Exhibit 10.38.2
ITC/\DELTACOM, INC.
DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
FORM OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. GRANT OF OPTION.............................................. 1
2. TERMS OF PLAN................................................ 1
3. PRICE........................................................ 1
4. EXERCISE OF OPTION........................................... 2
4.1. Time of Exercise of Option............................ 2
4.2. Termination of Option................................. 2
4.3. Termination of Service - Death or Disability.......... 2
4.4. Limitations on Exercise of Option..................... 3
4.5. Method of Exercise of Option.......................... 3
4.6. Parachute Limitations................................. 4
5. TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS................................... 4
6. RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER........................................ 4
7. WITHHOLDING OF TAXES......................................... 5
8. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.......................... 5
8.1. Changes in Stock...................................... 5
8.2. Reorganization in Which the Corporation Is the
Surviving Entity.................................... 5
8.3. Reorganization in Which the Corporation
Is Not the Surviving Entity or Sale
of Assets or Shares................................. 6
8.4. Adjustments........................................... 6
8.5. No Limitations on Corporation......................... 7
9. DISCLAIMER OF RIGHTS......................................... 7
10. INTERPRETATION OF THIS OPTION AGREEMENT...................... 7
11. GOVERNING LAW................................................ 7
12. BINDING EFFECT............................................... 7
13. NOTICE....................................................... 7
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT............................................. 8
ITC/\DELTACOM, INC.
DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Stock Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement") is made as of
_____________, 200 , by and between ITC/\DELTACOM, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Corporation"), and ________________________, a non-employee director of
the Corporation (the "Optionee").
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation has duly adopted
and approved the ITC/\DELTACOM Director stock option Plan (the "Plan"), which
Plan provides for "formula" grants of options to non-employee directors of the
Corporation for the purchase of shares of the Corporation's Class A Common Stock
(the "Stock");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
contained herein, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. GRANT OF OPTION
The Corporation hereby grants to the Optionee the right and option
(the "Option") to purchase from the Corporation, on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Plan and in this Agreement 32,100 shares of Stock.
The date of grant of this Option is ___________________, the date on which the
grant of the Option was approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation
(the "Board"). The Option shall not constitute an incentive stock option within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").
2. TERMS OF PLAN
The Option granted pursuant to this Option Agreement is granted
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan (a copy of which is
available from the Corporation upon request and has previously been provided to
the Optionee or is attached hereto). All terms and conditions of the Plan, as
may be amended from time to time, are hereby incorporated into this Option
Agreement by reference and shall be deemed to be part of this Option Agreement,
without regard to whether such terms and conditions are not otherwise set forth
in this Option Agreement. In the event that there is any inconsistency between
the provisions of this Option Agreement and of the Plan, the provisions of the
Plan shall govern.
3. PRICE
The purchase price (the "Option Price") for the shares of Stock
subject to the Option granted by this Option Agreement is $____________ per
share.
4. EXERCISE OF OPTION
Except as otherwise provided herein, and subject to the provisions of
the Plan, the Option granted pursuant to this Option Agreement shall be subject
to exercise as follows:
4.1. Time of Exercise of Option.
The Optionee may exercise the Option (subject to the limitations on
exercise set forth in the Plan and in this Agreement), in installments as
follows: on the second anniversary of the date of grant of the Option, as set
forth in Section 1. above, the Option shall be exercisable in respect of 50
percent of the number of shares specified in Section 1. above, and the Option
shall be exercisable in respect of an additional 25 percent of the number of
shares specified in Section above on each of the third and fourth anniversaries
of the date of grant, as set forth in Section 1. above. The foregoing
installments, to the extent not exercised, shall accumulate and be exercisable,
in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, after becoming
exercisable and prior to the termination of the Option; provided, that no single
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exercise of the Option shall be for less than 100 shares, unless the number of
shares purchased is the total number at the time available for purchase under
this Option.
4.2. Termination of Option.
The Option shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of a
period of ten years and thirty days from the date of grant of the Option, as set
forth in Section 1. above, or (ii) the termination of service (a "Service
Termination") of the Optionee in all capacities as an employee and/or director
of the Corporation and all of its affiliated companies other than by reason of
the death or permanent and total disability of such Optionee; provided, however,
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that if such termination of service falls within the scope of Subsection 4.3.
providing for an extended exercise period, the Option shall terminate upon the
expiration of the period after the Optionee's termination of service with the
Corporation within which the Option is exercisable as specified in such
provision.
4.3. Termination of Service - Death or Disability.
If the Optionee dies while serving as a director of the Corporation
the executors or administrators or legatees or distributees of the Optionee's
estate shall have the right (subject to the general limitations on exercise set
forth in Section 4.1 above), at any time within one year after the date of the
Optionee's death and prior to termination of the Option pursuant to Section 4.2.
above, to exercise the Option held by the Optionee at the date of the Optionee's
death, whether or not the Option was exercisable immediately prior to such
Optionee's death.
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If there is a Service Termination by reason of the permanent and total
disability of the Optionee, then the Optionee shall have the right (subject to
the general limitations on exercise set forth in Section 4.1 above), at any time
within one year after such Service Termination and prior to termination of the
Option pursuant to Section 4.2. above, to exercise, in whole or in part, the
Option held by the Optionee at the date of such Service Termination, whether or
not the Option was exercisable immediately prior to such Service Termination.
Whether a Service Termination is to be considered by reason of permanent and
total disability for purposes of this Agreement shall be determined by the
Board, which determination shall be final and conclusive.
4.4. Limitations on Exercise of Option.
Notwithstanding the foregoing Subsections, in no event may the Option
be exercised, in whole or in part, after ten years and thirty days following the
date upon which the Option is granted, as set forth in Section 1. above, or
after the occurrence of an event which results in termination of the Option
hereunder or under the Plan. In no event may the Option be exercised for a
fractional share.
4.5. Method of Exercise of Option.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the
Option may be exercised by delivering written notice of exercise to the
Corporation, at its principal office, addressed to the attention of the
President, which notice shall specify the number of shares for which the Option
is being exercised, and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option
Price of the shares for which the Option is being exercised. Payment of the
Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the
Option shall be made either (i) in cash or by certified check payable to the
order of the Corporation; (ii) through the tender to the Corporation of shares
of Stock, which shares shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent
to which the Option Price has been paid thereby, at their fair market value
(determined by the Board in good faith in the manner specified in the Plan) on
the date of exercise; or (iii) by a combination of the methods described in (i)
and (ii). If the person exercising the Option is not the Optionee, such person
shall also deliver with the notice of exercise appropriate proof of his or her
right to exercise the Option. An attempt to exercise the Option granted
hereunder other than as set forth above shall be invalid and of no force and
effect. Promptly after exercise of the Option as provided for above, the
Corporation shall deliver to the person exercising the Option a certificate or
certificates for the shares of Stock being purchased.
4.6. Parachute Limitations.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement or of any
other agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter
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entered into by the Optionee with the Corporation (or any subsidiary or
affiliate thereof), except an agreement, contract, or understanding hereafter
entered into that expressly modifies or excludes application of this Subsection
(the "Other Agreements"), and notwithstanding any formal or informal plan or
other arrangement heretofore or hereafter adopted by the Corporation (or any
such subsidiary or affiliate) for the direct or indirect compensation of the
Optionee (including groups or classes of participants or beneficiaries of which
the Optionee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in
cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Optionee (an "Other Benefit
Plan"), the Optionee shall not have any right to exercise an Option or to
receive any payment or other benefit under this Option Agreement if such right
to exercise, payment or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments
or benefits to or for the Optionee under this Option Agreement, all Other
Agreements, and all Other Benefit Plans, would cause any right, payment or
benefit to the Optionee under this Option Agreement to be considered a
"parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code as then in effect (a "Parachute Payment"). In the event that the
receipt of any such right to exercise or any other payment or benefit under this
Option Agreement, any Other Agreement, or any Other Benefit Plan would cause the
Optionee to be considered to have received a Parachute Payment under this
Agreement, then the Optionee shall have the right, in the Optionee's sole
discretion, to designate those rights, payments or benefits under this Option
Agreement, any Other Agreements, and/or any Other Benefit Plans, which should be
reduced or eliminated so as to avoid having the right, payment or benefit to the
Optionee under this Option Agreement be deemed to be a Parachute Payment.
5. TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS
Except as otherwise stated herein, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only the Optionee (or, in the event of legal incapacity or
incompetency, the Optionee's guardian or legal representative) may exercise the
Option. No Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Optionee, other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Pursuant to and limited
by the terms and conditions of Article 10.2 of the Plan, Optionee may transfer
all or part of an Option to a Family Member (as such term is defined in the
Plan).
6. RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER
Neither the Optionee nor any executor, administrator, distributee or
legatee of the Optionee's estate shall be, or have any of the rights or
privileges of, a stockholder of the Corporation in respect of any shares of
Stock issuable hereunder unless and until such shares have been fully paid and
certificates representing such shares have been endorsed, transferred and
delivered, and the name of the Optionee (or of such personal representative,
administrator,
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distributee or legatee of the Optionee's estate) has been entered as the
stockholder of record on the books of the Corporation.
7. WITHHOLDING OF TAXES
The parties hereto recognize that the Corporation or a subsidiary may
be obligated to withhold federal and local income taxes and Social Security
taxes to the extent that the Optionee realizes ordinary income in connection
with the exercise of the Option or in connection with a disposition of any
shares of Stock acquired by exercise of the Option. The Optionee agrees that
the Corporation or a subsidiary may withhold amounts needed to cover such taxes
from payments otherwise due and owing to the Optionee, and also agrees that upon
demand the Optionee will promptly pay to the Corporation or a subsidiary having
such obligation any additional amounts as may be necessary to satisfy such
withholding tax obligation. Such payment shall be made in cash or by certified
check payable to the order of the Corporation or a subsidiary.
8. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION
8.1. Changes in Stock.
If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased
or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of Stock or other
securities of the Corporation on account of any recapitalization,
reclassification, stock split, reverse split, combination of Stock, exchange of
Stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other
increase or decrease in such Stock effected without receipt of consideration by
the Corporation occurring after the date the Option is granted, a proportionate
and appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Corporation in the number and
kind of Stock subject to the Option, so that the proportionate interest of the
Optionee immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be
the same as immediately prior to such event. Any such adjustment in the Option
shall not change the aggregate Option Price payable with respect to Stock
subject to the unexercised portion of the Option but shall include a
corresponding proportionate adjustment in the Option Price per share.
8.2. Reorganization in Which the Corporation
Is the Surviving Entity.
Subject to Section 8.3 hereof, if the Corporation shall be the
surviving entity in any reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Corporation with one or more other entities, the Option shall pertain to and
apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock
subject to the Option would have been
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entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger or consolidation,
with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the Option Price per share so
that the aggregate Option Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate
Option Price of the shares of Stock remaining subject to the Option immediately
prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation.
8.3. Reorganization in Which the Corporation Is Not
the Surviving Entity or Sale of Assets or Shares.
Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, or upon a
merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Corporation with one or more
other entities in which the Corporation is not the surviving entity, or upon a
sale of substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to another entity, or
upon any transaction (including, without limitation, a merger or reorganization
in which the Corporation is the surviving entity) approved by the Board that
results in any person or entity (other than persons who are holders of stock of
the Corporation at the time the Plan is approved by the Stockholders and other
than an Affiliate) owning 80 percent or more of the combined voting power of all
classes of securities of the Corporation, the Option hereunder shall terminate,
except to the extent provision is made in connection with such transaction for
the continuation and/or the assumption of the Option, or for the substitution
for the Option of new options covering the stock of a successor employer entity,
or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number
and kinds of shares and exercise prices, in which event the Option shall
continue in the manner and under the terms so provided. In the event of any
such termination of the Option, the Optionee shall have the right (subject to
the limitations on exercise set forth in Section 4 above), for 30 days
immediately prior to the occurrence of such termination, to exercise the Option
in whole or in part, whether or not the Optionee was otherwise entitled to
exercise such Option at the time such termination occurs. The Committee shall
send written notice of an event that will result in such a termination to the
Optionee not later than the time at which the Corporation gives notice thereof
to its stockholders.
8.4. Adjustments.
Adjustments specified in this Section 8 relating to Stock or
securities of the Corporation shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. No
fractional shares or units of other securities shall be issued pursuant to any
such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be
eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share or unit.
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8.5. No Limitations on Corporation.
The grant of the Option shall not affect or limit in any way the right
or power of the Corporation to make adjustments, reclassifications,
reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge,
consolidate, dissolve or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of
its business or assets.
9. DISCLAIMER OF RIGHTS
No provision in this Option Agreement shall be construed to confer
upon the Optionee the right to serve on the Board of the Corporation or any
subsidiary, or to interfere in any way with the right and authority of the
Corporation or any subsidiary either to increase or decrease the compensation of
the Optioned at any time, or to terminate any relationship between the Optionee
and the Corporation or any subsidiary.
10. INTERPRETATION OF THIS OPTION AGREEMENT
All decisions and interpretations made by the Board with regard to any
question arising under the Plan or this Option Agreement shall be binding and
conclusive on the Corporation and the Optionee and any other person entitled to
exercise the Option as provided for herein.
11. GOVERNING LAW
This Option Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware (but not including the choice of law rules thereof).
12. BINDING EFFECT
Subject to all restrictions provided for in this Option Agreement, in
the Plan, and by applicable law relating to assignment and transfer of this
Option Agreement and the option provided for herein, this Option Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.
13. NOTICE
Any notice hereunder by the Optionee to the Corporation shall be in
writing and shall be deemed duly given if mailed or delivered to the Corporation
at its principal office, addressed to the attention of the President, or if so
mailed or delivered to such other address as the Corporation may hereafter
designate by notice to the Optionee. Any notice hereunder by the Corporation to
the Optionee shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given if mailed or
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delivered to the Optionee at the address specified below by the Optionee for
such purpose, or if so mailed or delivered to such other address as the Optionee
may hereafter designate by written notice given to the Corporation.
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Option Agreement and the Plan together constitute the entire
agreement and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, written or
oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Neither
this Option Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged or
terminated except by a written instrument signed by the Corporation and the
Optionee; provided, however, that the Corporation unilaterally may waive any
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provision hereof in writing to the extent that such waiver does not adversely
affect the interests of the Optionee hereunder, but no such waiver shall operate
as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same provision or a waiver
of any other provision hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Option
Agreement, or caused this Option Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf,
as of the day and year first above written.
ITC/\DELTACOM, INC.
By:
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Title:
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OPTIONEE:
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ADDRESS FOR NOTICE TO OPTIONEE:
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Number Street
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City State Zip Code
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