Stock Option Agreement - The Corporate Executive Board Co. and Clay M. Whitson
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO
THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Option Agreement") is made as of
November 1, 1998 (the "Effective Date"), between The Corporate Executive Board
Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Clay M. Whitson (the
"Optionee"), granting to the Optionee Options to purchase 10,000 Option Shares
at a purchase price of $245 per Option Share, as further described in Section 2
hereinbelow.
R E C I T A L S
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A. The Company adopted as of October 31, 1997 the Stock-Based Incentive
Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), a copy which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
B. In accordance with the Plan, the Committee is granting to the Optionee,
as of the Effective Date, Options to purchase shares of Stock (as hereinafter
defined), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement.
C. The Optionee acknowledges that he is or will be an employee of the
Company with substantial knowledge concerning the performance, operations and
future opportunities relating to the Company. The Optionee further acknowledges
that he or she has been briefed on the past and potential future performance of
the Company by Michael D'Amato and/or other senior executives of the Company,
and that the Optionee had the opportunity to ask Michael D'Amato and/or other
senior executives of the Company whatever questions the Optionee desired
concerning the financial and operational performance and expectations of the
Company. Finally, the Optionee acknowledges that all future operating results
are impossible to predict and that no representation is being made by the
Company with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any forecast regarding
the future.
D. The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that, as of the Effective Date,
(i) the Company will be an S Corporation as defined in Section 1361 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) that the capitalization of
the Company will be as described below:
(1) 1,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, of which 1,000 shares are issued to David G. Bradley;
(2) 1,399,000 authorized shares of Class B Nonvoting Common Stock
(the "Stock"), par value $0.01 per share, of which 653,300 shares
are issued to David G. Bradley and 72,700 shares are issued to
The David G. Bradley GRAT Trust Number 1;
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(3) The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be subject to
Options granted pursuant to the Plan is 400,000.
Changes in the above capitalization (including increases or decreases in the
number of authorized shares of capital stock) and available options with respect
to the Company's capital stock may be made in the future. To the extent
applicable, Sections 8 and 9 of this Option Agreement may apply to further
adjustments to the above capitalization.
AGREEMENTS
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1. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the following
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meanings:
"Act" is defined in Section 6(a).
"Agreement Not to Compete" is the Agreement Concerning Exclusive Services,
Confidential Information, Business Opportunities, Non-Competition, Non-
Solicitation, and Work Product between the Optionee and the Company.
"Approved Sale" means a transaction or a series of related sale
transactions that result in a bona fide unaffiliated change of economic
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beneficial ownership of the Company (disregarding for this purpose any disparate
voting rights attributable to the outstanding stock of the Company) whether
pursuant to the sale of the stock of the Company, the sale of the assets of the
Company, or a merger or consolidation involving the Company. However, an
Approved Sale shall not include (i) an issuance by the Company of its own Stock,
or (ii) a gift of the stock of the Company.
"Cash Shortage" is the condition that exists when, in the judgment of the
Company, the Company's cash reserves may prove insufficient to (i) cover the
Company's working capital and other obligations as they come due, including
obligations pursuant to any stock option agreement, stockholders' agreement,
agreement not to compete, substitution agreement or liquid markets agreement
entered into by the Company and any other obligation of the Company to its
employees; (ii) maintain sufficient cash reserves to pay unforeseeable costs
that may arise; and at the same time (iii) make payments to Optionee pursuant to
this Option Agreement.
"Cause" for termination is the commission of an act of fraud or theft
against the Company; conviction for any felony; conviction for any misdemeanor
involving moral turpitude which might, in the Company's opinion, cause
embarrassment to the Company; significant violation of any material Company
policy; willful or repeated non-performance or substandard performance of
material duties which is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice
thereof to the Optionee; or violation of any material District of Columbia,
state or federal laws, rules or regulations in connection with or during
performance of the Optionee's work which, if such violation is curable, is not
cured within thirty (30) days after notice thereof to the Optionee.
"Chairman of the Board" means the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Company.
"Committee" is defined in the Plan.
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"Company" is defined in the preamble.
"Disability" shall mean a serious and permanent medical incapacity or
disability that precludes the Optionee from performing professional work. The
Company, at its option and expense, shall be entitled to retain a physician
reasonably acceptable to the Optionee to confirm the existence of such
incapacity or disability. The Chairman of the Board reserves the right to
define Disability in a more liberal manner.
"Distribution" means distributions to Stockholders with respect to the
capital stock of the Company in the form of dividends, redemption payments,
liquidation payments, or other similar payment types.
"Effective Date" is defined in the preamble.
"Employment Agreement" means the Employment Agreement between the Optionee
and the Company.
"Exercisability Date" is defined in Section 3.
"Exercise Date" is defined in Section 5(a).
"Exercise Price" is defined in Section 2.
"Expiration Date" is defined in Section 4(a).
"Expiration Event" is defined in Section 4.
"Fair Market Value" means the fair market value determined by an investment
bank selected by the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion. The
investment bank shall use customary criteria generally employed within the
investment banking community for valuing the assets or capital stock of an
entity similar to the Company. With respect to the Options and the Option
Shares, Fair Market Value will be determined by applying such minority,
liquidity, or other discounts as may be applicable to minority shares of capital
stock of this type.
"Fiscal Year" means the Company's fiscal year ending March 31 of each year
or such other date as shall be designated by the Company in its sole and
absolute discretion.
"Full Recourse" means the right of the Company to recover against all of
the assets of the Optionee in the event of a default by the Optionee with
respect to the Note.
"Initial Public Offering" means the effectiveness of a registration
statement under the Act covering any of the capital stock of the Company and the
completion of a sale of such stock thereunder, if as a result of such sale (i)
the issuer becomes a reporting company under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) such stock is traded on
the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or is quoted on the
NASDAQ National Market System.
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"Majority Shareholder" means a holder of more than fifty percent (50%) of
the outstanding stock of the Company, or if no person holds more than fifty
percent (50%) of the outstanding stock of the Company, the holder of a plurality
of the outstanding stock of the Company.
"Market Rate" is a floating rate equal to the Prime Rate as quoted in The
Wall Street Journal and as adjusted from time to time but not to exceed 10% per
annum.
"Net Proceeds" is defined in Section 3(b)(ii).
"Note" is defined in Section 5(a)(iii).
"Option" or "Options" is defined in Section 2.
"Option Agreement" is defined in the preamble.
"Option Number" is defined in Section 2.
"Optionee" is defined in the preamble.
"Option Shares" means Stock subject to the Option.
"Plan" is defined in Recital A.
"Redemption Date" is defined in Section 10(a).
"Redemption Payment" is defined in Section 10(a).
"Redemption Payment Period" is defined in Section 10(a).
"Stock" is defined in Recital D.
"Stockholder" means a record holder of one or more shares of capital stock
of the Company.
"Stockholders' Agreement" means the Stockholders' Agreement of the Company,
setting forth, inter alia, certain rights, preferences and privileges of and
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restrictions on the Option Shares. The Optionee must execute a copy of the
Stockholders' Agreement prior to receiving his or her Option Shares pursuant to
the exercise of the Option.
"Termination Date" means the date on which the Optionee ceases to be
employed by the Company for any reason other than (i) for Cause, (ii) for death
or a Disability, or (iii) upon a Voluntary Resignation Date. A Termination Date
shall also exist if the Optionee voluntarily ceases his employment with the
Company as a result of the Company (i) effecting a material adverse change to
the employment responsibilities or authority of the Optionee, (ii) effecting a
reduction in the base salary of the Optionee, (iii) relocating the Optionee's
place of employment to a location that is more than thirty-five (35) miles from
the location of the Company's
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headquarters on the date of the Employment Agreement, or (iv) materially
breaching the Employment Agreement. In addition, if, as a result of one or more
related transactions, the majority of the capital stock of the Company or
substantially all of its assets are purchased by, or the Company is merged with,
another company, and the Optionee voluntarily ceases his employment with the
Company, a Termination Date shall be deemed to have occurred, if, after such
transactions, there is a significant and material adverse change in the
Optionee's responsibility for, and authority over, the same internal functions
of the Company's business as he had prior to such transactions.
"Undistributed Earnings" means, on any given date, the greater of (but not
less than zero): (i) the retained earnings (or similar entry) shown on the
audited financial statements of the Company for the prior Fiscal Year plus an
estimate by the Company of additions to or subtractions from such retained
earnings through such date of computation, and (ii) the "accumulated adjustments
account" (or similar computation) of the Company for the prior taxable year of
the Company pursuant to Section 1368(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, plus an estimate by the Company of additions to or subtractions from
this account through such date of computation.
"Voluntary Notice Date" means the date the Optionee gives notice of his or
her Voluntary Resignation Date.
"Voluntary Resignation Date" means the date on which the Optionee ceases
employment with the Company for voluntary reasons. Voluntary Resignation Date
shall not include a Termination Date or the date on which the Optionee ceases to
be employed by the Company due to death or a Disability.
"Withholding Taxes" is defined in Section 11.
2. GRANT OF OPTION. The Company grants to the Optionee the right and
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option (the "Option" or "Options") to purchase, on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, all or any part of an aggregate number of Option Shares
as described in the preamble (the outstanding amount of such unexercised and
unexpired Options herein referred to as the "Option Number"), at the purchase
price per Option Share as described in the preamble (as such amount may be
adjusted as herein provided, the "Exercise Price"), on the terms and conditions
set forth herein. These Options shall be treated as non-qualified stock
options.
3. EXERCISABILITY.
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(A) EXERCISABILITY DATE. Prior to an Initial Public Offering, the Options
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shall be exercisable during the month of July beginning on July 1, 2002 (the
"Exercisability Date") and during every month of October, January, April and
July thereafter, or at such other times after the Exercisability Date and prior
to an Initial Public Offering as determined by the Company in its sole and
absolute discretion. Prior to an Initial Public Offering and notwithstanding
the foregoing, if an investment bank is performing, or has performed,
substantial services for the Company to examine, investigate, and analyze the
possibility, feasibility, or viability of an Initial Public Offering within six
(6) months of a month during which the Options would otherwise
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become exercisable pursuant to this Section 3(a), the Chairman of the Board may,
in his sole and absolute discretion, make a determination that such Options
shall not be exercisable for such month and may designate some other month
(including the following month of January, April, July, or October, as
appropriate) for the exercise of the Options; provided, however, the Chairman of
the Board may not designate some other month for the exercise of the Options
pursuant to this Section 3(a) any later than the month of April beginning on
July 1, 2003.
(B) OTHER EXERCISABLE EVENTS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
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Section 3(a) above, the Options shall be exercisable upon the occurrence of any
of the following events prior to, on, or after, the Exercisability Date:
(i) Approved Sale of Stock. Prior to an Initial Public Offering,
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in the event of an Approved Sale by the Majority Shareholder of one hundred
percent (100%) of the Company's outstanding Stock held by such Majority
Shareholder, the Options shall be exercisable on the date of such Approved
Sale. However, if the Majority Shareholder sells less than one hundred
percent (100%) of the Company's outstanding Stock held by such Majority
Shareholder pursuant to an Approved Sale, the Optionee shall only be
entitled to exercise the Options with respect to a number of Option Shares
equal to the Option Number immediately prior to such Approved Sale
multiplied by the fraction equal to the number of shares of the Company's
outstanding Stock sold pursuant to the Approved Sale by such Majority
Shareholder divided by the total number of shares of the Company's
outstanding Stock held by such Majority Shareholder immediately prior to
such Approved Sale.
(ii) Approved Sale of Assets. Prior to an Initial Public Offering,
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in the event of a Distribution by the Company that is funded with one
hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds, after payment of related expenses
(the "Net Proceeds") from an Approved Sale of one hundred percent (100%) of
the Company's assets, the Options shall be exercisable on the date of such
Distribution. For purposes of this Section 3(b)(ii), a Distribution made
by the Company shall not be treated as a Distribution funded with the Net
Proceeds from an Approved Sale of the Company's assets to the extent of the
Company's Undistributed Earnings as of the Distribution date. However, if
less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds from an Approved
Sale of one hundred percent (100%) of the Company's assets is so
distributed, the Optionee shall only be entitled on the date of the
Distribution to exercise Options with respect to a number of Option Shares
equal to the Option Number immediately prior to such Distribution
multiplied by the percentage of the Net Proceeds from such Approved Sale
that is so distributed by the Company. If less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Company's assets is sold pursuant to an Approved Sale and all
or some portion of the Net Proceeds from such Approved Sale is so
distributed, the Optionee shall be entitled on the date of Distribution to
exercise Options with respect to a number of Option Shares equal to the
Option Number immediately prior to such Distribution multiplied by the
product of (A) the percentage, based on Fair Market Value, of the Company's
assets sold pursuant to such Approved Sale, and (B) the percentage of the
Net Proceeds from such Approved Sale that is so distributed by the Company.
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(iii) Initial Public Offering. In the event of an Initial Public
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Offering of the Company's Stock, the Options shall be exercisable as
follows:
(A) as of the date one (1) year after the Initial Public
Offering or such earlier date(s) as the Chairman of the Board shall
designate in his sole and absolute discretion, one third (1/3) of the
Option Number as of the date of the Initial Public Offering;
(B) as of the date two (2) years after the Initial Public
Offering or such earlier date(s) as the Chairman of the Board shall
designate in his sole and absolute discretion, one third (1/3) of the
Option Number as of the date of the Initial Public Offering; and
(C) as of the date three (3) years after the Initial Public
Offering or such earlier date(s) as the Chairman of the Board shall
designate in his sole and absolute discretion, one third (1/3) of the
Option Number as of the date of the Initial Public Offering.
(iv) Termination Date. As of a Termination Date, the Options shall
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be immediately exercisable.
(C) DETERMINATION OF EXERCISABLE OPTIONS. The good faith determination by
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the Company of the number of Options that may be exercisable by the Optionee
pursuant to Sections 3(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be binding upon the
Optionee.
4. EXPIRATION. The number of Option Shares that the Optionee is entitled
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to purchase pursuant to the Options shall be decreased by the number of Option
Shares purchased by the Optionee on any given date. In addition, as described
below, some or all of the Options shall expire and shall no longer be
exercisable, at the end of the day upon which ANY of the following events occurs
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(each an "Expiration Event"):
(A) EXPIRATION DATE. Upon July 31, 2003 (the "Expiration Date"), the
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Options shall expire. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of an Initial
Public Offering prior to Expiration Date, the Options shall expire the later of
five (5) years and thirty (30) days after the Initial Public Offering or the
Expiration Date.
(B) TERMINATION WITH CAUSE OR VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION. Prior to an Initial
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Public Offering, the Options shall all expire as of (i) the date the Optionee
ceases to be employed by the Company for Cause or (ii) a Voluntary Resignation
Date.
(C) TERMINATION DATE. As of the date ninety (90) days after a Termination
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Date, the Options shall all expire.
(D) APPROVED SALE OF STOCK. Prior to an Initial Public Offering, the
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Options shall all expire upon an Approved Sale by the Majority Shareholder of
one hundred percent (100%) of the Company's outstanding stock held by such
Majority Shareholder. However, if the Majority
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Shareholder sells less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Company's
outstanding stock held by such Majority Shareholder pursuant to an Approved
Sale, the number of Options that shall expire shall be equal to the amount by
which the Option Number immediately prior to such Approved Sale multiplied by
the fraction equal to the number of shares of the Company's outstanding Stock
sold pursuant to the Approved Sale by such Majority Shareholder divided by the
total number of shares of the Company's outstanding Stock held by such Majority
Shareholder immediately prior to such Approved Sale exceeds the number of Option
Shares purchased by the Optionee on the date of such Approved Sale.
(E) APPROVED SALE OF ASSETS. Prior to an Initial Public Offering, the
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Options shall all expire upon a Distribution by the Company that is funded with
one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds from an Approved Sale of one
hundred percent (100%) of the Company's assets. For purposes of this Section
4(e), a Distribution made by the Company shall not be treated as a Distribution
funded with the Net Proceeds from an Approved Sale of the Company's assets to
the extent of the Company's Undistributed Earnings as of the date of the
Distribution. However, if less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Net
Proceeds from an Approved Sale of one hundred percent (100%) of the Company's
assets is so distributed, the number of Options that shall expire shall be equal
to the amount by which the Option Number immediately prior to such Distribution
multiplied by the percentage of the Net Proceeds from such Approved Sale that is
so distributed by the Company exceeds the number of Option Shares purchased by
the Optionee on the date of such Distribution. If less than one hundred percent
(100%) of the Company's assets is sold pursuant to an Approved Sale and all or
some portion of the Net Proceeds from such Approved Sale is so distributed, the
number of Options that shall expire shall be equal to the amount by which the
Option Number immediately prior to such Distribution multiplied by the product
of (i) the percentage, based on Fair Market Value, of the Company's assets sold
pursuant to such Approved Sale, and (ii) the percentage of the Net Proceeds from
such Approved Sale that is so distributed by the Company, exceeds the number of
Option Shares purchased by the Optionee on the date of such Distribution.
(F) INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING. In the event of an Initial Public Offering,
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(i) the Options shall all expire as of the date on which the Optionee ceases to
be employed by the Company for Cause; and (ii) upon a Voluntary Resignation
Date, (A) any portion of the Option that is unexercisable as of the Voluntary
Resignation Date shall remain unexercisable and shall terminate as of such date,
and (B) any portion of the Option that is exercisable as of the Voluntary
Resignation Date shall expire the earlier of thirty (30) days after such date
and the date provided in Section 4(a) above.
5. EXERCISE OF THE OPTION.
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(a) Prior to the expiration thereof, the Optionee may exercise the Options
from time to time in whole or in part as permitted hereunder (the "Exercise
Date"). On the Exercise Date, the Optionee shall deliver to the Chairman of the
Board the following:
(i) A copy of the Stockholders' Agreement duly executed by the
Optionee;
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(ii) A written and signed notice of such election setting forth the
number of Option Shares the Optionee has elected to purchase;
(iii) Payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price of such Option
Shares in one or a combination of the following: (A) cash or a cashier's or
certified bank check payable to the order of the Company, or (B) a Full
Recourse promissory note, in a form determined by the Company in its sole
and absolute discretion (the "Note"), secured by the number of Option
Shares the Optionee has elected to purchase, bearing a Market Rate of
interest, and due and payable the earlier of the date the Optionee disposes
of all or a portion of his or her Stock securing the Note, or the date six
(6) months after the Exercise Date or such later date as the Company
determines in its sole and absolute discretion; and
(iv) The amount, if any, required pursuant to Section 11 hereof.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in Section 5(a) to the contrary, the Committee
may, in its sole and absolute discretion, permit payment of the Exercise Price
in such form or in such manner as may be otherwise permissible under the Plan
and under any applicable law.
(c) If the Optionee provides payment as provided in Section 5(a)(iii)(B)
above, the Optionee agrees to execute and deliver such other documents as may be
reasonably required by the Company to effectuate and secure the Note. If a
Voluntary Notice Date occurs less than three (3) months prior to a Voluntary
Resignation Date, the Note, together with any accrued interest thereon, shall be
immediately payable upon the earlier of the due date of the Note or the
Voluntary Resignation Date.
6. COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
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(a) No Option Shares shall be issued or transferred pursuant to this Option
Agreement unless and until all legal requirements applicable to such issuance or
transfer have, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, been satisfied. Such
requirements may include, but are not limited to, registering or qualifying such
Option Shares under any state or federal law, satisfying any applicable law
relating to the transfer of unregistered securities or demonstrating the
availability of an exemption from applicable laws, placing a legend on the
Option Shares to the effect that they were issued in reliance upon an exemption
from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
may not be transferred other than in reliance upon Rule 144 or Rule 701
promulgated under the Act, if available, or upon another exemption from the Act,
or obtaining the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body.
(b) The Optionee understands that the Company intends for the offering and
sale of Option Shares to be effected in reliance upon Rule 701 or another
available exemption from registration under the Act and intends to file a Form
701 as appropriate, and that the Company is under no obligation to register for
resale the Option Shares issued upon exercise of the Option, subject to the
Stockholders' Agreement. In connection with any such issuance or transfer, the
person acquiring the Option Shares shall, if requested by the Company, provide
information and assurances satisfactory to counsel to the Company with respect
to such matters as the Company reasonably may deem desirable to assure
compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
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(c) The Option Shares issued pursuant to this Option Agreement may bear
such legends with respect to their transferability that the Committee may deem
appropriate.
7. NONTRANSFERABILITY. Subject to Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the Option
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shall not be transferable by the Optionee except, after the Optionee's death, to
his or her spouse, child, estate, personal representative, heir or successor.
More particularly (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing), the
Option may not be assigned, transferred (except as aforesaid), pledged or
hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise), and shall
not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any assignment,
transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Option contrary to
the provisions hereof, and the levy of any attachment or similar process upon
the Option that would otherwise effect a change in the ownership of the Option,
shall terminate the Option; provided, however, that in the case of the
involuntary levy of any attachment or similar involuntary process upon the
Option, the Optionee shall have thirty (30) days after notice thereof to cure
such levy or process before the Option terminates. This Option Agreement shall
be binding on and enforceable against any person who is a permitted transferee
of the Option pursuant to the first sentence of this Section.
8. EFFECT OF MERGER; ADJUSTMENTS.
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(a) In the event of an Approved Sale that is a merger or other form of
corporate reorganization and notwithstanding any other provisions of this Option
Agreement, the unexercised portion of the Option shall be subject to the terms
of the agreement or plan of merger or reorganization effecting such merger or
reorganization and shall be converted, redeemed, exchanged, canceled or
otherwise treated as provided in such agreement or plan of merger or
reorganization.
(b) Subject to Section 8(a) above, if the shares of the Stock are changed
into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities, as the
result of any one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, mergers,
acquisitions, stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends or similar
events, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares
or other securities subject to the Option, and the price for each share or other
unit of any securities subject to this Option Agreement, in accordance with
Section 10 of the Plan. No fractional interests shall be issued on account of
any such adjustment unless the Committee specifically determines to the
contrary; provided, however, that in lieu of fractional interests, the Optionee,
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upon the exercise of the Option in whole or part, shall receive cash in an
amount equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value of such fractional
interests exceeds the Exercise Price attributable to such fractional interests.
9. ADJUSTMENTS AND DILUTION.
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(a) If the capitalization of the Company changes as the result of one or
more stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, combinations,
recapitalizations, reclassifications, mergers, consolidations or similar events,
an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the number and kind of shares or
other securities subject to the Option, and the price for each share or other
unit of any securities subject to this Option Agreement, in accordance with
Section 10 of the Plan. No fractional interests shall be issued on account of
any such adjustment unless the
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Committee specifically determines to the contrary; provided, however, that in
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lieu of fractional interests, the Optionee, upon the exercise of the Option in
whole or part, shall receive cash in an amount equal to the amount by which the
Fair Market Value of such fractional interests exceeds the Exercise Price
attributable to such fractional interests.
(b) Except as may be specifically provided in this Option Agreement,
nothing herein shall prohibit or restrict the Company from taking any corporate
action or engaging in any corporate transaction of any kind, including, without
limitation, the issuance and sale of additional shares of capital stock of the
Company, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or sale of assets, or create in
Optionee or his or her permitted transferee any rights to acquire or receive
additional shares of capital stock of the Company or otherwise be protected
against dilution.
10. RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF OPTIONS.
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(a) Prior to an Initial Public Offering and notwithstanding anything in
Section 7 above to the contrary, the Company shall have the right, on or after
the Exercisability Date and in its sole and absolute discretion, to redeem, in
whole, the Option granted by this Option Agreement, and the Optionee shall be
obligated to sell, in whole, the Option as required by the Company's exercise of
this right. The redemption of the Option shall be effective as of the date of
such redemption (the "Redemption Date"). Payment for the redeemed Option (the
"Redemption Payment") shall be made by means of the payment to the Optionee by
the Company of the Fair Market Value of such Option in cash or by check as of
the date one (1) year after the Redemption Date or such earlier date(s) as the
Company may designate in its sole and absolute discretion (the "Redemption
Payment Period"). No interest shall accrue on any portion of the Redemption
Payment due and outstanding during the Redemption Payment Period.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 10(a) above, as of
the end of the Redemption Payment Period, payment of any due and outstanding
portion of the Redemption Payment shall be delayed if the Company determines it
is suffering from a Cash Shortage. Any outstanding portion of a Redemption
Payment that would otherwise be due and payable during a period of Cash Shortage
shall be delayed for a period of six (6) months, after which time the Company
shall either make any payment that has been delayed, or determine that the
Company continues to suffer from a Cash Shortage. Interest shall accrue at
Market Rate during any period of delay due to this Section 10(b).
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10 to the contrary, if a
Voluntary Notice Date occurs less than three (3) months prior to a Voluntary
Resignation Date, any portion of the Redemption Payment outstanding as of the
Voluntary Resignation Date, together with any accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, shall be forfeited by the Optionee, and the Company shall have no
further liability with respect to such outstanding portion and such accrued
interest, if any.
11. TAXES. The Committee may, in its discretion, make such provisions and
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take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of
all federal, state, local and other taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to the exercise of the Option or the redemption of the Option (the
"Withholding Taxes") including, but not limited to, deducting the
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amount of any such withholding taxes from any other amount then or thereafter
payable to the Optionee, requiring the Optionee to pay to the Company the amount
required to be withheld or to execute such documents as the Committee deems
necessary or desirable to enable it to satisfy its obligations with respect to
the Withholding Taxes. With the consent of the Company, the Optionee may
authorize the Company to withhold a sufficient number of the shares of Stock
otherwise issuable to the Optionee on the Exercise Date as payment of his
obligation with respect to the Withholding Taxes (such shares to be valued on
the basis of the Fair Market Value of the Stock of the Company on the Exercise
Date).
12. NO INTEREST IN SHARES SUBJECT TO OPTION. Neither the Optionee
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(individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person
claiming under or through the Optionee shall have any right, title, interest, or
privilege in or to any shares of Stock allocated or reserved for the purpose of
the Plan or subject to this Agreement except as to such Option Shares, if any,
as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of the Option or portion
thereof.
13. SUBJECT TO STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT. The Optionee acknowledges that
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the Option Shares are subject to the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement.
14. THE PLAN CONTROLS. The Option hereby granted is subject to, and the
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Company and the Optionee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions
of the Plan as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the
terms thereof, but no such amendment shall be effective as to the Option without
the Optionee's consent insofar as it may adversely affect the Optionee's rights
under this Option Agreement.
15. NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. Nothing in the Plan, in this Option
--------------------------
Agreement or any other instrument executed pursuant thereto shall confer upon
the Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the Company nor shall affect
the right of the Company to terminate the employment of the Optionee with or
without Cause.
16. SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT NOT TO COMPETE. The Optionee acknowledges that
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the execution of the Agreement Not to Compete attached hereto is a condition
precedent to the receipt of any rights or benefits conferred on the Optionee by
this Option Agreement.
17. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
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pursuant to this Option Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given if personally delivered, telexed or telecopied to, or, if
mailed, when received by, the other party, if to the Company at its principal
executive offices addressed to the attention of the Chairman of the Board, and
if to Optionee at his or her address as it appears on the books of the Company
(or at such other address as shall be given in writing by Optionee or his or her
permitted transferee to the Company).
18. BINDING EFFECT. This Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
--------------
and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors
and assigns.
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19. ENTIRE OPTION AGREEMENT. This Option Agreement, together with the
-----------------------
Plan, the Employment Agreement, the Stockholders' Agreement and the Agreement
Not to Compete, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the
parties as to the subject matter hereof (including, but not limited to, any
rights of the Optionee to any value or appreciation in value of the Company or
its capital stock) and supersedes all prior oral and written and all
contemporaneous oral discussions, agreements and understandings of any kind or
nature.
20. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. This Option Agreement may be amended, and any
----------------------
provision hereof may be waived, only by a writing signed by the party to be
charged.
21. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party shall cooperate and take such action
------------------
as may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Option Agreement.
22. ACTIONS BY THE COMPANY. Any reference within this Option Agreement to
----------------------
an action, judgment, conclusion, or determination by the Company shall mean an
action, judgment, conclusion, or determination of the Board of Directors of the
Company or its authorized representative(s).
23. HEADINGS. The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are
--------
inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of
this Option Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or
effect.
24. GOVERNING LAW. All terms of and rights under this Option Agreement
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shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal law of the
State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
25. ARBITRATION. The parties shall endeavor to settle all disputes by
-----------
amicable negotiations. Subject to Section 25(f) hereof, any claim, dispute,
disagreement or controversy that arises among the parties relating to this
Option Agreement that is not amicably settled shall be resolved by arbitration,
as follows:
(a) Any such arbitration shall be heard in the District of Columbia,
before a panel consisting of one (1) to three (3) arbitrators, each of whom
shall be impartial. Except as the parties may otherwise agree, all arbitrators
shall be appointed in the first instance by the appropriate official in the
District of Columbia office of the American Arbitration Association or, in the
event of his or her unavailability by reason of disqualification or otherwise,
by the appropriate official in the New York City office of the American
Arbitration Association. In determining the number and appropriate background of
the arbitrators, the appointing authority shall give due consideration to the
issues to be resolved, but his or her decision as to the number of arbitrators
and their identity shall be final. Except as otherwise provided in this Section
25, all of the arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the
rules of the arbitrators.
(b) An arbitration may be commenced by any party to this Option Agreement
by the service of a written request for arbitration upon the other affected
parties. Such request for arbitration shall summarize the controversy or claim
to be arbitrated, and shall be referred by the
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complaining party to the appointing authority for appointment of arbitrators ten
(10) days following such service or thereafter. If the panel of arbitrators is
not appointed by the appointing authority within thirty (30) days following such
reference, any party may apply to any court within the District of Columbia for
an order appointing arbitrators qualified as set forth below.
(c) All attorneys' fees and costs of the arbitration shall in the first
instance be borne by the respective party incurring such costs and fees, but the
arbitrators shall have the discretion to award costs and/or attorneys' fees as
they deem appropriate under the circumstances. The parties hereby expressly
waive punitive damages, and under no circumstances shall an award contain any
amount that in any way reflects punitive damages.
(d) Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction thereof.
(e) It is intended that controversies or claims submitted to arbitration
under this Section 25 shall remain confidential, and to that end it is agreed by
the parties that neither the facts disclosed in the arbitration, the issues
arbitrated, nor the views or opinions of any persons concerning them, shall be
disclosed to third persons at any time, except to the extent necessary to
enforce an award or judgment or as required by law or in response to legal
process or in connection with such arbitration.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Option
Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to initiate at any time legal action in
a court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of seeking and obtaining the
issuance of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and/or other
similar relief restraining the Optionee from committing or continuing to commit
any breach of the Agreement Not to Compete pending final resolution of the
arbitration proceeding. In the event the Company prevails in such arbitration
proceeding, in addition to any other remedies granted to the Company pursuant to
such proceeding, the Company shall be entitled to seek and obtain a permanent
injunction and/or other similar relief restraining the Optionee from committing
or continuing to commit any breach of the Agreement Not to Compete.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Option Agreement as of
the dates set forth below.
THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
By: __________________________________
Name: /s/ Michael A. D'Amato
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Title: Executive Vice President
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Date: _______________________________
OPTIONEE
Signature: __________________________
Date: ________________________________
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