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8-K - 8-K - HF FINANCIAL CORPa11-25120_18k.htm
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Exhibit 3.3

 

HF FINANCIAL CORP.

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws

 

ARTICLE I

 

STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.                       Annual Meeting.

 

An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix, which date shall be within thirteen (13) months subsequent to the later of the date of incorporation or the last annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 2.                       Special Meetings.

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors (hereinafter the “Whole Board”).

 

Section 3.                       Notice of Meetings.

 

Written notice of the place, date, and time of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation).

 

When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, date and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

 

Section 4.                       Quorum.

 

At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of at least one-third of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law. Where a separate vote by a class or classes is required, a majority of the shares of such class or classes, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. When a quorum is once present, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholder.

 

If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, may adjourn the meeting to another place, date or time.

 

If a notice of any adjourned special meeting of stockholders is sent to all stockholders entitled to vote thereat, stating that it will be held with those present constituting a quorum, then except as otherwise required by law, those present at

 



 

such adjourned meeting shall constitute a quorum, and all matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast at such meeting.

 

Section 5.                       Organization.

 

Such person as the Board of Directors may have designated or, in the absence of such a person, the Chairman of the Board of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the chairman appoints.

 

Section 6.                       Director Nominations and Other Business.

 

(a)           Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

(i)                Nominations of persons for election as director of the Corporation and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record of the Corporation at the time the stockholder notice provided for in this Section 6 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, (2) shall be entitled to vote at such annual meeting, and (3) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(a) as to such director nomination or other business; clause (C) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make director nominations or submit business (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereto) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(ii)           For director nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 6(a)(i)(C) above, the stockholder, in addition to any other applicable requirements, must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and any such proposed business must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action.  To be timely, a stockholder notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting, or (B) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Corporation).  In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting of stockholders or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder notice as described above.

 

(iii)          For director nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 6(a)(i)(C) above, the stockholder notice must also be in proper form.  To be in proper form, the stockholder notice (whether pursuant to this Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) below) must be in writing and:

 

(A)               As to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director of the Corporation, (1) set forth all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (2) include

 



 

such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a director nominee and to serve as a director if elected, (3) set forth a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of Item 404 and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, and (4) include the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 6(c)(iv) below;

 

(B)               If the stockholder notice relates to any business (other than the nomination of persons for election as directors) that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, set forth (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (2) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (3) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), (4) any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and (5) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; and

 

(C)               As to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the director nomination or proposal is made, set forth (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, if any, (2) as of the date of the stockholder notice, (a) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by such beneficial owner, (b) 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 capital stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (each, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder and by such beneficial owner, if any, and any other direct or indirect opportunity held or owned beneficially by such stockholder and by such beneficial owner, if any, to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of the capital stock of the Corporation, (c) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, has a right to vote any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, (d) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of this Section 6, a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through a contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security), (e) any right to dividends on the shares of capital stock of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, which right is separated or separable from the underlying shares, (f) any proportionate interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instrument held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, is a general partner or with respect to which such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, and (g) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which such stockholder or such beneficial owner, if any, is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of capital stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, (3) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (4) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear (or will direct a qualified representative of the stockholder to appear) in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or director nomination, and (5) a representation whether the stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, intends

 



 

or is part of a group that intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or elect the nominee, or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and/or director nomination.

 

With respect to the information required to be included in the stockholder notice pursuant to this Section 6(a)(iii)(C)(2)(a) through (g), the stockholder notice shall also include any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s and such beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household.  The information included in the stockholder notice pursuant to this Section 6(a)(iii)(C)(2)(a) through (g) with respect to the stockholder and beneficial owner, and their immediate family members, shall be supplemented by such stockholder and such beneficial owner (x) not later than ten (10) days after the record date for the annual meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date, (y) ten (10) days before the annual meeting date, and (z) immediately prior to the commencement of the annual meeting, by delivery to the Secretary of such supplemented information.

 

The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require (x) to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation, (y) to determine whether such nominee qualifies as an “independent director” or “audit committee financial expert” under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation, or any publicly disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the Corporation, and (z) that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence and qualifications, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

 

(iv)          Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 6(a)(ii) above to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder notice required by this Section 6 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(b)           Special Meetings of Stockholders.  Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the special meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto).  In the event a special meeting of stockholders is properly called for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder who is entitled to vote in such election of directors, may nominate a person or persons for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of special meeting, if such stockholder delivers a written notice in the same form as required by Section 6(a)(iii) above with respect to a director nomination (together with the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 6(c)(iv) below) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date of such special meeting, or (2) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made by the Corporation of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such special meeting.  Stockholders have no right to propose other business to be considered at a special meeting of stockholders.  In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder notice as described above.

 

(c)              General.

 

(i)            Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6 and meet the minimum requirements set for the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation shall be eligible to be

 



 

elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors of the Corporation and only such other business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or these Bylaws, the person presiding over the meeting shall have the power and duty to (A) determine whether a director nomination or any other business to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 6, and (B) declare that a director nomination shall be disregarded or that other business shall not be transacted at the meeting if such nomination or other business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 6.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a director nomination or other business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies with respect to such vote may have been received by the Corporation.  For purposes of this Section 6, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

(ii)           For purposes of this Section 6, “public announcement” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(iii)              Nothing in this Section 6 shall be deemed to affect any rights of (A) stockholders to request the inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the Exchange Act, or (B) the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to nominate and elect directors pursuant to and to the extent provided in any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

 

(iv)             To be eligible to be a nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, the potential director candidate (a “Candidate”) must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of the stockholder notice under this Section 6) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such Candidate and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the director nomination is being made (which form of questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such Candidate (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such Candidate, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation in writing, or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such Candidate’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such Candidate’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed in such written representation, (C) will comply with any stock ownership guidelines that may be in effect for Company directors from time to time, and (D) in such Candidate’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the director nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

 



 

Section 7.                       Proxies and Voting.

 

At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy executed in writing (or as otherwise permitted under applicable law) by the stockholder or his duly authorized attorney-in-fact in accordance with the procedures established for the meeting. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management shall be voted as directed by the stockholder or, in the absence of such direction, as determined by a majority of the board of directors. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution except for a proxy coupled with an interest.

 

Each stockholder shall have one (1) vote for every share of stock entitled to vote which is registered in his or her name on the record date for the meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or as required by law.

 

All voting, including on the election of directors but excepting where otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote; provided, however, that the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at the meeting of stockholders, in his discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast pursuant to a roll call. Every vote taken by ballot shall be counted by an inspector or inspectors appointed by the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting of stockholders and such inspector or inspectors shall act at the meeting or and adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof in accordance with Delaware law.

 

All elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by law or as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast.

 

Section 8.                       Stock List.

 

The officer who has charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall prepare and make, in the time and manner required by applicable law, a list of stockholders entitled to vote and shall make such list available for such purposes, at such places, at such times and to such persons as required by applicable law. The stock transfer books shall be the only evidence as to the identity of the stockholders entitled to examine the stock transfer books or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 9.                       Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting.

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

Section 10.                     Inspectors of Election.

 

The Board of Directors shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof, in accordance with applicable law.

 

ARTICLE II

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.               General Powers, Number and Term of Office.

 

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors shall be as provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation. The number of directors who shall constitute the Whole Board shall be such numbers as the Board of Directors shall from time to time have designated except that in the absence of any such designation, such number shall be seven. The Board of Directors shall annually

 



 

elect a Chairman of the Board and a President from among its members time to time and at least annually and shall designate, when present, either the Chairman of the Board or the President to shall preside at its meetings.

 

The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the conclusion of the first annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting of stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office of the third class to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting of stockholders two years thereafter, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, commencing with the first annual meeting, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the conclusion of the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

Section 2.                       Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires, and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

Section 3.                       Regular Meetings.

 

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

 

Section 4.                       Special Meetings.

 

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by one-third (1/3) of the directors then in office (rounded up to the nearest whole number) or by the Chairman of the Board and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they or he or she shall fix. Notice of the place, date, and time of each such special meeting shall be given to each director by whom it is not waived by mailing written notice not less than five (5) days before the meeting or by telegraphing or telexing or by facsimile or electronic transmission of the same not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

 

Section 5.                       Quorum.

 

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the authorized number of directors then constituting the Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time, without further notice or waiver thereof. Notwithstanding the above, at any adjourned meeting of the Board of Directors, at least one-third of the authorized number of directors then constituting the Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.

 



 

Section 6.                       Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone.

 

Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 7.                       Conduct of Business.

 

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order and manner as the Board may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Action may be taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

 

Each meeting of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board or other person as determined by the Board, or in their absence, by such officer as has been designated by the Board of Directors or, in their absence, by such officer or other person as is chosen at the meeting. The Secretary or, in his absence, the General Counsel of the Corporation or such officer as has been designated by the Board of Directors or, in his absence, such officer or other person as is chosen by the person presiding, shall act as secretary of each such meeting.

 

Section 8.                       Powers.

 

The Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law, exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the unqualified power:

 

(1)           To declare dividends from time to time in accordance with law;

 

(2)           To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or privileges on such terms as it shall determine;

 

(3)           To authorize the creation, making and issuance, in such form as it may determine, of written obligations of every kind, negotiable or non-negotiable, secured or unsecured, and to do all things necessary in connection therewith;

 

(4)           To remove any officer of the Corporation with or without cause, and from time to time to devolve the powers and duties of any officer upon any other person for the time being;

 

(5)           To confer upon any officer of the Corporation the power to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents;

 

(6)           To adopt from time to time such stock, option, stock purchase, bonus or other compensation plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;

 

(7)           To adopt from time to time such insurance, retirement, and other benefit plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine; and,

 

(8)           To adopt from time to time regulations, not inconsistent with these By-laws, for the management of the Corporation’s business and affairs.

 



 

Section 9.                       Compensation of Directors.

 

Directors, as such, may receive, pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, fixed fees and other compensation for their services as directors, including, without limitation, their services as members of committees of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COMMITTEES

 

Section 1.                       Committees of the Board of Directors.

 

The Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of the Whole Board of Directors, may from time to time designate committees of the Board, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall, for those committees and any others provided for herein, elect a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee so designated may exercise the power and authority of the Board of Directors 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 Delaware General Corporation Law if the resolution which designated the committee or a supplemental resolution of the Board of Directors shall so provide. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

 

Section 2.                       Conduct of Business.

 

Each committee may determine the procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and shall act in accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Adequate provision shall be made for notice to members of all meetings; one-third (1/3) of the members shall constitute a quorum unless the committee shall consist of one (1) or two (2) members, in which event one (1) member shall constitute a quorum; and all matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. Action may be taken by any committee without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of such committee.

 

Section 3.                       Nominating Committee.

 

The Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee of the Board, consisting of not less than three (3) members, one of which shall be the President if, and only so long as, the President remains in office as a member of the Board of Directors.. The Nominating Committee shall have authority (a) to review any nominations for election to the Board of Directors made by a stockholder of the Corporation pursuant to Section 6 of Article I of these Bylaws in order to determine compliance with such By-law and (b) to recommend to the Whole Board nominees for election to the Board of Directors to replace those directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders next ensuing.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OFFICERS

 

Section 1.                       Generally.

 

(a)           The Board of Directors as soon as may be practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chairman of the Board, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer and

 



 

from time to time may choose such other officers as it may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board and the President shall be chosen from among the directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

(b)           The term of office of all officers shall be until the next annual election of officers and until their respective successors are chosen, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors then constituting the Board of Directors.

 

(c)           All officers chosen by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof.

 

Section 2.                       Chairman of the Board of Directors.[Reserved.]

 

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall act in a general executive capacity and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, shall have general responsibility for the supervision of the policies and affairs of the Corporation and the effective administration of the Corporation’s business.

 

Section 3.                       President / Chief Executive Officer.

 

The President shall be the chief executive officer (which may also be referred to as the Chief Executive Officer) and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall have general power over the management and oversight of the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervisory power and authority over its policies and affairs. He shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and of any committee thereof are carried into effect.

 

Each meeting of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the President or, in his absence, the Chairman of the Board, or in his absence, by such officer as has been designated by the Board of Directors or, in his absence, by such officer or other person as is chosen at the meeting. The Secretary or, in his absence, the General Counsel of the Corporation or such officer as has been designated by the Board of Directors or, in his absence, such officer or other person as is chosen by the person presiding, shall act as secretary of each such meeting.

 

Section 4.                       Vice President.

 

The Vice President or Vice Presidents, if any, shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or during his disability to act. In addition, the Vice Presidents shall perform the duties and exercise the powers usually incident to their respective offices and/or such other duties and powers as may be properly assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

 

Section 5.                       Secretary.

 

The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall issue notices of meetings, shall keep their minutes, shall have charge of the seal and the corporate books, shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as are usually incident to such offices and/or such other duties and powers as are properly assigned thereto by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

 

Section 6.                       Chief Financial Officer.

 

The Chief Financial Officer shall have charge of all monies and securities of the Corporation, other than monies and securities of any division of the Corporation which has a treasurer or financial officer appointed by the Board of Directors, and shall keep regular books of account. The funds of the Corporation shall be deposited in the name of the Corporation by the Chief Financial Officer with such banks or trust companies as the Board of Directors from time to time shall

 



 

designate. He shall sign or countersign such instruments as require his signature, shall perform all such duties and have all such powers as are usually incident to such office and/or such other duties and powers as are properly assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President, and may be required to give bond for the faithful performance of his duties in such sum and with such surety as may be required by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7.                       Assistant Secretaries and Other Officers.

 

The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistants to the Chief Financial Officer, or one appointee to both such positions, which officers shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as are provided in these By-laws or as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.

 

Section 8.                       Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations

 

Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President, or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the President shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders of or with respect to any action of stockholders of any other corporation in which this Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

 

ARTICLE V

 

STOCK

 

Section 1.                       Certificates of Stock.

 

The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be represented by a certificate, unless and until the boardBoard of Directors of the Corporation adopts a resolution permitting shares to be uncertificated.  Notwithstanding the adoption of any such resolution providing for uncertificated shares, every holder of capital stock of the Corporation theretofore represented by certificates and, upon request, every holder of uncertificated shares, shall be entitled to have a certificate for shares of capital stock of the Corporation signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder in the Corporation.

 

Section 2.                       Transfers of Stock.

 

Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by applicable law and in these By-Laws.  Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, and in the case of certificated shares of stock, only by the person named in the certificate or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer and payment of all necessary transfer taxes; or, in the case of uncertificated shares of stock, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and upon payment of all necessary transfer taxes and compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form; provided, however that such surrender and endorsement, compliance or payment of taxes shall not be required in any case in which the officers of the corporation shall determine to waive such requirement.  With respect to certificated shares of stock, every certificate exchanged, returned or surrendered to the Corporation shall be marked “Cancelled,” with the date of cancellation, by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or the transfer agent thereof.  No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing form and to whom transferred.

 



 

Section 3.                       Record Date.

 

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or 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 a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any meeting of stockholders, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the time for such other action as hereinbefore described; provided, however, that if no 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, for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise any rights of change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution relating thereto.

 

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a 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.

 

Section 4.                       Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.

 

In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to such regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of such loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of indemnity.

 

Section 5.                       Regulations.

 

The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock or uncertificated shares of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

NOTICES

 

Section 1.                       Notices.

 

Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mail, postage paid, by sending such notice by prepaid telegram or mailgram or by sending such notice by facsimile machine or other electronic transmission. Any such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. The time when such notice is received, if hand delivered, or dispatched, if delivered through the mail, by telegram or mailgram or by facsimile machine or other electronic transmission, shall be the time of the giving of the notice.

 



 

Section 2.                       Waivers.

 

A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1.                       FacsimileElectronic Signatures.

 

In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile and electronic signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these By-laws, facsimile or electronic signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

 

Section 2.                       Corporate Seal.

 

The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

 

Section 3.                       Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records.

 

Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

 

Section 4.                       Fiscal Year.

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.                       Time Periods.

 

In applying any provision of these By-laws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the day of the event shall be included.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

The By-laws of the Corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed as provided in Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

 

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