South Dakota | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | |||
001-31303 | 46-0458824 | ||
(Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 Rapid City, South Dakota (Address of principal executive offices) | 57709-1400 (Zip Code) | ||
605.721.1700 | |||
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | |||
Not Applicable | |||
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) |
1. | Shareholders elected three directors to serve for a three-year term to expire at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2018, and until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. The name of each director elected, and the votes cast for each such individuals, are set forth below: |
Nominee | For | Withheld | Broker Non-Votes |
Michael H. Madison | 35,118,215 | 209,201 | 5,796,238 |
Linda K. Massman | 35,081,361 | 246,055 | 5,796,238 |
Steven R. Mills | 35,111,452 | 215,964 | 5,796,238 |
2. | Shareholders approved a proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2015. The votes regarding Proposal 2 were as follows: |
For | Against | Abstain | Broker Non-Votes |
40,749,275 | 242,575 | 131,804 | -0- |
3. | Shareholders approved, on an advisory and non-binding basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the proxy statement. The votes regarding Proposal 3 were as follows: |
For | Against | Abstain | Broker Non-Votes |
33,354,724 | 1,707,439 | 265,253 | 5,796,238 |
4. | Shareholders approved the Black Hills Corporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The votes regarding Proposal 4 were as follows: |
For | Against | Abstain | Broker Non-Votes |
33,149,010 | 1,939,693 | 238,713 | 5,796,238 |
10.1 | Black Hills Corporation's 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix B to the Company's 2015 Proxy Statement filed March 19, 2015). |
10.2 | Form of Stock Option Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.3 | Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.4 | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.5 | Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.6 | Form of Short-term Incentive for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION | |
By:/s/ Steven J. Helmers | |
Steven J. Helmers | |
Senior Vice President | |
and General Counsel | |
Date: April 30, 2015 |
Exhibit No. | Description |
10.1 | Black Hills Corporation's 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix B to the Company's 2015 Proxy Statement filed March 19, 2015). |
10.2 | Form of Stock Option Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.3 | Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.4 | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.5 | Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
10.6 | Form of Short-term Incentive for the 2015 Omnibus Plan effective for awards granted on or after April 28, 2015. |
Participant: | _____________________ |
Date of Grant: | _____________________ |
Number of Shares Covered by this Option: | _____________________ |
Number of above Shares intended to be Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code §422: | _____________________ |
Number of above shares intended to be Nonqualified Stock Options ("NQSOs"): | _____________________ |
Option Price for each Share: | _____________________ |
Date of Expiration: | _____________________ |
Date | Shares for Which Option Becomes Exercisable | Cumulative Number of Shares Available for Purchase |
______ | ___ | ____ |
______ | ___ | ____ |
______ | ___ | ____ |
(a) | By death or Disability: In the event the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of death or disability, all Shares under this Option shall become immediately vested (100%) and the Shares may be purchased under the terms of this Agreement until the earlier of: (i) the expiration date of this Option; or (ii) the first anniversary of the date of death or Disability. |
(b) | By Retirement: In the event of termination of employment by reason of retirement, all unvested Shares under this Option shall be forfeited and vested Shares may be purchased under the terms of this Agreement until the earlier of: (i) the expiration date of this Option; or (ii) the third anniversary date of Retirement. |
(c) | For other reasons: Shares which are vested as of the date of termination of employment of the Participant for any reason other than those reasons set forth in 3(a) or 3(b) above may be purchased under the terms of this Agreement until the earlier of: (i) the expiration date of this Option; or (ii) 90 days following the date of termination of employment. Shares which are not vested as of the date of termination shall immediately terminate, and shall be forfeited to the Company. |
(a) | The acquisition in a transaction or series of transactions by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company; (B) any acquisition of common stock of the Company by an underwriter holding securities of the Company in connection with a public offering thereof; and (C) any acquisition by any Person pursuant to a transaction which complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii) and (iii); |
(b) | Individuals who, as of December 31, 2014 are members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company's common shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as described in Rule 14a‑11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; |
(c) | Consummation, following shareholder approval, of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (each a “Business Combination”), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, all of the following have occurred: (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were beneficial owners of shares of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of the entity resulting from the Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries)(the “Successor Entity”); (ii) no Person (excluding any Successor Entity or any employee benefit plan or related trust, of the Company or such Successor Entity) owns, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Successor Entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to such Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or |
(d) | Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii), and (iii) above. |
(e) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common stock as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company, and after such stock acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common stock which increases the percentage of the then outstanding common stock Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur. |
(f) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless and until all regulatory approvals required in order to effectuate a Change in Control of the Company have been obtained and the transaction constituting the Change in Control has been consummated. |
(a) | In the event the Participant’s employment is terminated for reasons other than those described in Sections 3 and 4 herein, all outstanding Shares under this Option shall immediately be forfeited by the Participant. |
(b) | Without limiting the generality of Section 8(a), the Company reserves the right to cancel all Shares under this Option awarded hereunder, whether or not vested, and require the Participant to repay all income or gains previously realized in respect of such Shares under this Option, in the event of the occurrence of any of the following events: |
(i) | termination of Participant’s employment for Cause; |
(ii) | within one year following any termination of Participant’s employment, the Board determines that the Participant engaged in conduct before the Participant’s termination date that would have constituted the basis for a termination of employment for Cause; |
(iii) | at any time during the Participant’s employment or the twelve month period immediately following any termination of employment, Participant: |
(x) | publicly disparages the Company, any of its affiliates or any of its or their officers, directors or senior executive employees or otherwise makes any public statement that is materially detrimental to the interests or reputation of the Company, any of its affiliates or such individuals; or |
(y) | violates in any material respect any policy or any code of ethics or standard of behavior or conduct generally applicable to Participant, including the Code of Conduct; or |
(iv) | Participant engages in any fraudulent, illegal or other misconduct involving the Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to any breach of fiduciary duty, breach of a duty of loyalty, or interference with contract or business expectancy. |
(c) | If the Board determines that the Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Section 8(b), in addition to any other remedies the Company has available to it, the Company may in its sole discretion: |
(i) | cancel any Shares under this Option awarded hereby, whether or not vested; and/or |
(ii) | require the Participant to repay an amount equal to all income or gain realized in respect of all such Shares under this Option. The amount of repayment shall include, without limitation, amounts received in connection with the delivery or sale of Shares under this Option or cash paid in respect of any Shares under this Option. |
(d) | The Board, in its discretion, shall determine whether a Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Section 8(b) and whether and to what extent the Shares under this Option awarded hereby shall be forfeited by Participant and/or a Participant shall be required to repay an amount pursuant to Section 8(c). The Board shall have the authority to suspend the payment, delivery or settlement of all or any portion of such Participant’s outstanding Shares under this Option pending an investigation of a bona fide dispute regarding Participant’s eligibility to receive a payment under the terms of this Agreement as determined by the Board in good faith. |
(e) | For purposes of applying this provision: |
(i) | “Cause” means any of the following: |
(u) | a Participant’s violation of his or her material duties to the Company or any of its affiliates, which continues after written notice from the Company or any affiliate to cure such violation; |
(v) | Participant’s willful failure to follow the lawful written directives of the Board in any material respect; |
(w) | Participant’s willful misconduct in connection with the performance of any of his or her duties, including but not limited to falsifying or attempting to falsify documents, books or records of the Company or any of its affiliates, making or delivering a false representation, statement or certification of compliance to the Company, misappropriating or attempting to misappropriate funds or other property of the Company or any of its affiliates, or securing or attempting to secure any personal profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(x) | Participant’s breach of any material provisions of this Agreement or any other non-competition, non-interference, non-disclosure, confidentiality or other similar agreement executed by Participant with the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(y) | conviction (or plea of nolo contendere) of the Participant of any felony, or a misdemeanor involving false statement, in connection with conduct involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or |
(z) | intentional engagement in any activity which would constitute or cause a breach of duty of loyalty, or any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. |
(ii) | “Code of Conduct” means any code of ethics or code of conduct now or hereafter adopted by the Company or any of its affiliates, including to the extent applicable the Company’s Employee Conduct and Disclosure Policy, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and the Company’s or subsidiary Risk Management Policies and Procedures, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time. |
(f) | Participant agrees that the provisions of this Section 8 are entered into in consideration of, and as a material inducement to, the agreements by the Company herein as well as an inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, and that, but for Participant’s agreement to the provisions of this Section 8, the Company would not have entered into this Agreement. |
(a) | This Option Agreement and the rights of the Participant hereunder are subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time, as well as to such rules and regulations as the Committee may adopt for administration of the Plan. The Committee shall have the right to impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of this Option, as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable Federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares. It is expressly understood that the Committee is authorized to administer, construe, and make all determinations necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan and this Option Agreement, all of which shall be binding upon the Participant. |
(b) | With the approval of the Board, the Committee may terminate, amend, or modify the Plan; provided, however, that no such termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan may in any material way adversely affect the Participant's rights under this Agreement, without the written consent of the Participant. |
(c) | The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including Participant's FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any exercise of the Participant's rights under this Agreement. |
(d) | The Participant agrees to take all steps necessary to comply with all applicable provisions of federal and state securities law in exercising his or her rights under this Agreement. |
(e) | This Agreement shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. |
(f) | All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement, with respect to this Option, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company. |
(g) | To the extent not preempted by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of South Dakota. |
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION | |
By________________________________________ |
___________________________________________ Participant |
1. | Number of Restricted Shares Granted. ____ Shares |
2. | Date of Grant. _______ |
3. | Date of Lapse of Restrictions. |
Shares | Date |
____ | _________ |
____ | _________ |
____ | _________ |
4. | Employment by the Company. This Restricted Stock is awarded on the condition that the Participant remain in the employ of Black Hills Corporation and its Affiliates (the “Company”) from the Date of Grant through (and including) the Dates of Lapse of Restrictions. The Award of this Restricted Stock, however, shall not impose upon the Company any obligations to retain the Participant in its employ for any given period or upon any specific terms of employment. |
5. | Certificate Legend. Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan shall be held by the Company in book entry form and shall be designated to have the following legend: |
6. | Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, each of the Shares of Restricted Stock granted under this Agreement shall become freely transferable by the Participant on each of the “Dates of Lapse of Restrictions” set forth on Paragraph 3 herein. |
7. | Voting Rights and Dividends. During the Period of Restriction, the Participant may exercise full voting rights and is entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to the Shares of Restricted Stock while they are held. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in shares of common stock of the Company, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. |
8. | Termination of Employment By Reasons of Death or Disability, and Vesting in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of Death or Disability, or in the event of a Change in Control prior to the Dates of Lapse of Restrictions, all Shares of Restricted Stock then outstanding shall immediately vest one hundred percent (100%), and as soon as is administratively practicable, the common stock representing the Shares of Restricted Stock without any restrictions or legend thereon, shall be delivered to the Participant’s beneficiary or estate. |
(a) | The acquisition in a transaction or series of transactions by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company; (B) any acquisition of common stock of the Company by an underwriter holding securities of the Company in connection with a public offering thereof; and (C) any acquisition by any Person pursuant to a transaction which complies with subsections (c)(i), (ii) and (iii); |
(b) | Individuals who, as of December 31, 2014 are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s common shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened “Election Contest” (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; |
(c) | Consummation, following shareholder approval, of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (each a “Business Combination”), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, all of the following have occurred: (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were beneficial owners of shares of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of the entity resulting from the Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries) (the “Successor Entity”) (ii) no Person (excluding any Successor Entity or any employee benefit plan or related trust, of the Company or such Successor Entity) owns, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Successor Entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to such Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or |
(d) | Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with subsections (c)(i), (ii), and (iii) above. |
(e) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common stock as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company, and after such stock acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common stock which increases the percentage of the then outstanding common stock Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur. |
(f) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless and until all regulatory approvals required in order to effectuate a Change in Control of the Company have been obtained and the transaction constituting the Change in Control has been consummated. |
9. | Beneficiary Designation. The Participant may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under this Agreement is to be paid in case of his or her death prior to the Dates of Lapse of Restrictions. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Company, and will be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. In the absence of any such designation, benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate. |
10. | Forfeiture and Repayment. |
(a) | In the event the Participant’s employment is terminated for reasons other than those described in Section 8 herein prior to the Dates of the Lapse of Restrictions, all outstanding Shares of unvested Restricted Stock granted hereunder shall immediately be forfeited by the Participant. |
(b) | Without limiting the generality of Section 10(a), the Company reserves the right to cancel all Restricted Stock awarded hereunder, whether or not vested, and require the Participant to repay all income or gains previously realized in respect of such Restricted Stock, in the event of the occurrence of any of the following events: |
(i) | termination of Participant’s employment for Cause; |
(ii) | within one year following any termination of Participant’s employment, the Board determines that the Participant engaged in conduct before the Participant’s termination date that would have constituted the basis for a termination of employment for Cause; |
(iii) | at any time during the Participant’s employment or the twelve month period immediately following any termination of employment, Participant: |
(x) | publicly disparages the Company, any of its affiliates or any of its or their officers, directors or senior executive employees or otherwise makes any public statement that is materially detrimental to the interests or reputation of the Company, any of its affiliates or such individuals; or |
(y) | violates in any material respect any policy or any code of ethics or standard of behavior or conduct generally applicable to Participant, including the Code of Conduct; or |
(iv) | Participant engages in any fraudulent, illegal or other misconduct involving the Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to any breach of fiduciary duty, breach of a duty of loyalty, or interference with contract or business expectancy. |
(c) | If the Board determines that the Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Section 10(b), in addition to any other remedies the Company has available to it, the Company may in its sole discretion: |
(i) | cancel any Shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereby, whether or not vested; and/or |
(ii) | require the Participant to repay an amount equal to all income or gain realized in respect of all such Restricted Stock. The amount of repayment shall include, without limitation, amounts received in connection with the delivery or sale of Shares of such Restricted Stock or cash paid in respect of any Restricted Stock. |
(d) | The Board, in its discretion, shall determine whether a Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Section 10(b) and whether and to what extent the Shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereby shall be forfeited by Participant and/or a Participant shall be required to repay an amount pursuant to Section 10(c). The Board shall have the authority to suspend the payment, delivery or settlement of all or any portion of such Participant’s outstanding Shares of Restricted Stock pending an investigation of a bona fide dispute regarding Participant’s eligibility to receive a payment under the terms of this Agreement as determined by the Board in good faith. |
(e) | For purposes of applying this provision: |
(i) | “Cause” means any of the following: |
(u) | a Participant’s violation of his or her material duties to the Company or any of its affiliates, which continues after written notice from the Company or any affiliate to cure such violation; |
(v) | Participant’s willful failure to follow the lawful written directives of the Board in any material respect; |
(w) | Participant’s willful misconduct in connection with the performance of any of his or her duties, including but not limited to falsifying or attempting to falsify documents, books or records of the Company or any of its affiliates, making or delivering a false representation, statement or certification of compliance to the Company, misappropriating or attempting to misappropriate funds or other property of the Company or any of its affiliates, or securing or attempting to secure any personal profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(x) | Participant’s breach of any material provisions of this Agreement or any other non-competition, non-interference, non-disclosure, confidentiality or other similar agreement executed by Participant with the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(y) | conviction (or plea of nolo contendere) of the Participant of any felony, or a misdemeanor involving false statement, in connection with conduct involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or |
(z) | intentional engagement in any activity which would constitute or cause a breach of duty of loyalty, or any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. |
(ii) | “Code of Conduct” means any code of ethics or code of conduct now or hereafter adopted by the Company or any of its affiliates, including to the extent applicable the Company’s Employee Conduct and Disclosure Policy, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and the Company’s or subsidiary Risk Management Policies and Procedures, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time. |
(f) | Participant agrees that the provisions of this Section 10 are entered into in consideration of, and as a material inducement to, the agreements by the Company herein as well as an inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, and that, but for Participant’s agreement to the provisions of this Section 10, the Company would not have entered into this Agreement. |
11. | Transferability. This Restricted Stock is not transferable by the Participant, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of laws or otherwise, during the Restriction Period, except as provided in the Plan. If any assessment, pledge, transfer, or other disposition, voluntary or involuntary, of this Restricted Stock shall be made, or if any attachment, execution, garnishment, or claim shall be issued against or placed upon the Restricted Stock, then the Participant’s right to the Restricted Stock shall immediately cease and terminate and the Participant shall promptly forfeit to the Company all Restricted Stock awarded under this Agreement. |
12. | Tax Treatment. The following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences related to grants of restricted stock. This summary is based on the Company’s understanding of present federal income tax law and regulations. The summary does not purport to be complete or applicable to every specific situation. |
13. | Withholding. |
14. | Requirements of Law. The issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. |
15. | Inability to Obtain Authorization. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. |
16. | Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this Agreement, and the Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included. |
17. | Continuation of Employment. This Agreement shall not confer upon the Participant any right to continuation of employment by the Company, nor shall this Agreement interfere in any way with the Company’s right to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time, for any reason. Participant further agrees that awards made pursuant to this Agreement are discretionary, and do not constitute a benefit which the Company is obligated to make available to Participant, and therefore, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a contract of employment, or otherwise alter the at-will employment relationship between Participant and the Company. |
18. | Applicable Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction. The validity, construction, interpretation and enforceability of this Agreement shall be determined and governed by the laws of the State of South Dakota without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. For the purpose of litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to exclusive jurisdiction in South Dakota and agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of Pennington County or the federal courts of the United States for the District of South Dakota, Western Division. |
19. | Miscellaneous. The Plan may be amended at any time, and from time to time, by a written instrument approved by the Board of Directors of Black Hills Corporation. No termination, amendment or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award, except as required by law. |
________________________________________________________ | ||
1. | Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted. _______ Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs”), each unit corresponding to one share of Black Hills Corporation common stock. Each RSU constitutes only an unsecured promise of the Company to deliver a share of common stock to the Participant under the terms of the NDC Plan. As a holder of RSUs, the Participant has only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. |
2. | Date of Grant. __________ |
3. | Date of Vesting. Subject to continued employment under Section 4 below, the RSUs shall vest and become nonforfeitable in accordance with the following schedule (each date is a “Vesting Date”): |
Shares | Date |
____________ | ____________ |
____________ | ____________ |
____________ | ____________ |
4. | Employment by the Company. This Restricted Stock Unit Award is awarded on the condition that the Participant remain in the employ of Black Hills Corporation and its Affiliates (the “Company”) from the Date of Grant through (and including) the Vesting Dates. The Award of these RSUs, however, shall not impose upon the Company any obligations to retain the Participant in its employ for any given period or upon any specific terms of employment. |
5. | Termination of Employment by Reasons of Death or Disability, and Vesting in Connection with a Change in Control. In the event the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of Death or Disability, or in the event of a Change in Control prior to any one of the Vesting Dates, all RSUs then unvested and outstanding shall immediately vest one hundred percent (100%), and, as soon as is administratively practicable, the awards shall be settled in accordance with Section 7. |
(a) | The acquisition in a transaction or series of transactions by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company; (B) any acquisition of common stock of the Company by an underwriter holding securities of the Company in connection with a public offering thereof; and (C) any acquisition by any Person pursuant to a transaction which complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii) and (iii); |
(b) | Individuals who, as of December 31, 2014 are members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company's common shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; |
(c) | Consummation, following shareholder approval, of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (each a “Business Combination”), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, all of the following have occurred: (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were beneficial owners of shares of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more that fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of the entity resulting from the Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries)(the “Successor Entity”); (ii) no Person (excluding any Successor Entity or any employee benefit plan or related trust, of the Company or such Successor Entity) owns, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Successor Entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to such Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the |
(d) | Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii), and (iii) above. |
(e) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common stock as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company, and after such stock acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common stock which increases the percentage of the then outstanding common stock Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur. |
(f) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless and until all regulatory approvals required in order to effectuate a Change in Control of the Company have been obtained and the transaction constituting the Change in Control has been consummated. |
(a) | In the event the Participant’s employment is terminated for reasons other than those described in Section 5 herein prior to the Vesting Dates, then all outstanding RSUs granted hereunder that are unvested shall immediately be forfeited by the Participant. |
(b) | Without limiting the generality of Section 6(a), the Company reserves the right to cancel all Restricted Stock Units awarded hereunder, whether or notvested, and require the Participant to repay all income or gains previously realized in respect of such Restricted Stock Units, in the event of the occurrence of any of the following events: |
(ii) | within one year following any termination of Participant’s employment, the Board determines that the Participant engaged in conduct before the Participant’s termination date that would have constituted the basis for a termination of employment for Cause; |
(iii) | at any time during the Participant’s employment or the twelve month period immediately following any termination of employment, Participant: |
(y) | violates in any material respect any policy or any code of ethics or standard of behavior or conduct generally applicable to Participant, including the Code of Conduct; or |
(iv) | Participant engages in any fraudulent, illegal or other misconduct involving the Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to any breach of fiduciary duty, breach of a duty of loyalty, or interference with contract or business expectancy. |
(c) | If the Board determines that the Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Section 6(b), in addition to any other remedies the Company has available to it, the Company may in its sole discretion: |
(i) | cancel any Restricted Stock Units awarded hereby, whether or not vested; and/or |
(ii) | require the Participant to repay an amount equal to all income or gain realized in respect of all such Restricted Stock Units. The amount of repayment shall include, without limitation, amounts received in connection with the delivery or sale of Shares associated with such Restricted Stock Units or cash paid in respect of any Restricted Stock Units. |
(d) | The Board, in its discretion, shall determine whether a Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Section 6(b) and whether and to what extent the Shares or Restricted Stock Units awarded hereby shall be forfeited by Participant and/or a Participant shall be required to repay an amount pursuant to Section 6(c). The Board shall have the authority to suspend the payment, delivery or settlement of all or any portion of such Participant’s outstanding Shares or Restricted Stock Units pending an investigation of a bona fide dispute regarding Participant’s eligibility to receive a payment under the terms of this Agreement as determined by the Board in good faith. |
(u) | a Participant’s violation of his or her material duties to the Company or any of its affiliates, which continues after written notice from the Company or any affiliate to cure such violation; |
(v) | Participant’s willful failure to follow the lawful written directives of the Board in any material respect; |
(w) | Participant’s willful misconduct in connection with the performance of any of his or her duties, including but not limited to falsifying or attempting to falsify documents, books or records of the Company or any of its affiliates, making or delivering a false representation, statement or certification of compliance to the Company, misappropriating or attempting to misappropriate funds or other property of the Company or any of its affiliates, or securing or attempting to secure any personal profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(x) | Participant’s breach of any material provisions of this Agreement or any other non-competition, non-interference, non-disclosure, confidentiality or other similar agreement executed by Participant with the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(y) | conviction (or plea of nolo contendere) of the Participant of any felony, or a misdemeanor involving false statement, in connection with conduct involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or |
(z) | intentional engagement in any activity which would constitute or cause a breach of duty of loyalty, or any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. |
(ii) | “Code of Conduct” means any code of ethics or code of conduct now or hereafter adopted by the Company or any of its affiliates, including to the extent applicable the Company’s Employee Conduct and Disclosure Policy, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and the Company’s or subsidiary Risk Management Policies and Procedures, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time. |
(f) | Participant agrees that the provisions of this Section 6 are entered into in consideration of, and as a material inducement to, the agreements by the Company herein as well as an inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, and that, but for Participant’s agreement to the provisions of this Section 6, the Company would not have entered into this Agreement. |
8. | Beneficiary Designation. The Participant may, from time to time, name any beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be named contingently or successively) to whom any benefit under this Agreement and the NDC Plan is to be paid. The designation of a beneficiary shall be made in accordance with the beneficiary designation procedures specified in the NDC Plan. |
9. | Transferability. The RSUs are not transferable by the Participant, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of laws or otherwise, except as provided in the Plans. If any assessment, pledge, transfer, or other disposition, voluntary or involuntary, of the RSUs shall be made, or it any attachment, execution, garnishment, or claim shall be issued against or placed upon the RSUs, then the Participant’s right to the RSUs shall immediately cease and terminate and the Participant shall promptly forfeit to the Company all RSUs awarded under this Agreement. |
10. | Withholding. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local taxes (including Participant’s FICA obligation), domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Agreement as specified under the NDC Plan. |
11. | Requirements of Law. The issuance of Shares under the Plans following settlement of the RSUs shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. |
12. | Inability to Obtain Authorization. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. |
13. | Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this Agreement, and the Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included. |
14. | Continuation of Employment. This Agreement shall not confer upon the Participant any right to continuation of employment by the Company, nor shall this Agreement interfere in any way with the Company’s right to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time, for any reason. Participant further agrees that awards made pursuant to this Agreement are discretionary, and do not constitute a benefit which the Company is obligated to make available to Participant, and therefore, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a contract of employment, or otherwise alter the at-will employment relationship between Participant and the Company. |
15. | Applicable Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction. The validity, construction, interpretation and enforceability of this Agreement shall be determined and governed by the laws of the State of South Dakota without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. For the purpose of litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to exclusive jurisdiction in South Dakota and agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of Pennington County or the federal courts of the United States for the District of South Dakota, Western Division. |
16. | Miscellaneous. The Plans may be amended at any time, and from time to time, by a written instrument approved by the Board of Directors of Black Hills Corporation. No termination, amendment or modification of the Plans shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plans, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award, except as required by law. |
17. | Six Month Delay. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, if the payment of any benefit under the NDC Plan that was credited pursuant to this Agreement would be subject to additional taxes and interest under Code Section 409A because the timing of such payment is not delayed as provided in Section 409A for a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then if the Executive is a “specified employee”, any such payment that the executive |
____________________________________________ | ||
Article 1. | Performance Period | 2 |
Article 2. | Value of Performance Shares | 2 |
Article 3. | Performance Shares and Achievement of Performance Measure | 2 |
Article 4. | Termination Provisions | 3 |
Article 5. | Change in Control | 3 |
Article 6. | Forfeiture and Repayment | 5 |
Article 7. | Dividends | 8 |
Article 8. | Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Shares | 8 |
Article 9. | Nontransferability | 8 |
Article 10. | Administration | 8 |
Article 11. | Miscellaneous | 9 |
ALLETE Inc. | ALE | MGE Energy Inc. | MGEE |
Alliant Energy Corp | LNT | OGE Energy Corp | OGE |
Avista Corp | AVA | Piedmont Natural Gas | PNY |
Cleco Corp | CNL | PNM Resources, Inc. | PNM |
El Paso Electric Co. | EE | Portland General Electric Co. | POR |
Great Plains Energy Inc. | GXP | Questar Corp | STR |
IDACORP Inc. | IDA | Southwest Gas Corp | SWX |
The Laclede Group, Inc. | LG | UIL Holdings Corp | UIL |
MDU Resources Group Inc. | MDU | Vectren Corp | VVC |
National Fuel Gas Co. | NFG | Westar Energy Inc. | WR |
Northwest Natural Gas Co. | NWN | WGL Holdings Inc. | WGL |
Northwestern Corp | NWE |
(a) | The number of Performance Shares to be earned under this Agreement shall be based upon the achievement of pre-established TSR performance goals as set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) for the Performance Period, based on the following chart: |
TSR Performance Relative to Companies in Peer Index | Payout (% of Target) |
85th Percentile or Above | 200% |
80th Percentile | 175% |
70th Percentile | 150% |
60th Percentile | 125% |
50th Percentile | 100% |
40th Percentile | 75% |
30th Percentile | 50% |
Below the 30th Percentile | 0% |
Total Shareholder Return | = | Change in Stock Price + Dividends Paid Beginning Stock Price |
(a) | The acquisition in a transaction or series of transactions by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company; (B) any acquisition of common stock of the Company by an underwriter holding securities of the Company in connection with a public offering thereof; and (C) any acquisition by any Person pursuant to a transaction which complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii) and (iii); |
(b) | Individuals who, as of December 31, 2014 are members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company's common shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as described in Rule 14a‑11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; |
(c) | Consummation, following shareholder approval, of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (each a “Business Combination”), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, all of the following have occurred: (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were beneficial owners of shares of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more that fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of the entity resulting from the Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries) (the “Successor Entity”); (ii) no Person (excluding any Successor Entity or any employee benefit plan or related trust, of the Company or such Successor Entity) owns, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Successor Entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to such Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or |
(d) | Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii), and (iii) above. |
(e) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common stock as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company, and after such stock acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common stock which increases the percentage of the then outstanding common stock Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur. |
(f) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless and until all regulatory approvals required in order to effectuate a Change in Control of the Company have been obtained and the transaction constituting the Change in Control has been consummated. |
(a) | In the event the Participant incurs a separation from service for a reason other than those described in Article 4 herein during the Performance Period this entire award will be forfeited, unless the separation from service follows a Change in Control. |
(b) | Without limiting the generality of Article 6(a), the Company reserves the right to cancel all Performance Shares awarded hereunder, whether or not vested, and require the Participant to repay all income or gains previously realized in respect of such Performance Shares, in the event of the occurrence of any of the following events: |
(i) | termination of Participant’s employment for Cause; |
(ii) | within one year following any termination of Participant’s employment, the Board determines that the Participant engaged in conduct before the Participant’s termination date that would have constituted the basis for a termination of employment for Cause; |
(iii) | at any time during the Participant’s employment or the twelve month period immediately following any termination of employment, Participant: |
(x) | publicly disparages the Company, any of its affiliates or any of its or their officers, directors or senior executive employees or otherwise makes any public statement that is materially detrimental to the interests or reputation of the Company, any of its affiliates or such individuals; or |
(y) | violates in any material respect any policy or any code of ethics or standard of behavior or conduct generally applicable to Participant, including the Code of Conduct; or |
(iv) | Participant engages in any fraudulent, illegal or other misconduct involving the Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to any breach of fiduciary duty, breach of a duty of loyalty, or interference with contract or business expectancy. |
(c) | If the Board determines that the Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Article 6(b), in addition to any other remedies the Company has available to it, the Company may in its sole discretion: |
(i) | cancel any Performance Shares awarded hereby, whether or not issued; and/or |
(ii) | require the Participant to repay an amount equal to all income or gain realized in respect of all such Performance Shares. The amount of repayment shall include, without limitation, amounts received in connection with the delivery or sale of Shares of such Performance Shares or cash paid in respect of any Performance Shares. |
(d) | The Board, in its discretion, shall determine whether a Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Article 6(b) and whether and to what extent the Performance Shares awarded hereby shall be forfeited by Participant and/or a Participant shall be required to repay an amount pursuant to Article 6(c). The Board shall have the authority to suspend the payment, delivery or settlement of all or any portion of such Participant’s outstanding Performance Shares pending an investigation of a bona fide dispute regarding Participant’s eligibility to receive a payment under the terms of this Agreement as determined by the Board in good faith. |
(e) | For purposes of applying this provision: |
(i) | “Cause” means any of the following: |
(u) | a Participant’s violation of his or her material duties to the Company or any of its affiliates, which continues after written notice from the Company or any affiliate to cure such violation; |
(v) | Participant’s willful failure to follow the lawful written directives of the Board in any material respect; |
(w) | Participant’s willful misconduct in connection with the performance of any of his or her duties, including but not limited to falsifying or attempting to falsify documents, books or records of the Company or any of its affiliates, making or delivering a false representation, statement or certification of compliance to the Company, misappropriating or attempting to misappropriate funds or other property of the Company or any of its affiliates, or securing or attempting to secure any personal profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(x) | Participant’s breach of any material provisions of this Agreement or any other non-competition, non-interference, non-disclosure, confidentiality or other similar agreement executed by Participant with the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(y) | conviction (or plea of nolo contendere) of the Participant of any felony, or a misdemeanor involving false statement, in connection with conduct involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or |
(z) | intentional engagement in any activity which would constitute or cause a breach of duty of loyalty, or any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. |
(ii) | “Code of Conduct” means any code of ethics or code of conduct now or hereafter adopted by the Company or any of its affiliates, including to the extent applicable the Company’s Employee Conduct and Disclosure Policy, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and the Company’s or subsidiary Risk Management Policies and Procedures, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time. |
(f) | Participant agrees that the provisions of this Article 6 are entered into in consideration of, and as a material inducement to, the agreements by the Company herein as well as an inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, and that, but for Participant’s agreement to the provisions of this Article 6, the Company would not have entered into this Agreement. |
(a) | The Participant shall have no right with respect to any Award or a portion there of, until such award shall be paid to such Participant. |
(b) | If the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that a Participant at any time has willfully engaged in any activity that the Committee determines was or is harmful to the Company, any unpaid pending Award will be forfeited by such Participant. |
(c) | All appropriate taxes will be withheld from the cash portion of the award. |
(a) | The selection of any employee for participation in the Plan shall not give such Participant any right to be retained in the employ of the Company. The right and power of the Company to dismiss or discharge any Participant at-will, is specifically reserved. Such Participant or any person claiming under or through the Participant shall not have any right or interest in the Plan or any Award thereunder, unless and until all terms, conditions, and provisions of the Plan that affect such Participant have been complied with as specified herein. |
(b) | With the approval of the Board, the Committee may terminate, amend, or modify the Plan; provided, however, that no such termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan may in any way adversely affect the Participant’s rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s written consent, except as required by law. |
(c) | Participant shall not have voting rights with respect to the Performance Shares. Participant shall obtain voting rights upon the settlement of Performance Shares and distribution into shares of common stock of the Company. |
(d) | The Participant may defer such Participant’s receipt of the payment of cash and the delivery of shares of common stock, that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the satisfaction of the performance goals with respect to the Performance Shares, pursuant to the rules of the Black Hills Corporation Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan and the procedures set forth by the Compensation Committee. If the Participant elects to defer the receipt of the award, the Participant will be required to pay any necessary taxes from their own funds. They will not be allowed to have their deferred award reduced for tax withholding. |
(e) | This Agreement shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. |
(f) | To the extent not preempted by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of South Dakota. |
(g) | Any awards received by Participant are subject to the provisions of the Stock Ownership Guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. |
(h) | Waiver and Modification. The provisions of this Agreement may not be waived or modified unless such waiver or modification is in writing and signed by the Company. |
(i) | Compliance with Exchange Act. If the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, Performance Shares granted pursuant to the Award are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. |
Black Hills Corporation | |
By: _______________________ | |
___________________________ | |
Participant |
Article 1 | Effective Date and Purpose of Plan | 1 |
Article 2 | Definitions | 1 |
Article 3 | Eligibility and Participants | 2 |
Article 4 | Administration of the Plan | 2 |
Article 5 | Target Incentive Award and Performance Measures | 2 |
Article 6 | Termination Provisions | 3 |
Article 7 | Change in Control | 3 |
Article 8 | Forfeiture and Repayment | 5 |
Article 9 | Payment of Incentive Award | 7 |
Article 10 | Powers of Board of Directors | 7 |
Article 11 | Assignability | 8 |
Article 12 | No Contract of Employment | 8 |
Article 13 | Right to Incentive Award | 8 |
Article 14 | Governing Law | 8 |
Article 15 | No Tax Qualified or ERISA Plan | 8 |
(a) | The acquisition in a transaction or series of transactions by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any acquisition by the Company; (B) any acquisition of common stock of the Company by an underwriter holding securities of the Company in connection with a public offering thereof; and (C) any acquisition by any Person pursuant to a transaction which complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii) and (iii); |
(b) | Individuals who, as of December 31, 2014 are members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company's common shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as described in Rule 14a‑11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a "Proxy Contest") including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest; |
(c) | Consummation, following shareholder approval, of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (each a “Business Combination”), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, all of the following have occurred: (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were beneficial owners of shares of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more that fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of the entity resulting from the Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one (1) or more subsidiaries)(the “Successor Entity”); (ii) no Person (excluding any Successor Entity or any employee benefit plan or related trust, of the Company or such Successor Entity) owns, directly or indirectly, thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Successor Entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to such Business Combination; and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or |
(d) | Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with subsections (c) (i), (ii), and (iii) above. |
(e) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding Common Stock as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common stock by the Company, and after such stock acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common stock which increases the percentage of the then outstanding common stock Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur. |
(f) | A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless and until all regulatory approvals required in order to effectuate a Change in Control of the Company have been obtained and the transaction constituting the Change in Control has been consummated. |
(a) | In the event the Participant incurs a separation from service for a reason other than those described in Article 6 herein during the Performance Period this entire award will be forfeited, unless the separation from service follows a Change in Control. |
(b) | Without limiting the generality of Article 8(a), the Company reserves the right to cancel the Incentive Award awarded hereunder, whether or not earned, and require the Participant to repay all income or gains previously realized in respect of such Incentive Award, in the event of the occurrence of any of the following events: |
(i) | termination of Participant’s employment for Cause; |
(ii) | within one year following any termination of Participant’s employment, the Board determines that the Participant engaged in conduct before the Participant’s termination date that would have constituted the basis for a termination of employment for Cause; |
(iii) | at any time during the Participant’s employment or the twelve month period immediately following any termination of employment, Participant: |
(x) | publicly disparages the Company, any of its affiliates or any of its or their officers, directors or senior executive employees or otherwise makes any public statement that is materially detrimental to the interests or reputation of the Company, any of its affiliates or such individuals; or |
(y) | violates in any material respect any policy or any code of ethics or standard of behavior or conduct generally applicable to Participant, including the Code of Conduct; or |
(iv) | Participant engages in any fraudulent, illegal or other misconduct involving the Company or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to any breach of fiduciary duty, breach of a duty of loyalty, or interference with contract or business expectancy. |
(c) | If the Board determines that the Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Article 8(b), in addition to any other remedies the Company has available to it, the Company may in its sole discretion: |
(i) | cancel any Incentive Award, whether or not issued; and/or |
(ii) | require the Participant to repay an amount equal to all income or gain realized in respect of all such Incentive Award. The amount of repayment shall include, without limitation, amounts received in connection with the delivery or sale of Shares of such Incentive Award or cash paid in respect of any Incentive Award. |
(d) | The Board, in its discretion, shall determine whether a Participant’s conduct, activities or circumstances constitute events described in Article 8(b) and whether and to what extent the Incentive Award shall be forfeited by Participant and/or a Participant shall be required to repay an amount pursuant to Article 8(c). The Board shall have the authority to suspend the payment, delivery or settlement of all or any portion of such Participant’s outstanding Incentive Award pending an investigation of a bona fide dispute regarding Participant’s eligibility to receive a payment under the terms of this Agreement as determined by the Board in good faith. |
(e) | For purposes of applying this provision: |
(i) | “Cause” means any of the following: |
(u) | a Participant’s violation of his or her material duties to the Company or any of its affiliates, which continues after written notice from the Company or any affiliate to cure such violation; |
(v) | Participant’s willful failure to follow the lawful written directives of the Board in any material respect; |
(w) | Participant’s willful misconduct in connection with the performance of any of his or her duties, including but not limited to falsifying or attempting to falsify documents, books or records of the Company or any of its affiliates, making or delivering a false representation, statement or certification of compliance to the Company, misappropriating or attempting to misappropriate funds or other property of the Company or any of its affiliates, or securing or attempting to secure any personal profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(x) | Participant’s breach of any material provisions of this Agreement or any other non-competition, non-interference, non-disclosure, confidentiality or other similar agreement executed by Participant with the Company or any of its affiliates; |
(y) | conviction (or plea of nolo contendere) of the Participant of any felony, or a misdemeanor involving false statement, in connection with conduct involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or |
(z) | intentional engagement in any activity which would constitute or cause a breach of duty of loyalty, or any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. |
(ii) | “Code of Conduct” means any code of ethics or code of conduct now or hereafter adopted by the Company or any of its affiliates, including to the extent applicable the Company’s Employee Conduct and Disclosure Policy, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and the Company’s or subsidiary Risk Management Policies and Procedures, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time. |
(f) | Participant agrees that the provisions of this Article 8 are entered into in consideration of, and as a material inducement to, the agreements by the Company herein as well as an inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, and that, but for Participant’s agreement to the provisions of this Article 8, the Company would not have entered into this Agreement. |
Black Hills Corporation | |
By: _______________________ | |
___________________________ | |
Participant | |
___________________________ | |
Date |