Form: 8-K

Current report filing

November 17, 2023

Exhibit 10.1

 

APOLLO MEDICAL HOLDINGS, INC.

EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT AWARD PLAN

 

ARTICLE I.
Purpose

 

This Plan has been established effective as of November 15, 2023, the date of approval of the Plan by the Board. The Plan’s purpose is to enhance the Company’s ability to attract and motivate individuals who are expected to make important contributions to the Company and its Subsidiaries by providing such individuals with equity-based incentive awards as inducements to enter into employment with the Company or a Subsidiary. The Plan is intended to be exempt from stockholder approval pursuant to Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4) as a plan providing exclusively for “employment inducement” awards (within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4)). Capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Article XI.

 

ARTICLE II.
Eligibility

 

Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations described herein.

 

ARTICLE III.
Administration and Delegation

 

3.1       Administration. The Plan is administered by the Committee. The Board may reserve to itself any of the authority of the Committee or may act as the Administrator of the Plan for any or all purposes; provided, however, that any action taken by the Board in connection with the administration of the Plan shall not be deemed approved by the Board unless such actions are approved by a majority of the Independent Directors. Awards under the Plan will be approved by (a) the Committee, which shall be comprised entirely of Independent Directors, or (b) a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors.

 

3.2       Powers of the Administrator. The Administrator has authority to determine which Eligible Individuals receive Awards, grant Awards and establish the terms and conditions of Awards, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Plan. The Administrator also has the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under the Plan, to interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and to adopt, amend and repeal Plan administrative rules, guidelines and practices as it deems advisable, including, but not limited to, the adoption of procedures from time to time intended to ensure that an individual is an Eligible Individual prior to the granting of any Awards to such individual under the Plan (including, without limitation, a requirement, if any, that such individual certify to the Company prior to the receipt of an Award under the Plan that he or she has not previously been employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, or if previously employed, has had a bona fide period of non-employment, and that the grant of Awards under the Plan is an inducement material to his or her agreement to enter into employment with the Company or any Subsidiary). The Administrator may correct defects and ambiguities, supply omissions and reconcile inconsistencies in the Plan or any Award Agreement as it deems necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and any Awards. The Administrator’s determinations under the Plan are in its sole discretion and will be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or any Award.

 

     

 

 

ARTICLE IV.
Stock Available for Awards

 

4.1       Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Article VIII and the terms of this Article IV, the maximum number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 500,000 Shares. Shares issued under the Plan may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or treasury Shares.

 

4.2       Share Recycling. If all or any part of an Award expires, lapses or is forfeited, canceled, surrendered, reacquired, settled in cash or terminated without the issuance of Shares, the unused Shares covered by the Award will, as applicable, become or again be available for Awards under the Plan. In addition, Shares delivered (either by actual delivery or attestation) to the Company by a Participant to satisfy the applicable exercise or purchase price of an Award and/or to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award (including Shares retained by the Company from the Award) will, as applicable, become or again be available for Awards under the Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not count against the Share limit set forth in Section 4.1.

 

ARTICLE V.
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

 

5.1       General. The Administrator may grant Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals subject to the limitations in the Plan. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares covered by each Option and Stock Appreciation Right and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right) to receive from the Company upon exercise of the exercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right an amount determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations of the Plan or that the Administrator may impose, and payable in cash, Shares or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.

 

5.2       Exercise Price. The Administrator will establish the exercise price of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right, which exercise price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the Grant Date of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

5.3       Duration. Each Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable at such times and as specified in the Award Agreement, provided that the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right will not exceed ten years. Notwithstanding the foregoing and unless determined otherwise by the Company, in the event that on the last business day of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right (a) the exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right is prohibited by Applicable Law, as determined by the Company, or (b) Shares may not be purchased or sold by the applicable Participant due to any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods) or a “lock-up” agreement undertaken in connection with an issuance of securities by the Company, the term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be automatically extended until the date that is 30 days after the end of the legal prohibition, black-out period or lock-up agreement, as determined by the Company; provided, however, in no event shall the extension last beyond the ten year term (or any shorter maximum, if applicable) of the applicable Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

 

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5.4       Exercise. Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company (or its Agent) a written notice of exercise, in a form the Administrator approves (which may be electronic and provided through an online platform maintained by an Agent), signed by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, payment in full of the exercise price for the number of Shares for which an Option is exercised. Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. The exercise price of an Option may be paid, in the discretion of the Administrator and as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price; (c) by a cashless exercise (including by withholding Shares deliverable upon exercise or through a broker-assisted arrangement to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws); (d) by a combination of the methods described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and/or (c); or (e) through any other method approved by the Administrator in its discretion. As soon as practicable after receipt of the notification of exercise and full payment of the exercise price, the Company shall cause the appropriate number of Shares to be issued to the Participant.

 

ARTICLE VI.
Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units

 

6.1       General. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock, or the right to purchase Restricted Stock, to any Eligible Individual, subject to the Company’s right to repurchase all or part of such Shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant (or to require forfeiture of such Shares) if conditions the Administrator specifies in the Award Agreement are not satisfied before the end of the applicable restriction period or periods that the Administrator establishes for such Award. In addition, the Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual, which may be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions during the applicable restriction period or periods, as set forth in an Award Agreement. The Administrator will determine and set forth in the Award Agreement the terms and conditions for each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Award, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in the Plan.

 

6.2       Restricted Stock.

 

(a)       Dividends. Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares, provided, however, that the Administrator may provide in the Award Agreement that payment of any such ordinary cash dividends may deferred and contingent upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock. In addition, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, if any dividends or distributions are paid in Shares or other property, other than an ordinary cash dividend, the Shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

(b)       Stock Certificates. The Company may require that the Participant deposit in escrow with the Company (or its designee) any stock certificates issued in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock, together with a stock power endorsed in blank.

 

6.3       Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a)       Settlement. The Administrator may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

 

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(b)       Stockholder Rights. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Unit unless and until the Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit.

 

ARTICLE VII.
Other Stock-Based Awards; DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

 

7.1       Other Stock-Based Awards. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted to Participants, which may include fully vested Shares or Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares, in each case subject to any conditions and limitations in the Plan. Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in Shares, cash or other property, or any combination of the foregoing, as the Administrator determines. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock-Based Award, including any purchase price, performance goal(s) (which may be based on the Performance Criteria), transfer restrictions, and vesting conditions, which will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

7.2       Dividend Equivalents. A grant of Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Award may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, and no dividends or Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Award with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are paid and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award shall only be paid out to the Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions applicable to the underlying Award are satisfied.

 

ARTICLE VIII.
Adjustments; Change of control

 

8.1       Equity Restructurings and Other Corporate Transactions. In the event of any equity restructuring (within the meaning of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto), such as a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spinoff, rights offering, or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, the Committee shall cause there to be an equitable adjustment in the number and kind of Shares specified in Section 4.1 of the Plan and, with respect to outstanding Awards, in the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price or other price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, in each case to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants. In the event of any other change in corporate capitalization, or in the event of a merger, consolidation, liquidation, or similar transaction, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause there to be an equitable adjustment as described in the foregoing sentence, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the number of Shares subject to any Award shall always be rounded down to a whole number. Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding Awards such alternative consideration (including cash) as it, in good faith, may determine to be equitable in the circumstances, and may require in connection therewith the surrender of all Awards so replaced. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall not make any adjustment pursuant to this Section 8.1 that would (a) cause an Award that is otherwise exempt from Section 409A to become subject to Section 409A, or (b) cause an Award that is subject to Section 409A to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on all Participants and any other persons claiming under or through any Participant.

 

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8.2       Change of Control.

 

(a)       In General. The Administrator may specify, either in an Award Agreement or at the time of a Change of Control, whether an outstanding Award shall become vested and/or payable, in whole or in part, as a result of a Change of Control.

 

(b)       Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Not Assumed. If, in connection with a Change of Control, any Options and Stock Appreciation Rights issued under the Plan are not assumed, or if substitute Options and Stock Appreciation Rights are not issued by the successor or affiliate thereof in the Change of Control transaction, or if the assumed or substituted awards fail to contain similar terms and conditions as the Award prior to the Change of Control or fail to preserve, to the extent applicable, the benefit to be provided to the Participant as of the date of the Change of Control, including but not limited to the right of the Participant to receive shares upon exercise of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right that are registered for sale to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, then (i) each holder of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is outstanding as of the date of the Change of Control who is an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary shall have the right, and (ii) the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may grant to a holder of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is outstanding as of the date of the Change of Control who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary the right, exercisable by written notice to the Company (or its successor in the Change of Control transaction) within 30 days after the Change of Control (but not beyond the Option’s or Stock Appreciation Right’s expiration date), to receive, in exchange for the surrender of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount of cash equal to the excess of the greater of the Fair Market Value of the Shares determined on the Change of Control date or the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of surrender of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent vested and not yet exercised) that is so surrendered over the exercise price of the Award. If the Committee so determines prior to the Change of Control, any such Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is not exercised or surrendered prior to the end of such 30-day period will be cancelled.

 

(c)       Other Awards. If, in connection with the Change of Control, the Shares issued to a Participant as a result of the accelerated vesting or payment of Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or Dividend Equivalents under this subsection (c) are not registered for sale to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, then each holder of such Shares shall have the right, exercisable by written notice to the Company (or its successor in the Change of Control transaction) within 30 days after the Change of Control, to receive, in exchange for the surrender of such Shares an amount of cash equal to the greater of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Change of Control date or the Fair Market Value of such Share on the date of surrender.

 

(d)       Cancellation Right. The Administrator may, in its discretion and without the consent of Participants, either by the terms of the Award Agreement applicable to any Award or by resolution adopted prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, provide that any outstanding Award (or a portion thereof) shall, upon the occurrence of such Change of Control, be cancelled in exchange for a payment in cash or other property (including shares of the resulting entity in connection with a Change of Control) in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Award, over any exercise price related to the Award, which amount may be zero if the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the Change of Control does not exceed the exercise price per Share of the applicable Award.

 

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8.3       General. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no Participant will have any rights due to any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, dividend payment, increase or decrease in the number of Shares of any class or dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or other corporation. Except as expressly provided with respect to an equity restructuring under Section 8.1 or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of Shares of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of any class, will affect, and no adjustment will be made regarding, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the Award’s grant or exercise price. The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder will not affect or restrict in any way the Company’s right or power to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger, consolidation dissolution or liquidation of the Company or sale of Company assets or (iii) any sale or issuance of securities, including securities with rights superior to those of the Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares. The Administrator may treat Participants and Awards (or portions thereof) differently under this Article VIII.

 

ARTICLE IX.
General Provisions Applicable to Awards

 

9.1       Transferability. Except as the Administrator may determine or provide in an Award Agreement or otherwise, Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except for certain beneficiary designations, by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or, subject to the Administrator’s consent, pursuant to a domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, will be exercisable only by the Participant. Any permitted transfer of an Award hereunder shall be without consideration, except as required by Applicable Law. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, will include references to a Participant’s authorized transferee that the Administrator specifically approves.

 

9.2       Documentation. Each Award will be evidenced in an Award Agreement, which may be written or electronic, as the Administrator determines. The Award Agreement will contain the terms and conditions applicable to an Award. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

 

9.3       Discretion. Except as the Plan otherwise provides, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award to a Participant need not be identical, and the Administrator need not treat Participants or Awards (or portions thereof) uniformly.

 

9.4       Termination of Status. The Administrator will determine how a Participant’s Disability, death, Retirement or authorized leave of absence or any other change or purported change in a Participant’s employment or other service affects an Award (including whether and when a termination of employment or other service has occurred) and the extent to which, and the period during which the Participant, the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise rights under the Award, if applicable.

 

9.5       Withholding. To the extent required by Applicable Laws, a Participant shall be required to satisfy, in a manner satisfactory to the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of the exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the vesting of or settlement of Shares under an Award, the payment of cash in settlement of an Award, an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or otherwise with respect to an Award. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to issue or deliver Shares, make any payment, or recognize the transfer or disposition of any Shares, until such withholding tax obligations are satisfied. The Committee may permit or require these obligations to be satisfied by having the Company withhold a portion of the Shares that otherwise would be issued or delivered to a Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the vesting or settlement of an Award, or by tendering Shares previously acquired, in each case having a value (as determined by the Company) equal to the amount required to be withheld. Any such elections are subject to such conditions or procedures as may be established by the Committee and may be subject to disapproval by the Committee. In no event will the value of the Shares to be withheld or tendered pursuant to this Section 9.5 to satisfy applicable withholding taxes exceed the amount of taxes required to be withheld based on the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable taxing jurisdictions..

 

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9.6        Amendment of Award; Repricing. The Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including by substituting another Award of the same or a different type and changing the exercise or settlement date. The Participant’s consent to such action will be required unless (a) the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Award, or (b) the change is permitted under Article VIII or pursuant to Section 10.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (x) reduce the exercise price per share of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or (y) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price per share that is less than the exercise price per share of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

9.7       Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares under the Plan or remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (a) all Award conditions have been met or removed to the Company’s satisfaction, (b) as determined by the Company, all other legal matters regarding the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (c) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any Applicable Laws. The Company’s inability to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which the Administrator determines is necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any securities, will relieve the Company of any liability for failing to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.

 

9.8       Acceleration. The Administrator may at any time provide that any Award will become immediately vested and fully or partially exercisable, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise fully or partially realizable.

 

9.9       Cash Settlement. Without limiting the generality of any other provision of the Plan, the Administrator may provide, in an Award Agreement or subsequent to the grant of an Award, in its discretion, that any Award may be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.

 

ARTICLE X.
Miscellaneous

 

10.1     No Right to Employment or Other Status. No person will have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award will not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries expressly reserve the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate their respective relationships with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan or any Award, except as expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan.

 

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10.2     No Rights as Stockholder; Certificates. Subject to the Award Agreement, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary will have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under an Award until becoming the record holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless the Administrator otherwise determines or Applicable Laws require, the Company will not be required to deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares may be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator). The Company may place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan that the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

10.3     Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan is effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board (the “Effective Date”) and will remain in effect until terminated by the Administrator.

 

10.4     Amendment of Plan. The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided that no amendment, other than (a) as permitted by the applicable Award Agreement, (b) as provided under Sections 10.6 and 10.15, or (c) an amendment to increase the Share limit set forth in Section 4.1, may materially and adversely affect any Award outstanding at the time of such amendment without the affected Participant’s consent. No Awards may be granted under the Plan during any suspension period or after the Plan’s termination. Awards outstanding at the time of any Plan suspension or termination will continue to be governed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, as in effect before such suspension or termination. The Administrator will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

10.5     Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Administrator may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish subplans or procedures under the Plan to address differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.

 

10.6     Section 409A.

 

(a)       General. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A. To the extent applicable, the Plan and the Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A, such that no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties under Section 409A apply. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator may, without a Participant’s consent, amend this Plan or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and retroactive actions) as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of Awards, including any such actions intended to (A) exempt this Plan or any Award from Section 409A, or (B) comply with Section 409A, including regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after an Award’s Grant Date. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to an Award’s tax treatment under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company will have no obligation under this Section 10.6 or otherwise to avoid the taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and will have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute noncompliant “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under the Plan that may be made in installments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

 

(b)       Separation from Service. If an Award is subject to and constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, any payment or settlement of such Award upon a termination of a Participant’s employment or other service relationship will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A, be made only upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A). For purposes of this Plan or any Award Agreement relating to any such payments or benefits, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms means a “separation from service.”

 

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(c)       Payments to Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” required to be made under an Award subject to Section 409A to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A and as the Administrator determines) due to his or her “separation from service” will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, be delayed for the six-month period immediately following such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, until the specified employee’s death) and will instead be paid (as set forth in the Award Agreement) on the day immediately following such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under such Award payable more than six months following the Participant’s “separation from service” will be paid at the time or times the payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.

 

10.7     Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan or any Award, and such individual will not be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument executed in his or her capacity as an Administrator, director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee and agent of the Company or any Subsidiary that has been or will be granted or delegated any duty or power relating to the Plan’s administration or interpretation, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Administrator’s approval) arising from any act or omission concerning this Plan unless arising from such person’s own fraud or bad faith.

 

10.8     Actions Required Upon Grant of Award. Following the issuance of any Award under the Plan, the Company shall, in accordance with the listing requirements of the applicable securities exchange, (a) promptly issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the grant, including the recipient(s) of the grant and the number of shares involved (and if the disclosure relates to an award to executive officers, or if the award was individually negotiated, then the disclosure must include the identity of the recipient), and (b) notify the applicable securities exchange of such grant no later than the earlier to occur of (i) five calendar days after entering into the agreement to issue the Award or (ii) the date of the public announcement of the Award.

 

10.9     Data Privacy. As a condition for receiving any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this section by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participant’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security number, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Shares held in the Company or its Subsidiaries and affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company and its Subsidiaries hold regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 10.9 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. If the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 10.9, the Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

 

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10.10   Severability. If any portion of the Plan or any action taken under it is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provisions had been excluded, and the illegal or invalid action will be null and void.

 

10.11   Governing Documents. If any contradiction occurs between the Plan and any Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company (or any Subsidiary) that the Administrator has approved, the Plan will govern, unless it is expressly specified in such Award Agreement or other written document that the specific provision of the Plan will not apply. For clarity, the foregoing sentence shall not limit the applicability of any additive language contained in an Award Agreement or other written agreement which provides supplemental or additional terms not inconsistent with the Plan.

 

10.12   Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, disregarding any state’s choice-of-law principles requiring the application of a jurisdiction’s laws other than the State of Delaware.

 

10.13   Clawback Provisions. All Awards (including, without limitation, any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by a Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any compensation recovery or clawback policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any clawback policy adopted to comply with Applicable Laws (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder) as and to the extent set forth in such clawback policy or the Award Agreement.

 

10.14   Titles and Headings. The titles and headings in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, if any conflict, the Plan’s text, rather than such titles or headings, will control.

 

10.15   Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan and all Awards will be administered only in conformance with Applicable Laws. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, the Plan and all Award Agreements will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws.

 

10.16   Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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10.17   Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan will be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary except as expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

 

10.18   Stockholder Approval Not Required. It is expressly intended that approval of the Company’s stockholders not be required as a condition of the effectiveness of the Plan, and the Plan’s provisions shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent for all purposes. Specifically, Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c) generally requires stockholder approval for stock option plans or other equity compensation arrangements adopted by companies whose securities are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market pursuant to which stock awards or stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees or consultants of such companies. Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4) provides an exemption in certain circumstances for “employment inducement” awards (within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Awards under the Plan may only be made to employees who have not previously been an employee or director of the Company or a parent or Subsidiary, or following a bona fide period of non-employment by the Company or a parent or Subsidiary, in each case as an inducement material to the employee’s entering into employment with the Company or a Subsidiary. Awards under the Plan will be approved by (y) the Committee, which shall be comprised solely of Independent Directors, or (z) a majority of the Company’s Independent Directors. Accordingly, pursuant to Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5635(c)(4), the issuance of Awards and the Shares issuable upon exercise or vesting of such Awards pursuant to the Plan are not subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

 

ARTICLE XI.
Definitions

 

As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases will have the following meanings:

 

11.1     “Administrator” means the Committee, except to the extent that the Board has assumed the authority for administration of the Plan in accordance with Section 3.1 of the Plan.

 

11.2     Agent” means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or a Participant with regard to the Plan.

 

11.3     “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans under U.S. federal and state securities, tax and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which Shares are listed or quoted and the applicable laws and rules of any foreign country or other jurisdiction where Awards are granted.

 

11.4     “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents, or Other Stock-Based Awards.

 

11.5     “Award Agreement” means a written notice or agreement evidencing an Award, which may be electronic, that contains such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines, consistent with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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

 

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11.7     “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any one of the following events:

 

(a)       The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity’s securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by Persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization;

 

(b)       The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;

 

(c)       A change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than fifty percent (50%) of the incumbent Directors are Directors who either (i) had been Directors of the Company on the date twenty-four (24) months prior to the date of the event that may constitute a Change of Control (the “original directors”) or (B) were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the aggregate of the original directors who were still in office at the time of the election or nomination and the Directors whose election or nomination was previously so approved; or

 

(d)       Any transaction as a result of which any Person is the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities. For purposes of this paragraph (iv), the term “Person” shall exclude (A) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a Subsidiary and (B) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Company.

 

A transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, with respect to an Award that is or may be considered deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, the definition of “Change of Control” herein shall be amended and interpreted in a manner that allows the definition to satisfy the requirements of a change in control event under Section 409A solely for purposes of complying with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

11.8     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder.

 

11.9     “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board comprised of two or more Directors, each of whom is intended to qualify as a Non-Employee Director and Independent Director.

 

11.10   “Company” means Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.

 

11.11   “Designated Beneficiary” means the beneficiary or beneficiaries the Participant designates, in a manner the Administrator determines, to receive amounts due or exercise the Participant’s rights if the Participant dies or becomes incapacitated. Without a Participant’s effective designation, “Designated Beneficiary” will mean the Participant’s estate.

 

11.12   “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

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11.13   “Disability” has the meaning ascribed to the term in Code Section 22(e)(3), as determined by the Administrator.

 

11.14   “Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.

 

11.15   “Eligible Individual” means any prospective Employee who has not previously been an Employee or Director of the Company or any Subsidiary, or who is commencing employment with the Company or any Subsidiary following a bona fide period of non-employment by the Company or any Subsidiary, if he or she is granted an Award in connection with his or her commencement of employment with the Company or any Subsidiary and such grant is an inducement material to his or her entering into employment with the Company or any Subsidiary (within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule IM-5636-1 or any successor rule, if the Company’s securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and/or the applicable requirements of any other established stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, as applicable, as such rules and requirements may be amended from time to time).

 

11.16   “Employee” means any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

11.17   “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

11.18   “Fair Market Value” means the value of one Share on any relevant date, determined under the following rules: (i) the closing sale price per Share on that date as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other principal exchange on which Shares are then trading, if any, or if there are no sales on that date, on the next preceding trading day during which a sale occurred; (ii) if the Shares are not reported on a principal exchange or national market system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices last quoted on that date by an established quotation service for over-the-counter securities; or (iii) if neither (i) nor (ii) applies, the value as determined by the Administrator through the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, taking into account all information material to the value of the Company.

 

11.19   “Grant Date” means the date specified by the Administrator on which the grant of an Award is to be effective. The Date of Grant shall not be earlier than the date of the resolution and action therein by the Administrator to grant such Award. In no event shall the Date of Grant be earlier than the Effective Date.

 

11.20   “Independent Director” means a Director of the Company who is not an Employee and who qualifies as “independent” within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2), or any successor rule, if the Company’s securities are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and/or the applicable requirements of any other established stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded, as applicable, as such rules and requirements may be amended from time to time.

 

11.21   “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who qualifies as a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act, or any successor definition.

 

11.22   “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that does not qualify as and is not an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

11.23    “Option” means an option to purchase Shares. All Options granted under the Plan will be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

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11.24   “Other Stock-Based Awards” means cash awards, awards of Shares, and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property awarded to a Participant under Article VII.

 

11.25    “Participant” means an Eligible Individual who has been granted an Award.

 

11.26   “Performance Criteria” means the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator may select for an Award to establish performance goals for a performance period, which may include (but shall not be limited to) the following: (a) revenue; (b) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted (EBITDA as adjusted); (c) income before income taxes and minority interests; (d) operating income; (e) pre- or after-tax income; (f) average accounts receivable; (g) cash flow; (h) cash flow per share; (i) net earnings; (j) basic or diluted earnings per share; (k) return on equity; (l) return on assets; (m) return on capital; (n) growth in assets; (o) economic value added; (p) share price performance; (q) total stockholder return; (r) improvement or attainment of expense levels; (s) market share or market penetration; or (t) business expansion, and/or acquisitions or divestitures. Such performance goals may be based solely by reference to the Company’s performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit of the Company or a Subsidiary, or based upon performance relative to performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to performance of other companies.

 

11.27   “Plan” means this Apollo Medical Holdings, Inc. Employment Inducement Award Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

11.28   “Restricted Stock” means Shares awarded to a Participant under Article VI subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

 

11.29   “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Administrator to be of equal value as of such settlement date awarded to a Participant under Article VI subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

 

11.30   “Retirement” means, unless the Administrator determines otherwise in an Award Agreement, termination of employment from the Company and its Subsidiaries on or after age 65 with five (5) years of continuous service with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

11.31   “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

11.32   “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority thereunder.

 

11.33   “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

11.34   “Shares” means shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 

11.35   “Stock Appreciation Right” means a stock appreciation right granted under Article V.

 

11.36   “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.

 

[END OF DOCUMENT]

 

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