EXHIBIT 10.4
FORM OF RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT
EMPLOYEE
GATEWAY ENERGY CORPORATION
2007 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT
Date of Grant:
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Number of Shares of Restricted
Stock Granted: ( )
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This Agreement dated ____________________, is made by and between
Gateway Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
________________ ("Participant").
RECITALS:
A. Effective May 23, 2007, the Company's shareholders approved the
Gateway Energy Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to
which the Company may, from time to time, grant Restricted Shares to eligible
Employees of the Company.
B. Participant is an Employee of the Company or one of its Affiliates
and the Company desires to encourage him/her to own Shares and to give him/her
added incentive to advance the interests of the Company, and desires to grant
Participant Restricted Shares of the Company under the terms and conditions
established by the Committee.
AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
the parties agree as follows:
1. Incorporation of Plan. All provisions of this Award Agreement and
the rights of Participant hereunder are subject in all respects to the
provisions of the Plan and the powers of the Committee therein provided.
Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not defined shall have the meaning
set forth in the Plan.
2. Grant of Restricted Shares. Subject to the conditions and
restrictions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, the Company hereby
grants to Participant that number of Shares identified above opposite the
heading "Number of Restricted Shares Granted" (the "Restricted Shares").
3. Restrictions on Transfer/Vesting Date. Subject to any exceptions
set forth in this Agreement or in the Plan, the Restricted Shares or the rights
relating thereto may not be sold, transferred, gifted, bequeathed, pledged,
assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, voluntarily or involuntarily,
prior to the vesting date(s) for such Restricted Shares (the "Vesting Date"), as
identified below. On the applicable Vesting Date for the designated number of
Restricted Shares, the restriction on transfer and risk of forfeiture on such
Restricted Shares shall lapse and the Restricted Shares, if not previously
forfeited pursuant to Section 4 below, will become freely transferable under
this Agreement and the Plan, subject only to such further limitations on
transfer, if any, as may exist under applicable law or any other agreement
binding upon Participant. Subject to any exceptions listed in this Agreement or
in the Plan, the Restricted Shares shall become vested in accordance with the
schedule set forth below:
Anniversary of Date of Grant Number/Percentage of Restricted
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Shares Vested
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[Insert Vesting Schedule]
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the Vesting Date(s)
for any or all of the Restricted Shares, if in its judgment the performance of
Participant has warranted such acceleration and/or such acceleration is in the
best interests of the Company.
4. Possible Forfeiture Prior to Vesting. Unless otherwise provided
below, if Participant's employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates is
terminated prior to the Vesting Date for one or more of the Restricted Shares,
Participant will thereupon immediately forfeit any and all unvested Restricted
Shares, and the full ownership of such Restricted Shares and rights will revert
to the Company. Upon such forfeiture, Participant shall have no further rights
under this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, transfer of employment
between the Company and any of its Affiliates (or between Affiliates) does not
constitute a termination of Participant's employment. If Participant's
employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates is terminated by the
Company or any of its Affiliates prior to the Vesting Date and due to
Participant's death or Disability, all restrictions on the Restricted Shares
will lapse and cease to be effective, as of the date of termination of
Participant's employment..
5. Delivery of Shares. The Restricted Shares shall be held in book
entry form by the Company until the Vesting Dates. Upon the lapse of the
restrictions, the Company shall cause a share certificate to be delivered to
Participant with respect to such Shares, free of all restrictions hereunder.
6. Dividends and Voting. Participant is entitled to (i) receive all
dividends, payable in stock, in cash or in kind, or other distributions,
declared on or with respect to any Restricted Shares as of a record date that
occurs on or after the Date of Grant hereunder and before any transfer or
forfeiture of the Restricted Shares by Participant and payable at the same time
such dividends and distributions are made to the Company's shareholders and (ii)
exercise all voting rights with respect to the Restricted Shares, if the record
date for the exercise of such voting rights occurs on or after the Date of Grant
hereunder and prior to any transfer or forfeiture of such Restricted Shares.
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7. Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not
to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
8. Notice of I.R.C. Section 83(b) Election. If Participant makes an
election under Section 83(b) of the Code, Participant shall promptly notify the
Company of such election and Participant shall be responsible for all reporting
obligations to the Internal Revenue Service.
9. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by a writing executed
by the parties hereto which specifically states that it is amending this
Agreement.
10. Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern the
interpretation, validity and performance of this Agreement regardless of the law
that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws.
11. Binding Effect. Except as expressly stated herein to the contrary,
this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
This Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties
hereto.
The Company: Participant:
GATEWAY ENERGY CORPORATION
By: /s/
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Name:
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Title: Address of Participant:
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