Attached files
| file | filename |
|---|---|
| 8-K - 8-K - Noranda Aluminum Holding CORP | noranda8k05142014.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
NORANDA ALUMINUM HOLDING CORPORATION
2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
2014 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS
The purposes of this Plan are to give Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining, and motivating officers, employees, directors, and/or consultants and to provide the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates (each as defined below) with a stock and incentive plan providing incentives directly linked to stockholder value. Certain terms used herein have definitions given to them in the first place in which they are used. In addition, for purposes of this Plan, the following terms are defined as set forth below:
“Affiliate” means a corporation or other entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with, the Company.
“Applicable Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange or such other securities exchange as may at the applicable time be the principal market for the Common Stock.
“Apollo” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a)(i).
“Award” means an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, other stock-based award, or Cash-Based Award granted pursuant to the terms of this Plan.
“Award Agreement” means a written or electronic document or agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of a specific Award.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cash-Based Award” means an Award denominated in a dollar amount.
“Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto, the Treasury Regulations thereunder, and other relevant interpretive guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department. Reference to any specific section of the Code shall be deemed to include such regulations and guidance, as well as any successor provision of the Code.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.
“Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Common Stock” means common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
-1-
“Company” means Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, or its successor.
“Corporate Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(d)(i).
“Disaffiliation” means a Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s ceasing to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate for any reason (including, without limitation, as a result of a public offering, or a spinoff or sale by the Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary or Affiliate) or a sale of a division of the Company and its Affiliates.
“Eligible Individuals” means directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and prospective directors, officers, employees, and consultants who have accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
“Fair Market Value” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the closing price of a share of Common Stock on the Applicable Exchange on the date of measurement, or if Shares were not traded on the Applicable Exchange on such measurement date, then on the next preceding date on which Shares were traded, all as reported by such source as the Committee may select. If the Common Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion, provided that such determination shall be made in a manner consistent with any applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
“Free-Standing SAR” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
“Grant Date” means (a) the date on which the Committee by resolution selects an Eligible Individual to receive a grant of an Award and determines the number of Shares to be subject to such Award or the formula for earning a number of shares or cash amount, or (b) such later date as the Committee shall provide in such resolution.
“Incentive Stock Option” means any Option that is designated in the applicable Award Agreement as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, and that in fact so qualifies.
“Individual Agreement” means an employment, consulting, or similar agreement between a Participant and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
“Nonqualified Option” means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
“Option” means an Award described under Section 5.
“Outside Directors” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a).
-2-
“Participant” means an Eligible Individual to whom an Award is or has been granted.
“Performance Goals” means the performance goals established by the Committee in connection with the grant of an Award. In the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards that are intended to qualify under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, (a) such goals shall be based on the attainment of one or any combination of the following: (i) net earnings (either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation, and (D) amortization); (ii) gross or net sales or revenue; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) operating earnings or profit; (v) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow) or cash cost; (vi) return on assets; (vii) return on capital; (viii) return on stockholders’ equity; (ix) return on sales; (x) gross or net profit or operating margin; (xi) costs; (xii) funds from operations; (xiii) expenses; (xiv) working capital; (xv) earnings per share; (xvi) price per share of Common Stock; (xvii) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; (xviii) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xix) market share; (xx) objective measures of productivity; (xxi) operating efficiency; (xxii) economic value-added; (xxiii) cash flow return on capital; (xxiv) return on net assets; (xxv) metal production; (xxvi) environmental health and safety performance; (xxvii) inventory turns; and (xxviii) environmental health and safety training metrics; any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices; and (b) such Performance Goals shall be set by the Committee within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code and related regulations. Such Performance Goals also may be based upon the attaining of specified levels of Company, Subsidiary, Affiliate, or divisional performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other entities, divisions, or subsidiaries and the Committee may determine to include or exclude the impact of unusual or extraordinary items (including, without limitation, extraordinary or non-recurring items, commodity prices, exchange rates, tariffs, and LCM adjustments).
“Plan” means this Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as hereafter amended from time to time.
“Prior Plans” means the Third Amended and Restated Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation 2010 Incentive Award Plan.
“Qualified Performance-Based Award” means an Award intended to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, as provided in Section 11.
“Restricted Stock” means an Award described under Section 6.
“Restricted Stock Units” means an Award described under Section 7.
“RS Restriction Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b)(ii).
“RSU Restriction Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b)(ii).
-3-
“Section 16(b)” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(d).
“Section 162(m) Exemption” means the exemption from the limitation on deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code that is set forth in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
“Share” means a share of Common Stock.
“Share Change” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(d)(ii).
“Stock Appreciation Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
“Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, or other entity during any period in which at least a 50% voting or profits interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any successor to the Company.
“Tandem SAR” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).
“Term” means the maximum period during which an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may remain outstanding, subject to earlier termination upon Termination of Employment or otherwise, as specified in the applicable Award Agreement.
“Termination of Employment” means the termination of the applicable Participant’s employment with, or performance of services for, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s employment with, or membership on a board of directors of, the Company and its Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee director capacity or as an employee, as applicable, such change in status shall not be deemed a Termination of Employment. A Participant employed by, or performing services for, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or a division of the Company and its Affiliates shall be deemed to incur a Termination of Employment if, as a result of a Disaffiliation, such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division ceases to be a Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division, as the case may be, and the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an employee of (or service provider for), or member of the board of directors of, the Company or another Subsidiary or Affiliate. Temporary absences from employment because of illness, vacation, or leave of absence and transfers among the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall not be considered Terminations of Employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, “Termination of Employment” shall mean a “separation from service” as defined under Section 409A of the Code.
Section 2. ADMINISTRATION
(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee of the Board as the Board may from time to time designate (the “Committee”), which committee shall be composed of not less than two directors, and shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Committee shall, subject to
-4-
Section 11, have plenary authority to grant Awards pursuant to the terms of the Plan to Eligible Individuals. Among other things, the Committee shall have the authority, subject to the terms of the Plan:
(i) to select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
(ii) to determine whether and to what extent Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, other stock-based awards, Cash-Based Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder or the amount of any Cash-Based Award;
(iv) to determine the terms and conditions of each Award granted hereunder, based on such factors as the Committee shall determine;
(v) subject to Section 12, to modify, amend, or adjust the terms and conditions of any Award, at any time or from time to time;
(vi) to adopt, alter, and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines, and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;
(vii) subject to Section 11, to accelerate the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any outstanding Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;
(viii) to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreement relating thereto);
(ix) to establish any “blackout” period that the Committee in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable;
(x) to decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award; and
(xi) to otherwise administer the Plan.
(b) Procedures.
(i) The Committee may act only by a majority of its members then in office, except that the Committee may, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the listing standards of the Applicable Exchange and subject to Section 11, allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members, and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it.
-5-
(ii) Subject to Section 11(c), any authority granted to the Committee may also be exercised by the full Board. To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Committee, the Board action shall control.
(c) Discretion of Committee. Any determination made by the Committee or by an appropriately delegated officer pursuant to delegated authority under the provisions of the Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee or such delegate at the time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of the Plan, at any time thereafter. All decisions made by the Committee or any appropriately delegated officer pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company, Participants, and Eligible Individuals.
(d) Award Agreements. The terms and conditions of each Award (other than any Cash-Based Award), as determined by the Committee, shall be set forth in an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant receiving such Award upon, or as promptly as is reasonably practicable following, the grant of such Award. The effectiveness of an Award shall not be subject to the Award Agreement’s being signed by the Company and/or the Participant receiving the Award unless specifically so provided in the Award Agreement. Award Agreements may be amended only in accordance with Section 12 hereof.
Section 3. COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
(a) Plan Maximums. The maximum number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be 5,000,000 Shares, subject to limited increase in respect of awards under Prior Plans that are not settled for the full number of Shares subject to such awards, as set forth in Section 3(c). The maximum number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options shall be 1,000,000 Shares. Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may be authorized and unissued Shares or may be treasury Shares. After the Effective Date, no awards may be granted under the Prior Plans, it being understood that (i) awards outstanding under the Prior Plans as of the Effective Date shall remain in full force and effect under the Prior Plans according to their respective terms and (ii) dividend equivalents may continue to be issued under the Prior Plans in respect of such awards.
(b) Individual Limits.
(i) During a calendar year, no single Participant (excluding non-employee directors of the Company) may be granted:
-6-
(A) Options or Stock Appreciation Rights covering in excess of 1,000,000 Shares in the aggregate; or
(B) Qualified Performance-Based Awards (other than Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or Cash-Based Awards) covering in excess of 1,000,000 Shares in the aggregate.
(ii) During a calendar year, no single Participant who is a non-employee director of the Company may be granted Awards covering in excess of 150,000 Shares in the aggregate.
(c) Rules for Calculating Shares Delivered.
(i) To the extent that any Award (including for this purpose an award under a Prior Plan) is forfeited, terminates, expires, or lapses without being exercised, or any Award is settled for cash, the Shares subject to such Award not delivered as a result thereof shall again be available for Awards under the Plan (in the case of Prior Plan awards, such Shares shall be added to the limitation set forth in the first sentence of Section 3(a)).
(ii) If the exercise price of any Option and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to any Award (including for this purpose an award under a Prior Plan) are satisfied by delivering Shares to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number of Shares issued net of the Shares delivered or attested to shall be deemed delivered for purposes of the limits set forth in Section 3(a) (in the case of Prior Plan awards, the number of Shares subject to such award in excess of such net number of shares shall be added to the limitation set forth in the first sentence of Section 3(a)).
(iii) To the extent any Shares subject to an Award (including for this purpose an award under a Prior Plan) are withheld to satisfy the exercise price (in the case of an Option) and/or the tax withholding obligations relating to such Award, such Shares shall not be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of the limits set forth in Section 3(a) (in the case of Prior Plan awards, such Shares shall be added to the limitation set forth in the first sentence of Section 3(a)).
(d) Adjustment Provisions.
(i) In the event of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, stock rights offering, liquidation, Disaffiliation (other than a spinoff), or similar event affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “Corporate Transaction”), the Committee or the Board may in its discretion make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (A) the aggregate number and kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan; (B) the various maximum limitations set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) upon certain types of Awards and upon the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards; (C) the number and kind of Shares or
-7-
other securities subject to outstanding Awards; and (D) the exercise price of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
(ii) In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, separation, spinoff, reorganization, extraordinary dividend of cash or other property, share combination, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company (each, a “Share Change”), the Committee or the Board shall make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (A) the aggregate number and kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan; (B) the various maximum limitations set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) upon certain types of Awards and upon the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards; (C) the number and kind of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards; and (D) the exercise price of outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
(iii) In the case of Corporate Transactions, the adjustments contemplated by Section 3(d)(i) may include, without limitation, (A) the cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property, or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such Awards, as determined by the Committee or the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that any such determination by the Committee that the value of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall for this purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration being paid for each Share pursuant to such Corporate Transaction over the exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (B) the substitution of other property (including, without limitation, cash or other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company) for the Shares subject to outstanding Awards; and (C) in connection with any Disaffiliation, arranging for the assumption of Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other property or other securities (including, without limitation, other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company), by the affected Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division or by the entity that controls such Subsidiary, Affiliate, or division following such Disaffiliation (as well as any corresponding adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities). The Committee may adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any Awards to reflect any Share Change and any Corporate Transaction and any unusual or non-recurring events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles or as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, or the Company’s other filings with the Commission; provided that, in the case of Performance Goals applicable to any Qualified Performance-Based Awards, such adjustment does not violate Section 162(m) of the Code. Any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 3(d) to Awards that are considered “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made pursuant to this Section 3(d) to Awards that are not considered “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment, the Awards
-8-
either (I) continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (II) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(iv) Any adjustment under this Section 3(d) need not be the same for all Participants.
Section 4. ELIGIBILITY
Awards may be granted under the Plan to Eligible Individuals; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries or parent corporation (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code).
-9-
Section 5. OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
(a) Types of Options. Options may be of two types: Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Options. The Award Agreement for an Option shall indicate whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Option.
(b) Types and Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be “Tandem SARs,” which are granted in conjunction with an Option, or “Free-Standing SARs,” which are not granted in conjunction with an Option. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, Shares, or both, in value equal to the product of (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of one Share over the exercise price of the applicable Stock Appreciation Right, multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares in respect of which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The applicable Award Agreement shall specify whether such payment is to be made in cash or Common Stock or both, or shall reserve to the Committee or the Participant the right to make that determination prior to or upon the exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right.
(c) Tandem SARs. A Tandem SAR may be granted at the Grant Date of the related Option. A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the related Option is exercisable in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5, and shall have the same exercise price as the related Option. A Tandem SAR shall terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the related Option, and the related Option shall terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the Tandem SAR.
(d) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, and shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common Stock on the applicable Grant Date. In no event may any Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan be amended, other than pursuant to Section 3(d), to decrease the exercise price thereof, be cancelled in exchange for cash or other Awards or in conjunction with the grant of any new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price, or otherwise be subject to any action that would be treated under the Applicable Exchange listing standards or for accounting purposes, as a “repricing” of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, unless such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Company’s stockholders.
(e) Term. The Term of each Option and each Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not exceed ten years from the Grant Date.
(f) Vesting and Exercisability. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee. If the Committee provides that any Option or Stock Appreciation Right will become exercisable only in installments, the Committee may at any time waive such installment exercise provisions, in whole or in part, based on such factors as the Committee may determine. In addition, the Committee may at any time accelerate the exercisability of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
-10-
(g) Method of Exercise. Subject to the provisions of this Section 5, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time during the applicable Term by giving written notice of exercise to the Company or through the procedures established with the Company’s appointed third-party Plan administrator specifying the number of Shares as to which the Option or Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised; provided, however, that, unless otherwise permitted by the Committee, any such exercise must be with respect to a portion of the applicable Option or Stock Appreciation Right relating to no less than the lesser of the number of Shares then subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or 100 Shares. In the case of the exercise of an Option, such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate purchase price (which shall equal the product of such number of Shares subject to such Option multiplied by the applicable per Share exercise price) by certified or bank check or such other instrument as the Company may accept. If approved by the Committee, payment, in full or in part, may also be made as follows:
(i) Payment may, if approved by the Committee, be made in the form of unrestricted Shares already owned by Participant (by delivery of such Shares or by attestation) of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the Option (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the Option is exercised); provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the right to make a payment in the form of already owned Shares of the same class as the Common Stock subject to the Option may be authorized only at the time the Option is granted.
(ii) To the extent permitted by applicable law, payment may, if approved by the Committee, be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company, together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale proceeds necessary to pay the purchase price, and, if requested, the amount of any federal, state, local, or foreign withholding taxes. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms.
(iii) Payment may, if approved by the Committee, be made by instructing the Company to withhold a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the applicable Option is exercised) equal to the product of (A) the exercise price per Share multiplied by (B) the number of Shares in respect of which the Option shall have been exercised.
-11-
(h) Delivery; Rights of Stockholders. No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to the exercise of an Option until the exercise price therefor has been fully paid and applicable taxes have been withheld. The applicable Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding the class or series of Common Stock that is subject to the Option or Stock Appreciation Right (including, if applicable, the right to vote the applicable Shares and the right to receive dividends), when the Participant (i) has given written notice of exercise, (ii) if requested, has given the representation described in Section 14(a), and (iii) in the case of an Option, has paid in full for such Shares.
(i) Terminations of Employment. The effect of a Participant’s Termination of Employment on any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right then held by the Participant shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement or any other document approved by the Committee and applicable to such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right. In no event shall a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right be exercisable after the expiration of its term.
(j) Nontransferability of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. No Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be transferable by a Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) in the case of a Nonqualified Option or Stock Appreciation Right, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or as otherwise expressly permitted by the Committee including, if so permitted, pursuant to a transfer to the Participant’s family members or to a charitable organization, whether directly or indirectly or by means of a trust or partnership or otherwise. For purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, “family member” shall have the meaning given to such term in General Instructions A.1(a)(5) to Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. A Tandem SAR shall be transferable only with the related Option as permitted by the preceding sentence. Any Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable, subject to the terms of this Plan, only by the applicable Participant, the guardian or legal representative of such Participant, or any person to whom such Option or Stock Appreciation Right is permissibly transferred pursuant to this Section 5(i), it being understood that the term “Participant” includes such guardian, legal representative, and other transferee; provided, however, that the term “Termination of Employment” shall continue to refer to the Termination of Employment of the original Participant.
Section 6. RESTRICTED STOCK
(a) Nature of Awards and Certificates. Shares of Restricted Stock are actual Shares issued to a Participant, and shall be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates. Any certificate issued in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock shall be registered in the name of the applicable Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:
The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan and an Award
-12-
Agreement. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the offices of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation.
The Committee may require that the certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and that, as a condition of any Award of Restricted Stock, the applicable Participant shall have delivered a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such Award.
(b) Terms and Conditions. Shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) The Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition the vesting or transferability of an Award of Restricted Stock upon the continued service of the applicable Participant or the attainment of Performance Goals, or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant. In the event that the Committee conditions the grant or vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant, the Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate such an Award as a Qualified Performance-Based Award. The conditions for grant, vesting, or transferability and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Awards (including without limitation any Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, so long as a Restricted Stock Award remains subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions (the “RS Restriction Period”), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber Shares of Restricted Stock.
(iii) Except as provided in this Section 6 and in the applicable Award Agreement, the applicable Participant shall have, with respect to the Shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company holding the class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock, including, if applicable, the right to vote the Shares and the right to receive any cash dividends. If so determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement and subject to Section 14(e), (A) cash dividends on the class or series of Common Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock Award shall be automatically reinvested in additional Restricted Stock, held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, and (B) subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 3(d), dividends payable in Common Stock shall be paid in the form of Restricted Stock of the same class as the Common Stock with which such dividend was paid, held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock.
(iv) Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment for any reason during the RS Restriction Period or before the applicable Performance Goals are satisfied, all Shares of Restricted Stock still subject to restriction shall be forfeited by such Participant; provided, however, that, subject to Section 11(b), the Committee shall have the discretion to waive, in whole or in
-13-
part, any or all remaining restrictions with respect to any or all of such Participant’s Shares of Restricted Stock.
(v) If and when any applicable Performance Goals are satisfied and the RS Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Shares of Restricted Stock for which legended certificates have been issued, unlegended certificates for such Shares shall be delivered to the Participant upon surrender of the legended certificates.
Section 7. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
(a) Nature of Awards. Restricted Stock Units are Awards denominated in Shares that will be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the Restricted Stock Units, in an amount in cash, Shares, or both, based upon the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares.
(b) Terms and Conditions. Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) The Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition the grant, vesting, or transferability of Restricted Stock Units upon the continued service of the applicable Participant or the attainment of Performance Goals, or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant. In the event that the Committee conditions the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant, the Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate such Awards as Qualified Performance-Based Awards. The conditions for grant, vesting, or transferability and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Units (including without limitation any Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, so long as an Award of Restricted Stock Units remains subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions (the “RSU Restriction Period”), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock Units.
(iii) The Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units shall specify whether, to what extent, and on what terms and conditions the applicable Participant shall be entitled to receive current or delayed payments of cash, Common Stock, or other property corresponding to the dividends payable on the Common Stock (subject to Section 14(e)).
(iv) Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment for any reason during the RSU Restriction Period or before the applicable Performance Goals are satisfied, all Restricted Stock Units still subject to restriction shall be forfeited by such Participant; provided, however, that, subject to Section 11(b), the Committee shall have the discretion to waive, in whole or in part, any or all remaining restrictions with respect to any or all of such Participant’s Restricted Stock Units.
-14-
(v) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, an award of Restricted Stock Units shall be settled as and when the Restricted Stock Units vest (but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the end of the calendar year in which the Restricted Stock Units vest).
Section 8. OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS
Other Awards of Common Stock and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based upon or settled in, Common Stock, including, without limitation, unrestricted stock, performance units, dividend equivalents, and convertible debentures, may be granted under the Plan.
Section 9. CASH-BASED AWARDS
Cash-Based Awards may be granted under this Plan. Cash-Based Awards that are Qualified Performance-Based Awards shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11 of this Plan. In addition, no Eligible Individual may be granted a Cash-Based Award that is a Qualified Performance-Based Award that has an aggregate maximum payment value in any calendar year in excess of $5,000,000. Cash-Based Awards may be paid in cash or in Shares (valued at Fair Market Value as of the date of payment) as determined by the Committee.
Section 10. CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS
(a) Definition of Change in Control. Except as otherwise may be provided in an applicable Award Agreement, for purposes of the Plan, a “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following events:
(i) the acquisition by any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than Apollo Management VI L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Apollo”)) or any of its affiliates or an affiliate of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50%, indirectly or directly, of the voting power of the Company (other than any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries); or
(ii) consummation of an amalgamation, a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or similar business combination transaction of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof with any other entity (other than Apollo or an affiliate of the Company immediately prior to such transaction) or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any other person or entity (other than Apollo or an affiliate of the Company immediately prior to such transaction), following which the voting securities of the Company that are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction cease to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity (or the person or entity that owns substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more
-15-
subsidiaries) or any parent or other affiliate thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or, if the Company is not the surviving entity, such surviving entity (or the person or entity that owns substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) or any parent or other affiliate thereof, outstanding immediately after such transaction.
(b) Impact of a Change in Control. The effect of a Change in Control on any Awards that are outstanding as of such Change in Control shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
Section 11. QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS; SECTION 16(b)
(a) The provisions of this Plan are intended to ensure that all Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder to any Participant who is or may be a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code) in the tax year in which such Option or Stock Appreciation Right is expected to be deductible to the Company qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, and all such Awards shall therefore be considered Qualified Performance-Based Awards and this Plan shall be interpreted and operated consistent with that intention (including, without limitation, to require that all such Awards be granted by a committee composed solely of members who satisfy the requirements for being “outside directors” for purposes of the Section 162(m) Exemption (“Outside Directors”)). When granting any Award other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may designate such Award as a Qualified Performance-Based Award, based upon a determination that (i) the recipient is or may be a “covered employee” (within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code) with respect to such Award, and (ii) the Committee wishes such Award to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, and the terms of any such Award (and of the grant thereof) shall be consistent with such designation (including, without limitation, that all such Awards be granted by a committee composed solely of Outside Directors).
(b) Each Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) shall be earned, vested, and/or payable (as applicable) upon the achievement of one or more Performance Goals, together with the satisfaction of any other conditions, such as continued employment, as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.
(c) The full Board shall not be permitted to exercise authority granted to the Committee to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause an Award designated as a Qualified Performance-Based Award not to qualify for, or to cease to qualify for, the Section 162(m) Exemption.
(d) The provisions of this Plan are intended to ensure that no transaction under the Plan is subject to (and all such transactions will be exempt from) the short-swing recovery rules of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (“Section 16(b)”). Accordingly, the composition of the Committee shall be subject to such limitations as the Board deems appropriate to permit transactions pursuant to this Plan to be exempt (pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) from Section 16(b), and no delegation of authority by the Committee shall be
-16-
permitted if such delegation would cause any such transaction to be subject to (and not exempt from) Section 16(b).
Section 12. TERM, AMENDMENT, AND TERMINATION
(a) Effectiveness. The Board approved this Plan on March 31, 2014. The effective date (the “Effective Date”) of this Plan is the date that the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders.
(b) Termination. The Plan will terminate on the 10th anniversary of the Effective Date. Awards outstanding as of such date shall not be affected or impaired by the termination of the Plan.
(c) Amendment of Plan. The Board may amend, alter, or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, or discontinuation shall be made that would materially impair the rights of the Participant with respect to a previously granted Award without such Participant’s consent, except such an amendment made to comply with applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 409A of the Code), stock exchange rules, or accounting rules. In addition, no amendment shall be made without the approval of the Company’s stockholders to the extent such approval is required by applicable law or the listing standards of the Applicable Exchange.
(d) Amendment of Awards. Subject to Section 5(d), the Committee may unilaterally amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, but no such amendment shall, without the Participant’s consent, materially impair the rights of any Participant with respect to an Award, except such an amendment made to cause the Plan or Award to comply with applicable law, stock exchange rules, or accounting rules.
Section 13. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN
It is intended that the Plan constitute an “unfunded” plan. Solely to the extent permitted under Section 409A, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Common Stock or make payments; provided, however, that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan.
Section 14. GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) Conditions for Issuance. The Committee may require each person purchasing or receiving Shares pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the Shares without a view to the distribution thereof. The certificates for such Shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or agreements made pursuant thereto, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for Shares under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (i) listing or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such Shares on the Applicable Exchange; (ii) any registration or other qualification of such Shares of the Company
-17-
under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other qualification that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and (iii) obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any state or federal governmental agency that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable.
(b) Additional Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements for its employees.
(c) No Contract of Employment. The Plan shall not constitute a contract of employment, and adoption of the Plan shall not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate the employment of any employee at any time and for any reason.
(d) Required Taxes. No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of a Participant for federal, state, local, or foreign income or employment or other tax purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, such Participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. If determined by the Committee, withholding obligations may be settled with Common Stock, including Common Stock that is part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to such Participant. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with Common Stock.
(e) Limitation on Dividend Reinvestment and Dividend Equivalents. Reinvestment of dividends in additional Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment, and the payment of Shares with respect to dividends to Participants holding Awards of Restricted Stock Units, shall only be permissible if sufficient Shares are available under Section 3 for such reinvestment or payment (taking into account then outstanding Awards). If sufficient Shares are not available for such reinvestment or payment, such reinvestment or payment shall be made in the form of a grant of Restricted Stock Units equal in number to the Shares that would have been obtained by such payment or reinvestment, the terms of which Restricted Stock Units shall provide for settlement in cash and for dividend equivalent reinvestment in further Restricted Stock Units on the terms contemplated by this Section 14(e). In no event may any dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to any performance-based Awards be paid until vesting (if any) of such Awards.
-18-
(f) Designation of Death Beneficiary. The Committee shall establish such procedures as it deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable in the event of such Participant’s death are to be paid or by whom any rights of such Eligible Individual, after such Participant’s death, may be exercised.
(g) Subsidiary Employees. In the case of a grant of an Award to any employee of a Subsidiary, the Company may, if the Committee so directs, issue or transfer the Shares, if any, covered by the Award to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Committee may specify, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the Shares to the employee in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. All Shares underlying Awards that are forfeited or canceled shall revert to the Company.
(h) Governing Law and Interpretation. The Plan and all Awards made and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Plan are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.
(i) Non-Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(j) or as determined by the Committee, Awards under the Plan are not transferable except by will or by laws of descent and distribution.
(j) Foreign Employees and Foreign Law Considerations. The Committee may grant Awards to Eligible Individuals who are foreign nationals, who are located outside the United States, or who are not compensated from a payroll maintained in the United States, or who are otherwise subject to (or could cause the Company to be subject to) legal or regulatory provisions of countries or jurisdictions outside the United States, on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan, and, in furtherance of such purposes, the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, or subplans as may be necessary or advisable to comply with such legal or regulatory provisions.
(k) Section 409A of the Code. It is the intention of the Company that no Award shall be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless and to the extent that the Committee specifically determines otherwise as provided in this Section 14(k), and the Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards shall be interpreted accordingly. The terms and conditions governing any Awards that the Committee determines will be subject to Section 409A of the Code, including any rules for elective or mandatory deferral of the delivery of cash or Shares pursuant thereto and any rules regarding treatment of such Awards in the event of a Change in Control, shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, and shall comply in all respects with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Award that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” subject to Section 409A of the Code, if the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, any payments (whether in cash, Shares, or other property) to be made with respect to the Award upon the Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be delayed until the earlier of (A) the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s
-19-
Termination of Employment and (B) the Participant’s death. Each payment under any Award shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. In no event may a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under any Award.
-20-