form8k.htm
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT PURSUANT
TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of
report (Date of earliest event reported) March 8,
2010
TEMPUR-PEDIC
INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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001-31922
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33-1022198
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(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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1713
Jaggie Fox Way
Lexington,
Kentucky 40511
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(800)
878-8889
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former
name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):
o Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
o Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.03 Amendments
to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
On March 8,
2010, the Board of Directors of Tempur-Pedic International Inc. (the “Company”)
approved amendments to Article II, Section 2.2, and Article II, Section 2.5 of
the Company’s Third Amended and Restated By-Laws. The amendments to
the Company’s By-Laws change the vote standard for the election of directors
from plurality to a majority of votes cast in uncontested
elections. A majority of the votes cast means that the number of
shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against”
that director. In contested elections where the number of nominees
exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the vote standard will continue
to be a plurality of votes cast.
In addition,
if a nominee who already serves as a director is not elected, the director shall
promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. The
Company’s Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will promptly assess
the appropriateness of such nominee continuing to serve as a director and
recommend to the Board of Directors the action to be taken with respect to such
tendered resignation. The Board of Directors will determine whether
to accept or reject such resignation, or what other action should be taken,
within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election
results. Pursuant to existing Article III, Section 3.1(c), if the
failure of a nominee to be elected at the annual meeting results in a vacancy on
the Board, that vacancy can be filled by action of the remaining members of the
Board.
The
amendments to the By-Laws are effective as of March 8, 2010. The
Fourth Amended and Restated By-Laws and are attached as Exhibit 3.1 to this
Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
ITEM
9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)
Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused the report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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Tempur-Pedic
International Inc.
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Date: March
11, 2010
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By:
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/s/
DALE E. WILLIAMS |
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Name:
Dale E. Williams
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Title:
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &
Secretary
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EXHIBIT
INDEX
exhibit31.htm
TEMPUR-PEDIC INTERNATIONAL
INC.
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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Article
I. – General
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1
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1.1
Offices
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1
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1.2
Seal
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1
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1.3 Fiscal
Year
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1
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Article
II. – Stockholders
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1
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2.1 Place
of Meetings
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1
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2.2 Annual
Meeting
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1
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2.3 Quorum
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1
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2.4 Right
to Vote; Proxies
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2
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2.5 Voting
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2
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2.6 Notice
of Annual Meetings
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2
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2.7 Stockholders’
List
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3
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2.8 Special
Meetings
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3
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2.9 Notice
of Special Meetings
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3
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2.10 Inspectors
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3
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2.11 Stockholders’
Consent in Lieu of Meeting
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4
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2.12 Procedures |
4 |
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Article
III. – Directors
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7
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3.1 Number
of Directors
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7
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3.2 Resignation
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7
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3.3 Removal
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7
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3.4 Place
of Meetings and Books
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8
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3.5 General
Powers
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8
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3.6 Committees
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8
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3.7 Powers
Denied to Committees
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8
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3.8 Substitute
Committee Member
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8
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3.9 Compensation
of Directors
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9
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3.10 Regular
Meetings
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9
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3.11 Special
Meetings
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9
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3.12 Quorum
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9
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3.13 Telephonic
Participation in Meetings
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9
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3.14 Action
by Consent
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10
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Article
IV. – Officers
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10
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4.1 Selection;
Statutory Officers
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10
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4.2 Time
of Election
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10
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4.3 Additional
Officers
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10
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4.4 Terms
of Office
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10
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4.5 Compensation
of Officers
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10
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4.6 Chairman
of the Board
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10
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4.7 President
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11
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4.8 Vice-Presidents
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11
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4.9 Treasurer
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11
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4.10 Secretary
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11
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4.11 Assistant Secretary
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12
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4.12 Assistant
Treasurer
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12
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4.13 Subordinate
Officers
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12
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Article
V. – Stock
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12
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5.1 Stock
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12
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5.2 Fractional
Share Interests
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12
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5.3 Transfers
of Stock
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13
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5.4 Record
Date
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13
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5.5 Transfer
Agent and Registrar
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13
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5.6 Dividends
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14
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5.7 Lost,
Stolen, or Destroyed Certificates
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14
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5.8 Inspection
of Books
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14
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Article
VI. – Miscellaneous Management Provisions
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15
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6.1 Checks,
Drafts, and Notes
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15
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6.2 Notices
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15
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6.3 Conflict
of Interest
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15
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6.4 Voting
of Securities Owned by the Company
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16
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Article
VII. – Indemnification
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16
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7.1 Right
of Indemnification
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16
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7.2 Right
of Indemnitee to Bring Suit
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17
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7.3 Non-Exclusivity
of Rights
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17
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7.4 Insurance
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17
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7.5 Indemnification
of Employees and Agents of the Company
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18
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Article
VIII. – Amendments
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18
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8.1 Amendments
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18
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TEMPUR-PEDIC
INTERNATIONAL INC.
FOURTH
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
Article
I. -
General.
1.1. Offices.
The
registered office of Tempur-Pedic International Inc. (the “Company”) shall be in
the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The
Company may also have offices at such other places both within and without the
State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or
the business of the Company may require.
1.2. Seal.
The seal,
if any, of the Company shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed
thereon the name of the Company, the year of its organization and the words
“Corporate Seal, Delaware.”
1.3. Fiscal
Year.
Except as
otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Company
shall be the period from January 1 through December 31.
Article
II. -
Stockholders.
2.1. Place of
Meetings.
Each
meeting of the stockholders shall be held only upon notice as hereinafter
provided, at such place as the Board of Directors shall have determined and as
shall be stated in the relevant notice of meeting.
2.2. Annual
Meeting.
The
annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held each year on such date and at
such time as the Board of Directors may determine. At each annual
meeting the stockholders entitled to vote shall elect such members of the Board
of Directors as are standing for election by ballot and they may transact such
other corporate business as may properly be brought before the
meeting. At the annual meeting any business may be transacted,
irrespective of whether the notice calling such meeting shall have contained a
reference thereto, except where notice is required by law, the Company’s Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended and in effect from time to
time, the “Charter”), or these
by-laws.
2.3. Quorum.
At all
meetings of the stockholders the holders of a majority of the stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum requisite for the transaction of business
except as otherwise provided by law, the Charter, or these
by-laws. Whether or not there is such a quorum at any meeting, the
chairman of the meeting or the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in
person or by proxy, by a majority vote, may adjourn the meeting from time to
time without notice other than announcement at the meeting. If the
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the
meeting. At such adjourned meeting, at which the requisite amount of
voting stock shall be represented, any business may be transacted that might
have been transacted if the meeting had been held as originally
called. The stockholders present in person or by proxy at a duly
called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business
until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to
leave less than a quorum.
2.4. Right to Vote;
Proxies.
Subject
to the provisions of the Charter, each holder of a share or shares of capital
stock of the Company having the right to vote at any meeting shall be entitled
to one vote for each such share of stock held by him. Any stockholder
entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders may vote either in person or by
proxy, but no proxy that is dated more than three years prior to the meeting at
which it is offered shall confer the right to vote thereat unless the proxy
provides that it shall be effective for a longer period. A proxy may
be granted by a writing executed by the stockholder or his authorized agent or
by transmission or authorization of transmission of a telegram, cablegram, or
other means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of
the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization,
or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy
to receive such transmission, subject to the conditions set forth in Section 212
of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as it may be amended from time to time
(the “DGCL”).
2.5. Voting.
(a) Except
as otherwise expressly provided for by statute, the Charter, or these by-laws,
at all meetings of stockholders in all matters other than the election of
directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or by
means of remote communication or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote on such matter shall be the act of the
stockholders.
(b) Except
as otherwise expressly provided for by statute, the Charter, or these by-laws,
at all meetings of stockholders with respect to the election of
directors, directors shall be elected by the vote of the
majority of the shares present in person or by means of remote communication or
represented by proxy at the meeting; provided, that if as of the record date for
any meeting the Secretary of the Company determines that the number of nominees
exceeds the number of directors to be elected (a “contested election”), the
directors, not exceeding the authorized number of directors as fixed by the
Board of Directors in accordance with Section 3.1, shall be elected by a
plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or by means of remote
communication or represented by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to vote
on the election of directors. For purposes of this Section 2.5(b), a
majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted ‘for’ a
director must exceed the number of shares voted ‘against’ that
director. In an election that is not a contested election, if
an incumbent director does not receive a majority of the votes cast for his or
her election, as determined based upon the certified election results, the
director shall continue to serve as a director but shall promptly tender his or
her resignation to the Board of Directors for consideration by the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee thereof. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee shall promptly assess the appropriateness of such
nominee continuing to serve as a director and recommend to the Board of
Directors the action to be taken with respect to such tendered resignation. The
Board of Directors will determine whether to accept or reject such resignation,
or what other action should be taken, within 90 days from the date of the
certification of election results.
2.6. Notice of
Annual Meetings.
Written
notice of the annual meeting of the stockholders shall be mailed to each
stockholder entitled to vote thereat at such address as appears on the stock
books of the Company at least ten (10) days (and not more than sixty (60) days)
prior to the meeting. The Board of Directors may postpone any annual
meeting of the stockholders at its discretion, even after notice thereof has
been mailed, for any reason or for no reason. It shall be the duty of
every stockholder to furnish to the Secretary of the Company or to the transfer
agent, if any, of the class of stock owned by him and his post-office address,
and to notify the Secretary or transfer agent of any change
therein. Notice need not be given to any stockholder who submits a
written waiver of notice signed by him before or after the time stated
therein. Attendance of a stockholder at an annual meeting of
stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when
the stockholder attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
2.7. Stockholders'
List.
A
complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each
stockholder, and the number of shares registered in the name of each
stockholder, shall be prepared by the Secretary and shall be open to examination
of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a
period of at least ten days before such meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible
electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to
such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary
business hours at the principal office of the Company, and said list shall be
open to examination during the whole time of said meeting, at the place of said
meeting, or, if the meeting held is by remote communication, on a reasonably
accessible electronic network and the information required to access such list
shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
2.8. Special
Meetings.
Special
meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise
provided by statute, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the President, or a majority of the Board of
Directors. Any such person or persons may postpone any special
meeting of the stockholders at its or their discretion, for any reason or for no
reason, even after notice thereof has been mailed.
2.9. Notice of
Special Meetings.
Written
notice of a special meeting of stockholders, stating the time, the place, the
means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders
may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the object
thereof, shall be sent not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days
before such meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, either in
paper form or electronic form pursuant to each stockholder’s instructions on
record with the Company. No business may be transacted at such
meeting except that referred to in said notice, or in a supplemental notice
given also in compliance with the provisions hereof, or such other business as
may be germane or supplementary to that stated in said notice or
notices. Notice need not be given to any stockholder who submits a
written waiver of notice signed by him before or after the time stated
therein. Attendance of a stockholder at a special meeting of
stockholders shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when
the stockholder attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
2.10. Inspectors.
1. One
or more inspectors may be appointed by the Board of Directors before or at any
meeting of stockholders, or, if no such appointment shall have been made, the
presiding officer may make such appointment at the meeting. At the
meeting for which the inspector or inspectors are appointed, he or they shall
open and close the polls, receive and take charge of the proxies and ballots,
and decide all questions touching on the qualifications of voters, the validity
of proxies, and the acceptance and rejection of votes. If any
inspector previously appointed shall fail to attend or refuse or be unable to
serve, the presiding officer shall appoint an inspector in his
place.
2. At
any time at which the Company has a class of voting stock that is
(i) listed on a national securities exchange, (ii) authorized for quotation
on an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered national securities
association, or (iii) held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders, the
provisions of Section 231 of the DGCL with respect to inspectors of
election and voting procedures shall apply, in lieu of the provisions of
paragraph 1 of this Section 2.10.
2.11. Stockholders'
Consent in Lieu of Meeting.
Unless
otherwise provided in the Charter, any action required to be taken at any annual
or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, or any action that may be
taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken only
at such a meeting, and not by written consent of stockholders.
2.12. Procedures.
1. Nomination of
Directors. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with
the procedures set forth in these by-laws shall be eligible to serve as
directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors of the Company may be made at a meeting of stockholders (x) pursuant
to the Company’s notice of meeting, (y) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (z) by any stockholder of the Company who is a stockholder of
record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 2.12(1), who
shall be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting and who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section
2.12(1). Such nominations, other than those made by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in
writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a
stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the
principal executive offices of the Company not less than 120 days nor more than
150 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting
of stockholders; provided,
however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is
advanced more than 30 days prior to such anniversary date or delayed more than
60 days after such anniversary date, then to be timely such notice must be
received by the Company no later than the later of 60 days prior to the date of
the meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of
the date of the meeting was made. With respect to special meetings of
stockholders, such notice must be delivered to the Secretary not more than 90
days prior to such meeting and not later than the later of (y) 60 days prior to
such meeting or (z) 10 days following the date on which public announcement of
the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. Such
stockholder’s notice shall set forth:
(a) as
to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that is
required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)
(including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement
as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and
(b) as
to the stockholder giving the notice:
(i) the
name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of such stockholder and
any Stockholder Associated Person (defined below) covered by clause (ii)
below,
(ii)
(A) the class and number of shares of the Company which are, directly
or indirectly, held of record or are beneficially owned by such stockholder or
by any Stockholder Associated Person, (B) any Derivative Positions (defined
below) held or beneficially held by the stockholder or any Stockholder
Associated Person, (C) any rights to dividends of the Company that are separable
from the underlying shares of the Company held by the stockholder or any
Stockholder Associated Person, (D) any proportionate interest in the Company’s
securities held by a partnership in which the stockholder or any Stockholder
Associated Person is a general partner, either directly or indirectly, (E) any
performance-related fees that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated
Person is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of the
Company’s securities, and (F) whether and the extent to which any hedging
(including any short-interest positions) or other transaction or series of
transactions have been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or any
Stockholder Associated Person, or any other agreement, arrangement or
understanding has been made by or on behalf of such stockholder or any
Stockholder Associated Person, if the effect of or intent of any of the
foregoing is to increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder or any
Stockholder Associated Person with respect to Company’s securities,
and
(iii) any
proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which
such stockholder or any Stockholder Affiliated Person has the right to vote any
security of the Company.
At the
request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by the Board of
Directors for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary that
information required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination
which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible to serve
as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this Section 2.12(1). The chairman of the meeting shall,
if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was
not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the by-laws, and if he
should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 2.12(1), a stockholder shall also comply with all
applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section
2.12(1).
“Stockholder Associated
Person” of any stockholder means (x) any person controlling, directly or
indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (y) any beneficial
owner of shares of stock of the Company owned of record or beneficially by such
stockholder and (z) any person controlling, controlled by or under common
control with such Stockholder Associated Person.
“Derivative Position”
means any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or
similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment
or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Company
or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or
series of shares of the Company, whether or not such instrument or right shall
be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of
the Company or otherwise.
2. Notice of
Business. At any meeting of the stockholders, only such
business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (y) by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (z) by any stockholder of the
Company who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice
provided for in this Section 2.12(2), who shall be entitled to vote at such
meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section
2.12(2). For business to be properly brought before a stockholder
meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof
in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice
shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices
of the Company not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in
the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days
prior to such anniversary date or delayed more than 60 days after such
anniversary date then to be timely such notice must be received by the Company
no later than the later of 60 days prior to the date of the meeting or the 10th
day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting
was made. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, such notice must be
delivered to the Secretary not more than 90 days prior to such meeting and not
later than the later of (y) 60 days prior to such meeting or (z) 10 days
following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is
first made by the Company. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary
shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the
meeting:
(a) the
information required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies with respect to
the matter pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act;
(b) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and
the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting;
(c) the
name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of the stockholder
proposing such business and any Stockholder Associated Person covered by clauses
(d) and (e) below;
(d)
(i) the class and number of shares of the Company which are, directly
or indirectly, held of record or are beneficially owned by such stockholder or
by any Stockholder Associated Person, (ii) any Derivative Positions held or
beneficially held by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, (iii)
any rights to dividends of the Company that are separable from the underlying
shares of the Company held by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated
Person, (iv) any proportionate interest in the Company’s securities held by a
partnership in which the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a
general partner, either directly or indirectly, (v) any performance-related fees
that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to based
on any increase or decrease in the value of the Company’s securities, and (vi)
whether and the extent to which any hedging (including any short-interest
positions) or other transaction or series of transactions have been entered into
by or on behalf of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, or any
other agreement, arrangement or understanding has been made by or on behalf of
such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, if the effect of or
intent of any of the foregoing is to increase or decrease the voting power of
such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person with respect to Company’s
securities; and
(e) any
material interest of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person in
such business, including all arrangements, agreements and understandings with
the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person in connection with the proposed
business.
Notwithstanding
anything in these by-laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a
stockholder meeting except as shall have been brought before the meeting in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12(2). The
chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to
the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in
accordance with the provisions of the by-laws, and if he should so determine, he
shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought
before the meeting shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12(2), a stockholder shall also comply
with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section
2.12(2).
Article
III. -
Directors.
3.1. Number of
Directors.
(a) Except
as otherwise provided by law, the Charter, or these by-laws, the property and
business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of a board of
directors. Directors need not be stockholders, residents of Delaware,
or citizens of the United States. The use of the phrase “whole board”
herein refers to the total number of directors which the Company would have if
there were no vacancies.
(b) The
number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors shall be as
determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. Members of
the Board of Directors shall hold office until the annual meeting of
stockholders at which their respective successors are elected and qualified or
until their earlier death, incapacity, resignation, or
removal. Except as the DGCL or Charter may otherwise require, in the
interim between annual meetings of stockholders or special meetings of
stockholders called for the election of directors and/or for the removal of one
or more directors and for the filling of any vacancy in that connection, any
vacancies in the Board of Directors, including unfilled vacancies resulting from
the removal of directors, may be filled by the vote of a majority of the
remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole
remaining director.
(c) If
the office of any director becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation,
disqualification, removal, failure to elect, or otherwise, the remaining
directors, although more or less than a quorum, by a majority vote of such
remaining directors may elect a successor or successors who shall hold office
for the unexpired term.
3.2. Resignation.
Any
director of the Company may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by
electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, if any, the President or
the Secretary of the Company. Such resignation shall take effect at
the time specified therein, at the time of receipt if no time is specified
therein and at the time of acceptance if the effectiveness of such resignation
is conditioned upon its acceptance. Unless otherwise specified
therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective.
3.3. Removal.
Any
director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause,
by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election
of directors.
3.4. Place of
Meetings and Books.
The Board
of Directors may hold their meetings and keep the books of the Company inside or
outside the State of Delaware, at such places as they may from time to time
determine.
3.5. General
Powers.
In
addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by these
by-laws, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Company and
do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Charter or by
these by-laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the
stockholders.
3.6. Committees.
The Board
of Directors may designate one or more committees; such committee or committees
shall consist of one or more directors of the Company, and to the extent
provided in the resolution or resolutions designating them, shall have and may
exercise specific powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the
business and affairs of the Company to the extent permitted by the DGCL and
shall have power to authorize the seal of the Company to be affixed to all
papers that may require it. Such committee or committees shall have
such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted
by the Board of Directors.
3.7. Powers
Denied to Committees.
Committees
of the Board of Directors shall not, in any event, have any power or authority
to amend the Charter (except that a committee may, to the extent authorized in
the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares adopted by
the Board of Directors as provided in Section 151(a) of the DGCL, fix the
designations and any of the preferences or rights of such shares relating to
dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of the Company or
the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares of any other
class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes
of stock of the Company or fix the number of shares of any series of stock or
authorize the increase or decrease of the shares of any series), adopt an
agreement of merger or consolidation, recommend to the stockholders the sale,
lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of the Company's property and
assets, recommend to the stockholders a dissolution of the Company or a
revocation of a dissolution, or to amend the by-laws of the
Company. Further, no committee of the Board of Directors shall have
the power or authority to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of
stock, or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to
Section 253 of the DGCL, unless the resolution or resolutions designating
such committee expressly so provides.
3.8. Substitute
Committee Member.
To the
extent provided in the resolution or resolutions designating such a committee,
in the absence or on the disqualification of a member of a committee, the member
or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting,
whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another
member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of such
absent or disqualified member. Any committee shall keep regular
minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors as may
be required by the Board of Directors.
3.9. Compensation
of Directors.
The Board
of Directors shall have the power to fix the compensation of directors and
members of committees of the Board and may delegate this authority to one or
more committees. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum
for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as
director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving
the Company in any other capacity and receiving compensation
therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed
like compensation for attending committee meetings.
3.10. Regular
Meetings.
No notice
shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors for which the
time and place have been fixed. Written, oral, or any other mode of
notice of the time and place shall be given for special meetings in sufficient
time for the convenient assembly of the directors thereat. Notice
need not be given to any director who submits a written waiver of notice signed
by him before or after the time stated therein. Attendance of any
such person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting,
except when he attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.
3.11. Special
Meetings.
Special
meetings of the board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or the
President, on two (2) days notice to each director, or such shorter period of
time before the meeting as will nonetheless be sufficient for the convenient
assembly of the directors so notified; special meetings shall be called by the
Secretary in like manner and on like notice, on the written request of two or
more directors.
3.12. Quorum.
At all
meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Board of Directors, but
not less than 1/3 of the whole board, shall be necessary and sufficient to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority
of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the
act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically permitted
or provided by statute, or by the Charter, or by these by-laws. If at
any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present,
a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a
quorum is obtained, and no further notice thereof need be given other than by
announcement at said meeting that shall be so adjourned.
3.13. Telephonic
Participation in Meetings.
Members
of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by such board may
participate in a meeting of the board or committee by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear one another, and participation in a
meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such
meeting.
3.14. Action by
Consent.
Unless
otherwise restricted by the Charter or these by-laws, any action required or
permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any
committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board or
of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by
electronic transmission and such consent is filed in paper form with the minutes
of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
Article
IV. -
Officers.
4.1. Selection;
Statutory Officers.
The
officers of the Company shall be chosen by the Board of
Directors. There shall be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and
a Chairman of the Board of Directors, and there may be one or more Vice
Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and one or more Assistant
Treasurers, as the Board of Directors may elect. Any number of
offices may be held by the same person, except that the offices of President and
Secretary shall not be held by the same person simultaneously.
4.2. Time of
Election.
The
officers above named shall be chosen by the Board of Directors at its first
meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders. None of said
officers need be a director.
4.3. Additional
Officers.
The Board
of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem
necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such
powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the
board.
4.4. Terms of
Office.
Each
officer of the Company shall hold office until his successor is chosen and
qualified, or until his earlier resignation or removal. Any officer
elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the
Board of Directors.
4.5. Compensation
of Officers.
The Board
of Directors shall have power to fix the compensation of all officers of the
Company. It may authorize any officer, upon whom the power of
appointing subordinate officers may have been conferred, to fix the compensation
of such subordinate officers.
4.6. Chairman
of the Board.
The
Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and directors, and shall have such other duties as may be assigned
to him from time to time by the Board of Directors.
4.7. President.
Unless
the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the President shall be the chief
executive officer and head of the Company. Unless there is a Chairman
of the Board, the President shall preside at all meetings of directors and
stockholders. Under the supervision of the Board of Directors, the
President shall have the general control and management of its business and
affairs, subject, however, to the right of the Board of Directors to confer any
specific power, except such as may be by statute exclusively conferred on the
President, upon any other officer or officers of the Company. The
President shall perform and do all acts and things incident to the position of
President and such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by
the Board of Directors.
4.8. Vice-Presidents.
The
Vice-Presidents shall perform such of the duties of the President on behalf of
the Company as may be respectively assigned to them from time to time by the
Board of Directors or by the President. The Board of Directors may
designate one or more of the Vice-Presidents as the Executive Vice President and
may designate one or more of the Vice-Presidents as the Senior Vice-President,
and in the absence or inability of the President to act, such Executive Vice
President(s) and/or Senior Vice-President(s) shall have and possess all of the
powers and discharge all of the duties of the President, subject to the control
of the Board of Directors.
4.9. Treasurer.
The
Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all the funds and securities of the
Company that may come into his hands as Treasurer, and the power and authority
to endorse checks, drafts and other instruments for the payment of money for
deposit or collection when necessary or proper and to deposit the same to the
credit of the Company in such bank or banks or depository as the Board of
Directors, or the officers or agents to whom the Board of Directors may delegate
such authority, may designate, and he may endorse all commercial documents
requiring endorsements for or on behalf of the Company. He may sign
all receipts and vouchers for the payments made to the Company. He
shall render an account of his transactions to the Board of Directors as often
as the board or the committee shall require the same. He shall enter
regularly in the books to be kept by him for that purpose full and adequate
account of all moneys received and paid by him on account of the
Company. He shall perform all acts incident to the position of
Treasurer, subject to the control of the Board of Directors. He shall
when requested, pursuant to vote of the Board of Directors, give a bond to the
Company conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties, the expense of
which bond shall be borne by the Company.
4.10. Secretary.
The
Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and
of the stockholders; he shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of
the Company. Except as otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors,
he shall attest the seal of the Company upon all contracts and instruments
executed under such seal and shall affix the seal of the Company thereto and to
all certificates of shares of capital stock of the Company. He shall
have charge of the stock certificate book, transfer book and stock ledger, and
such other books and papers as the Board of Directors may direct. He
shall, in general, perform all the duties of Secretary, subject to the control
of the Board of Directors.
4.11. Assistant
Secretary.
The Board
of Directors or any two of the officers of the Company acting jointly may
appoint or remove one or more Assistant Secretaries of the
Company. Any Assistant Secretary upon his appointment shall perform
such duties of the Secretary, and also any and all such other duties as the
Board of Directors or the President or the Executive Vice-President or the
Senior Vice-President or the Treasurer or the Secretary may
designate.
4.12. Assistant
Treasurer.
The Board
of Directors or any two of the officers of the Company acting jointly may
appoint or remove one or more Assistant Treasurers of the
Company. Any Assistant Treasurer upon his appointment shall perform
such of the duties of the Treasurer, and also any and all such other duties as
the Board of Directors or the President or the Executive Vice-President or the
Senior Vice-President or the Treasurer or the Secretary may
designate.
4.13. Subordinate
Officers.
The Board
of Directors may select such subordinate officers as it may deem
desirable. Each such officer shall hold office for such period, have
such authority, and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may
prescribe. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, authorize
any officer to appoint and remove subordinate officers and to prescribe the
powers and duties thereof.
Article
V. -
Stock.
5.1. Stock.
The
shares of the Company’s stock may be certificated or uncertificated and shall be
entered in the books of the Company and registered as they are issued. Any
certificates representing shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board of
Directors shall prescribe, certifying the number and class of shares of the
stock of the Company owned by the stockholder. Any certificate issued
to a stockholder of the Company shall be numbered and shall certify the holder’s
name and number and class of shares and shall be signed by both of (1) either
the President or a Vice-President, and (2) any one of the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and shall be
sealed with the corporate seal of the Company. If such certificate is
countersigned (1) by a transfer agent other than the Company or its employee, or
(2) by a registrar other than the Company or its employee, any or all of the
signatures on the certificate, including the certificate of the transfer agent
and registrar and the corporate seal may be facsimiles. In case any officer or
officers who shall have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall
have been used on, any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such
officer or officers of the Company, whether because of death, resignation or
otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by
the Company, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the
Company and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed
such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature shall have been
used thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the
Company.
5.2. Fractional
Share Interests.
The
Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of a
share. If the Company does not issue fractions of a share, it shall
(i) arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by those entitled
thereto, (ii) pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time
when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or (iii) issue
scrip or warrants in registered or bearer form that shall entitle the holder to
receive a certificate for a full share upon the surrender of such scrip or
warrants aggregating a full share. A certificate for a fractional
share shall, but scrip or warrants shall not unless otherwise provided therein,
entitle the holder to exercise voting rights, to receive dividends thereon, and
to participate in any of the assets of the Company in the event of
liquidation. The Board of Directors may cause scrip or warrants to be
issued subject to the conditions that they shall become void if not exchanged
for certificates representing full shares before a specified date, or subject to
the conditions that the shares for which scrip or warrants are exchangeable may
be sold by the Company and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of
scrip or warrants, or subject to any other conditions that the Board of
Directors may impose.
5.3. Transfers
of Stock.
Subject to any transfer restrictions
then in force, upon the surrender to the Company or the transfer agent of the
Company of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper
evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, such certificate
for shares shall be cancelled, issuance of the equivalent of uncertificated or
certificated shares shall be made to the stockholder entitled thereto, and the
transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the Company.
Subject to any transfer restrictions
then in force, upon the receipt of proper transfer instructions from the
registered owner of uncertificated shares, with such proof of authenticity of
signature as the Company or its transfer agent or registrar may reasonably
require, such uncertificated shares shall be cancelled, issuance of new
equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated shares shall be made to the
stockholder entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the
books of the Company.
The
Company shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares
of stock as the holder in fact thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to
recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share on the part
of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof
save as expressly provided by the laws of Delaware.
5.4. Record
Date.
For the
purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof or entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or other distribution or the allotment of any rights, or
entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or
exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of
Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, that shall not be more than sixty
(60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more
than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no such record
date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall
be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is
given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and the record date for
determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business
on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice
of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of
the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record
date for the adjourned meeting.
5.5. Transfer
Agent and Registrar.
The Board
of Directors may appoint one or more transfer agents or transfer clerks and one
or more registrars and may require all certificates of stock to bear the
signature or signatures of any of them.
5.6. Dividends.
1. Power to
Declare. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Company,
subject to the provisions of the Charter, if any, may be declared by the Board
of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to
law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the
capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Charter and the laws of
Delaware.
2. Reserves. Before
payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Company
available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in
their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet
contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any
property of the Company, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think
conducive to the interest of the Company, and the directors may modify or
abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
5.7. Lost,
Stolen, or Destroyed Certificates.
No
certificates for shares of stock or uncertificated shares of stock of the
Company shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost,
stolen, or destroyed, except upon production of such evidence of the loss,
theft, or destruction and upon indemnification of the Company and its agents to
such extent and in such manner as the Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe. Upon production of any required evidence and
indemnification, the Company may issue (i) a new certificate or certificates of
stock or (ii) uncertificated shares in place of any certificate or certificates
previously issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed.
5.8. Inspection
of Books.
The
stockholders of the Company, by a majority vote at any meeting of stockholders
duly called, or in case the stockholders shall fail to act, the Board of
Directors, shall have power from time to time to determine whether and to what
extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and regulations
the accounts and books of the Company (other than the stock ledger) or any of
them, shall be open to inspection of stockholders; and no stockholder shall have
any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Company except as
conferred by statute or authorized by the Board of Directors or by a resolution
of the stockholders.
Article
VI. - Miscellaneous Management
Provisions.
6.1. Checks,
Drafts, and Notes.
All
checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, and all notes and
acceptances of the Company shall be signed by such officer or officers, or such
agent or agents, as the Board of Directors may designate.
6.2. Notices.
1. Notices
to directors may, and notices to stockholders shall, be in writing and (a)
delivered personally, (b) mailed to the directors or stockholders at their
addresses appearing on the books of the Company, or (c) delivered by a form of
electronic transmission which is consented to by the stockholder or the director
to whom the notice is given. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be
given at the time when the same shall be mailed. Notice by electronic
transmission shall be deemed to be given (i) if by facsimile telecommunication,
when directed to a number at which the stockholder or the director has consented
to receive notice, (ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic
mail address at which the stockholder or director has consented to receive
notice, (iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with a separate
notice to the stockholder or the director of such specific posting, upon the
later of (A) such posting, and (B) the giving of such separate notice, and (iv)
if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the
stockholder or the director. Notice to directors may also be
given by telegram or orally, by telephone or in person.
2. Whenever
any notice is required to be given under the provisions of any applicable
statute or of the Charter or of these by-laws, a written waiver of notice,
signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or waiver of notice by
electronic transmission by the person or persons entitled to said notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein or the meeting or action to
which such notice relates, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver
of notice of such meeting except when the person attends a meeting for the
express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened.
6.3. Conflict
of Interest.
No
contract or transaction between the Company and one or more of its directors or
officers, or between the Company and any other corporation, partnership,
association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or
officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void
or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is
present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or the
committee thereof that authorized the contract or transaction, or solely because
his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the material
facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction
are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee and the
Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or
transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested
directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or
(ii) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the
contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders of the
Company entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is
specifically approved in good faith by vote of such stockholders; or (iii) the
contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is
authorized, approved, or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee or the
stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in
determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or
of a committee that authorizes the contract or transaction.
6.4. Voting of
Securities Owned by the Company.
Subject
always to the specific directions of the Board of Directors, (i) any shares or
other securities issued by any other corporation and owned or controlled by the
Company may be voted in person at any meeting of security holders of such other
corporation by the President of the Company if he is present at such meeting, or
in his absence by the Treasurer of the Company if he is present at such meeting,
and (ii) whenever, in the judgment of the President, it is desirable for the
Company to execute a proxy or written consent in respect to any shares or other
securities issued by any other corporation and owned by the Company, such proxy
or consent shall be executed in the name of the Company by the President,
without the necessity of any authorization by the Board of Directors, affixation
of corporate seal or countersignature or attestation by another officer,
provided that if the President is unable to execute such proxy or consent by
reason of sickness, absence from the United States or other similar cause, the
Treasurer may execute such proxy or consent. Any person or persons
designated in the manner above stated as the proxy or proxies of the Company
shall have full right, power and authority to vote the shares or other
securities issued by such other corporation and owned by the Company the same as
such shares or other securities might be voted by the Company.
Article
VII. -
Indemnification.
7.1. Right to
Indemnification.
Each
person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is
otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by
reason of being or having been a director or officer of the Company or serving
or having served at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit
plan (an “Indemnitee”), whether
the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or failure to act in an official
capacity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent or in any other
capacity while serving as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent, shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent authorized
by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of
any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company
to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto) (as used
in this Article VII, the “Delaware Law”), against all
expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA
excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or
suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification
shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, trustee,
officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee's
heirs, executors, and administrators; provided, however, that, except
as provided in Section 7.2 hereof with respect to Proceedings to enforce rights
to indemnification, the Company shall indemnify any such Indemnitee in
connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only
if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of
the Company. The right to indemnification conferred in this
Article VII shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be
paid by the Company the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in
defending any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “Advancement of Expenses”); provided, however, that, if the
Delaware Law so requires, an Advancement of Expenses incurred by an Indemnitee
shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (an “Undertaking”), by or
on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall
ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no
further right to appeal (a “Final Adjudication”) that
such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this
Article VII or otherwise.
7.2. Right of
Indemnitee to Bring Suit.
If a
claim under Section 7.1 hereof is not paid in full by the Company within sixty
days after a written claim has been received by the Company, except in the case
of a claim for an Advancement of Expenses, in which case the applicable period
shall be twenty days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit
against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If
successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the
Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an
Undertaking, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of
prosecuting or defending such suit. In any suit brought by the
Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit
brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an Advancement of Expenses) it
shall be a defense that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the Delaware Law. In addition, in any suit
brought by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the
terms of an Undertaking the Company shall be entitled to recover such expenses
upon a Final Adjudication that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware Law. Neither the
failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in
the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in the Delaware Law, nor an actual determination by the
Company (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of
conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the
applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the
Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the
Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an Advancement of
Expenses hereunder, or by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses
pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the burden of proving that the
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such Advancement of
Expenses, under this Article VII or otherwise shall be on the
Company.
7.3. Non-Exclusivity
of Rights.
The
rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses conferred in this
Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other right that any person may
have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Charter, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
7.4. Insurance.
The
Company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense,
liability or loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify
such person against such expense, liability or loss under this Article VII
or under the Delaware Law.
7.5. Indemnification
of Employees and Agents of the Company.
The
Company may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of
Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and to the Advancement of Expenses,
to any employee or agent of the Company to the fullest extent of the provisions
of this Article VII with respect to the indemnification and Advancement of
Expenses of directors and officers of the Company.
Article
VIII. -
Amendments.
8.1. Amendments.
Subject
always to any limitations imposed by the Charter, these by-laws may be altered,
amended, or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted, only by (i) the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding voting
stock of the Company, provided, that the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least 67% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company shall be required for
any such alteration, amendment, repeal, or adoption that would affect or be
inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 2.11, 2.12 or 3.1, Article VII and
this Section 8.1 (in each case, in addition to any separate class vote that
may be required pursuant to the terms of any then outstanding preferred stock of
the Company), or (ii) by resolution of the Board of Directors duly adopted
by not less than a majority of the directors then constituting the full Board of
Directors.
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