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EXHIBIT
10.1
SMITH-MIDLAND
CORPORATION
2008
STOCK OPTION PLAN
ARTICLE
1
PURPOSE
OF THE PLAN
The
purpose of this Plan is to encourage and enable employees, members of the board,
consultants, and advisors who are in a position to make contributions to the
success of SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION and of its affiliated corporations upon
whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Corporation depends for the
successful conduct of its business, to acquire a closer identification of their
interests with those of the Corporation by providing them with opportunities
to
purchase stock in the Corporation pursuant to Options granted hereunder, thereby
stimulating their efforts on behalf of the Corporation and strengthening their
desire to remain involved with the Corporation.
ARTICLE
II
DEFINITIONS
2.1.
“Affiliated Corporation” means any stock corporation of which a majority of the
voting common or capital stock is owned directly or indirectly by the
Corporation.
2.2.
“Award” means an Option granted under Article V.
2.3.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation or, if one or more has
been appointed, a Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
2.4.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.5.
“Committee” means a Committee of not less than two members of the Board
appointed to the Board to administer the Plan who are disinterested persons
as
defined in Section 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.6.
“Corporation” means SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, or its
successor.
2.7.
“Employee” means any person who is a regular full-time or part-time employee of
the Corporation or an Affiliated Corporation.
2.8.
“Incentive Stock Option” (“ISO”) means an option, which qualifies as an
incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.
2.9.
“Non-Qualified Option” means any Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option.
2.10.
“Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Option granted by the
Board under Article V of this Plan in the form of a right to purchase Stock
evidenced by an instrument containing such provisions as the Board may
establish. Except as otherwise expressly provided with respect to an Option
grant, no Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be an Incentive Stock
Option.
2.11.
“Participant” means a person selected by the Committee to receive an award under
the Plan.
2.12.
“Plan” means this 2008 Stock Option Plan.
2.13.
“Reporting Person” means a person subject to Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision.
2.14.
“Restricted Period” means the period of time selected by the Committee during
which an award may be forfeited by the person.
2.15.
“Stock” means the Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Corporation or
any successor, including any adjustments in the event of changes in capital
structure of the type described in Article XI.
ARTICLE
III
ADMINISTRATION
OF THE PLAN
3.1.
Administration by Board. This Plan shall be administered by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation. The Board may, from time to time, delegate any
of
its functions under this plan to one or more Committees. All references in
this
Plan to the Board shall also include the Committee or Committees, if one or
more
have been appointed by the Board. From time to time the Board may increase
the
size of the Committee or Committees and appoint additional members thereto,
remove members (with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution
therefore, fill vacancies however caused, or remove all members of the Committee
or Committees and thereafter directly administer the Plan. No member of the
Board or a Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in
good faith with respect to the Plan or any Options granted hereunder.
3.2.
If a
Committee is appointed by the Board, a majority of the members of the Committee
shall constitute a quorum, and all determinations of the Committee under the
Plan may be made without notice or meeting of the Committee by a writing signed
by all members of the Committee. The Board may delegate the power to select
directors and officers to receive Awards under the Plan, and the timing, pricing
and amount of such Awards to a Committee, all members of which shall be
“disinterested persons” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under that Act.
3.3.
Powers. The Board of Directors and/or any Committee shall have full and final
authority to operate, manage and administer the Plan on behalf of the
Corporation. This authority includes, but is not limited to:
3.3.a.
The power to grant Awards conditionally or unconditionally,
3.3.b.
The power to prescribe the form or forms of any instruments evidencing Awards
granted under this Plan,
3.3.c.
The power to interpret the Plan,
3.3.d.
The power to provide regulations for the operation of the incentive features
of
the Plan, and otherwise to prescribe and rescind regulations for interpretation,
management and administration of the Plan,
3.3.e.
The power to delegate responsibility for Plan operation, management, and
administration on such terms, consistent with the Plan, as the Board may
establish,
3.3.f.
The power to delegate to other persons the responsibility of performing
ministerial acts in furtherance of the Plan’s purpose, and
3.3.g.
The power to engage the services of persons, companies, or organizations in
furtherance of the Plan’s purpose, including but not limited to, banks,
insurance companies, brokerage firms and consultants.
3.4.
Additional Powers. In addition, as to each Option to buy Stock of the
Corporation, the Board shall have full and final authority in its discretion:
(a) to determine the number of shares of Stock subject to each Option; (b)
to
determine the time or times at which Options will be granted; (c) to determine
the Option price of the shares of Stock subject to each Option, which price
shall be not less than the minimum price specified in Article V of this Plan;
(d) to determine the time or times when each Option shall become exercisable
and
the duration of the exercise period (including the acceleration of any exercise
period), which shall not exceed the maximum period specified in Article V;
(e)
to determine whether each Option granted shall be an Incentive Stock Option
or a
Non-qualified Option; and (f) to waive compliance by a Participant with any
obligation to be performed by him under an Option, to waive any condition or
provision of an Option, and to amend or cancel any Option (and if an Option
is
cancelled, to grant a new Option on such terms as the Board may specify), except
that the Board may not take any action with respect to an outstanding Option
that would adversely affect the rights of the Participant under such Option
without such Participant’s consent. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be
construed as limiting the power of the Board to make adjustments required by
Article XI.
3.5.
In
no event may the Corporation grant an Employee any Incentive Stock Option that
is first exercisable during any one calendar year to the extent the aggregate
fair market value of the Stock (determined at the time the Options are granted)
exceed $100,000 (under all stock Option plans of the Corporation and any
Affiliated Corporation); provided, however, that this paragraph shall have
no
force and effect if its inclusion in the Plan is not necessary for Incentive
Stock Options issued under the Plan to qualify as such pursuant to Section
422(d)(1) of the Code.
ARTICLE
IV
ELIGIBILITY
4.1.
Eligible Employees. All Employees (including members of the Board who are
Employees) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Option and Non-Qualified
Option Awards under this Plan.
4.2.
Consultants, Directors and other Non-Employees. Any consultant, member of the
Board (who is not an Employee) and any other Non-Employee is eligible to be
granted Non-qualified Option Awards under the Plan, provided the person has
not
irrevocably elected to be ineligible to participate in the Plan.
4.3.
Relevant Factors. In selecting individual Employees, consultants, directors
and
non-Employees to who Awards shall be granted, the Board shall weigh such factors
as are relevant to accomplish the purpose of the Plan as stated in Article
I.
ARTICLE
V
STOCK
OPTION AWARDS
5.1.
Number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Article XI of this Plan, the
aggregate number of shares of Stock for which Options may be granted under
this
Plan shall not exceed 500,000 shares. The shares to be delivered upon exercise
of Options under this Plan shall be made available, at the discretion of the
Board, either from authorized but unissued shares or from previously issued
as
reacquired shares of Stock held by the Corporation as treasury shares, including
shares purchased in the open market.
5.2.
Stock issuable upon exercise of an Option granted under the Plan may be subject
to such restrictions on transfer, repurchase rights or other restrictions as
shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
5.3.
Effect of Expiration, Termination or Surrender. If an Option under this Plan
shall expire or terminate unexercised as to any shares covered thereby, or
shall
cease for any reason to be exercisable in whole or in part, or if the
Corporation shall reacquire any unvested shares issued pursuant to Options
under
the Plan, such shares shall thereafter be available for the granting of other
Options under this Plan.
5.4.
Term
of Options. The full term of each Option granted hereunder shall be for such
period as the Board shall determine. In the case of Incentive Stock Options
granted hereunder, the term shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of
granting thereof. Each Option shall be subject to earlier termination as
provided in Article VI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options intended to
qualify as “Incentive Stock Options” may not be granted to any employee who at
the time such Option is granted owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation unless such
Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date
such Option is granted.
5.5.
Option Price. The Option price shall be determined by the Board at the time
any
Option is granted. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the exercise price
shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares covered
thereby at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted (but in no event
less
than par value), provided that no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted
hereunder to any Employee if at the time of grant the Employee, directly or
indirectly, owns Stock possessing more than 10% of the combined voting power
of
all classes of stock, of the Corporation and its Affiliated Corporations unless
the Incentive Stock Option price equals not less than 110% of the fair market
value of the shares covered thereby at the time the Incentive Stock Option
is
granted. In the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options, the exercise price shall
not be less than 50% of fair market value.
5.6.
Fair
Market Value. If, at the time an Option is granted under the Plan, the
Corporation’s Stock is publicly traded, “fair market value” shall be determined
as of the last business day for which the prices or quotes discussed in this
sentence are available prior to the date such Option is granted and shall mean
(i) the closing price (on that date) of the Stock on the principal national
securities exchange (including NASDAQ) on which the Stock is traded, if the
Stock is then traded on a national securities exchange (including NASDAQ);
or
(ii) the closing bid price (or average of bid prices) last quoted (on that
date)
by an established quotation service for over-the- counter securities, if the
Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange (including NASDAQ).
However, if the Stock is not publicly traded at the time an Option is granted
under the Plan, “fair market value” shall be deemed to be the fair value of the
Stock as determined by the Board after taking into consideration all factors
which it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, recent sale and
offer
prices of the Stock in private transactions negotiated at arm’s length.
5.7.
Non-Transferability of Options. No Option granted under this Plan shall be
transferable by the grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and such Option may be exercised during the grantee’s lifetime
only by the grantee, or in the event of the grantee’s incapacity, by his or her
guardian or legal representative acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of
the
grantee under state law.
5.8.
Foreign Nationals. Awards may be granted to Participants who are foreign
nationals or employed outside the United States on such terms and conditions
different from those specified.
ARTICLE
VI
EXERCISE
OF OPTION
6.1.
Exercise. Each Option granted under this Plan shall be exercisable on such
date
or dates and during such period and for such number of shares as shall be
determined pursuant to the provisions of the instrument evidencing such Option.
The Board shall have the right to accelerate the exercise date of any Incentive
Stock Option granted if such acceleration would violate the annual vesting
limitation contained Section 422(d)(1) of the Code.
6.2.
Notice of Exercise. A person electing to exercise an Option shall give written
notice to the Corporation of such election and of the number of shares he or
she
has elected to purchase and shall at the time of exercise tender the full
purchase price of the shares he or she has elected to purchase. The purchase
price can be paid partly or completely in the shares of the Corporation’s stock
valued at Fair Market Value as defined in Section 5.6 hereof, or by any such
other lawful consideration as the Board may determine. Until such person has
been issued a certificate or certificates for the shares so purchased and has
fully paid the purchase price for such shares, he or she shall possess no rights
of a record holder with respect to any of such shares. The Corporation may
elect
to receive payment for such shares by means of a promissory note, provided
that
no officer, director or holders of 5% or more of the Corporation’s outstanding
Common Stock may exercise any stock Option and make payment for such shares
by
means of a promissory note.
6.3.
Option Unaffected by Change in Duties. No Incentive Stock Option (and, unless
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, no Non-Qualified Option granted
to a person who is, on the date of the grant, an Employee of the Corporation
or
an Affiliated Corporation) shall be affected by any change of duties or position
of the grantee (including transfer to or from an Affiliated Corporation), so
long as he or she continues to be an Employee. Employment shall be considered
as
continuing uninterrupted during any bona fide leave of absence (such as those
attributable to illness, military obligations or governmental service) provided
that the period of such leave does not exceed 90 days or, if longer, any period
during which such grantee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed by statute. A
bona fide leave of absence with the written approval of the Board shall not
be
considered an interruption of employment under the Plan, provided that such
written approval contractually obligates the corporation or any Affiliated
Corporation to continue the employment of the grantee after the approved period
of absence.
6.4.
If
the grantee shall cease to be an Employee for any reason other than death,
such
Option shall thereafter be exercisable only to the extent of the purchase
rights, if any, which have accrued as of the date of such cessation, provided
that (i) the Board may provide in the instrument evidencing any Option that
the
Board may in its absolute discretion, upon any such cessation of employment,
determine (but be under no obligation to determine) that such accrued purchase
rights shall be deemed to include additional shares covered by such Option;
and
(ii) unless the Board shall otherwise provide in the instrument evidencing
any
Option, upon any such cessation of employment, such remaining rights to purchase
shall in any event terminate upon the earlier of (A) the expiration of the
original term of the Option; or (B) where such cessation of employment is on
account of disability, the expiration of one year from the date of such
cessation of employment and, otherwise, the expiration of three months from
such
date. For purposes of the Plan, the term “disability” shall mean “permanent and
total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
6.5.
In
the case of a Participant who is not an employee, provisions relating to the
exercisability of an Option following termination of service shall be specified
in the award. If not so specified, all Options held by such Participant shall
terminate on termination of service to the Corporation.
6.6.
Death of Grantee. Should an grantee die while in possession of the legal right
to exercise an Option or Options under this Plan, such persons as shall have
acquired, by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, the right to
exercise any Options theretofore granted, may, unless otherwise provided by
the
Board in any instrument evidencing any Option, exercise such Options at any
time
prior to one year from the date of death; provided, that such Option or Options
shall expire in all events no later than the last day of the original term
of
such Option; provided, further, that any such exercise shall be limited to
the
purchase rights which have accrued as of the date when the grantee ceased to
be
an Employee, whether by death or otherwise, unless the Board provides in the
instrument evidencing such Option that, in the discretion of the Board,
additional shares covered by such Option may become subject to purchase
immediately upon the death of the grantee.
ARTICLE
VII
REPORT
PERSON LIMITATIONS
To
the
extent required to qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor provision, at
least six months must elapse from the date of acquisition of an Option by a
Reporting person to the date of disposition of such Option (other than upon
exercise) or its underlying Common Stock.
ARTICLE
VIII
TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS
Options
shall be evidenced by instruments (which need not be identical) in such forms
as
the Board may from time to time approve. Such instruments shall conform the
terms and conditions set forth in Articles V and VI hereof and may contain
such
other provisions as the Board deems advisable which are not inconsistent with
the Plan, including restrictions applicable to shares of Stock issuable upon
exercise of Options. In granting any Non-Qualified Option, the Board may specify
that such Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the restrictions set forth
herein with respect to Incentive Stock Options, or to such other termination
and
cancellation provisions as the Board may determine. The Board may from time
to
time confer authority and responsibility on one or more of its own members
and/or one or more officers of the Corporation to execute and deliver such
instruments. The proper officers of the Corporation are authorized and directed
to take any and all action necessary or advisable from time to time to carry
out
the terms of such instruments.
ARTICLE
IX
BENEFIT
PLANS
Awards
under the Plan are discretionary and are not a part of regular salary. Neither
the Plan, an Option, or any instrument evidencing an Option confers upon any
Participant any right to continue as an employee of, or consultant or advisor
to, the Corporation or an Affiliated Corporation or affect the right of the
Corporation or any Affiliated Corporation to terminate them at any time. Except
as specifically provided by the Board in any particular case, the loss of
existing or potential profits granted under this Plan shall not constitute
an
element of damages in the event of termination of the relationship of a
Participant even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the
Corporation to the Participant by contract or otherwise.
ARTICLE
X
AMENDMENT,
SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF PLAN
10.1.
The
Board may suspend the Plan or any part thereof at any time or may terminate
the
Plan in its entirety. Awards shall not be granted after Plan termination. The
Board may also amend the Plan from time to time, except that amendments which
affect the following subjects must be approved by stockholders of the
Corporation:
10.1.a.
Except as provided in Article XI relative to capital changes, the number of
shares as to which Options may be granted pursuant to Article V;
10.1.b.
The maximum term of Options granted;
10.1.c.
The minimum price at which Options may be granted;
10.1.d.
The term of the Plan; and
10.1.e.
The requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan.
10.2.
Awards granted prior to suspension or termination of the Plan may not be
cancelled solely because of such suspension or termination, except with the
consent of the grantee of the Award.
ARTICLE
XI
CHANGES
IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE
11.1.
The
instruments evidencing Options granted hereunder shall be subject to adjustment
in the event of changes in the outstanding Stock of the Corporation by reason
of
Stock dividends, Stock splits, recapitalizations, reorganizations, merger,
consolidations, combinations, exchanges or other relevant changes in
capitalization occurring after the date of an Award to the same extent as would
affect an actual share of Stock issued and outstanding on the effective date
of
such change, as determined by the Board. Such adjustment to outstanding Options
shall be made without change in the total price applicable to the unexercised
portion of such Options, and a corresponding adjustment in the applicable Option
price per share shall be made. In the event of any such change, the aggregate
number and classes of shares for which Options may thereafter be granted under
Section 5.1 of this Plan may be appropriately adjusted as determined by the
Board so as to reflect such change.
11.2.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments made pursuant to this Article
XI
with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be made only after the Board,
after consulting with counsel for the Corporation, determines whether such
adjustments would cause any adverse tax consequences for the holders of such
Incentive Stock Options. If the Board determines that such adjustments made
with
respect to Incentive Stock Options would constitute a modification of such
Incentive Stock Options, it may refrain from making such
adjustments.
11.3.
In
the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, each
Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
action or at such other time and subject to such other conditions as the Board
shall determine. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the
Corporation of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into
shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof
shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Options.
No adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property other
than securities of the Corporation.
11.4.
No
fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the grantee shall receive
from the Corporation cash in lieu of such fractional shares.
ARTICLE
XII
EFFECTIVE
DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN
The
Plan
shall become effective on September 17, 2008. The Plan shall continue until
such
time as it may be terminated by action of the Board or the Committee; provided,
however, that no Options may be granted under this Plan on or after the tenth
anniversary of the effective date hereof.
ARTICLE
XIII
CONVERSION
OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS INTO NON-QUALIFIED OPTIONS; INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
TERMINATION
The
Board, at the written request of any grantee, may in its discretion take such
actions as may be necessary to convert such grantee’s Incentive Stock Options,
that have not been exercised on the date of conversion into Non-Qualified
Options at any time prior to the expiration of such Incentive Stock Options,
regardless of whether the grantee is an employee of the Corporation or an
Affiliated Corporation at the time of such conversion. Such actions may include,
but not be limited to, extending the exercise period or reducing the exercise
price of such Options. At the time of such conversion, the Board or the
Committee (with the consent of the grantee) may impose such conditions on the
exercise of the resulting Non-Qualified Options as the Board or the Committee
in
its discretion may determine, provided that such conditions shall not be
inconsistent with the Plan. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any
grantee the right to have such grantee’s Incentive Stock Options converted into
Non-Qualified Options, and no such conversion shall occur until and unless
the
Board or the Committee takes appropriate action. The Board, with the grantee’s
consent, may also terminate any portion of any Incentive Stock Option that
has
not been exercised at the time of such termination.
ARTICLE
XIV
APPLICATION
OF FUNDS
The
proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares pursuant to Options
granted under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes or such
other purposes as determined by the Board.
ARTICLE
XV
GOVERNMENTAL
REGULATION
The
Corporation’s obligation to sell and deliver shares of Stock under this Plan is
subject to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection
with the authorization, issuance or sale of such shares.
ARTICLE
XVI
WITHHOLDING
OF ADDITIONAL INCOME TAXES
Upon
the
exercise of a Non-Qualified Option or the making of a Disqualifying Disposition
(as defined in Article XVII) the Corporation, in accordance with the Code,
may
require the grantee to pay additional withholding taxes in respect of the amount
that is considered compensation includible in such person’s gross income. The
Board in its discretion may condition the exercise of an Option on the payment
of such additional withholding.
ARTICLE
XVII
NOTICE
TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION
Each
employee who receives an Incentive Stock Option must agree to notify the
Corporation in writing immediately after the employee makes a Disqualifying
Disposition of any Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive
Stock
Option. A Disqualifying Disposition is any disposition (including any sale)
of
such Stock before the later of (a) two years after the date the employee was
granted the Incentive Stock Option or (b) one year after the date the employee
acquired Stock by exercising the Incentive Stock Option. If the employee has
died before such stock is sold, these holding period requirements to not apply
and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter.
ARTICLE
XVIII
GOVERNING
LAW; CONSTRUCTION
The
validity and construction of the Plan and the instruments evidencing Options
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to the
conflict of law principles thereof). In construing this Plan, the singular
shall
include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
neuter, unless the context otherwise requires.