that the claimant is entitled to
request a review in writing, by the Board, of the decision denying the claim.
The claim will be reviewed by the Board who may, but need not, grant the
claimant a hearing. On review, the claimant may have legal representation,
examine pertinent documents and submit issues and comments in writing. The
decision on review will be made within 120 days following the request, will be
provided in writing to the claimant and will be final and binding on all parties
concerned.
ARTICLE VI
Administration; General Provisions
----------------------------------
6.1 ADJUSTMENTS. The Board may make or provide for such adjustments in
the numbers of Common Shares covered by outstanding Option Rights, Appreciation
Rights, Deferred Shares, and Performance Shares granted hereunder, in the prices
per share applicable to such Option Rights and Appreciation Rights and in the
kind of shares covered thereby, as the Board, in its sole discretion, exercised
in good faith, may determine is equitably required to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the rights of Participants or Optionees that otherwise would
result from (a) any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares,
recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Corporation, or
(b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up,
reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets,
issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other
corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.
Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Board, in its
discretion, may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under
the Plan such alternative consideration as it, in good faith, may determine to
be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the
surrender of all awards so replaced. The Board may also make or provide for such
adjustments in the numbers of shares specified in Section 2.1 of the Plan and in
the number of Option Rights to be granted pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Plan as
the Board in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, may determine is
appropriate to reflect any transaction or event described in this Section.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, following any adjustment
pursuant to this Section, the total percent of share equivalents to be made
available under the Plan will be 15% of shares outstanding after such
adjustment.
6.2 FRACTIONAL SHARES. The Corporation will not be required to issue any
fractional Common Shares pursuant to the Plan. The Board may provide for the
elimination of fractions or for the settlement of fractions in cash.
11
<PAGE> 14
6.3 WITHHOLDING TAXES. To the extent that the Corporation is required to
withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment
made or benefit realized by a Participant or other person under the Plan, and
the amounts available to the Corporation for such withholding are insufficient,
it will be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such
benefit that the Participant or such other person make arrangements satisfactory
to the Corporation for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be
withheld, which arrangements (in the discretion of the Board) may include
relinquishment of a portion of such benefit. The Corporation and a Participant
or such other person may also make similar arrangements with respect to the
payment of any taxes with respect to which withholding is not required.
6.4 ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
Section 5.8 of the Plan, the Plan will be administered by the Board, which may
from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under the Plan to a
committee of the Board (or subcommittee thereof). A majority of the committee
(or subcommittee thereof) will constitute a quorum, and the action of the
members of the committee (or subcommittee thereof) present at any meeting at
which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved in writing, will be the
acts of the committee (or subcommittee thereof). To the extent of any such
delegation, references in the Plan to the Board (other than in Section 6.5(a) of
the Plan) are deemed to be references to any such committee or subcommittee.
(b) The interpretation and construction by the Board of any
provision of the Plan or of any agreement, notification or document evidencing
the grant of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Deferred
Shares, Performance Shares or Performance Units and any determination by the
Board pursuant to any provision of the Plan or of any such agreement,
notification or document will be final and conclusive. No member of the Board
may be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith.
6.5 AMENDMENTS, ETC. (a) The Board may at any time and from time to time
amend the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that any amendment which
must be approved by the shareholders of the Corporation in order to comply with
applicable law or the rules of any national securities exchange upon which the
Common Shares are traded or quoted will not be effective unless and until such
approval has been obtained. Presentation of the Plan or any amendment thereof
for shareholder approval may not be construed to limit the Corporation's
authority to offer similar or dissimilar benefits under other plans without
shareholder approval.
(b) The Board will not, without the further approval of the
shareholders of the Corporation, authorize the amendment of any outstanding
Option Right to reduce the Option Price. Furthermore, no Option Right may be
canceled and replaced with awards having a lower Option Price without further
approval of the shareholders of the Corporation. This Subsection is intended to
prohibit the repricing of "underwater" Option Rights and may not be construed to
prohibit the adjustments provided for in Section 6.1 of the Plan.
(c) The Board also may permit Participants to elect to defer the
issuance of Common Shares or the settlement of awards in cash under the Plan
pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for purposes
of the Plan. The Board also may provide that deferred issuances and settlements
include the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the
deferral amounts.
(d) The Board may condition the grant of any award or combination
of awards authorized under the Plan on the surrender or deferral by the
Participant of his or her right to receive a cash bonus or other compensation
otherwise payable by the Corporation or a Subsidiary to the Participant.
(e) In case of termination of employment by reason of death,
disability or normal or early retirement, or in the case of hardship or other
special circumstances, of a Participant who holds an Option Right or
Appreciation Right not immediately exercisable in full, or any Restricted Shares
as to which the substantial risk of forfeiture or the prohibition or restriction
on transfer has not lapsed, or any Deferred Shares as to which the Deferral
Period has not been completed, or any Performance Shares or Performance Units
which have not been fully earned, or who holds Common Shares subject to any
transfer restriction imposed pursuant to Section 3.7(b) of the Plan, the Board
may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which such Option Right or
Appreciation Right may be exercised or the time at which such substantial risk
of forfeiture or prohibition or restriction on transfer will lapse or the time
when such Deferral Period will end or the time at which such Performance Shares
or Performance Units will be deemed to have been fully earned or the time when
such transfer restriction will terminate or may waive any other limitation or
requirement under any such award.
12
<PAGE> 15
(f) The Plan does not confer upon any Participant any right with
respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Corporation or
any Subsidiary, nor does it interfere in any way with any right the Corporation
or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate such Participant's
employment or other service at any time.
(g) To the extent that any provision of the Plan would prevent
any Option Right that was intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option from
qualifying as such, that provision will be null and void with respect to such
Option Right. Such provision, however, will remain in effect for other Option
Rights and there will be no further effect on any provision of the Plan.
6.6 TERMINATION. No grant (other than an automatic grant of Reload
Option Rights) may be made under the Plan more than 10 years after the date on
which the Plan is first approved by the shareholders of the Corporation, but all
grants made on or prior to such date will continue in effect thereafter subject
to the terms thereof and of the Plan.
13
<PAGE> 16
EXHIBIT A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF TOTAL OPTIONS
NUMBER RESTRICTED AND RESTRICTED
TITLE OF OPTIONS SHARES SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------ ----------- ---------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer........................... 193,917 47,087 241,004
President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, and Director....................... 126,046 30,606 156,652
Executive Vice President - Stores................... 60,599 -- 60,599
Senior Vice Presidents (12)......................... 215,975 -- 215,975
Vice Presidents (23)................................ 130,363 -- 130,363
Other Key Employees (3)............................. 12,120 -- 12,120
Outside Directors (1) (7)........................... 49,000 9,100 58,100
------- ------ -------
TOTALS 788,020 86,793 874,813
======= ====== =======
</TABLE>
- --------
1 The number of options and restricted shares assumes seven outside
directors and includes the annual stock option grant for three years.
14
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5
March 17, 1998
The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp.
3155 El-Bee Road
Dayton, Ohio 45439
Re: Form S-8 Registration Statement
-------------------------------
Gentlemen:
As Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for The
Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. (the "Company"), I am familiar with the Registration
Statement, dated March 19, 1998, being filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, of common stock, without par value ("Common Stock"), of
the Company to be issued pursuant to the Company's Equity and Performance
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). It is my opinion that the shares of Common Stock
that may be issued pursuant to the Plan and the agreements contemplated
thereunder (the "Agreements") will be, when issued in accordance with the Plan
and such Agreements, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
above-referenced Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Scott J. Davido
Scott J. Davido, Esq.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23(a)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. on Form S-8, pertaining to 2,250,000 common
shares registered under The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. Equity and Performance
Incentive Plan, of our report dated April 18, 1997 (which expresses an
unqualified opinion and includes explanatory paragraphs relating to bankruptcy
proceedings and the ability to continue as a going concern) appearing in the
Registration Statement on Form 10 (Reg. No. 0-2788), as amended, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Dayton, Ohio
March 19, 1998
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 24
THE ELDER-BEERMAN STORES CORP.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
POWER OF ATTORNEY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The undersigned officer and/or director of The Elder-Beerman Stores
Corp., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), does hereby make, constitute and
appoint Scott J. Davido and Steven D. Lipton, and each of them, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, as attorneys or attorney of the undersigned,
to execute and file, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to registration of common stock,
without par value, of the Company issuable pursuant to the Company's Equity and
Performance Incentive Plan, and any and all amendments or exhibits thereto, and
any or all applications or other documents to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pertaining to such registration, with full power and
authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary,
appropriate or desirable to be done in the premises, or in the name, place and
stead of the said director and/or officer, hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorneys and any of them and any such substitute.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have subscribed these presents as of
the 11th day of March, 1998.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ FREDERICK J. MERSHAD
- ----------------------------------------------- /s/ JOHN A. MUSKOVICH
Frederick J. Mershad ------------------------------------------------------
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief John A. Muskovich
Executive Officer President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial
(Principal Executive Officer) Officer; Director
(Principal Financial and Officer)
/s/ STEVEN D. LIPTON
- ----------------------------------------------- /s/ THOMAS J. NOONAN, JR.
Steven D. Lipton ------------------------------------------------------
Senior Vice President, Controller Thomas J. Noonan, Jr.
(Principal Accounting Officer) Director
/s/ BERNARD OLSOFF /s/ LAURA H. POMERANTZ
- ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
Bernard Olsoff Laura H. Pomerantz
Director Director
/s/ STEWART M. KASEN /s/ JOHN J. WIESNER
- ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
Stewart M. Kasen John J. Wiesner
Director Director
/s/ STEVEN C. MASON /s/ JACK A. STAPH
- ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
Steven C. Mason Jack A. Staph
Director Director
</TABLE>
