Please wait
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14C INFORMATION
Information
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
(Amendment
No. )
|
Check
the appropriate box:
|
|
|
|
x
|
Preliminary
Information Statement
|
|
|
|
¨
|
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission
|
|
|
Only
(as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))
|
|
|
|
¨
|
Definitive
Information Statement
|
WES
Consulting, Inc.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
|
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
|
|
|
|
x
|
No
fee required.
|
|
|
|
|
¨
|
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and
0-11.
|
|
|
(1)
|
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
|
|
(2)
|
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
|
|
|
(3)
|
Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
|
|
(5)
|
Total
fee paid:
|
|
|
|
|
¨
|
Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
|
|
|
|
|
¨
|
Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
|
|
|
for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing.
|
|
|
(1)
|
Amount
previously paid:
|
|
|
(2)
|
Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
|
|
|
(3)
|
Filing
Party:
|
|
|
(4)
|
Date
Filed:
|
WES
Consulting, Inc.
2745
Bankers Industrial Drive
Atlanta,
GA 30360
NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER ACTION
BY WRITTEN CONSENT
Dear
Stockholders:
The
purpose of this letter is to inform you that the board of directors of WES
Consulting, Inc., a Florida corporation (“we”, “us” or “Company”), and the
holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock,
par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock”), pursuant to a written consent in
lieu of a meeting in accordance with the Florida Business Corporation Act
("FBCA"), approved: (i) Articles of Amendment to the Company’s Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation as attached hereto as Exhibit A to authorize
(a) the creation of a class of Preferred Stock consisting of ten million
(10,000,000) shares, par value $0.0001 per share, (b) the designation of four
million three hundred thousand (4,300,000) shares of Preferred Stock as Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock and having such rights and preferences as set forth
on the Designation of Rights and Preferences of the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit B, (c) the change of the name of the
Company to “Liberator, Inc.”; and (ii) adopt the 2009 Stock Option
Plan..
WE
ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A
PROXY.
The
accompanying Information Statement, which describes the above corporate actions
in more detail, is being furnished to our stockholders for informational
purposes only pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations prescribed
thereunder. Pursuant to Rule 14c-2 under the Exchange Act, these corporate
actions will not be effective until twenty (20) calendar days after the mailing
of the Information Statement to our stockholders, at which time we may file with
the Florida Secretary of State Articles of Amendment to effectuate the creation
of the Preferred Stock, the designation of the Series A Preferred Stock and the
change of the Company to Liberator, Inc. a copy of which is attached to the
enclosed Information Statement as Exhibit A.
I
encourage you to read the enclosed Information Statement, which is being
provided to all of our stockholders. It describes the proposed corporate actions
in detail.
|
|
Sincerely,
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Louis S. Friedman
|
|
|
LOUIS
S. FRIEDMAN
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
WES
Consulting, Inc.
2745
Bankers Industrial Drive,
Atlanta,
GA 30360
________________________
INFORMATION
STATEMENT
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 14(C)
OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AND
RULE 14C-2 THEREUNDER
________________________
NO
VOTE OR ACTION OF THE COMPANY'S STOCKHOLDERS
IS
REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT
WE
ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE
REQUESTED
NOT TO SEND US A PROXY
We are
distributing this Information Statement to stockholders of WES Consulting, Inc.
(sometimes hereinafter referred to as “we”, “us” or “Company”) in full
satisfaction of any notice requirements we may have under the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Florida Business
Corporation Act ("FBCA"). No additional action will be undertaken by us with
respect to the receipt of written consents, and no dissenters’ rights under the
FBCA are afforded to our stockholders as a result of the corporate action
described in this Information Statement. The record date for determining the
stockholders entitled to receive this Information Statement has been established
as of the close of business on October 20, 2009 (the “Record
Date”).
OUTSTANDING
VOTING SECURITIES
As of the
Record Date, we had issued and outstanding 61,915,981 shares of common stock,
par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), such shares constituting all of
the Company’s issued and outstanding capital stock.
The FBCA
permits the holders of a majority of the shares of the our outstanding Common
Stock to approve and authorize actions by written consent as if the action were
undertaken at a duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company. On
October 20, 2009, our board of directors consented in writing without a meeting
to the matters described herein, and recommended that the matters described
herein be presented to the stockholders for approval. On October 20, 2009, the
holders of an aggregate of 34,720,524 shares of Common Stock (the “Consenting
Stockholders”), representing approximately 56% of the total shares of Common
Stock entitled to vote on the matters set forth herein, consented in writing
without a meeting to the matters described herein.
CORPORATE
ACTIONS
The
corporate actions described in this Information Statement will not afford
stockholders the opportunity to dissent from the actions described herein or to
receive an agreed or judicially appraised value for their shares.
Our board
of directors and the Consenting Stockholders have consented to (i) an Amendment
to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation as attached hereto as Exhibit A to
authorize the (a) the creation of a class of Preferred Stock consisting of ten
million (10,000,000) shares, par value $0.0001 per share, (b) the designation of
four million three hundred thousand (4,300,000) shares of Preferred Stock as
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and having such rights and preferences as
set forth on the Designation of Rights and Preferences of the Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock attached hereto as Exhibit B, (c) change the name of
the Company to “Liberator, Inc.”; and (ii) adopt the 2009 Stock Option
Plan.
We will
pay the expenses of furnishing this Information Statement to our stockholders,
including the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this Information
Statement.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
To the
Company's knowledge, the following table sets forth information with respect to
beneficial ownership of outstanding common stock as of October 20, 2009,
by:
|
•
|
all
persons who are beneficial owners of five percent (5%) or more of our
common stock;
|
|
•
|
each
of our executive officers; and
|
|
•
|
all
current directors and executive officers as a
group.
|
Except as
otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the
persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares of common stock held by them.
Applicable
percentage ownership in the following table is based on 61,915,981 shares of
common stock outstanding as of October 20, 2009.
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In computing
the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership
of that person, shares of common stock subject to options held by that person
that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of October 20,
2009, are deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding
for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other
person.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
Owned
|
|
|
Percentage
Of
|
|
|
Title
of Class
|
|
Name
and Address of Owner
|
|
Title
|
|
Following
the Merger
|
|
|
Issued
Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President,
Chief
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive
Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
Louis
S. Friedman*
|
|
and
Director
|
|
|
28,394,376
|
(1)
|
|
|
45.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
Ronald
P. Scott*
|
|
Secretary
and Director
|
|
|
438,456
|
(2)
|
|
|
.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
Hope
Capital, Inc.**
|
|
|
|
|
5,150,001
|
|
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
Don
Cohen ***
|
|
|
|
|
13,022,127
|
|
|
|
19.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group (4 persons)
|
|
|
28,832,832
|
(1)
|
|
|
46.6
|
%
|
|
*
|
The
address for all directors and executive officers of the Company is
c/o Liberator, Inc., 2745 Bankers Industrial Drive, Atlanta, GA
30360
|
|
**
|
1
Linden Place, Suite 207, Great Neck, NY 11021. Curt Kramer is the sole
shareholder of Hope Capital, Inc.
|
|
***
|
Don
Cohen, c/o Paul M. Spizzirri, Esq., 1170 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1200,
Atlanta, GA 30309
|
|
(1)
|
Does
not include the votes that Mr. Friedman controls by virtue of his
anticipated ownership of 100% of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement with Liberator, Inc. at such
time as the Certificate of Amendment is filed with the State of
Florida. Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
will be entitled to the number of votes equal to the result of: (i) the
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company issued and outstanding at
the time of such vote multiplied by 1.01; divided by (ii) the total number
of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at the time
of such vote. Accordingly, Mr. Friedman will own 73.1 % of the
combined voting power of the Common Stock and Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, voting as a single class and will control the outcome of
any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the stockholders
for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or
substantially all of our assets, and also the power to prevent or cause a
change in control. The interests of Mr. Friedman may differ from the
interests of the other
stockholders.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes
options to purchase 438,456 shares of Common
Stock.
|
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE
This
Information Statement contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Such statements are based on current expectations, assumptions,
estimates and projections about the Company and its industry. Forward-looking
statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance,
achievements and prospects to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation
to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason even if new
information becomes available or other events occur in the future. The Company
believes that such statements are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual outcomes
are dependent upon many factors. Words such as "anticipates," "believes,"
"estimates," "expects," "hopes," "targets" or similar expressions are intended
to identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this
Information Statement, and in the case of documents incorporated by reference,
as of the date of those documents. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statements or to report
any events or circumstances after the date of this Information Statement or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by
law.
PROPOSAL
1
AMENDMENT
TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
General
On
October 20, 2009, our board of directors acting by unanimous written consent,
without a meeting, approved and authorized (i) Articles of Amendment to the
Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to (a) create a class
of Preferred Stock consisting of ten million (10,000,000) shares, par value
$0.0001 per share, (b) the designation of four million three hundred thousand
(4,300,000) shares of Preferred Stock as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
and having such rights and preferences as set forth on the Designation of Rights
and Preferences of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock attached hereto as
Exhibit B, (c) change the name of the Company to “Liberator, Inc.”; and (ii)
adopt the 2009 Stock Option Plan and recommended the foregoing matters be
submitted to the Company's stockholders for their approval. On October 20, 2009,
the Consenting Stockholders, who hold an aggregate of 34,720,524 shares of
Common Stock, representing approximately 56% of the total issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock, consented in writing without a meeting to the Amendment
to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and the adoption
of the 2009 Stock Option Plan.
Reasons
for the establishment of the Preferred Stock and the Series A Preferred Stock
and Name Change
On
October 19, 2009 (the “Closing Date”), the Company entered into a Merger and
Recapitalization Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Liberator, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (“Liberator”). Pursuant to the Agreement, Liberator merged with and
into the Company, with the Company surviving as the sole remaining entity (the
“Merger”).
On the
Closing Date, each issued and outstanding share of the common stock of Liberator
(the “Liberator Common Shares”) were converted, into one share of the Company’s
common stock, $0.01 par value, which, after giving effect to the Merger,
equaled, in the aggregate, 98.4% of the total issued and outstanding common
stock of the Company (the “WES Common Stock”). Pursuant to the Agreement, each
Series A Preferred Share of Liberator (the “Liberator Preferred Shares”) were to
be converted into one share of the Company’s preferred stock with the
provisions, rights, and designations set forth in the Agreement (the “WES
Preferred Stock”). On the Closing Date, the Company was not authorized to issue
any preferred stock and therefore pursuant to the agreement, it was agreed that
within ten (10) days of the Closing Date the Company will file an amendment to
its Articles of Incorporation authorizing the issuance of the WES Preferred
Stock, and at such time the WES Preferred Stock will be exchanged pursuant to
the terms of the Agreement.
Based
upon same, the Company is required to amend its articles to create and designate
the Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of the Merger. In addition, the
Company is amending its name to Liberator, Inc, to better reflect its new
business plan based on the Merger.
PROPOSAL
2
2009
WES CONSULTING, INC. STOCK OPTION PLAN
On
October 20, 2009, the majority stockholders approved the 2009 Wes Consulting,
Inc. Stock Option Plan (the "2009 Plan") and authorized the issuance of up to
5,000,000 shares of Common Stock for stock awards and stock options thereunder.
The following is a summary of principal features of the 2009 Plan. The summary,
however, does not purport to be a complete description of all the provisions of
the 2009 Plan. Any stockholder of the Company who wishes to obtain a copy of the
actual plan document may do so upon written request to the Company's Secretary
at the Company's principal offices. The 2009 Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit
C.
General
The 2009
Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has initially
reserved 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock, for issuance under the 2009 Plan.
Under the Plan, options may be granted which are intended to qualify as
Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (the "Code") or which are not ("Non-ISOs") intended to qualify as
Incentive Stock Options thereunder.
The 2009
Plan and the right of participants to make purchases thereunder are intended to
qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan" under Section 423 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The 2009 Plan is not a qualified
deferred compensation plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and
is not subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 ("ERISA").
Purpose
The
primary purpose of the 2009 Plan is to attract and retain the best available
personnel for the Company by granting stock awards and stock options in order to
promote the success of the Company's business and to facilitate the ownership of
the Company's stock by employees. In the event that the 2009 Plan is not adopted
the Company may have considerable difficulty in attracting and retaining
qualified personnel, officers, directors and consultants.
Administration
The 2009
Plan will be administered by the Company's Board of Directors, as the Board of
Directors may be composed from time to time. All questions of interpretation of
the 2009 Plan are determined by the Board, and its decisions are final and
binding upon all participants. Any determination by a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors at any meeting, or by written consent in lieu of a
meeting, shall be deemed to have been made by the whole Board of
Directors.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Board of Directors may at any time, or from time to time,
appoint a committee (the "Committee") of at least two members of the Board of
Directors, and delegate to the Committee the authority of the Board of Directors
to administer the Plan. Upon such appointment and delegation, the Committee
shall have all the powers, privileges and duties of the Board of Directors, and
shall be substituted for the Board of Directors, in the administration of the
Plan, subject to certain limitations.
Members
of the Board of Directors who are eligible employees are permitted to
participate in the 2009 Plan, provided that any such eligible member may not
vote on any matter affecting the administration of the 2009 Plan or the grant of
any stock award or option pursuant to it, or serve on a committee appointed to
administer the 2009 Plan. In the event that any member of the Board of Directors
is at any time not a "disinterested person", as defined in Rule 16b-3(c)(3)(i)
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan shall not
be administered by the Board of Directors, and may only by administered by a
Committee, all the members of which are disinterested persons, as so
defined.
Eligibility
Under the
2009 Plan, stock awards and options may be granted to key employees, officers,
directors or consultants of the Company, as provided in the 2009
Plan.
Terms
of Options
The term
of each Option granted under the Plan shall be contained in a stock option
agreement between the Optionee and the Company and such terms shall be
determined by the Board of Directors consistent with the provisions of the Plan,
including the following:
(a)
PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price of the Common Shares subject to each ISO
shall not be less than the fair market value (as set forth in the 2009 Plan), or
in the case of the grant of an ISO to a 10% Owner-Employee, not less that 110%
of fair market value of such Common Shares at the time such Option is
granted.
(b)
VESTING. The dates on which each Option (or portion thereof) shall be
exercisable and the conditions precedent to such exercise, if any, shall be
fixed by the Board of Directors, in its discretion, at the time such Option is
granted.
(c)
EXPIRATION. The expiration of each Option shall be fixed by the Board of
Directors, in its discretion, at the time such Option is granted; however, each
Option must terminate no later than the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date of
grant, and each incentive stock option granted to any 10% Owner-Employee must
terminate no later than the fifth (5th)
anniversary of the date of grant.
(d)
TRANSFERABILITY. Each Award granted under the 2009 Plan is not transferable
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, except that a
Participant may, to the extent the Committee allows and in a manner the
Committee specifies: (a) designate in writing a beneficiary to exercise the
Award after the Participant’s death; or (b) transfer any award.
(e)
OPTION ADJUSTMENTS. The aggregate number and class of shares as to which Options
may be granted under the 2009 Plan, the number and class shares covered by each
outstanding Option and the exercise price per share thereof (but not the total
price), and all such Options, shall each be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued Common Shares resulting from
split-up spin-off or consolidation of shares or any like Capital adjustment or
the payment of any stock dividend.
Except as
otherwise provided in the 2009 Plan, any Option granted hereunder shall
terminate in the event of a merger, consolidation, separation, reorganization or
liquidation of the Company. However, the Optionee shall have the right
immediately prior to any such transaction to exercise his Option in whole or in
part notwithstanding any otherwise applicable vesting requirements.
(f)
TERMINATION, MODIFICATION AND AMENDMENT. The 2009 Plan (but not Options
previously granted under the Plan) shall terminate ten (10) years from the
earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors or the date on
which the Plan is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote
thereon, and no Option shall be granted after termination of the Plan. Subject
to certain restrictions, the Plan may at any time be terminated and from time to
time be modified or amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company present, or
represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the
applicable laws of the State of Florida.
FEDERAL
INCOME TAX ASPECTS OF THE 2009 STOCK OPTION PLAN
THE
FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION UPON THE
PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO THE PURCHASE OF SHARES UNDER THE
2009 STOCK OPTION PLAN. THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE AND DOES
NOT ADDRESS THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO TAXPAYERS WITH SPECIAL TAX
STATUS. IN ADDITION, THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS THE PROVISIONS OF THE INCOME
TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY, STATE OR FOREIGN COUNTRY IN WHICH THE PARTICIPANT
MAY RESIDE, AND DOES NOT DISCUSS ESTATE, GIFT OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OTHER
THAN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. THE COMPANY ADVISES EACH PARTICIPANT TO CONSULT
HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN
THE 2007 INCENTIVE PLAN AND FOR REFERENCE TO APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE
CODE.
The 2009
Stock Option Plan and the right of participants to make purchases thereunder are
intended to qualify under the provisions of Sections 421, 422 and 423 of the
Code. Under these provisions, no income will be recognized by a participant
prior to disposition of shares acquired under the 2009 Stock Option
Plan.
If the
shares are sold or otherwise disposed of (including by way of gift) more than
two years after the first day of the offering period during which shares were
purchased (the "Offering Date"), a participant will recognize as ordinary income
at the time of such disposition the lesser of (a) the excess of the fair market
value of the shares at the time of such disposition over the purchase price of
the shares or (b) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the first day of
the offering period. Any further gain or loss upon such disposition will be
treated as long-term capital gain or loss. If the shares are sold for a sale
price less than the purchase price, there is no ordinary income and the
participant has a capital loss for the difference.
If the
shares are sold or otherwise disposed of (including by way of gift) before the
expiration of the two-year holding period described above, the excess of the
fair market value of the shares on the purchase date over the purchase price
will be treated as ordinary income to the participant. This excess will
constitute ordinary income in the year of sale or other disposition even if no
gain is realized on the sale or a gift of the shares is made. The balance of any
gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss and will be treated as
long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held more than one
year.
In the
case of a participant who is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the
purchase date for purposes of calculating such participant's compensation income
and beginning of the capital gain holding period may be deferred for up to six
months under certain circumstances. Such individuals should consult with their
personal tax advisors prior to buying or selling shares under the 2009
Plan.
The
ordinary income reported under the rules described above, added to the actual
purchase price of the shares, determines the tax basis of the shares for the
purpose of determining capital gain or loss on a sale or exchange of the
shares.
The
Company is entitled to a deduction for amounts taxed as ordinary income to a
participant only to the extent that ordinary income must be reported upon
disposition of shares by the participant before the expiration of the two-year
holding period described above.
Restrictions
on Resale
Certain
officers and directors of the Company may be deemed to be "affiliates" of the
Company as that term is defined under the Securities Act. The Common Stock
acquired under the 2009 Plan by an affiliate may be reoffered or resold only
pursuant to an effective registration statement or pursuant to Rule 144 under
the Securities Act or another exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act.
EFFECTIVE
DATE OF STOCKHOLDER ACTIONS
The
actions set forth herein will become effective immediately upon the filing of
the Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
with the Office of the Secretary of State of Florida. A copy of the Articles of
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is attached
hereto as Appendix A. The filings will be made at least twenty (20) days after
the date this Information Statement is first mailed to the Company’s
stockholders.
STOCKHOLDERS'
RIGHTS
The
elimination of the need for a special meeting of the stockholders to approve the
actions set forth herein is authorized by Section 607.040 of the FBCA, which
provides that action may be taken by the written consent of the holders of
outstanding shares of voting capital stock, having not less than the minimum
number of votes which would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a
meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on a matter were present and
voted.
DISSENTERS'
RIGHTS
The FBCA
does not provide for dissenter's rights in connection with any of the actions
proposed in this Information Statement.
STOCKHOLDERS
SHARING AN ADDRESS
The
Company will deliver only one Information Statement to multiple stockholders
sharing an address unless the Company has received contrary instructions from
one or more of the stockholders. The Company undertakes to deliver promptly,
upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the Information Statement to a
stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the Information
Statement is delivered. A stockholder can notify the Company that the
stockholder wishes to receive a separate copy of the Information Statement by
contacting the Company at the telephone number or address set forth
above.
Exhibit A
ARTICLES
OF AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED
AND
RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
WES CONSULTING, INC.
Pursuant
to Section 607.1006 of the Business Corporation Act of the State of Florida, the
undersigned, being a Director and the CEO of WES Consulting, Inc. (hereinafter
the “Corporation”), a Florida corporation, does hereby certify as
follows:
FIRST:
The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation were filed with the Secretary
of State of Florida on February 25, 1999 (Document No. P99000018914), and
Amended and Restated as filed with the Secretary of State on September 6, 2006
(collectively the “Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation”).
SECOND:
This amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was approved and adopted by all
of the Directors of the Corporation on October 20, 2009 and by a majority of its
shareholders on October 20, 2009. To effect the foregoing, the text of Article I
and Article III of the Articles of Incorporation are hereby deleted and replaced
in their entirety as follows:
“ARTICLE
I
NAME
The name
of the corporation shall be Liberator, Inc. and shall be governed by Title XXXVI
Chapter 607 of the Florida Statutes.”
“ARTICLE
III
CAPITAL
STOCK
A. The
maximum number of shares that the Corporation shall be authorized to issue and
have outstanding at any one time shall be one hundred and eighty five million
(185,000,000) shares, of which:
(i) Ten
Million (10,000,000) shares shall be designated Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par
value. The Board of Directors of the Corporation, by resolution or resolutions,
at any time and from time to time, shall be authorized to divide and establish
any or all of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock into one or more series
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to fix and determine the
designation of each such share, the number of shares which shall constitute such
series and certain preferences, limitations and relative rights of the shares of
each series so established.
(ii) One
Hundred Seventy Five Million (175,000,000) shares shall be designated Common
Stock, $0.01 par value. Each issued and outstanding share of Common Stock shall
be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the
shareholders and shall be eligible for dividends when, and if, declared by the
Board of Directors;
B. The
Board of Directors has by resolution designated four million three hundred
thousand (4,300,000) shares of Preferred stock Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock and having such rights and preferences as set forth in the Designation of
Rights and Preferences of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of WES
Consulting, Inc. attached hereto as Exhibit B and made a part
hereof.”
THIRD:
The foregoing amendments were adopted by all of the Directors on October 20,
2009 and by the majority holders of the Common stock of the Corporation pursuant
to the Florida Business Corporation Act on October 20, 2009. Therefore, the
number of votes cast for the amendment to the Corporation's Articles of
Incorporation was sufficient for approval.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
undersigned has executed these Articles of Incorporation this 20th day of
October, 2009.
|
|
WES
Consulting, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Louis S. Friedman
|
|
|
Name:
|
Louis
S. Friedman
|
|
|
Title:
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
Exhibit B
Designation
of Rights and Preferences
of
Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock
of
WES
Consulting, Inc.
WES
Consulting, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is authorized to issue ten million
(10,000,000) shares of $0.0001 par value preferred stock, none of which has been
issued or is currently outstanding. The preferred stock may be issued by the
Board of Directors at such times and with such rights, designations, preferences
and other terms, as may be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole
discretion, at the time of issuance. The Board of Directors of the Corporation
has determined to issue a class of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value and to
designate such class as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock”) initially consisting of four million three hundred thousand
(4,300,000) shares which shall have the rights, preferences, privileges, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions as follows:
(A). Liquidation
Rights.
|
|
(i)
|
Upon
the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Company, the holders of the shares of the Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of
the Company (whether representing capital or surplus), before any payment
or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock, or upon any other class
or series of stock ranking junior to the Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock as to liquidation rights or dividends, $0.232 for each share of
Series A Preferred Stock, subject to appropriate adjustment in the event
of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar
recapitalization with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, plus any
dividends declared but unpaid
thereon.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
Upon
the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Company, after the payment of all preferential amounts required to be paid
to the holders of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in
accordance with Section (A)(i) above, the remaining assets of the Company
available for distribution to its shareholders shall be distributed among
the holders of the shares of Common Stock, pro rata based on the number of
shares held by each such holder.
|
|
|
(iii)
|
If
the assets distributable on any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of
the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to
permit the payment to the holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock of the full preferential amounts attributable thereto, then the
entire assets of the Company shall be distributed among the holders of the
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ratably, in proportion to the
respective amounts the holders of such shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive if they were paid in full all
preferential amounts.
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Written
notice of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, stating a payment
date or dates, the aggregate amount of all payments to be made, and the
place where said sums shall be payable shall be given by first class mail,
postage prepaid, not less than 30 days prior to the payment date stated
therein, to the holders of record of all shareholders of the Company, such
notice to be addressed to each holder at his post office address as shown
by the records of the Company. A consolidation or merger of the
Company with or into any other Company or Companies not owned or
controlled by the Company and in which the Company is not the surviving
entity, or the sale or transfer by the Company of all or substantially all
of its assets, shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the business of the Company for purposes
hereof.
|
|
|
(v)
|
In
the event of a partial liquidation, distribution of assets shall be made
so as to give effect to the foregoing provisions. In the event some or all
of the proceeds from a liquidation, dissolution or winding up consist of
property other than cash, then for purposes of making distributions, the
fair value of such non-cash property shall be determined in good faith by
the Company’s Board of Directors.
|
(B). Voting
Rights. Each issued and outstanding Series A Convertible
Preferred Share shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the result of:
(i) the number of shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Shares”)
issued and outstanding at the time of such vote multiplied by 1.01; divided by
(ii) the total number of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares issued and
outstanding at the time of such vote. At each meeting of shareholders of the
Company with respect to any and all matters presented to the shareholders of the
Company for their action or consideration, including the election of directors,
holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Shares shall vote together with the
holders of Common Shares as a single class.
(C). Conversion.
|
|
(i)
|
The
holder of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock shall have the
right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, to convert
each such stock into one share of fully paid and non-assessable Common
Stock of the Corporation as hereinafter provided. Such
conversion right shall vest and shall first be available on July 1,
2011.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
Any
holder of one or more shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
electing to convert any or all of such shares into Common Stock shall
surrender the certificate or certificates evidencing such shares at the
principal office of the Corporation, at any time during its usual business
hours, and shall simultaneously with such surrender give written notice of
his or its intention to convert, stating therein the number of shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted and the name or names
(with addresses) of the registered holders of the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock in which the certificate or certificates for Common Stock
shall be issued. Each certificate evidencing shares so
surrendered shall be duly endorsed to the Corporation by means of
signatures which shall be guaranteed by either a national bank or a member
of a national securities exchange.
|
|
|
(iii)
|
Such
conversion shall be deemed to have been made as of the date of receipt by
the Corporation of the certificate or certificates (endorsed as herein
above provided) representing the shares of Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock to be converted and receipt by the Corporation of written notice, as
above prescribed; and after such receipt, the person entitled to receive
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated
for all purposes as the record holder of such shares of Common
Stock.
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Upon
receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation of the
loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate evidencing
shares in the Corporation and, in the case of such loss, theft or
destruction, upon delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably
satisfactory to the Corporation, or in the case of any such mutilation,
upon the surrender of such certificate for cancellation, the Corporation,
will execute and deliver, in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or
mutilated certificate, a new certificate for such
shares.
|
|
|
(v)
|
As
promptly as practicable after surrender and notice as herein above
provided, the Corporation shall issue and deliver, or cause to be issued
and delivered, to the holder of the shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion: (a) a certificate or
certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock into which such
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has been converted; and (b) if
necessary in the case of a conversion of less than all of the shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock held by such holder, a new
certificate or certificates representing the unconverted shares of Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock.
|
|
|
(vi)
|
Cash
dividends declared but theretofore unpaid on the shares of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock so converted after the record date for such
dividend shall instead be paid on the shares of Common Stock into which
such Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has been converted, pro rata, at
such time as cash dividends shall be paid to record holders of the Common
Stock generally.
|
|
|
(vii)
|
All
shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at any time converted as
herein provided shall be forthwith permanently retired and cancelled and
shall under no circumstances be
reissued.
|
(E). Protective
Provisions. At any time when shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, either directly or
indirectly by amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise, do any of the
following without (in addition to any other vote required by law or the Articles
of Incorporation) the written consent or affirmative vote of the holders of at
least a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, given in writing or by vote at a meeting, consenting or voting
(as the case may be) separately as a class:
|
|
(i)
|
liquidate,
dissolve or wind-up the business and affairs of the Corporation, effect
any deemed liquidation event, or consent to any of the
foregoing;
|
|
|
(ii)
|
create,
or authorize the creation of, or issue or obligate itself to issue shares
of, any additional class or series of capital stock or increase
the authorized number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock.
|
(F). Status of
Reacquired Shares. Shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
which have been issued and reacquired in any manner shall (upon compliance with
any applicable provisions of the laws of the State of Florida) have the status
of authorized and unissued shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
issuable in series undesignated as to series and may be re-designated and
re-issued.
EXHIBIT
C
WES
CONSULTING, INC.
2009
Stock Option Plan
I. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN;
DEFINITIONS
A. This
2009 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is intended to promote the interests of Wes
Consulting, Inc., a Florida corporation (the "Corporation"), by providing
(i) key employees (including officers) of the Corporation (or its
subsidiary corporations) and (ii) consultants and other independent
contractors who provide valuable services to the Corporation (or its subsidiary
corporations) with the opportunity to acquire, or increase their proprietary
interest in the Corporation as an incentive for them to join or remain in the
service of the Corporation (or its subsidiary corporations).
B. The
Plan becomes effective immediately upon approval of the Plan by the
Corporation's stockholders. Such date is hereby designated as the Effective Date
of the Plan.
C. For
purposes of the Plan, the following definitions apply:
Board: the Corporation's
Board of Directors.
Committee: The Committee of
the Corporation's Board of Directors appointed by the Board to administer the
plan.
Common Stock: shares of the
Corporation's common stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Change in Control: a change
in ownership or control of the Corporation effected through either of the
following transactions:
(i) any
person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, the Corporation) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, "1934 Act") of stock possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the
total combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding stock pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which
the Board does not recommend such stockholders accept; or
(ii) there
is a change in the composition of the Board over a period of thirty-six
(36) consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board members
(rounded up to the next whole number) ceases, by reason of one or more proxy
contests for the election of Board members, to be comprised of persons who
either (A) have been Board members continuously since the beginning of such
period or (B) have been elected or nominated for election as Board members
during such period by at least a majority of the Board members described in
clause (A) who were still in office at the time such election or nomination
was approved by the Board.
Corporate Transaction: any of
the following stockholder-approved transactions to which the Corporation is a
party:
(i) a
merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is not the surviving entity,
except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the State
in which the Corporation is incorporated,
(ii) the
sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Corporation in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation,
or
(iii) any
reverse merger in which the Corporation is the surviving entity but in which
stock possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting
power of the Corporation's outstanding stock are transferred to person or
persons different from those who held such stock immediately prior to such
merger.
Employee: a person who
performs services while in the employ of the Corporation or one or more
subsidiary corporations, subject to the control and direction of the employer
entity not only as to the work to be performed but also as to the manner and
method of performance.
Hostile Take-Over: a change
in ownership of the Corporation through the following transaction:
(i) any
person or related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, the Corporation) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended) of stock possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding stock pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which
the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept, and
(ii) more
than fifty percent (50%) of the stock so acquired in such tender or exchange
offer are accepted from holders other than the officers and directors of the
Corporation who are subject to the short-swing profit restrictions of
Section 16 of the 1934 Act.
Market
Value: the last reported price per share of the Common Stock on the day
in question on the NASDAQ Small-Cap Market, or if the Common Stock is regularly
traded in some other market or on an exchange the closing selling price per
share of the Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is officially
quoted by a national reporting service. If there is no such reported price on
the date in question, then the market value is the price on the last preceding
date for which such quotation exists or the last price at which the shares were
sold in a private transaction.
Service: the performance of
services on a periodic basis to the Corporation (or any subsidiary corporation)
in the capacity of an Employee or from time to time as an independent
consultant, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the
applicable stock option agreement.
Take-Over Price: the greater of (a) the
Market Value per share of Common Stock on the date the option is surrendered to
the Corporation in connection with a Hostile Take-Over or (b) the highest
reported price per share of Common Stock paid by the tender offerer in effecting
such Hostile Take-Over. However, if the surrendered option is an Incentive
Option, as defined in Section IV (C) of this Article One, the
Take-Over Price shall not exceed the clause (a) price per
share.
D. The
following provisions shall be applicable in determining the subsidiary
corporations of the Corporation:
Each
corporation (other than the Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations
beginning with the Corporation shall be considered to be a subsidiary of the
Corporation, provided each such corporation (other than the last corporation) in
the unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing
fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock in any other corporation in such chain.
II. ADMINISTRATION OF THE
PLAN
A. Except
as otherwise determined by the Board, the Plan shall be administered by the
Board of Directors or by the Stock Option and Compensation Committee of the
Board ("Committee") or other named Committee of the Board designated
by the Board of Directors subject to the requirements of 1934 Act
Rule 16b-3:
(i) The
Committee of three (3) or more non-employee Board members shall be
appointed by the Board to administer the Plan. No Board member is eligible to
serve on the Committee unless such person qualifies as a "Non-Employee Director"
as permitted by 1934 Act Rule 16b-3.
(ii) Members
of the Committee serve for such term as the Board may determine and are subject
to removal by the Board at any time.
B. The
Committee by majority action thereof has the power and authority (subject to the
express provisions of the Plan) to establish such rules and regulations as it
may deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan and to make such
determinations under, and issue such interpretations of, the provisions of the
Plan and any outstanding option grants thereunder as it may deem necessary or
advisable. All decisions of the Committee within the scope of its administrative
functions under the Plan are final and binding on all parties.
C.
Service on the Committee is service as a Board member, and members of the
Committee are entitled to full indemnification and reimbursement as Board
members for their service on the Committee. No member of the Committee is liable
for any act or omission made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any
option grant under the Plan.
III. ELIGIBILITY
A. The
persons eligible to participate in the Plan ("Optionees") are as
follows:
(i) officers
and other employees of the Corporation (or its subsidiary corporations) who
render services which contribute to the management, growth and financial success
of the Corporation (or its subsidiary corporations); and
(ii) those
consultants or other independent contractors who provide valuable services to
the Corporation (or its subsidiary corporations).
B.
Non-employee Board members are not eligible to participate in the
Plan.
C. The
Committee by majority action thereof has the power and authority to determine
which eligible persons are to receive option grants, the number of shares to be
covered by each such grant, the status of the granted option as either an
incentive stock option ("Incentive Option") which satisfies the requirements of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or a non-qualified option not
intended to meet such requirements, the time or times at which each granted
option is to become exercisable, the maximum term for which the Option may
remain outstanding and the terms and provisions of the Stock Option Agreement
evidencing the Option.
IV. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE
PLAN
A. Shares
of the Corporation's Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be
drawn from either the Corporation's authorized but unissued shares of Common
Stock or from reacquired shares of Common Stock, including shares repurchased by
the Corporation on the open market. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock
which may be issued over the term of the Plan shall not exceed five million
(5,000,000) shares,
subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of
this Section IV.
B. If one
or more outstanding options under this Plan expire or terminate for any reason
prior to exercise in full then the shares subject to the portion of each option
not so exercised shall be available for subsequent option grant under the Plan.
All share issuances under the Plan reduce on a share-for-share basis the number
of shares of Common Stock available for subsequent option grants under the Plan.
In addition, if the exercise price of an outstanding option under the Plan is
paid with shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable
under the Plan are withheld by the Corporation in satisfaction of the
withholding taxes incurred in connection with the exercise of an outstanding
option under the Plan, then the number of shares of Common Stock available for
issuance under the Plan is reduced by the gross number of shares for which the
option is exercised, and not by the net number of shares of Common Stock
actually issued to the option holder.
C. If any
change is made to the Common Stock issuable under the Plan by reason of any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange
of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class
without the Corporation's receipt of consideration, then appropriate adjustments
shall be made to (i) the maximum number and/or class of stock issuable
under the Plan and (ii) the number and/or class of stock and price per
share in effect under each option outstanding under the Plan. Such adjustments
to the outstanding options are to be effected in a manner which precludes the
enlargement or dilution of rights and benefits under such options. Such
adjustments made by the Committee are final, binding and
conclusive.
V. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
OPTIONS
Options
under the Plan are granted by action of the Committee and may, at the
Committee's discretion, be either Incentive Options or non-qualified options.
Persons who are not Employees of the Corporation may only be granted
non-qualified options. Each granted option shall be evidenced by a Stock Option
Agreement in the form approved by the Committee; provided, however, that each
such agreement complies with the terms and conditions specified herein. Each
Stock Option Agreement evidencing an Incentive Option shall, in addition, be
subject to the applicable provisions of Section VI hereof.
A. Option Price.
1. The
option price per share is determined by the Committee in accordance with the
following provisions:
(i) The
option price per share of the Common Stock subject to an Incentive Option must
in no event be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Market Value of such
Common Stock on the grant date.
(ii) The
option price per share of the Common Stock subject to a non-qualified stock
option is the amount determined by the Committee at the time of grant and may be
less than, equal to or more than the Market Value of such Common Stock on the
grant date.
2. The
option price is immediately due upon exercise of the option and payable in one
of the alternative forms specified below;
(i) full
payment in cash or check made payable to the Corporation's order:
(ii) full
payment in shares of Common Stock held for the requisite period necessary to
avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for financial reporting purposes
and valued at Market Value on the Exercise Date;
(iii) full
payment in a combination of shares of Common Stock held for the requisite period
necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's reported earnings and valued at
Market Value on the Exercise Date and cash or check payable to the Corporation's
order; or
(iv) full
payment through a broker-dealer sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which
the Optionee (a) provides irrevocable written instructions to a designated
brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased shares and remit to
the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date,
sufficient funds to cover the aggregate option price payable for the purchased
shares plus all applicable Federal and State income and employment taxes
required to be withheld by the Corporation in connection with such purchase and
(b) provides written directives to the Corporation to deliver the
certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order
to complete the sale transaction.
For
purposes of this subparagraph 2, the Exercise Date is the date on which written
notice of the option exercise is delivered to the Corporation. Except to the
extent the sale and remittance procedure is utilized in connection with the
exercise of the option, payment of the option price for the purchased shares
must accompany such notice.
B. Term and Exercise of
Options.
Each
option granted hereunder is exercisable at such time or times, and excluding all
specified vesting periods during the specified term period, and for such number
of shares as is determined by the Committee and set forth in the Stock Option
Agreement evidencing such option. No granted option shall, however, have a term
in excess of ten (10) years. Subject to Paragraph E of this
Section V, during the lifetime of the Optionee, the option is exercisable
only by the Optionee and shall not be assignable or transferable other than by
transfer of the option effected by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution following the Optionee's death, or pursuant to a qualified domestic
relations order as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or
Title I of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules
thereunder.
C. Termination of
Service.
1. If the
Optionee ceases Service while holding one or more options hereunder, each such
option will not remain exercisable beyond the limited post-Service exercise
period specified by the Committee in the Stock Option Agreement evidencing the
grant, unless the Committee otherwise extends such period in accordance with
subparagraph C.5 below.
2. During
the post-Service exercise period, the option may not be exercised for more than
the number of option shares (if any) in which the Optionee is vested at the time
of cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of such post-Service exercise
period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term, the option shall
terminate and cease to be outstanding. In any case, each option terminates and
ceases to be outstanding, at the time of the Optionee's cessation of Service
with respect to any option shares for which such option is not otherwise at the
time exercisable.
3. If the
Optionee dies while holding one or more outstanding options hereunder, each such
option may be exercised, subject to the limitations of subparagraph 2 above, by
the personal representative of the Optionee's estate or by the person or persons
to whom the option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee's will or the laws of
descent and distribution or as otherwise permitted herein.
4. If
(i) the Optionee's Service is terminated for misconduct (including, but not
limited to, any act of dishonesty, willful misconduct, fraud or embezzlement) or
(ii) the Optionee makes any unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential
information or trade secrets of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, then in any
such event all outstanding options held by the Optionee hereunder terminate
immediately and cease to be outstanding.
5. Except
as otherwise determined by the Board the Committee has full power and authority
to extend the period of time for which the option is to remain exercisable
following the Optionee's cessation of Service or death from the limited period
specified in the instrument evidencing such grant to such greater period of time
as the Committee deems appropriate under the circumstances. In no event,
however, shall such option be exercisable after the specified expiration date of
the option term.
6. The
Committee has complete discretion, exercisable either at the time the option is
granted or at any time the option remains outstanding, to permit one or more
options granted hereunder to be exercised not only for the number of shares for
which each such option is exercisable at the time of the Optionee's cessation of
Service but also for one or more subsequent installments of purchasable shares
for which the option would otherwise have become exercisable had such cessation
of Service not occurred.
D. Stockholder
Rights.
An
Optionee has none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to any option
shares until such person or its nominee, guardian or legal representative has
exercised the option and paid the option price for the purchased
shares.
E. Assignment; Limited Transferability
of Stock Options
No
option granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or
otherwise alienated or hypothecated, otherwise than by will, by the laws of
decent and distribution or by a qualified domestic relations order as provided
in Section V, Paragraph B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of the options
granted to be on terms that permit transfer to:
i) the
spouse, children or grandchildren of the Optionee ("Immediate Family
Members");
ii) a
trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members,
or;
iii) a
partnership in which such Immediate Family Members are the only partners,
provided that:
(A) there
may be no consideration for any such transfer;
(B) the
Stock Option Agreement pursuant to which such Options are granted expressly
provides for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section V,
Paragraph E; and
(C) subsequent
transfers of transferred Options shall be prohibited except those in accordance
with this Section V, Paragraph E.
Following
transfer, any such options continue to be subject to the same terms and
conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that for
purposes of this Section V, Paragraph E the term Optionee shall be
deemed to refer to the transferee. The provisions of the option relating to the
period of exercisability and expiration of the Option continue to apply with
respect to the original Optionee, and the Options exercisable or received by the
transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, set forth in said
option.
VI. INCENTIVE OPTIONS
The
terms and conditions specified in this Section VI are applicable to all
Incentive Options granted hereunder. The Stock Option Agreement relating to
Incentive Options must be in accordance with Section 422(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code or a succession Section thereof. Incentive Options may only be
granted to persons who are Employees of the Corporation. Options which are
specifically designated as "non-qualified" options when issued under the Plan
are not subject to this
Section VI.
A. Dollar Limitation. The
aggregate Market Value (determined as of the respective date of dates of grant
of the Common Stock for which one or more options granted to any Employee under
this Plan (or any other option Plan of the Corporation or its subsidiary
corporations) may for the first time become exercisable as incentive stock
options under the Federal tax laws during any one calendar year shall not exceed
the sum of One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000). To the extent the Employee
holds two (2) or more such options which become exercisable for the first
time in the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the exercisability
of such options as incentive stock options under the federal tax laws shall be
applied on the basis of the order in which such options are granted. If the
shares of Common Stock for which any Incentive Option first becomes exercisable
in any calendar year exceed the applicable one hundred thousand dollar
($100,000) limitation, then the option may nevertheless be exercised in that
calendar year for the excess number of shares as a non-qualified option under
the Federal tax laws.
B. 10% Stockholder. If any
person to whom an Incentive Option is granted is the owner of stock (as
determined under Section 424(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) possessing
ten percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the corporation, the option price per share must not be less than one
hundred and ten percent (110%) of the market value per share of Common Stock on
the grant date, and the option term must not exceed five (5) years,
measured from the grant date.
Except
as modified by the preceding provisions of this Section VI, the provisions
of the Plan apply to all Incentive Options granted hereunder.
VII. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS/CHANGES IN
CONTROL
A. Each
option outstanding at the time of a Corporate Transaction automatically
accelerates so that each such option shall, immediately prior to the specified
effective date for such Corporate Transaction, become fully exercisable with
respect to the total number of shares of Common Stock at the time subject to
such option and may be exercised for all or any portion of such shares. However,
an outstanding option does not so accelerate if and to the extent: (i) such
option is, in connection with the Corporate Transaction, either to be assumed by
the successor corporation or parent thereof or to be replaced with a comparable
option to purchase shares of the capital stock of the successor corporation or
parent thereof, (ii) such option is to be replaced with a cash incentive
program of the successor corporation which preserves the option spread existing
at the time of the Corporate Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in
accordance with the same exercise schedule applicable to such option, or
(iii) the acceleration of such option is subject to other limitations
imposed by the Committee, at the time of the option grant. The determination of
option comparability by the Committee under clause (i) above is final,
binding and conclusive. The Committee also has full power and authority to grant
options under the Plan which are to automatically accelerate in whole or in part
immediately prior to the Corporate Transaction or upon the subsequent
termination of the Optionee's Service, whether or not those options are
otherwise to be assumed or replaced in connection with the consummation of such
Corporate Transaction.
B. Upon
the consummation of the Corporate Transaction, all outstanding options shall
terminate and cease to be outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the
successor corporation or its parent company.
C. Each
outstanding option which is assumed in connection with the Corporate Transaction
or is otherwise to continue in effect shall be appropriately adjusted,
immediately after such Corporate Transaction, to apply and pertain to the number
and class of stock which would have been issued to the option holder, in
consummation of such Corporate Transaction, had such person exercised the option
immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction. Appropriate adjustments shall
also be made to the Option price payable per share, provided the aggregate option
price payable for such stock shall remain the same. In addition, the class and
number of stock available for issuance under the Plan following the consummation
of the Corporate Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted.
D. The
grant of options shall in no way affects the right of the Corporation to adjust,
reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or business structure or
to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part
of its business or assets.
E. Except
as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee has the discretionary
authority, exercisable either in advance of any actually-anticipated Change in
Control or at the time of an actual Change in Control, to provide for the
automatic acceleration of one or more outstanding options upon the occurrence of
the Change in Control and to condition any such option acceleration upon the
subsequent termination of the Optionee's Service within a specified period
following the Change in Control.
F. Any
options accelerated in connection with the Change in Control remain fully
exercisable until the expiration of the option term.
G. The
exercisability as incentive stock options under the Federal tax laws of any
options accelerated under this Section VII in connection with a Corporate
Transaction or Change in Control remain subject to the dollar limitation of
Section VI, Paragraph A.
VIII. CANCELLATION AND REGRANT OF
OPTIONS
Except
as otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee has the authority to effect,
at any time and from time to time, with the consent of the affected Optionees,
the cancellation of any or all outstanding options hereunder and to grant in
substitution new options under the Plan covering the same or different numbers
of shares of Common Stock but with an option price per share based upon the
Market Value of the Common Stock on the new grant date.
IX. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND
AWARDS
The
Board has complete and exclusive power and authority to amend or modify the Plan
in any or all respects, provided that no such amendment or modification shall
adversely affect rights and obligations with respect to options at the time
outstanding under the Plan, unless the Optionee consents to such amendment. In
addition, the Board may not, without the approval of the Corporation's
stockholders, amend the Plan to (i) materially increase the maximum number
of shares issuable under the Plan, except for permissible adjustments under
Section IV Paragraph C, (ii) materially modify the eligibility
requirements for the Plan participation or (iii) materially increase the
benefits accruing to Optionees.
X. TAX WITHHOLDING
A. The
Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of
stock options or the vesting of shares acquired upon exercise of such options
under the Plan is subject to the satisfaction of all applicable Federal, State
and local income tax and employment tax withholding requirements.
B. The
Committee may, in its discretion and in accordance with the provisions of this
Section X and such supplemental rules as the Committee may from time to
time adopt (including the applicable safe-harbor provisions of 1934 Act
Rule 16b-3), provide any or all holders of non-qualified options under the
Plan with the right to use shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of all or part
of the Federal, State and local income tax and employment tax liabilities
incurred by such holders in connection with the exercise of their options. Such
right may be provided to any such holder in either or both of the following
formats:
(i) Stock Withholding: The holder
of a non-qualified option may be provided with the election to have the
Corporation withhold, from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon
the exercise of such non-qualified option, a portion of those shares with an
aggregate Market Value equal to the percentage of the applicable Taxes (up to
one hundred (100%)) as specified by such holder.
(ii) Stock Delivery: The Committee
may, in its discretion, provide the holder of a non-qualified option with the
election to deliver to the Corporation, at the time the non-qualified option is
exercised, one or more shares of Common Stock already held by such person with
an aggregate Market Value (100%) as specified by such person) of the Taxes
incurred in connection with such option exercise.
XI. TERM OF THE PLAN
The
Plan terminates upon the earlier of (i) ten years
from the date of approval by stockholders or (ii) the date on which all
shares available for issuance under the Plan have been issued or canceled
pursuant to the exercise of options granted under the Plan. If the date of
termination is determined under clause (i) above, then all option grants
and unvested stock issuances outstanding on such date continue to have force and
effect in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option Agreements
evidencing such grants or issuances.
XII. USE OF PROCEEDS
Any
cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares pursuant to
option grants under the Plan may be used for general corporate
purposes.
XIII. REGULATORY
APPROVALS
A. The
implementation of the Plan, the granting of any option under the Plan, and the
issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise or surrender of the option grants
made hereunder is subject to the Corporation's procurement of all approvals and
permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan,
the options granted under it, and the Common Stock issued pursuant to
it.
B. No
shares of Common Stock or other assets are to be issued or delivered under the
Plan unless and until there is compliance with all applicable requirements of
Federal and State securities laws, including the filing and effectiveness of the
Form S-8 registration statement for the shares of Common Stock issuable
under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed.
XIV. NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE
RIGHTS
Neither
the action of the Corporation in establishing the Plan, nor any action taken by
the Committee hereunder, nor any provision of the Plan is to be construed so as
to grant any person the right to remain in the employ or service of the
Corporation (or any subsidiary corporation) for any period of specific duration,
and the Corporation (or any subsidiary corporation retaining the services of
such person) may terminate such person's employment or service at any time and
for any reason, with or without cause.
XV. MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
A. The
right to acquire Common Stock under the Plan may not be assigned, encumbered or
otherwise transferred by any Optionee, except as specifically provided in the
Plan.
B. The
provisions of the Plan relating to the exercise of options and the vesting of
shares shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, as such laws are
applied to contracts entered into.
C. The
provisions of the Plan shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the
Corporation and its successors or assigns, whether by Corporate Transaction or
otherwise, and the Optionees, the legal representatives of their respective
estates, their respective heirs or legatees and their permitted
assignees.
D. Except
to the extent that federal laws control, the Plan and all Stock Option
Agreements hereunder are to be construed in accordance with and governed by the
law of the State of Georgia.