Form S-8 - Securities to be offered to employees in employee benefit plans

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2024

Registration No. 333-

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

AMPLIFY ENERGY CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware		82-1326219
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
500 Dallas Street, Suite 1700 Houston, Texas (Address of Principal Executive Office)		77002 (Zip Code)

 

Amplify Energy Corp. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

 

Eric M. Willis

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

500 Dallas Street, Suite 1700

Houston, Texas 77002

 

[phone]

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

Matthew R. Pacey

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

609 Main Street, Suite 4500

Houston, Texas 77002

[phone]

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer		¨		Accelerated filer		x
Non-accelerated filer		¨		Smaller reporting company		x
				Emerging growth company		¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Registration Statement is being filed for the purpose of registering shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) of Amplify Energy Corp, a Delaware corporation (the “Registrant”), which have been authorized and reserved for issuance under the Amplify Energy Corp. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”) and includes shares of Common Stock that may again become available for delivery with respect to awards under the 2024 Plan pursuant to the share counting, share recycling and other terms and conditions of the 2024 Plan. The 2024 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Registrant on April 1, 2024 and approved by stockholders at the Registrant’s annual meeting on May 15, 2024.

 

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

 

The Registrant will provide all participants in the 2024 Plan with the document(s) containing information required by Part I of Form S-8, as specified in Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In accordance with the note to Part I of Form S-8 and Rule 428 of the Securities Act, the Registrant has not filed such document(s) with the Commission, but such documents (along with the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof) shall constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

 

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

 

Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws and regulations, the Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following documents:

 

	(a)	The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Commission on March 7, 2024;
	(b)	The Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the Commission on May 8, 2024;

 

 

 

 

(c)

The Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 15, 2024; and

 

(d)

Description of the Registrant’s Capital Stock Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35512) filed on March 5, 2020).

 

Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws and regulations, all documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the dates of filing of such documents.

 

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

 

Item 4. Description of Securities.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which he or she shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, he or she is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court shall deem proper.

 

 

 

 

Section 145(e) of the DGCL provides that expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized by Section 145 of the DGCL. Section 145(e) of the DGCL further provides that such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees or agents of the corporation may be so paid upon such terms and conditions as the corporation deems appropriate.

 

Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

Our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) provides that we will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, each person who was, is or, in the case of a proceeding brought by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, claim, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is, was or agreed to become one of our directors or officers or is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) further provides for the advancement of expenses to each of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, our directors shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Under Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty can be limited or eliminated except (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to unlawful payment of dividend or unlawful stock purchase or redemption); or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

We also maintain a general liability insurance policy which covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our company arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the DGCL or the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation.

 

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and our executive officers. These agreements provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and such officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and by our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.

 

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement, including those exhibits incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing of the Registrant under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act as indicated in parentheses:

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
4.1		Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on October 21, 2016).
4.2		Certificate of Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc., dated August 6, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35512) filed on August 6, 2019).
4.3		Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Amplify Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-35512) filed on November 15, 2021).
4.4		Description of Amplify Energy Corp.’s Capital Stock Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Annual report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35512) filed on March 5, 2020).
5.1*		Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
10.1*#		Amplify Energy Corp. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan.
23.1*		Consent of Cawley, Gillespie and Associates, Inc.
23.2*		Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.3*		Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1*		Powers of Attorney (included in the signature pages of this Registration Statement).
107*		Filing Fee Table.

 

 

*	Filed herewith.

#	Compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

 

Item 9. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement;

 

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

 

(iv) provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

 

 

 

 

(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas on May 31, 2024.

 

	AMPLIFY ENERGY CORP.
	By:	Amplify Energy Corp.
	By:	/s/ Martyn Willsher
	Name:	Martyn Willsher
	Title:	President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Martyn Willsher as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with exhibits hereto and other documents in connection therewith or in connection with the registration of the securities under the Securities Act with the Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his or her substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date presented.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Martyn Willsher Martyn Willsher		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)		May 31, 2024
/s/ James Frew James Frew		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)		May 31, 2024
/s/ Eric Dulany Eric Dulany		Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)		May 31, 2024
/s/ Christopher W. Hamm Christopher W. Hamm		Chairman and Director		May 31, 2024
/s/ Deborah G. Adams Deborah G. Adams		Director		May 31, 2024
/s/ James E. Craddock James E. Craddock		Director		May 31, 2024
/s/ Patrice Douglas Patrice Douglas		Director		May 31, 2024

 

/s/ Vidisha Prasad Vidisha Prasad		Director		May 31, 2024
/s/ Todd R. Snyder Todd R. Snyder		Director		May 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

 

	609 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 United States   [phone]	Facsimile: [phone]

 

www.kirkland.com

 

May 31, 2024

 

Amplify Energy Corp.

500 Dallas Street, Suite

1700 Houston, Texas 77002

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We are issuing this opinion letter in our capacity as special counsel to Amplify Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (as amended or supplemented, the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on May 31, 2024 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by the Company. The Registration Statement relates to the registration by the Company of up to 2,700,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, issuable under the Amplify Energy Corp. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), including shares of Common Stock that may again become available for delivery with respect to awards under the Plan pursuant to the share counting, share recycling and other terms and conditions of the Plan (the “Shares”).

 

In connection with the registration of the Shares, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including (i) the corporate and organizational documents of the Company, (ii) minutes and records of the corporate proceedings of the Company with respect to the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the Plan, (iii) the Plan and (iv) the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.

 

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Company. We have not independently established or verified any facts relevant to the opinions expressed herein, but have relied upon statements and representations of the officers and other representatives of the Company.

 

We have relied without independent investigation upon, among other things, an assurance from the Company that the number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue in the Company’s charter exceeds the number of shares outstanding and the number of shares which the Company is obligated to issue (or had otherwise reserved for issuance) for any purposes other than issuance in connection with the Plan by at least the number of Shares which may be issued in connection with the Plan and we have assumed that such condition will remain true at all future times relevant to this opinion.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and , when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

Austin  Bay Area  Beijing  Boston  Brussels  Chicago  Dallas  Hong Kong  London  Los Angeles  Miami  Munich  New York  Paris  Riyadh  Salt Lake City  Shanghai  Washington, D.C.

 

 

 

 

 

Amplify Energy Corp

May 31, 2024

Page 2

 

Our opinion expressed above is subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of any laws except the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including the applicable provisions of the Delaware constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states to the sale of the Shares.

 

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. This opinion speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion after the date of effectiveness should the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise after the date hereof.

 

This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose.

 

		Sincerely,
		/s/ KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

AMPLIFY ENERGY CORP.
2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.

Purpose.

 

The purpose of the Amplify Energy Corp. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan is to further align the interests of eligible participants with those of the Company’s stockholders by providing long-term incentive compensation opportunities tied to the performance of the Company and its Common Stock. The Plan is intended to advance the interests of the Company and increase stockholder value by attracting, retaining and motivating key personnel upon whose judgment, initiative and effort the successful conduct of the Company’s business is largely dependent.

 

2.     Definitions. Wherever the following capitalized terms are used in the Plan and/or an Award Agreement (as defined below), they shall have the meanings specified below:

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to a Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.

 

“Award” means an award of a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit, Other Stock-Based Award or cash award granted under the Plan.

 

“Award Agreement” means a notice or an agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and conditions of an Award granted to a Participant as provided in Section 14.1 hereof.

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

“Cause” shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the Award Agreement or Participant Agreement, (i) a Participant’s commission of, conviction for, plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; (ii) a Participant’s engaging in conduct that constitutes fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with his or her employment or service duties or responsibilities; (iii) a Participant’s contravention, in any material respect, of specific lawful directions related to a material duty or responsibility which is directed to be undertaken from the person to whom such Participant reports; (iv) any acts by a Participant which constitute embezzlement, misappropriation or breach of fiduciary duty resulting or intending to result in such Participant’s personal gain or enrichment at the expense of the Company or its Affiliates; or (v) a Participant’s continued failure to comply with a material policy of the Company or its Affiliates after receiving notice of failure to comply from the person to whom such Participant reports.

 

“Change of Control” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3 hereof.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Committee” means (i) the Compensation Committee of the Board, (ii) such other committee of the Board appointed by the Board to administer the Plan or (iii) the Board, as determined by the Board.

 

“Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

 

“Company” means Amplify Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

“Date of Grant” means the date on which an Award under the Plan is granted by the Committee or such later date as the Committee may specify to be the effective date of an Award.

 

“Disability” shall mean, unless otherwise defined in the Award Agreement, the Participant is unable to perform his or her duties for a period of 90 consecutive days as a result of physical or mental impairment or illness or injury at the time of a termination of employment.

 

1

 

 

“Effective Date” means April 1, 2024, which is the date of the Plan’s adoption by the Board, subject to the approval of this Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.

  

“Eligible Person” means any (i) person who is an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) each other natural Person who provides services to the Company or any of its Affiliates as a consultant or advisor and who is designated as eligible by the Committee, and (iii) each non-employee director of the Company or any of its Affiliates. An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or any of its Affiliates for purposes of eligibility for participation in this Plan.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a share of Common Stock as of a given date of determination hereunder, the closing price as quoted on any national stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the Common Stock is then traded, or if the Common Stock was not traded on such date, then the immediately preceding date on which sales of shares of Common Stock have been so quoted or reported shall be used. If the Common Stock on such date is not so publicly traded, “Fair Market Value” shall be determined based upon a pre-established formula determined by the Committee or by an independent third-party valuation firm selected by the Committee, and shall be determined in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder. In the event that the Common Stock is not publicly traded, Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with the foregoing sentence) shall be communicated to Participants on a quarterly basis.

 

“Incentive Stock Option” means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

“Incumbent Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3(b) hereof.

 

“Nonqualified Stock Option” means a Stock Option granted under Section 6 hereof that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

“Other Stock-Based Awards” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10 hereof.

 

“Outstanding Company Voting Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.3(a) hereof.

 

“Participant” means any Eligible Person who holds an outstanding Award under the Plan.

 

“Participant Agreement” means an employment or other service agreement between a Participant and the Company or any Affiliate that describes the terms and conditions of such Participant’s employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate and is effective as of the date of determination.

 

“Performance Stock Unit” means a Restricted Stock Unit designated as a Performance Stock Unit under Section 9.1 hereof, to be paid or distributed based on or conditioned upon the attainment of pre-established business and/or individual performance conditions over a specified performance period, as may be determined by the Committee.

 

“Permitted Holder” means any holder who, directly or indirectly, owns more than 25% of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities as of the Effective Date.

 

“Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

 

“Plan” means the Amplify Energy Corp. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan as set forth herein, effective and as may be amended from time to time as provided herein.

 

“Prior Plan” means the Amplify Energy Corp. Equity Incentive Plan.

 

2

 

 

“Restricted Stock Award” means a grant of shares of Common Stock to an Eligible Person under Section 8 hereof that are issued subject to such vesting and transfer restrictions as the Committee shall determine, and such other conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

 

“Restricted Stock Unit” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 9 hereof representing notional unit interests equal in value to a share of Common Stock to be paid or distributed at such times, and subject to such conditions, as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

“Service” means a Participant’s employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

 

“Stock Appreciation Right” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 7 hereof entitling such Eligible Person to receive a payment representing the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock over the base price per share of the right, at such time, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

 

“Stock Option” means a contractual right granted to an Eligible Person under Section 6 hereof to purchase shares of Common Stock at such time and price, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

 

“Subsidiary” means an entity (whether or not a corporation) that is wholly or majority owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any other Affiliate of the Company that is so designated, from time to time, by the Committee, during the period of such affiliated status; provided, however, that with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the term “Subsidiary” shall include only an entity that qualifies under Section 424(f) of the Code as a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company.

 

“Total Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

 

3.

Administration.

 

3.1

Committee Members. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. To the extent required by, or intended to obtain an exemption or benefit under, applicable law or securities exchange rules, the Committee or subcommittee thereof shall be comprised of no fewer than two members of the Board who are appointed by the Board to administer the Plan and who satisfy the requirements for (i) an “independent director” under rules adopted by any national stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded, and/or (ii) a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the mere fact that an Award has been granted inconsistent with any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.1 shall not invalidate any Award which is otherwise validly made under the Plan. Neither the Company nor any member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith by the Committee with respect to the Plan or any Award thereunder.

 

3.2

Committee Authority. The Committee shall have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to, the power to (i) determine the Eligible Persons to whom Awards shall be granted under the Plan, (ii) prescribe the restrictions, terms and conditions of all Awards, (iii) interpret the Plan and terms of the Awards, (iv) adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, and interpret, amend or revoke any such rules, (v) make all determinations with respect to a Participant’s Service and the termination of such Service for purposes of any Award, (vi) correct any defect(s) or omission(s) or reconcile any ambiguity(ies) or inconsistency(ies) in the Plan or any Award thereunder, (vii) make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan, (viii) decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan, (ix) subject to the terms of the Plan, amend the terms of an Award in any manner that is not inconsistent with the Plan, (x) accelerate the vesting or, to the extent applicable, exercisability of any Award at any time (including, but not limited to, upon a Change of Control or upon termination of Service under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Award Agreement or otherwise), subject to Section 5.3, and (xi) adopt such procedures, modifications or subplans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Eligible Persons who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the United States. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee selectively among Participants and Eligible Persons, whether or not such persons are similarly situated. The Committee shall, in its discretion, consider such factors as it deems relevant in making its interpretations, determinations and actions under the Plan including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or employee of the Company or board of directors of an Affiliate or such attorneys, consultants, accountants or other advisors as it may select. All interpretations, determinations, and actions by the Committee shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties.

 

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3.3

Delegation of Authority. The Committee shall have the right, from time to time, to delegate in writing to one or more officers of the Company the authority of the Committee to grant and determine the terms and conditions of Awards granted under the Plan, subject to the requirements of Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or any successor provision) or such other limitations as the Committee shall determine. In no event shall any such delegation of authority be permitted with respect to Awards granted to any Eligible Person who is subject to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Committee shall also be permitted to delegate, to any appropriate officer, employee or agent of the Company, responsibility for performing certain ministerial functions under the Plan. In the event that the Committee’s authority is delegated to officers, employees or agents in accordance with the foregoing, all provisions of the Plan relating to the Committee shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the foregoing by treating any such reference as a reference to such officer, employee or agent for such purpose. Any action undertaken in accordance with the Committee’s delegation of authority hereunder shall have the same force and effect as if such action was undertaken directly by the Committee and shall be deemed for all purposes of the Plan to have been taken by the Committee.

 

4.

Shares Subject to the Plan.

 

4.1

Number of Shares Reserved. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4 hereof, the total number of shares of Common Stock that are reserved for issuance under the Plan shall equal 2,250,000, which includes any shares of Common Stock remaining available for issuance under the Amplify Energy Corp. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Total Shares”). The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Incentive Stock Options is equal to the Total Shares. Any shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. Any Shares of Common Stock that are tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company (by either actual delivery or attestation) (i) in payment of the exercise, base or purchase price relating to a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the Plan or the Prior Plan, or (ii) to satisfy any taxes or tax withholding obligations with respect to a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the Plan or the Prior Plan, as applicable, will not be available for future Awards under the Plan. Any Shares that were subject to a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan that were not issued upon the exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right shall not become available again for Awards under the Plan. Any Shares that were purchased by the Company on the open market with the proceeds from the exercise of a Stock Option granted under the Plan shall not become available for Awards under the Plan. Any Shares that are withheld by the Company or tendered by a Participant (by either actual delivery or attestation) to satisfy tax withholding obligations associated with any Award other than Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall become available again for future Awards under the Plan.

 

4.2

Limitation on Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the maximum value of any Awards granted to a non-employee director of the Company in any one calendar year, taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employed director during such calendar year, in each case, in respect of the non-employee director’s services as a member of the Board during such year, shall not exceed $500,000 (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes); provided, however, that, for any calendar year in which a non-employee director (i) first commences service on the Board, (ii) serves on a special committee of the Board, or (iii) serves as lead director or chairman of the Board, additional compensation up to $250,000, whether denominated in cash or Awards, may be paid.

 

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4.3

Share Replenishment. To the extent that an Award granted under the Plan or the Prior Plan is canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash or otherwise terminated without delivery of the shares of Common Stock or payment of consideration to the Participant under the Plan or the Prior Plan, the shares of Common Stock retained by or returned to the Company will not be deemed to have been delivered under the Plan or the Prior Plan, as applicable, and will be available for future Awards under the Plan.

 

4.4

Adjustments. If there shall occur any change with respect to the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any capital restructuring, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other distribution with respect to the shares of Common Stock or any merger, reorganization, consolidation, combination, spin-off or other similar corporate change or any other change affecting the Common Stock (other than regular cash dividends to stockholders of the Company), the Committee shall, in the manner and to the extent it considers appropriate and equitable to the Participants and consistent with the terms of the Plan, cause an adjustment to be made to (i) the maximum number and kind of shares of Common Stock provided in Section 4.1 hereof, (ii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock, shares of other classes of the Company’s common stock, securities, units or other rights or property subject to, or issuable in respect of, then outstanding Awards, (iii) the exercise or base price for each share or unit or other right subject to then outstanding Awards, (iv) other value determinations applicable to the Plan and/or outstanding Awards, (v) any dividend equivalent rights associated with outstanding Awards and (vi) any other terms of an Award that are affected by the event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) any such adjustments shall, to the extent necessary, be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and (b) in the case of Incentive Stock Options, any such adjustments shall, to the extent practicable, be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code. Without limitation, any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 4.4 may in the Committee’s sole discretion be made through the granting of dividend equivalent rights to holders of outstanding Awards.

 

5.

Eligibility and Awards.

 

5.1

Designation of Participants. Any Eligible Person may be selected by the Committee to receive an Award and become a Participant. The Committee has the authority to determine and designate from time to time those Eligible Persons who are to be granted Awards, the types of Awards to be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock or units subject to Awards to be granted and the terms and conditions of such Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan. In selecting Eligible Persons to be Participants, and in determining the type and amount of Awards to be granted under the Plan, the Committee shall consider any and all factors that it deems relevant or appropriate. In making its determination under this Section 5.1, the Committee shall take into account the recommendations of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

 

5.2

Award Agreements. Each Award granted to an Eligible Person shall be represented by an Award Agreement. The terms of all Awards under the Plan will be set forth in individual Award Agreements as described in Section 14.1 hereof.

 

5.3

Minimum Vesting Schedule. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, any portion of any Award granted under the Plan (other than cash-based awards) shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date on which the Award is granted; provided, that the following Awards shall not be subject to the foregoing minimum vesting requirement: any (i) Substitute Awards granted pursuant to Section 14.9 of this Plan; (ii) shares delivered in lieu of fully vested cash obligations; (iii) awards to non-employee directors that vest on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of stockholders that is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting; and (iv) any additional awards the Committee may grant, up to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the available share reserve authorized for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1 (subject to adjustment under Section 4.4); provided, further, that the foregoing restriction does not limit the Committee’s discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any Award for any reason in the terms of the Award Agreement or otherwise.

 

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6.

Stock Options.

 

6.1

Grant of Stock Options. A Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee, except that an Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to an Eligible Person satisfying the conditions of Section 6.7(a) hereof. Each Stock Option shall be designated on the Date of Grant, in the discretion of the Committee, as an Incentive Stock Option or as a Nonqualified Stock Option. All Stock Options granted under the Plan to U.S. taxpayers are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

6.2

Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

 

6.3

Vesting of Stock Options. The Committee shall, in its discretion, prescribe in an Award Agreement the time or times at which, or the conditions upon which, a Stock Option or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable, subject to Section 5.3. The requirements for vesting and exercisability of a Stock Option may be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified time period (or periods), on the attainment of a specified performance goal(s) and/or on such other terms and conditions as approved by the Committee in its discretion. Except as other determined by the Committee, if the vesting requirements of a Stock Option are not satisfied, the Award shall be forfeited.

 

6.4

Term of Stock Options. The Committee shall in its discretion prescribe in an Award Agreement the period during which a vested Stock Option may be exercised; provided, however, that the maximum term of a Stock Option shall be ten years from the Date of Grant. The Committee may provide that a Stock Option will cease to be exercisable upon or at the end of a specified time period following a termination of Service for any reason as set forth in the Award Agreement or otherwise. A Stock Option may be earlier terminated as specified by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement upon or following the termination of a Participant’s Service with the Company or any Affiliate, including by reason of voluntary resignation (whether with or without Good Reason), death, Disability, termination for Cause or any other reason. Subject to Section 409A of the Code and the provisions of this Section 6, the Committee may extend at any time the period in which a Stock Option may be exercised.

 

6.5

Stock Option Exercise; Tax Withholding. Subject to such terms and conditions as specified in an Award Agreement, a Stock Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the term thereof by notice in the form required by the Company, together with payment of the aggregate exercise price and applicable withholding tax. Payment of the exercise price may be made: (i) in cash or by cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee, or (ii) to the extent permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion in an Award Agreement or otherwise (A) in shares of Common Stock valued at the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date of exercise, (B) through an open-market, broker-assisted sales transaction pursuant to which the Company is promptly delivered the amount of proceeds necessary to satisfy the exercise price, (C) by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Stock Option by the number of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, (D) by a combination of the methods described above or (E) by such other method as may be approved by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement. In accordance with Section 14.10 hereof, and in addition to and at the time of payment of the exercise price, the Participant shall pay to the Company the full amount of any and all applicable income tax, employment tax and other amounts required to be withheld in connection with such exercise, payable under such of the methods described above for the payment of the exercise price as may be approved by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement.

 

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6.6

Limited Transferability of Nonqualified Stock Options. All Stock Options shall be nontransferable except (i) upon the Participant’s death, in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof or (ii) in the case of Nonqualified Stock Options only, for the transfer of all or part of the Stock Option to a Participant’s “family member” (as defined for purposes of the Form S-8 registration statement under the Securities Act), or as otherwise permitted by the Committee, in each case as may be approved by the Committee in its discretion at the time of proposed transfer. The transfer of a Nonqualified Stock Option may be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may in its discretion impose from time to time. Subsequent transfers of a Nonqualified Stock Option shall be prohibited other than in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof.

 

6.7

Additional Rules for Incentive Stock Options.

 

(a)

Eligibility. An Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to an Eligible Person who is considered an employee for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h) with respect to the Company or any Affiliate that qualifies as a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company for purposes of Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

(b)

Annual Limits. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to a Participant as a result of which the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code are exercisable for the first time in any calendar year under the Plan and any other stock option plans of the Company or any Affiliate or parent corporation, would exceed $100,000, determined in accordance with Section 422(d) of the Code. This limitation shall be applied by taking Stock Options into account in the order in which granted. Any Stock Option grant that exceeds such limit shall be treated as a non-qualified stock option.

 

(c)

Additional Limitations. In the case of any Incentive Stock Option granted to an Eligible Person who owns, either directly or indirectly (taking into account the attribution rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Code), stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate, the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant and the maximum term shall be five years.

 

(d)

Termination of Service. An Award of an Incentive Stock Option may provide that such Stock Option may be exercised not later than (i) three months following termination of Service of the Participant with the Company and all Affiliates (other than as set forth in clause (ii) of this Section 6.7(d)) or (ii) one year following termination of Service of the Participant with the Company and all Affiliates due to death or permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in each case as and to the extent determined by the Committee to comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(e)

Other Terms and Conditions; Nontransferability. Any Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as are deemed necessary or desirable by the Committee, which terms, together with the terms of the Plan, shall be intended and interpreted to cause such Incentive Stock Option to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. A Stock Option that is granted as an Incentive Stock Option shall, to the extent it fails to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under the Code, be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall by its terms be nontransferable other than in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of a Participant only by such Participant.

 

(f)

Disqualifying Dispositions. If shares of Common Stock acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of within two years following the Date of Grant or one year following the transfer of such shares to the Participant upon exercise, the Participant shall, promptly following such disposition, notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of such disposition and provide such other information regarding the disposition as the Company may reasonably require.

  

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6.8

Repricing Prohibited. Subject to the anti-dilution adjustment provisions contained in Section 4.4 hereof, without the prior approval of the Company’s stockholders, neither the Committee nor the Board shall (i) cancel a Stock Option when the exercise price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock in exchange for cash or another Award (other than in connection with a Change of Control) or cause the cancellation, substitution or amendment of a Stock Option that would have the effect of reducing the exercise price of such a Stock Option previously granted under the Plan, or (ii) approve any modification to such a Stock Option that would be treated as a “repricing” under the then applicable rules, regulations or listing requirements adopted by any national stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded.

 

6.9

Dividend Equivalent Rights. Dividends shall not be paid with respect to Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything in an Agreement to the contrary, the holder of Stock Options shall not be entitled to receive dividend equivalents with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Options.

 

6.10

No Rights as Stockholder. The Participant shall not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares underlying a Stock Option until such time as shares or Common Stock are delivered to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.

 

7.

Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

7.1

Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted on a basis that allows for the exercise of the right by the Participant or that provides for the automatic payment of the right upon a specified date or event. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be nontransferable, except as provided in Section 14.2 hereof. All Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan to U.S. taxpayers are intended to comply with or otherwise be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

7.2

Stand-Alone and Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted without any related Stock Option, or may be granted in tandem with a Stock Option, either on the Date of Grant or at any time thereafter during the term of the Stock Option. The Committee shall in its discretion provide in an Award Agreement the time or times at which or the conditions upon which, a Stock Appreciation Right or portion thereof shall become vested and/or exercisable, subject to Section 5.3. The requirements for vesting and exercisability of a Stock Appreciation Right may be based on the continued Service of a Participant with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified time period (or periods), on the attainment of a specified performance goal(s) and/or on such other terms and conditions as approved by the Committee in its discretion. Except as other determined by the Committee, if the vesting requirements of a Stock Appreciation Right are not satisfied, the Award shall be forfeited. A Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable or payable at such time or times as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that the maximum term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be ten years from the Date of Grant. The Committee may provide that a Stock Appreciation Right will cease to be exercisable upon or at the end of a period following a termination of Service for any reason. The base price of a Stock Appreciation Right granted without any related Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee in its discretion; provided, however, that the base price per share of any such stand-alone Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

 

7.3

Payment of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the holder, upon exercise or other payment of the Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, to receive an amount determined by multiplying: (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise or payment of the Stock Appreciation Right over the base price of such Stock Appreciation Right, by (ii) the number of shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is exercised or paid. Payment of the amount determined under the foregoing may be made, as approved by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, in shares of Common Stock valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise or payment, in cash or in a combination of shares of Common Stock and cash, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements.

 

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7.4

Repricing Prohibited. Subject to the anti-dilution adjustment provisions contained in Section 4.4 hereof, without the prior approval of the Company’s stockholders, neither the Committee nor the Board shall (i) cancel a Stock Appreciation Right when the base price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock in exchange for cash or another Award (other than in connection with a Change of Control) or cause the cancellation, substitution or amendment of a Stock Appreciation Right that would have the effect of reducing the base price of such a Stock Appreciation Right previously granted under the Plan, or (ii) approve any modification to such Stock Appreciation Right that would be treated as a “repricing” under the then applicable rules, regulations or listing requirements adopted by any national stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded.

 

7.5

Dividend Equivalent Rights. Dividends shall not be paid with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding anything in an Agreement to the contrary, the holder of Stock Appreciation Rights shall not be entitled to receive dividend equivalents with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

8.

Restricted Stock Awards.

 

8.1

Grant of Restricted Stock Awards. A Restricted Stock Award may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The Committee may require the payment by the Participant of a specified purchase price in connection with any Restricted Stock Award.

 

8.2

Vesting Requirements. The restrictions imposed on shares granted under a Restricted Stock Award shall lapse in accordance with the vesting requirements specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement. The requirements for vesting of a Restricted Stock Award may be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified time period (or periods), on the attainment of a specified performance goal(s) and/or on such other terms and conditions as approved by the Committee in its discretion. Except as other determined by the Committee, if the vesting requirements of a Restricted Stock Award shall not be satisfied or, if applicable, the performance goal(s) with respect to such Restricted Stock Award are not attained, the Award shall be forfeited and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award shall be returned to the Company.

 

8.3

Transfer Restrictions. Shares granted under any Restricted Stock Award may not be transferred, assigned or made subject to any encumbrance, pledge or charge until all applicable restrictions are removed or have expired, except as provided in Section 14.2 hereof. Failure to satisfy any applicable restrictions shall result in the subject shares of the Restricted Stock Award being forfeited and returned to the Company. The Committee may require in an Award Agreement that certificates (if any) representing the shares granted under a Restricted Stock Award bear a legend making appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed, and that certificates (if any) representing the shares granted or sold under a Restricted Stock Award will remain in the physical custody of an escrow holder until all restrictions are removed or have expired.

 

8.4

Rights as Stockholder. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 8 and the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have all rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares granted to the Participant under a Restricted Stock Award, including the right to vote the shares and receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect thereto. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Award that provides for or includes a right to dividends and distributions, if dividends are declared during the period that an equity Award is outstanding, such dividends (or distributions) shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such Award, or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable Award and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any cash dividends withheld. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.4 to the contrary, dividends and other distributions made with respect to a Restricted Stock Award that is subject to performance-based vesting shall not be paid until, and only to the extent that, the Award vests. The dividends payable with respect to Restricted Stock Awards that do not vest shall be forfeited.

  

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8.5

Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall file, within 30 days following the Date of Grant, a copy of such election with the Company and with the Internal Revenue Service, in accordance with the regulations under Section 83 of the Code. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Restricted Stock Award is conditioned upon the Participant’s making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code.

 

9.

Restricted Stock Units.

 

9.1

Grant of Restricted Stock Units. A Restricted Stock Unit may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by the Committee. The value of each Restricted Stock Unit is equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the applicable date or time period of determination, as specified by the Committee. Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall determine. In addition, a Restricted Stock Unit may be designated as a “Performance Stock Unit,” the vesting requirements of which may be based, in whole or in part, on the attainment of pre-established business and/or individual performance goal(s) over a specified performance period, or otherwise, as approved by the Committee in its discretion. Restricted Stock Units shall be non-transferable, except as provided in Section 14.2 hereof.

 

9.2

Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. The Committee shall, in its discretion, determine any vesting requirements with respect to Restricted Stock Units, subject to Section 5.3, which shall be set forth in the Award Agreement. The requirements for vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit may be based on the continued Service of the Participant with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified time period (or periods) and/or on such other terms and conditions as approved by the Committee (including performance goal(s)) and/or on such other terms and conditions as approved by the Committee in its discretion. Except as other determined by the Committee, and, if the vesting requirements of a Restricted Stock Unit Award are not satisfied, the Award shall be forfeited.

 

9.3

Payment of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units shall become payable to a Participant at the time or times determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, which may be upon or following the vesting of the Award. Payment of a Restricted Stock Unit may be made, as approved by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement, in cash or in shares of Common Stock or in a combination thereof, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements. Any cash payment of a Restricted Stock Unit shall be made based upon the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock, determined on such date or over such time period as determined by the Committee.

 

9.4

Dividend Equivalent Rights. Restricted Stock Units may be granted together with dividend equivalent rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, which dividend equivalent rights may be accumulated and may be deemed reinvested in additional Restricted Stock Units or may be accumulated in cash, as set forth in the Award Agreement or as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Any payments made pursuant to dividend equivalent rights shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as such Restricted Stock Units, and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no interest will accrue or be paid on the amount of any dividend equivalent rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.4 to the contrary, dividends and other distributions made with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit that is subject to performance-based vesting shall not be paid until, and only to the extent that, the Award vests. Dividend equivalent rights may be subject to forfeiture under the same conditions as apply to the underlying Restricted Stock Units. The dividends payable with respect to Restricted Stock Units that do not vest shall be forfeited.

 

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9.5

No Rights as Stockholder. The Participant shall not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to the shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit until such time as shares of Common Stock are delivered to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.

 

10.

Other Stock-Based Awards.

 

10.1

General. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards that are valued, in or whole or in part, by reference to, or are otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of shares of Common Stock (“Other Stock-Based Awards”), including, without limitation, unrestricted shares, deferred shares, phantom shares or units, and dividend equivalent rights. Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive one or more shares of Common Stock (or the equivalent cash value thereof) upon the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee may also grant Common Stock as a bonus (whether or not subject to any vesting requirements or other restrictions on transfer), and may grant other Awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or an Affiliate to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine to whom and when Other Stock-Based awards will be made, the number of shares to be awarded under (or otherwise related to) such Other Stock-Based Awards, whether such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be settled in cash, shares or a combination of cash and shares, and all other terms and conditions of such Awards not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. Any dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to an Other Stock-Based Award that is subject to vesting conditions shall be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying Award.

 

11.

Cash Awards.

 

11.1

General. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant cash awards, on a free-standing basis or as an element of, a supplement to, or in lieu of any other Award under the Plan to Eligible Persons in such amounts and subject to such other terms as the Committee determines to be appropriate.

 

12.

Change of Control.

 

12.1

Treatment of Awards Assumed or Substituted by a Surviving Entity. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or any applicable Participant Agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and a Participant:

 

(a) In the event of a Change of Control in which the surviving entity (together with its affiliates, the “Surviving Entity”) assumes outstanding Awards or substitutes similar awards under the Surviving Entity’s equity compensation plan for outstanding Awards on the same terms and conditions as the original Awards, such Awards that are assumed or substituted shall not vest solely as a result of the occurrence of the Change of Control.

 

(b) If, within eighteen (18) months following the date on which such Change of Control occurs, a Participant’s service, consulting relationship or employment with the Surviving Entity is terminated by the Surviving Entity without Cause or, in the event the Participant is party to a Participant Agreement that contains a definition of “Good Reason” or like term, the Participant resigns for Good Reason, subject to the Participant’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company and its Affiliates within sixty (60) days following such termination and continued compliance with all applicable restrictive covenants, any outstanding Awards or substitute awards shall become immediately vested and exercisable, as applicable. Unless the applicable Award Agreement specifically provides for different treatment upon the circumstances described in this Section 12.1(b), the performance period applicable to performance-based Awards as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement shall be deemed to have ended as of the third business day prior to the date of the consummation of such Change of Control (the “Measurement Date”) and such performance-based Award shall be settled based on the greater of (A) actual performance achieved through the Measurement Date and (B) the target level of performance as set forth in the Award Agreement. The portion of the performance-based Award, if any, that become vested pursuant to this Section 12.1(b) shall be settled in accordance with Section 9.3 within sixty (60) days following the date of such termination.

 

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12.2

Treatment of Awards Not Assumed or Substituted. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement or any applicable Participant Agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and a Participant, upon a Change of Control in which outstanding Awards are not assumed or substitute awards are not granted by the Surviving Entity as provided in Section 12.1 above, any such Awards shall become immediately vested and exercisable, as applicable, and any restrictions then in force will lapse, with performance-based Awards deemed earned at the greater of (a) the target level of performance as set forth in the Award Agreement, and (b) the actual performance achieved through the Measurement Date.

 

12.3

Definition of Change of Control. Unless otherwise defined in an Award Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events after the Effective Date:

 

(a)

Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner (as ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of its directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”), including by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, other than pursuant to a transaction described under Section 12.3(c) below that does not constitute Change of Control under such Section 12.3(c); provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not be taken into account in determining whether a Change of Control has occurred: (i) any acquisition of voting securities of the Company directly from the Company; (ii) any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates of Outstanding Company Voting Securities, including an acquisition by any employee benefit plan or related trust sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates; or (iii) any acquisition of Outstanding Company Voting Securities by a Permitted Holder.

 

(b)

The following individuals (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving on the Board: individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including, but not limited to, a consent or proxy solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended.

 

(c)

Consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger or consolidation involving the Company, unless, following such transaction: (i) any individuals and entities that were the Beneficial Owners of Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such transaction are the Beneficial Owners, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or election of members of a comparable governing body) of the entity resulting from the transaction (“successor entity”) in substantially the same relative proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such transaction; (ii) no Person (excluding any successor entity or any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Company, such successor entity or any of their Subsidiaries) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 30% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or comparable governing body) of the successor entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to any such transaction; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the successor entity were Incumbent Directors (including persons deemed to be Incumbent Directors) at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such transaction.

 

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(d)

The sale or disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code with respect to the payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation,” “Change of Control” shall be limited to a “change in control event” as defined under Section 409A of the Code.

 

13.

Forfeiture Events.

 

13.1

General. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award are subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, termination of Service for Cause; violation of Company policies; breach of noncompetition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant; or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company.

 

13.2

Termination for Cause. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement, if (i) a Participant’s Service with the Company or any Affiliate shall be terminated for Cause or (ii) after termination of Service for any other reason, the Committee determines in its reasonable discretion that after termination, the Participant engaged in conduct that violated any continuing obligation or duty of the Participant in respect of the Company or any Affiliate, such Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to cancellation, forfeiture and/or recoupment. The Company shall have the power to determine whether the Participant has been terminated for Cause, the date upon which such termination for Cause occurs and whether the Participant engaged in conduct that violated any continuing obligation or duty of the Participant in respect of the Company or any Affiliate. Any such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons. In addition, if the Company shall reasonably determine that a Participant has committed or may have committed any act which could constitute the basis for a termination of such Participant’s Service for Cause or violates any continuing obligation or duty of the Participant in respect of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company may suspend the Participant’s rights to exercise any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, receive any payment or vest in any right with respect to any Award pending a determination by the Company of whether an act or omission could constitute the basis for a termination for Cause as provided in this Section 13.2.

 

14.

General Provisions.

 

14.1

Award Agreement. An Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in a written or electronic form approved by the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, the exercise price, base price or purchase price of the Award, the time or times at which an Award will become vested, exercisable or payable and the term of the Award. The Award Agreement also may set forth the effect on an Award of (i) a Change of Control and/or (ii) a termination of Service under certain circumstances. The Award Agreement shall be subject to and incorporate, by reference or otherwise, all of the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan, and also may set forth other terms and conditions applicable to the Award as determined by the Committee consistent with the limitations of the Plan. The grant of an Award under the Plan shall not confer any rights upon the Participant holding such Award other than such terms, and subject to such conditions, as are specified in the Plan as being applicable to such type of Award (or to all Awards) or as are expressly set forth in the Award Agreement. The Committee need not require the execution of an Award Agreement by a Participant, in which case, acceptance of the Award by the Participant shall constitute agreement by the Participant to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations set forth in the Plan and the Award Agreement as well as the administrative guidelines of the Company in effect from time to time. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall supersede and control.

 

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14.2

No Assignment or Transfer; Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 6.6 hereof or as otherwise determined by the Committee, Awards under the Plan shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant, and shall not be subject in any manner to assignment, alienation, pledge, encumbrance or charge. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the death of a Participant, except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, an outstanding Award may be exercised by or shall become payable to the legatee or legatees of such Award designated under the Participant’s last will or by such Participant’s executors, personal representatives or distributees of such Award in accordance with the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may provide in the terms of an Award Agreement or in any other manner prescribed by the Committee that the Participant shall have the right to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries who shall be entitled to any rights, payments or other benefits specified under an Award following the Participant’s death.

 

14.3

Deferrals of Payment. The Committee may in its discretion permit a Participant to defer the receipt of payment of cash or delivery of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be due to the Participant by virtue of the exercise of a right or the satisfaction of vesting or other conditions with respect to an Award; provided, however, that such discretion shall not apply in the case of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right. In this regard, the Committee’s determination under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by the Committee selectively among the Participants and Eligible Persons. If any such deferral is to be permitted by the Committee, the Committee shall establish rules and procedures relating to such deferral in a manner intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including, without limitation, the time when an election to defer may be made, the time period of the deferral and the events that would result in payment of the deferred amount, the interest or other earnings attributable to the deferral and the method of funding, if any, attributable to the deferred amount.

 

14.4

No Right to Employment or Continued Service. Nothing in the Plan, in the grant of any Award or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Eligible Person or any Participant any right to continue in the Service of the Company or any of its Affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate the Service of an Eligible Person or a Participant for any reason or no reason at any time.

 

14.5

Conditions and Restrictions on Shares of Common Stock. Upon delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed on any national stock exchange, then the Committee may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any shares of Common Stock received in connection with an Award as it may deem advisable or desirable. These restrictions may include, but shall not be limited to, requirements that the Participant: (a) become a signatory to the Company’s then-existing stockholders’ agreement, if applicable; (b) hold the shares received for a specified period of time; or (c) represent and warrant in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares. The certificates for shares of Common Stock may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any conditions and restrictions applicable to such shares.

 

14.6

Rights as Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a holder of shares of Common Stock with respect to any unissued securities covered by an Award until the date the Participant becomes the holder of record of such securities. Except as provided in Section 4.4 hereof, no adjustment or other provision shall be made for dividends or other stockholder rights, except to the extent that the Award Agreement provides for dividend payments or dividend equivalent rights. The Committee may determine in its discretion the manner of delivery of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan, which may be by delivery of stock certificates, electronic account entry into new or existing accounts or any other means as the Committee, in its discretion, deems appropriate. The Committee may require that the stock certificates (if any) be held in escrow by the Company for any shares of Common Stock or cause the shares to be legended in order to comply with the securities laws or other applicable restrictions, or, should the shares of Common Stock be represented by book or electronic account entry rather than a certificate, the Committee may take such steps to restrict transfer of the shares of Common Stock as the Committee considers necessary or advisable.

 

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14.7

Section 409A Compliance.

 

(a)

To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Plan and all Awards hereunder comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, and that the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be interpreted and applied by the Committee in a manner consistent with this intent in order to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code. In the event that any (i) provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement, (ii) Award, payment, transaction or (iii) other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan is determined by the Committee to not comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance issued thereunder, the Committee shall have the authority to take such actions and to make such changes to the Plan or an Award Agreement as the Committee deems necessary to comply with such requirements.

 

(b)

No payment that constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code that would otherwise be made under the Plan or an Award Agreement upon a termination of Service will be made or provided unless and until such termination is also a “separation from service,” as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything elsewhere in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code at the time of termination of Service with respect to an Award, then solely to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, the commencement of any payments or benefits under the Award shall be deferred until the date that is six months plus one day following the date of the Participant’s termination of Service or, if earlier, the Participant’s death (or such other period as required to comply with Section 409A). In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on a Participant by Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

14.8

Securities Law Compliance. No shares of Common Stock will be issued or transferred pursuant to an Award unless and until all then applicable requirements imposed by Federal and state securities and other laws, rules and regulations and by any regulatory agencies having jurisdiction, and by any exchanges upon which the shares of Common Stock may be listed, have been fully met. As a condition precedent to the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award, the Company may require the Participant to take any reasonable action that the Company determines is necessary or advisable to meet such requirements. The Committee may impose such conditions on any shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under the Securities Act under the requirements of any exchange upon which such shares of the same class are then listed, and under any blue-sky or other securities laws applicable to such shares. The Committee may also require the Participant to represent and warrant at the time of issuance or transfer that the shares of Common Stock are being acquired solely for investment purposes and without any current intention to sell or distribute such shares.

 

14.9

Substitute Awards in Corporate Transactions. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Committee to grant Awards under the Plan in connection with the acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, of the business or assets of any corporation or other entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan to an employee or director of another corporation who becomes an Eligible Person by reason of any such corporate transaction in substitution for awards previously granted by such corporation or entity to such person. The terms and conditions of the substitute Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Any such substitute awards shall not reduce the share reserve except as may otherwise be required under applicable law or the listing requirements of any national stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded.

  

15

 

 

14.10

Tax Withholding. The Participant shall be responsible for payment of any taxes or similar charges required by law to be paid or withheld from an Award or an amount paid in satisfaction of an Award. Any required withholdings shall be paid by the Participant on or prior to the payment or other event that results in taxable income in respect of an Award. The Award Agreement may specify the manner in which the withholding obligation shall be satisfied with respect to the particular type of Award, which may include permitting the Participant to elect to satisfy the withholding obligation by tendering shares of Common Stock to the Company or having the Company withhold a number of shares of Common Stock having a value that does not exceed the maximum statutory tax or as otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, or similar charge required to be paid or withheld.

 

14.11

Unfunded Plan. The adoption of the Plan and any reservation of shares of Common Stock or cash amounts by the Company to discharge its obligations hereunder shall not be deemed to create a trust or other funded arrangement. Except upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award, any rights of a Participant under the Plan shall be those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company, and neither a Participant nor the Participant’s permitted transferees or estate shall have any other interest in any assets of the Company by virtue of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to implement or set aside funds in a grantor trust, subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors or otherwise, to discharge its obligations under the Plan.

 

14.12

Other Compensation and Benefit Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other share incentive or other compensation plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall the Plan preclude the Company from establishing any other forms of share incentive or other compensation or benefit program for employees of the Company or any Affiliate. The amount of any compensation deemed to be received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall not constitute includable compensation for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which a Participant is entitled under any other compensation or benefit plan or program of the Company or an Affiliate, including, without limitation, under any pension or severance benefits plan, except to the extent specifically provided by the terms of any such plan.

 

14.13

Plan Binding on Transferees. The Plan shall be binding upon the Company and its transferees and assigns, and the Participant and the Participant’s executor, administrator and permitted transferees and beneficiaries.

 

14.14

Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

 

14.15

Governing Law. The Plan and all rights hereunder shall be subject to and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of laws, and to applicable Federal or other securities laws.

 

14.16

No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.

 

14.17

No Guarantees Regarding Tax Treatment. Neither the Company nor the Committee make any guarantees to any person regarding the tax treatment of Awards or payments made under the Plan. Neither the Company nor the Committee has any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any tax on any person with respect to any Award under Section 409A of the Code, Section 4999 of the Code or otherwise, and neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any liability to a person with respect thereto.

 

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14.18

Data Protection. By participating in the Plan, each Participant consents to the collection, processing, transmission and storage by the Company, its Subsidiaries and any third-party administrators of any data of a professional or personal nature for the purpose of administering the Plan.

 

14.19

Clawbacks. All awards, amounts, or benefits received or outstanding under this Plan will be subject to clawback, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback, reduction, or other similar action in accordance with any Company clawback or similar policy or any applicable law related to such actions. A Participant’s acceptance of an Award will constitute the Participant’s acknowledgement of and consent to the Company’s application, implementation, and enforcement of any applicable Company clawback or similar policy that may apply to the Participant, whether adopted before or after the Effective Date, and any applicable law relating to clawback, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback, or reduction of compensation, and the Participant’s agreement that the Company may take any actions that may be necessary to effectuate any such policy or applicable law, without further consideration or action.

 

14.20

Term. The Plan shall be effective on the Effective Date. On and after the Effective Date, no awards will be granted under the Prior Plan provided, that outstanding awards granted under the Prior Plan will continue unaffected following the Effective Date and shall remain subject to the terms and conditions of the Prior Plan. Subject to Section 14.21 hereof, the Plan shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

14.21

Amendment and Termination. The Board may from time to time and in any respect, amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of the Plan shall materially and adversely affect any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Participant or the permitted transferee of the Award; provided, further, that without the approval of the holders of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote in accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made that would (a) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan; (b) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under this Plan; (c) reduce the exercise price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; (d) grant any new Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or other award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right that has the effect of reducing the exercise price thereof; (e) exchange any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right for Common Stock, cash, or other consideration when the exercise price per share of Common Stock under such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock; or (f) take any action that would be considered a “repricing” of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the applicable listing standards of the national exchange on which the Common Stock is listed (if any). The Board may seek the approval of any amendment, modification, suspension or termination by the Company’s stockholders to the extent it deems necessary in its discretion for purposes of compliance with Section 422 of the Code or for any other purpose, and shall seek such approval to the extent it deems necessary in its discretion to comply with applicable law or listing requirements of any national stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall have broad authority to amend the Plan or any Award under the Plan without the consent of a Participant to the extent it deems necessary or desirable in its discretion to comply with or to take into account changes in, or interpretations of, applicable tax laws, securities laws, employment laws, accounting rules and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

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Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

 

Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., hereby consents to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 to the references to our firm, in the context in which they appear, and to the references to and the incorporation by reference of our summary report dated January 16, 2024 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Amplify Energy Corp. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as well as in the notes to the financial statements included therein.

 

By:	/s/ Matthew K. Regan
Name:	Matthew K. Regan
Title:	Vice President

 

Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.

Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-693

Austin, Texas

May 31, 2024

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 6, 2024, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Amplify Energy Corp. and the effectiveness of Amplify Energy Corp.'s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Amplify Energy Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Houston, Texas

 

May 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 107 

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Table

 

Form S-8

(Form Type)

 

Amplify Energy Corp. 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

Security Type	Security Class Title	Fee Calculation Rule	Amount Registered(1)	Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share	Maximum Aggregate Offering Price	Fee Rate	Amount of Registration Fee
Equity	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	Rule 457(c) and (h)	2,700,000 (2)	$6.31 (3)	$17,037,000.00	.00014760	$2,514.67
Total Offering Amounts					$17,037,000.00		$2,514.67
Total Fee Offsets							—
Net Fee Due							$2,514.67

 

(1)

Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover an indeterminate amount of additional shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) that may become issuable under the Amplify Energy Corp. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to the adjustment or anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.

 

(2)

Represents shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Plan being registered herein, which Common Stock consist of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for delivery with respect to awards under the Plan and shares of Common Stock that may again become available for delivery with respect to awards under the Plan pursuant to the share counting, share recycling and other terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(3)

Estimated pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Represents the average of the high and low sales prices of a share of Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 28, 2024 (such date being within 5 business days prior to the date of filing this Registration Statement).

 

 

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