UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by
the Registrant x
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the
appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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¨
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Soliciting
Materials Under Rule
14a-12
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GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS,
INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in its
Charter)
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(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x
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No
fee required.
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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(2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3)
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
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Total
fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
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(1)
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Amount
Previously Paid:
__________________________________________________________
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3)
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Filing
Party:
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Date
Filed:
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GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS,
INC.
6033
W. Century Blvd., Suite 895
Los
Angeles, California 90045
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON JULY 15, 2010
Notice is
hereby given that an Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Global Clean Energy
Holdings, Inc. (“2010
Annual Meeting”), will
be held at the offices of TroyGould PC, 1801 Century Park East, 16th Floor, Los
Angeles, California U.S.A., beginning at 10:00 A.M. local time on July 15, 2010,
for the purpose of considering and voting:
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·
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to
elect four (4) individuals to our Board of
Directors;
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·
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to
ratify the appointment of Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C. as our
independent registered public accountant for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2010;
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·
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to
approve the adoption of the Company’s 2010 Equity Incentive
Plan;
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to
approve the reincorporation of the Company in the State of Delaware
pursuant to a merger with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company (the “Reincorporation
Merger”);
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·
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to
approve an amendment (the “Amendment”) to our
Certificate (Articles) of Incorporation to effect, in the discretion of
our Board of Directors, a reverse stock split of common stock at any time
prior to next year’s annual meeting of stockholders at a reverse split
ratio in the range of between 1-for-5 and 1-for-20, which specific ratio
will be determined by our Board of Directors (the “Reverse Stock Split”).
The Amendment will not be implemented and the Reverse Stock Split will not
occur unless the Board of Directors determines that it is in the best
interests of this company and its stockholders to implement the Reverse
Stock Split; and
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to
transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting or at
any adjournment thereof.
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We have
fixed the close of business on May 21, 2010, as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2010
Annual Meeting. Only our stockholders of record at the close of business on the
Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2010 Annual
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
We are
pleased to take advantage of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that allow
companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, on or
about June 2, 2010, we mailed to most of our stockholders a Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing
instructions on how to gain access to our proxy statement, our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on
April 1, 2010 (as amended, the “Annual Report”), and how to
vote online. The Notice also contains instructions on how you can elect to
receive a printed copy of the proxy statement and Annual Report. We believe that
using the Internet to furnish you with these materials will allow us to provide
our stockholders with the information they need in a timely manner, while
reducing the environmental impact and lowering the costs of printing and
distributing our proxy materials.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ RICHARD PALMER
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RICHARD
PALMER
Chief
Executive Officer
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Los
Angeles, California
June 2,
2010
IMPORTANT
NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 15, 2010:
The Company’s proxy statement, proxy
card and Annual Report are available at the following website:
www.colonialstock.com/GlobalCleanEnergy2010.
YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. WHETHER OR NOT YOU
PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE ELECTRONICALLY VIA THE
INTERNET OR BY COMPLETING, SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE PROXY/VOTING
INSTRUCTION CARD. IF GIVEN, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY BY FOLLOWING THE
INSTRUCTIONS IN THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ATTACHED PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTION
CARD.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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1
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QUESTION
AND ANSWER SUMMARY ABOUT THE 2010 ANNUAL MEETING
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4
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PROPOSAL
I – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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11
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EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
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19
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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PROPOSAL
II – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
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PROPOSAL
III – APPROVAL OF ADOPTION OF THE 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE
PLAN
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PROPOSAL
IV – APPROVAL OF REINCORPORATION MERGER
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31
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DISSENTERS’
RIGHTS
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46
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PROPOSAL
V – APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE (ARTICLES) OF INCORPORATION TO
EFFECT REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
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INTERESTS
OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
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STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
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54
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DELIVERY
OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
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56
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OTHER
MATTERS
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56
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56
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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57
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GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS,
INC.
6033
W. Century Blvd., Suite 895
Los
Angeles, California 90045
Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held On July 15, 2010
The
2010 Annual meeting
This
proxy statement is being furnished to the stockholders of Global Clean Energy
Holdings, Inc., a Utah corporation (the “Company”), in connection with
the solicitation of proxies by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) for use at the 2010
Annual Meeting to be held at the offices of TroyGould PC, 1801 Century Park
East, 16th Floor, Los Angeles, California U.S.A., beginning at 10:00 A.M. local
time on July 15, 2010, for the purpose of considering and voting:
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to
elect four (4) directors to our Board of
Directors;
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to
ratify the appointment of Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C. as our
independent registered public accountant for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2010;
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to
approve the adoption of the Company’s 2010 Equity Incentive
Plan;
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to
approve the Reincorporation Merger;
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to
approve an amendment (the “Amendment”) to our
Certificate (Articles) of Incorporation to effect, in the discretion of
our Board of Directors, a reverse stock split of common stock at any time
prior to next year’s annual meeting of stockholders at a reverse split
ratio in the range of between 1-for-5 and 1-for-20, which specific ratio
will be determined by our Board of Directors (the “Reverse Stock Split”).
The Amendment will not be implemented and the Reverse Stock Split will not
occur unless the Board of Directors determines that it is in the best
interests of this company and its stockholders to implement the Reverse
Stock Split; and
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to
transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting or at
any adjournment thereof.
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It is
important that you vote your shares whether or not you attend the meeting in
person. If you attend the 2010 Annual Meeting, you may vote in person even if
you have previously returned your proxy card or voted on the Internet. Shares
represented by proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions you
provide on the proxy. If you provide no instructions, the shares will be voted
“FOR” the proposals presented and discussed in this proxy statement. All validly
executed proxies received by our Board pursuant to this solicitation will be
voted at the 2010 Annual Meeting, and the directions contained in such proxies
will be followed.
The proxy card is attached as
Appendix A to this proxy statement.
Notice
of Internet Availability Of Proxy Materials
We are
pleased to take advantage of SEC rules that allow companies to furnish their
proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, on or about June 2, 2010, we
mailed to most of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
Materials (the “Notice”)
containing instructions on how to gain access to our proxy Statement, our Annual
Report, and how to vote online. The Notice also contains instructions on how you
can elect to receive a printed copy of the proxy statement and Annual Report.
The Annual Report is not to be considered part of the soliciting materials. We
believe this new process will allow us to provide our stockholders with the
information they need in a timely manner, while reducing the environmental
impact and lowering the costs of printing and distributing our proxy
materials.
If you
received paper copies of these proxy materials, included with such materials is
a proxy card or a voting instruction card from your bank, broker or other
nominee for the 2010 Annual Meeting. If you received the Notice, it will contain
instructions on how to access and review the proxy materials online, how to
obtain a paper or electronic copy of such materials, as well as instructions on
how to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting, over the Internet or by
mail.
Record
Date; Shares Entitled To Vote; Vote Required To Approve The
Proposals
The Board
has fixed the close of business on May 21, 2010, the Record Date, as the date for
the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
2010 Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 270,464,478 shares of our common stock,
no par value per share (“Common
Stock”) were issued and outstanding, and 13,000 shares of Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”),
were issued and outstanding. Each outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled
to one vote on each proposal submitted to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting.
Holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote
909.09 shares of Common Stock with respect to each share they hold, which equals
the number of shares of Common Stock into which each share of Series B Preferred
Stock would have been convertible if such conversion had taken place on the
Record Date. As of the Record Date, the Series B Preferred Stock was convertible
into, and will be entitled to vote, 11,818,181 shares of common stock.
Stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights.
A
majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote, represented
either in person or by proxy, is necessary to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the 2010 Annual Meeting. In the absence of a quorum,
the 2010 Annual Meeting may be postponed from time to time until stockholders
holding the requisite number of shares are represented in person or by proxy.
Broker non-votes and abstentions will be counted towards a quorum at the 2010
Annual Meeting, but will not count as votes for or against Proposal I, Proposal
II or Proposal III. As to Proposals IV and V, broker non-votes and abstentions
will have the same effect as a vote against such proposals. If a quorum is
present, the proposals presented in this proxy statement will be approved by the
following votes (our Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock voting together
as one class):
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the
proposal to elect four (4) directors to our Board will be approved by the
affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast at the 2010 Annual
Meeting;
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the
proposal to ratify the appointment of Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C.
as our independent registered public accountant for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2010, will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the
proposal exceed those cast against
it;
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the
proposal to approve the adoption of our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan will be
approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed those cast
against it;
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the
proposal to approve the Reincorporation Merger will require the
affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding voting shares entitled
to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting;
and
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the
proposal to adopt the Amendment to our Certificate (Articles) of
Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split within the specified range
will require the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding voting
shares entitled to vote at the 2010 Annual
Meeting.
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Solicitation,
Voting and Revocation Of Proxies
This
solicitation of proxies is being made by our Board, and we will pay the entire
cost of preparing and distributing these proxy materials. In addition to the
distribution of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may
be made in person, by telephone or by electronic communications by directors,
officers and employees of our company, who will not receive any additional
compensation for such solicitation activities. We also will reimburse brokerage
houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses, if any, for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials
to our stockholders.
Shares of
our Common Stock represented by a proxy properly signed and received at or prior
to the 2010 Annual Meeting, unless properly revoked, will be voted in accordance
with the instructions on the proxy. If a proxy is signed and returned without
any voting instructions, shares of our Common Stock represented by the proxy
will be voted “FOR” the proposals described in this proxy statement, and in the
proxy holder’s judgment as to any other matter which may properly come before
the 2010 Annual Meeting, including any adjournment or postponement thereof. A
stockholder may revoke any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation by: (i)
delivering to the Company, at or prior to the 2010 Annual Meeting, a written
notice revoking the proxy; (ii) delivering to the Company, at or prior to the
2010 Annual Meeting, a duly executed proxy relating to the same shares and
bearing a later date; or (iii) voting in person at the 2010 Annual Meeting.
Attendance at the 2010 Annual Meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a
revocation of a proxy. All written notices of revocation and other
communications with respect to the revocation of a proxy should be addressed
to:
Global
Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.
6033 W.
Century Blvd., Suite 895
Los
Angeles, California 90045
Attention:
Secretary
Our Board
of Directors is not aware of any business to be acted upon at the 2010 Annual
Meeting other than consideration of the proposals described
herein.
QUESTION
AND ANSWER SUMMARY ABOUT THE 2010 ANNUAL MEETING
Q:
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WHAT
IS THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND WHY AM I RECEIVING
IT?
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A:
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You
are receiving this proxy statement in connection with the annual meeting
of stockholders called by our Board with respect to soliciting stockholder
votes for the purpose of (i) electing four (4) directors to our Board of
Directors; (ii) ratifying the appointment of Hansen, Barnett &
Maxwell, P.C. as our independent registered public accountant for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, (iii) approving the adoption of the
Company’s 2010 Equity Incentive Plan; (iv) approving the Reincorporation
Merger; and (v) approving the Amendment to our Certificate (Articles) of
Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split at a ratio in the range of
between 1-for-5 and 1-for-20, to be determined by our Board; in each case,
as more fully described in this proxy statement. You have been sent this
proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because our Board is
soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting regarding the
foregoing matters. The information included in this proxy statement
relates to the proposals to be voted on at the 2010 Annual Meeting, and
certain other required information.
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Q:
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DO
I HAVE CUMULATIVE VOTING RIGHTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?
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A:
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No.
Our current Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws do not provide for
cumulative voting in connection with the election of directors to our
Board.
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Q:
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WHAT
IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY’S 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE
PLAN?
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A:
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The
Board adopted the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”) because
there are a limited number of shares available for grants of awards under
our existing stock option plan, the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”). In
addition, the 2002 Plan will expire in July 2012. Management believes that
granting options is an important incentive tool for the Company’s
directors and employees. As a result, the Board adopted the 2010 Plan to
continue to provide a means by which employees, directors and consultants
of the Company may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in
the value of our Common Stock, and to attract and retain the services of
such persons. The 2010 Plan is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix
B.
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Q:
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WHAT
IS THE PURPOSE OF THE REINCORPORATION
MERGER?
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A:
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The
Company is incorporated in Utah and, as such, is governed by Utah law.
Utah law was appropriate before because we were based in Utah. However, we
no longer have any presence in Utah. The purpose of the Reincorporation
Merger is to change the state of our incorporation from Utah to Delaware.
The Reincorporation Merger is intended to permit us to be governed by the
Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) rather than by
the Utah Revised Business Corporations Act (“UBCA”). The corporation
law of Delaware is widely regarded as the most extensive and well-defined
body of corporate law in the United States, and both the legislature and
the courts in Delaware have demonstrated ability and a willingness to act
quickly and effectively to meet changing business needs. We anticipate
that the DGCL will continue to be interpreted and construed in significant
court decisions, thus lending greater predictability and guidance in
managing and structuring the internal affairs of our company and its
relationships and contacts with
others.
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Q:
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WHAT
DOES THE REINCORPORATION MERGER
ENTAIL?
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A:
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As
a result of the Reincorporation Merger, the Company will be reincorporated
in Delaware and governed by Delaware law (including the DGCL). The
Reincorporation Merger will be effected by a merger of the Company into a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that was formed and incorporated in
the State of Delaware solely for this purpose. The Delaware subsidiary
will be the surviving corporation in the merger, which we refer to in this
proxy statement as “GCEH-Delaware.” A copy
of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by which the
Reincorporation Merger will be effected is attached to this proxy
statement as Appendix C.
Approval of the proposed Reincorporation Merger also will constitute
approval of the Merger Agreement. In the Reincorporation Merger, each
outstanding share of our Common Stock will automatically be converted into
one share of common stock of GCEH-Delaware, and each outstanding share of
Series B Preferred Stock will automatically be converted into one share of
GCEH-Delaware Series B Preferred Stock on the same terms. Outstanding
options and warrants to purchase shares
of our Common Stock likewise will become options and warrants to purchase the
same number of shares of common stock of GCEH-Delaware, with no change in
the exercise price or other terms or provisions of the options and
warrants. Our name, business, directors, officers, employees, assets and
liabilities and the location of our offices will remain unchanged by the
Reincorporation Merger. Our Board of Directors may, in its sole
discretion, determine to abandon the Reincorporation Merger
notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Reincorporation Merger and the
Merger Agreement
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Q:
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HOW
WILL THE REINCORPORATION MERGER AFFECT MY RIGHTS AS A
STOCKHOLDER?
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A:
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Your
rights as stockholders currently are governed by Utah law and the
provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. As a result of the
Reincorporation Merger, you will become stockholders of GCEH-Delaware with
rights governed by Delaware law (including the DGCL) and the provisions of
the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of GCEH-Delaware, which
differ in some important respects from your current rights. These
important differences are discussed in this proxy statement under
“Proposal IV – Approval of Reincorporation Merger; Comparison of
Rights Under DGCL and UBCA.” The Certificate of Incorporation and the
Bylaws of GCEH-Delaware are attached to this proxy statement as Appendix D
and Appendix
E, respectively.
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Q:
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WHAT
ARE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ME OF THE REINCORPORATION
MERGER?
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A:
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The
Reincorporation Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Reincorporation Merger does
so qualify, no gain or loss would generally be recognized by our U.S.
stockholders upon conversion of their shares of our Common Stock or Series
B Preferred Stock into shares of common stock or Series B Preferred Stock
of GCEH-Delaware pursuant to the Reincorporation Merger. We cannot assure
you of the foregoing tax consequences. Therefore, we urge stockholders to
consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the
Reincorporation Merger.
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Q:
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WHAT
HAPPENS IF STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE REINCORPORATION MERGER BUT NOT THE
AMENDMENT/REVERSE STOCK SPLIT?
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A:
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We
expect to effect the Reincorporation Merger, if at all, as soon as
practicable following stockholder approval of the proposal, regardless of
whether our stockholders also approve the proposed Amendment to our
Certificate (Articles) of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split.
However, our Board of Directors may determine to abandon the
Reincorporation Merger notwithstanding stockholder approval of the
Reincorporation Merger and the Merger
Agreement.
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Q:
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WHAT
HAPPENS IF STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE BOTH THE REINCORPORATION MERGER AND THE
AMENDMENT/REVERSE STOCK SPLIT?
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A:
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If,
in addition to approving the Reincorporation Merger, our stockholders vote
to grant our Board discretionary authority to implement the Amendment and
effect the Reverse Stock Split, we expect to consummate the
Reincorporation Merger prior to filing the Amendment and effecting the
Reverse Stock Split, if at all. However, our Board of Directors may, in
its sole discretion, determine to abandon the Reincorporation Merger
notwithstanding stockholder approval of the Reincorporation Merger and the
Merger Agreement.
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Q:
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ARE
DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS AVAILABLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE REINCORPORATION
MERGER?
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A:
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Yes.
Utah law affords stockholders dissenters’ rights in connection with the
Reincorporation Merger. If you choose to exercise your dissenters’ rights,
you will be entitled to be paid the fair value of shares of our Common
Stock that you own, which could be more than or less than the market value
of your shares based upon the trading price of GCEH-Delaware common stock
that you otherwise would receive in the Reincorporation Merger. To
exercise your dissenters’ rights, you must follow specific procedures
under Utah law. If you do not follow these procedures exactly, you will
lose your dissenters’ rights. See the discussion under “Proposal IV –
Approval of Reincorporation Merger – Dissenters’ Rights” for additional
information concerning dissenters’ rights in connection with the
Reincorporation Merger.
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Q:
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SHOULD
I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE REINCORPORATION
MERGER?
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A:
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No.
Do not send us your stock certificates. If you do not exercise your
dissenters’ rights and the Reincorporation Merger is approved, your shares
of Common Stock or Series B Preferred Stock will automatically be
converted into shares of common stock or Series B Preferred Stock of
GCEH-Delaware. Following the Reincorporation Merger, each stock
certificate representing issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock
or Series B Preferred Stock will continue to represent the same number of
shares of common stock or Series B Preferred Stock of GCEH-Delaware. In
addition, stock certificates previously representing our Common Stock or
Series B Preferred Stock may be delivered in effecting sales through a
broker, or otherwise, of shares of GCEH-Delaware common stock or Series B
Preferred Stock. It will not be necessary for you to exchange your
existing stock certificates for stock certificates of GCEH-Delaware, and
if you do so, it will be at your own
cost.
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Q:
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WHAT
IS THE PURPOSE OF THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT?
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A:
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The
purpose of the Reverse Stock Split is to reduce the number of outstanding
shares, increase the price at which our common stock is listed for
trading, attract potential additional investment by increasing investor
interest in, and the marketability of, our securities, and to assist in
the future possible listing of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market
or a national exchange.
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Q:
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WHAT
DOES THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
ENTAIL?
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A:
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The
Board is requesting that our stockholders grant our Board discretionary
authority to implement the Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation
(assuming approval of the Reincorporation Merger, otherwise the amendment
will be to our Articles of Incorporation) to effect a reverse stock split
of common stock at any time prior to next year’s annual meeting of
stockholders at a reverse split ratio in the range of between 1-for-5 and
1-for-20, which specific ratio will be determined by our Board of
Directors. Upon receipt of stockholder approval, the Board, in its
discretion, may elect at any time prior to next year’s annual meeting of
stockholders to file the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split
within the range set forth above, or none of them if the Board determines
in its discretion not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split. The
Amendment will not be implemented and the Reverse Stock Split will not
occur unless the Board of Directors determines that it is in the best
interests of this company and its stockholders to effect the Reverse Stock
Split. In determining which Reverse Stock Split ratio to implement, if
any, the Board may consider a number of factors, including the historical
and then current trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock. The
Amendment to effect the Reverse Stock Split is attached to this proxy
statement as Appendix F. The
Reverse Stock Split is expected to occur, if at all, after this company
has been reincorporated in Delaware. However, if the Reincorporation
Merger is not approved but the Reverse Stock Split is approved, we will
have the right to effect the Reverse Stock Split by amending our Utah
Articles of Incorporation.
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Q:
|
ARE
THERE ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT?
|
A:
|
Yes.
While our Board expects that the Reverse Stock Split will result in an
increase in the price of our Common Stock, other factors may adversely
affect our stock price, and there can be no assurance that our stock price
will increase following consummation of the Reverse Stock Split. The
trading market for our Common Stock may also be harmed if there is a
significant reduction in the trading volume of our shares as a result of
the reduction on the public
float.
|
Q:
|
HOW
WILL THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AFFECT MY RIGHTS AS A
STOCKHOLDER?
|
A:
|
If
effected, as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, shares of our Common
Stock issued and outstanding that you own shall be combined into a smaller
number of shares of Common Stock. As a result, upon effectiveness of the
Reverse Stock Split, you will own fewer shares of our Common Stock. The
specific number of shares you will hold following effectiveness of the
Reverse Stock Split will depend on the reverse stock split ratio selected
by the Board. For example, if the Board decides to effect the Reverse
Stock Split at a ratio of 1-for-10, then as a result, each 10 shares of
our Common Stock issued and outstanding that you own shall be combined
into one share of Common Stock. With respect to holders of our Series B
Preferred Stock, if the Reverse Stock Split is effected, the conversion
price of the Series B Preferred Stock (i.e., the ratio at which the Series
B Preferred Stock converts into shares of our Common Stock) will be
proportionately adjusted such that holders will be entitled to receive the
number of shares of Common Stock which they would have been entitled to
had the Series B Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to
implementing the Reverse Stock Split. As a result, while you will still
own the same number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, such shares
will be convertible into a smaller number of shares of our Common Stock.
The specific number of shares of Common Stock into which your Series B
Preferred Stock will be convertible following effectiveness of the Reverse
Stock Split will depend on the reverse stock split ratio selected by the
Board. Since the Reverse Stock Split will affect all stockholders
uniformly, it will not affect any stockholder’s (common or preferred)
percentage ownership of the
Company.
|
Q:
|
WHAT
ARE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO ME OF THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT?
|
A:
|
If
effected, we believe that the federal income tax consequences of the
Reverse Stock Split to our U.S. stockholders will be as follows: (i) no
gain or loss will be recognized by any of our U.S. stockholders; (ii) the
aggregate tax basis of the shares after the Reverse Stock Split will equal
the aggregate tax basis of the shares exchanged therefor; and (iii) the
holding period of the shares after the Reverse Stock Split will include
the holding period of the holder’s existing shares. We cannot assure you
of the foregoing tax consequences, therefore, we urge stockholders to
consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the
Reverse Stock Split.
|
Q:
|
WHAT
HAPPENS IF STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE AMENDMENT/REVERSE STOCK SPLIT BUT NOT
THE REINCORPORATION MERGER?
|
A:
|
As
a Utah corporation, we are governed by our Articles of Incorporation. If
our stockholders approve the grant of discretionary authority to implement
the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split but do not approve the
Reincorporation Merger, should the Board decide to implement the Reverse
Stock Split, we will amend our Articles of Incorporation as set forth in
Appendix
F. In any event, the Amendment will not be implemented and the
Reverse Stock Split will not occur unless the Board of Directors
determines that it is in the best interests of this company and its
stockholders to implement the Reverse Stock
Split.
|
Q:
|
ARE
DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS AVAILABLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT?
|
A:
|
No.
Dissenters’ rights are not available under Utah law or Delaware law in
connection with the Reverse Stock
Split.
|
Q:
|
SHOULD
I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT?
|
A:
|
No.
Do not send us your stock certificates. If effected, following the Reverse
Stock Split, each stock certificate representing issued and outstanding
shares of our Common Stock will represent a fewer number of shares, as
adjusted appropriately based on the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by
our Board. Stock certificates representing issued and outstanding shares
of Series B Preferred Stock will continue to evidence the same number of
shares, however, such shares of Series B Preferred Stock will be
convertible into smaller shares of our Common Stock, as adjusted
appropriately based on the Reverse Stock Split ratio selected by our
Board.
|
Q:
|
WHO
IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, AND WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO
APPROVE THE PROPOSALS?
|
A:
|
The
Board has fixed the close of business on May 21, 2010, the Record Date, as the date
for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, the 2010 Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 270,464,478 shares of our
Common Stock, and 13,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, were
issued and outstanding. Each outstanding share of Common Stock is entitled
to one vote on each proposal submitted to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting.
Holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote
909.09 shares of Common Stock with respect to each share they hold, which
equals the number of shares of Common Stock into which each share of
Series B Preferred Stock would have been convertible if such conversion
had taken place on the Record Date. As of the Record Date, the Series B
Preferred Stock was convertible into, and will be entitled to vote,
11,818,181 shares of common stock. Stockholders do not have cumulative
voting rights. A majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to
vote, represented either in person or by proxy, is necessary to constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business at the 2010 Annual Meeting. In
the absence of a quorum, the 2010 Annual Meeting may be postponed from
time to time until stockholders holding the requisite number of shares are
represented in person or by proxy. Broker non-votes and abstentions will
be counted towards a quorum at the 2010 Annual Meeting, but will not count
as votes for or against Proposal I, Proposal II or Proposal III. As to
Proposals IV and V, broker non-votes and abstentions will have the same
effect as a vote against such proposals. If a quorum is present, the
proposals presented in this proxy statement will be approved by the
following votes (our Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock voting
together as one class):
|
|
·
|
the
proposal to elect four (4) directors to our Board will be approved by the
affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast at the 2010 Annual
Meeting;
|
|
·
|
the
proposal to ratify the appointment of Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C.
as our independent registered public accountant for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2010, will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the
proposal exceed those cast against
it;
|
|
·
|
the
proposal to approve the adoption of our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan will be
approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed those cast
against it;
|
|
·
|
the
proposal to approve the Reincorporation Merger will require the
affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding voting shares entitled
to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting;
and
|
|
·
|
the
proposal to adopt the Amendment to our Certificate (Articles) of
Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split within the specified range
will require the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding voting
shares entitled to vote at the 2010 Annual
Meeting.
|
Q:
|
DOES
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND VOTING “FOR” THE
PROPOSALS?
|
A:
|
Yes.
Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote
“FOR” each of the proposals described in this proxy
statement.
|
Q:
|
WHY
DID I RECEIVE A NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS?
|
A:
|
We
are pleased to take advantage of SEC rules that allow companies to furnish
their proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, on or about June 2,
2010, we mailed to most of our stockholders a Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing
instructions on how to gain access to our proxy Statement, our Annual
Report, and how to vote online. The Notice also contains instructions on
how you can elect to receive a printed copy of the proxy statement and
Annual Report. We believe this new process will allow us to provide our
stockholders with the information they need in a timely manner, while
reducing the environmental impact and lowering the costs of printing and
distributing our proxy materials.
|
Q:
|
HOW
MAY I VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS IF I OWN SHARES IN MY OWN
NAME?
|
A:
|
If
you own shares in your own name, and you received paper copies of these
proxy materials, included with such copies is a proxy card for the 2010
Annual Meeting. If you received the Notice, it contained instructions on
how to access and review the proxy materials online, how to obtain a paper
or electronic copy of such materials, as well as instructions on how to
vote either at the 2010 Annual Meeting, over the Internet or by
mail.
|
Q:
|
HOW
MAY I VOTE ON THE PROPOSALS IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN “STREET NAME” BY MY
BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE?
|
A:
|
If
your shares are held in “street name” by your broker, bank or other
nominee, and you received paper copies of these proxy materials, included
with such copies is a voting instruction card from your bank, broker or
other nominee for the 2010 Annual Meeting. If you received the Notice, it
will contain voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other
nominee. In some circumstances, brokerage firms have authority to vote
shares for which their customers do not provide voting instructions on
certain “routine” matters. The ratification of an accounting firm is
considered a routine matter; however, the election of directors, the
Reverse Stock Split and the Reincorporation Merger are not deemed to be
“routine” matters. If you do not provide voting instructions to your
brokerage firm, depending on the stock exchange of which the broker is a
member, it may either: (1) vote your shares on routine matters and
not vote on the non-routine matters, or (2) leave all of your shares
unvoted. We encourage you to provide instructions to your brokerage firm
by signing and returning your proxy. This ensures your shares will be
voted at the meeting. When a brokerage firm votes its customers’ unvoted
shares on routine matters, these shares are counted for purposes of
establishing a quorum to conduct business at the
meeting.
|
Q:
|
CAN
I CHANGE MY MIND AND REVOKE MY
PROXY?
|
A:
|
Yes.
If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote at any time
before the polls close at the meeting. You may do this by (i) delivering
to the Company, at or prior to the 2010 Annual Meeting, a written notice
revoking the proxy; (ii) delivering to the Company, at or prior to the
2010 Annual Meeting, a duly executed proxy relating to the same shares and
bearing a later date; or (iii) voting in person at the 2010 Annual
Meeting. Attendance at the 2010 Annual Meeting, in and of itself, will not
constitute a revocation of a proxy. If you hold your shares in “street
name,” you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker,
bank or other nominee.
|
Q:
|
CAN
I VOTE MY SHARES IN PERSON?
|
A:
|
Yes.
The 2010 Annual Meeting is open to all holders of our Common Stock and
Series B Preferred Stock as of the Record Date. To vote in person, you
will need to attend the meeting and bring with you evidence of your stock
ownership. If your shares are registered in your name, you will need to
bring a copy of stock certificate(s) together with valid picture
identification. If your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank
or another nominee or you received your proxy materials electronically,
you will need to bring evidence of your stock ownership, such as your most
recent brokerage account statement, and valid picture
identification.
|
Q: CAN
I SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING?
A:
|
Yes.
In order for your proposal(s) (including nomination of directors to be
elected) to be presented and considered at the annual meeting of
stockholders (the “Next
Annual Meeting”), and included in the Company’s proxy statement for
such meeting, applicable SEC rules require, among other things, that
stockholders deliver written notice of such proposal to the Company at our
principal executive offices not less than 120 calendar days before the
date of the Company’s proxy statement released to stockholders in
connection with the previous year’s annual meeting (i.e., the 2010 Annual
Meeting). Accordingly, we must receive all such written notices no later
than February 4, 2011. Stockholders may also nominate persons to be
elected as directors of the Company or present other proposals to be
considered at the Next Annual Meeting, but not for inclusion in our proxy
statement prepared in connection with such meeting. For such proposals to
be considered at Next Annual Meeting, our current Bylaws require that your
written proposal must be received by our Secretary at our principal
executive offices not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the
first anniversary of the 2010 Annual Meeting. Accordingly, under our
current Bylaws, we must receive all such written notices no earlier than
April 16, 2011, and no later than May 16, 2011. For additional
information, please refer to “STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS” beginning on page
54 of this proxy statement.
|
Q.
|
HOW
MAY I REQUEST A SINGLE SET OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR MY
HOUSEHOLD?
|
A:
|
If
you share an address with another stockholder and have received multiple
copies of our proxy materials, you may write us to request delivery of a
single copy of these materials. Written requests should be made to Global
Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 6033 W.
Century Blvd., Suite 895, Los Angeles, California
90045.
|
Q.
|
WHAT
SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE SET OF VOTING
MATERIALS?
|
A:
|
You
may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple
copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting
instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one
brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for
each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder
of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will
receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date, and return
each proxy card and voting instruction card that you
receive.
|
Q.
|
WHAT
HAPPENS IF ADDITIONAL MATTERS ARE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING?
|
A:
|
Other
than the proposals described in this proxy statement, we are not aware of
any other business to be acted upon at the 2010 Annual Meeting. If you
grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders will have the discretion
to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a
vote at the meeting.
|
Q.
|
IS
MY VOTE CONFIDENTIAL?
|
A:
|
Proxy
instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual
stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy.
Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third
parties, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements,
(2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote,
and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation. Occasionally,
stockholders provide on their proxy card written comments, which are then
forwarded to Company management.
|
Q.
|
WHO
IS PAYING FOR THIS PROXY
SOLICITATION?
|
A:
|
Our
Board of Directors is making this solicitation, and we will pay the entire
cost of preparing and distributing these proxy materials. In addition to
the distribution of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or
votes may be made in person, by telephone or by electronic communications
by our directors, officers and employees, who will not receive any
additional compensation for such solicitation activities. We will also
reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for distributing proxy
materials to stockholders.
|
PROPOSAL
I – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant
to our Bylaws, our Board has fixed the number of our directors at four, and
there are currently four individuals serving on our Board. The Board proposes
that the following four nominees, all of whom currently serve on the Board, be
elected as directors to serve for a term ending on the date of the next annual
meeting of stockholders following the date such persons are initially elected as
directors, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each of
the nominees has consented to serve if elected. If any nominee becomes
unavailable to serve as a director, the Board may designate a substitute
nominee. In that case, the persons named as proxies will vote for the substitute
nominee designated by the Board. There is no family relationship between any
director, executive officer, or person nominated or chosen by the Company to
become a director or executive officer. We have determined that each of Messrs.
Bernstein, Walker and Wenzel are non-employee directors and “independent” as
defined under The Nasdaq Stock Market’s listing standards (see “Director
Independence” below). The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares cast at
the 2010 Annual Meeting is required to elect each director. The following is
information concerning the nominees for election as directors:
Director
Nominees
Set forth
below is information regarding the nominees, including information furnished by
them as to their principal occupations for the last five years, and their ages
as of May 1, 2010.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
R. Walker
|
|
65
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
Richard
Palmer
|
|
49
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
Mark
A. Bernstein, Ph.D.
|
|
56
|
|
Director
|
Martin
Wenzel
|
|
52
|
|
Director
|
David
R. Walker
David R.
Walker joined the Board of Directors on May 2, 1996, and was appointed
Chairman of the Board of Directors on May 10, 1998. He has served as
Chairman of the Audit Committee since its establishment in 2001. For over
20 years, Mr. Walker has been the General Manager of Sunheaven Farms,
the largest onion growing and packing entity in the State of Washington. In the
capacity of General Manager, Mr. Walker performs the functions of a
traditional chief financial officer. Mr. Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in economics from Brigham Young University with minors in accounting and
finance.
The Board
believes that Mr. Walker’s experience regarding the operation and management of
large-scale agricultural farms and his experience as a financial officer are
valuable resources to our Board in formulating business strategy, addressing
business opportunities and resolving operational issues that arise from time to
time.
Richard
Palmer
Richard
Palmer was appointed as our President and Chief Operating Officer in September
2007, and been a member of the Board of Directors since September 2007. Mr.
Palmer became our Chief Executive Officer on December 21, 2007. Mr. Palmer has
over 25 years of hands-on experience in the energy field, holding senior level
management positions with a number of large engineering, development, operations
and construction companies. He is a co-founder of Mobius Risk Group, LLC, an
energy risk advisory services consulting company, and was a principal and
Executive Vice President of that consulting company from January, 2002 until
September 2007. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Palmer was a Senior Director at Enron
Energy Services. Prior thereto, from 1995 to 1996 Mr. Palmer was a Vice
President of Bentley Engineering, and a Senior Vice President of Southland
Industries from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Palmer received his designation as a Certified
Energy Manager in 1999, holds two Business Management Certificates from
University of Southern California’s Business School, and is an active member of
both the American Society of Plant Biologists and the International Tropical
Farmers Association.
Over the
last 25 years, Mr. Palmer has held senior level management positions with a
number of large engineering, development, operations and construction companies,
and he has garnered a wealth of experience in the energy field. Mr. Palmer is
the only member of management who serves as a director of the
Company.
Mark
A. Bernstein
Mark A.
Bernstein, Ph.D., joined our Board of Directors on June 30, 2008. Dr. Bernstein
is current a teaching professor at The University of Southern California (USC)
where he also serves as the Managing Director of USC’s Energy Institute. Dr.
Bernstein is an internationally recognized expert on energy policy and
alternative energy technologies. Dr. Bernstein was awarded a Ph.D. in Energy
Management and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania, holds a Masters
degree in Mathematics from Ohio State University, and a B.A. from State
University of New York at Albany.
Mr.
Bernstein’s expertise in energy policy and alternative energy technologies led
to the conclusion that he should be nominated serve as a director of the
Company.
Martin
Wenzel
Martin
Wenzel joined our Board of Directors in April 2010, and serves on the Board’s
audit committee. Mr. Wenzel is currently the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Colorado Energy, the operating entity of Bicent Power, LLC, which is
a privately owned limited liability company that owns and operates power
generating stations in Colorado, Montana and California. From 2005 until August
2007, he served as the Senior Vice President (Sales and Marketing) of Miasole
Inc. Prior thereto, from 2001 to 2004, Mr. Wenzel was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Alpha Energy LLC. He is also a member of the Board of the
Deming Center of Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado. Mr. Wenzel
holds an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School; a Masters degree in
Systems Management from the University of Southern California; and a Bachelors
degree in Engineering and Management from the US Naval Academy.
Mr.
Wenzel has an extensive background in the energy industry, including over 25
years of developing, constructing and operating energy projects, marketing
energy commodities and operating energy assets in the U.S. and internationally.
The Board concluded that Mr. Wenzel’s expertise in energy policy and alternative
energy technologies is a valuable asset for the Board of Directors of the
Company.
Director
Independence
Our
common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “GCEH.” The
OTC Bulletin Board electronic trading platform does not maintain any standards
regarding the “independence” of the directors on our Board, and we are not
otherwise subject to the requirements of any national securities exchange or an
inter-dealer quotation system with respect to the need to have a majority of our
directors be independent.
In the
absence of such requirements, we have elected to use the definition for
“director independence” under The Nasdaq Stock Market’s listing standards, which
defines an “independent director” as “a person other than an officer or employee
of us or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which
in the opinion of the board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of
independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.” The
definition further provides that, among others, employment of a director by us
(or any parent or subsidiary of ours) at any time during the past three years is
considered a bar to independence regardless of the determination of our
Board.
Our Board
has determined that each of Messrs. Walker, Bernstein and Wenzel are independent
directors as defined in The Nasdaq Stock Market rules relating to director
independence. Each of Messrs. Walker, Bernstein and Wenzel are non-employee
directors.
Board
of Director Meetings
All
members of the Board of Directors hold office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders or the election and qualification of their successors. During the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Board of Directors held four meetings
at which each director who was in office at that time attended at least 75% of
such meetings of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee met four times
during fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and all Audit Committee members were
present at those meetings.
Director
Attendance at Annual Meetings
Although
we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Board members at the
annual meeting of stockholders, directors are strongly encouraged to attend
annual meetings of stockholders. All of our current directors (and nominees) are
expected to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting.
Board
Committees
Our Board
of Directors has an Audit Committee, but does not currently have a Compensation
Committee or a Nominating Committee.
Audit Committee. Our Audit
Committee operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which is attached as
Appendix H to
this proxy statement. Among other things, the Audit Committee is responsible
for:
|
·
|
reviewing
and discussing with management and the independent registered public
accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related
disclosures;
|
|
·
|
hiring
our independent registered public accounting firm, and coordinating the
oversight and review of the adequacy of our internal control over
financial reporting with both management and the independent registered
public accounting firm; and
|
|
·
|
reviewing
and, if appropriate, approving all transactions between our company or its
subsidiaries and any related party.
|
As of
December 31, 2009, David Walker was the only member of the Audit Committee. As
of the date of this proxy statement, David Walker and Martin Wenzel constituted
all of the members of the Audit Committee. Each of Messrs. Walker and Wenzel is
a non-employee director and independent as defined under the Nasdaq Stock
Market’s listing standards. Mr. Walker has significant knowledge of financial
matters, and our Board has designated Mr. Walker as the “audit committee
financial expert” of the Audit Committee.
Nominating Committee. We do
not currently maintain a nominating committee on our Board of Directors. Rather,
all of the directors on the Company’s board of directors at any given time
participate in identifying qualified director nominees, and recommending such
persons to be nominated for election to the Board at each annual meeting of our
stockholders. As a result, our Board has not found it necessary to have a
separate nominating committee. However, the Board may form a nominating
committee for the purpose of nominating future director candidates.
Usually,
nominees for election to the Board are proposed by our existing directors. In
identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become Board members, our
current directors will consider such factors as they deem appropriate to assist
in developing a board of directors and committees thereof that are diverse in
nature and comprised of experienced and seasoned advisors. Our Board of
Directors has not adopted a formal policy with regard to the consideration of
diversity when evaluating candidates for election to the Board. However, our
Board believes that membership should reflect diversity in its broadest sense,
but should not be chosen nor excluded based on race, color, gender, national
origin or sexual orientation. In this context, the Board does consider a
candidate’s experience, education, industry knowledge and, history with the
Company, and differences of viewpoint when evaluating his or her qualifications
for election the Board. In evaluating such candidates, the Board seeks to
achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability in its composition. In
connection with this evaluation, the Board determines whether to interview the
prospective nominee, and if warranted, one or more directors interview
prospective nominees in person or by telephone.
Our full
Board also reviews the qualifications of director nominations submitted by
stockholders of the Company, subject to the stockholders having followed
procedures established under the Company’s bylaws (See the discussion under
“STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS” beginning on page 54 of this proxy statement). All
potential director candidates, regardless of source, are reviewed under the same
process.
Compensation Committee. We do
not currently maintain a compensation committee on our Board of Directors. All
of our existing directors participate in determining the compensation of our
executive officers and non-employee directors. As a result, the Board has not
found it necessary to have a separate compensation committee.
In
determining the compensation of any executive officer or non-employee director,
the full Board (excluding the executive officer or non-employee director whose
compensation is being determined) will consider such factors as they deem
appropriate in developing competitive compensation standards aimed at attracting
and retaining qualified management personnel and directors. Some of these
factors may include, but are not limited to, the level of compensation paid to
senior executives and directors at businesses and other organizations of
comparable size and industry, and the specific experience and expertise of any
particular executive officer or non-employee director relative to the experience
and expertise of other executive officers and non-employee directors. Our Board
meets at least once a year to review and consider the current compensation of
our executive officers and non-employee directors, and if appropriate, adjust
the current levels of such compensation.
Legal
Proceedings
We are
not aware of any material proceedings to which any of our current directors and
nominees, or any of their respective associates, is a party adverse to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, or has a material interest adverse to the
Company.
Certain
Relationships And Related Transactions
In
September 2007 we entered into a loan and security agreement with Mercator
Momentum Fund III, L.P., pursuant to which Mercator agreed to make available to
us a secured term credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to
$1,000,000. As of December 31, 2009, the outstanding principal balance of the
Loan was $475,000, and the Loan was secured by a first priority lien on all of
our assets. In March 2010, we repaid the outstanding balance of the Loan.
Mercator was an affiliate of Monarch Pointe Fund, Ltd., a major stockholder of
the Company until April 2010.
Communications
with the Board of Directors
Stockholders
may communicate directly with the Board by writing to them at Board of
Directors, c/o Secretary, Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., 6033 W. Century
Blvd., Suite 895, Los Angeles, California 90045. Such communications will be
forwarded to the director or directors to whom it is addressed, except for
communications that are (1) advertisements or promotional communications, (2)
solely related to complaints with respect to ordinary course of business
customer service and satisfaction issues, or (3) clearly unrelated to the
Company’s business, industry, management or Board or committee
matters.
Code
of Ethics
Our Board
of Directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal
executive officers, principal financial officer or controller, or persons
performing similar functions (“Code of Ethics”). A copy of our Code of Ethics
will be furnished without charge to any person upon written request. Requests
should be sent to: Secretary, Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. 6033 W. Century
Blvd., Suite 895 Los Angeles, California 90045.
Compliance
with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and
directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity
securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.
Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by
SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file.
Based
solely on information provided to us by our officers and our review of copies of
reporting forms received by us, we believe that during fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009, our current officers and directors complied with the filing
requirements under Section 16(a).
Board
Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Our Board
does not have a formal policy on whether the positions of Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer are to be held by the same person. However, our
Board believes it is important to select the Company’s Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer in the manner it considers in the best interests of the
Company at any given time. Accordingly, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
positions may be filled by one individual or by two different individuals, as
determined by our Board based on circumstances then in existence. Currently, two
individuals occupy these positions: David Walker serves as the Chairman of the
Board, and Richard Palmer serves as the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer.
Our Board
believes that the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer at this time enhances Board independence and oversight.
Moreover, since we are a relatively new participant in the energy agri-business,
the current bifurcation of these positions enables our Chief Executive Officer
to better focus on more managerial responsibilities such as improving our
Jatropha operations, enhancing stockholder value and expanding and strengthening
the Company’s brand in the energy agri-business industry, while allowing the
Chairman of the Board to lead the Board in its fundamental role of providing
advice to and independent oversight of management. We believe that this
leadership structure has been effective for the Company.
Management
is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while
the Board as a whole plays an important role in overseeing the identification,
assessment and mitigation of such risks. For example, the oversight of financial
risk management lies primarily with the Board’s audit committee, which is
empowered to appoint and oversee our independent auditors, monitor the integrity
of our financial reporting processes and systems of internal controls and
provide an avenue of communication among our independent auditors, management
and our board of directors. In fulfilling its risk oversight responsibility, the
Board, as a whole and acting through any established committees, regularly
consults with management to evaluate and, when appropriate, modify our risk
management strategies.
Director
Compensation
On April
22, 2009, our Board of Directors adopted a compensation policy for non-employee
directors (“Compensation
Policy”), which new policy became effective as of July 1, 2009. Pursuant
to the Compensation Policy, non-employee directors will be entitled to receive
the following benefits, among others, in consideration for their services as
directors of the Company:
|
·
|
Monthly
cash payments of $2,000;
|
|
·
|
Annual
grants of non-qualified stock options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock;
|
|
·
|
Participation
in the Company’s stock option plans;
and
|
|
·
|
Reimbursement
of certain expenses incurred in connection with attendance of meetings of
the Board and Board Committee.
|
The
following table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to each
of our non-employee directors during fiscal 2009 for their services rendered as
directors (Mr. Wenzel, one of our current directors, was appointed to the Board
in 2010 and, therefore, is not included in the following table). The
compensation of Richard Palmer, who serves as a director and as our President
and Chief Executive Officer, is described below in “Executive Compensation -
Summary Compensation Table.”
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
|
Option
Awards(1)(2)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
|
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
R. Walker
|
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
21,100 |
|
Richard
Palmer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
A. Bernstein, Ph.D.
|
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
21,100 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
24,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
18,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
42,200 |
|
(1)
|
This
column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards
computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of
estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For
additional information on the valuation assumptions with respect to the
option grants, refer to Note J of our financial statements in the Annual
Report. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that will be
recognized by the named directors from these
awards.
|
(2)
|
On
July 2, 2009 we granted a five-year non-qualified option to purchase
500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.02
per share to each of our non-employee directors, vesting, in ten monthly
installments, for their services as directors for the one-year period
commencing August 31, 2009.
|
Vote
Required and Recommendation of Board of Directors
Our
Bylaws provide that directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by
shares entitled to vote at such election of directors. In addition, applicable
Securities and Exchange Commission voting requirements hold that stockholders
have two voting choices for the election of directors: “FOR” or “WITHHOLD.” You
may choose to vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” with respect to all of the nominees or
any specific nominee(s). Stockholders entitled to vote at the 2010 Annual
Meeting have the right to cast, in person or proxy, all of the votes to which
the stockholder’s shares are entitled for each of the nominees. Under the
plurality standard, the only votes that count when director votes are being
tabulated are “FOR” votes. “WITHHOLD “ votes have no effect. Unless otherwise
instructed on your signed proxy, your shares will be voted “FOR” the election of
the nominees presented in this proxy statement. If you do not vote for a
particular nominee, or if your broker does not vote your shares of common stock
held in “street name,” or if you withhold authority for one or all nominees,
your vote will not count either “FOR” or “AGAINST” the nominee, although it will
be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum present at the
meeting.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
EACH
OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
Audit
Committee Report
The
following is the report of our Audit Committee with respect to our audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. This report
shall not be deemed soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the
Securities Exchange Act or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act, nor shall any information in this report be
incorporated by reference into any past or future filing under the Securities
Act or the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically request
that it be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate it by
reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange
Act.
In
performing its oversight responsibilities as defined in its charter, the Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements and
reporting process, including the system of internal controls, with management
and with Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C. (“HBM PC”), the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31,
2009. The committee has also discussed with HBM PC the matters required to be
discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, (AICPA,
Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.
In
addition, the committee has received from HBM PC the written disclosures and the
letter required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board regarding HBM PC’s communications with the committee concerning
independence and has discussed with HBM PC their independence. The committee has
also considered the compatibility of audit-related services, tax services and
other non-audit services with the firm’s independence.
Based on
these reviews and discussions, the committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for filing with the
SEC.
Audit
Committee
David
Walker
Management
Set forth
below is information regarding our senior executive officers, including
information furnished by them as to their principal occupations for the last
five years, and their ages as of December 31, 2009, the end of the Company’s
last fiscal year.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
Palmer
|
|
49
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Bruce
Nelson
|
|
55
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Richard
Palmer
Richard
Palmer was appointed as our President and Chief Operating Officer in September
2007, and been a member of the Board of Directors since September 2007. Mr.
Palmer became our Chief Executive Officer on December 21, 2007. See
the discussion above under “Director Nominees – Richard Palmer” for Mr. Palmer’s
principal occupations for the last five years.
Bruce
Nelson
Bruce
Nelson was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer in March
2008. Prior to commencing his relationship with the Company, Mr.
Nelson served as Chief Financial Officer of US Modular, a private technology
company located in Irvine, California. From April 2002 through
February 2007, Mr. Nelson served as Chief Financial Officer of netGuru, Inc., a
NASDAQ-listed global engineering software and IT service company. Prior to
netGuru, Mr. Nelson founded and operated Millennium Information Technologies
from 1997 to 2002. From 1992 to 1997 he served as President and CFO of
Comprehensive Weight Management, a national healthcare service provider. From
1985 to 1991 he served as Treasurer of Comprehensive Care Corporation, a NYSE
listed national healthcare provider. Mr. Nelson served as a U.S. Naval Officer
after graduating from the University of Southern California, majoring in
finance. He holds a MBA degree from Bryant University in Smithfield,
R.I. He has also served on the board of directors of two commercial banks, a
NASDAQ-listed technology company, and a privately held specialty
hospital.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table set forth certain information concerning the annual and
long-term compensation for services rendered to us in all capacities for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 of all persons who served as our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2009. No other executive officers earned
annual compensation during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 that exceeded
$100,000. The principal executive officer and the other named
officers are collectively referred to as the “Named Executive
Officers.”
Name and
Principal Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year
Ended
12/31
|
|
Salary
Paid or
Accrued
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
Paid or
Accrued
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(4)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Richard
Palmer
|
|
2009
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
(1)
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
23,400 |
|
|
|
273,400 |
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,400 |
|
|
|
273,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce
Nelson(1)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
(3)
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
145,833 |
(2)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
189,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
344,833 |
|
(1)
|
Richard
Palmer became the registrant’s Chief Executive Officer December 21,
2007. Under our employment agreement with Mr. Palmer, we
granted Mr. Palmer an incentive option to purchase up to 12,000,000 shares
of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.03, subject to our
achievement of certain market capitalization goals. As of April
2009, 12,000,000 of these options remained unvested. In April 2009, our
Board of Directors agreed to agreed to fully vest all of the 12,000,000
shares under the option.
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Nelson became our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary on April 1,
2008. Accordingly, the amounts reflected in this table reflect
compensation paid or accrued for Mr. Nelson during this partial
year.
|
(3)
|
Under
our employment agreement with Mr. Nelson, we granted Mr. Nelson an
incentive option to purchase up to 4,500,000 shares of our common stock at
an exercise price of $0.05, which shares vest over the course of the
employment agreement and upon achievement of certain
milestones. As of April 2009, 3,500,000 of these options
remained unvested. In April 2009, our Board of Directors agreed
to fully vest all of the remaining 3,500,000 options. The
amounts included in this table reflect the value of the fully vested
options.
|
(4)
|
This
column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards
computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of
estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting
conditions. For additional information on the valuation
assumptions with respect to the option grants, refer to Note J of our
financial statements in the Annual Report. These amounts do not
correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named
executives from these awards.
|
Stock
Option Grants
The
following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2009, concerning
unexercised options, unvested stock and equity incentive plan awards for the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
|
|
|
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
Palmer
|
|
|
6,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
8/20/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
8/20/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce
Nelson
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
3/20/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
3/20/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
3/20/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
3/20/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
3/20/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
3/20/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment
Agreements
Richard
Palmer. On September 7, 2007, we entered into an employment
agreement (the “Employment
Agreement”) with Richard Palmer pursuant to which we hired Mr. Palmer to
serve as our President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Palmer was
also appointed to serve as director on our Board of Directors to serve until the
next election of directors by our stockholders. Upon the resignation
of our prior Chief Executive Officer in December 2007, Mr. Palmer also became
our Chief Executive Officer.
Under the
Employment Agreement, we granted Mr. Palmer an incentive option to purchase up
to 12,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.03 (the
trading price on the date the agreement was signed), subject to our achievement
of certain market capitalization goals. The option expires after five
years. As of April 22, 2009, all 12,000,000 shares under the option
remained unvested. On April 22, 2009, our Board of Directors approved
accelerating the vesting of all 12,000,000 unvested shares under the option, and
accelerated the release from escrow of 652,503 shares of restricted common stock
issuable to Mr. Palmer under the Global Agreement. As a result, on
that date, all of the restricted and escrowed shares were released to Mr.
Palmer.
In
addition, Mr. Palmer’s compensation package includes a base salary of $250,000,
and a bonus payment contingent on Mr. Palmer’s satisfaction of certain
performance criteria, which will not exceed 100% of Mr. Palmer’s base
salary. In the event that (i) we terminate Mr. Palmer’s employment
for reasons other than “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement to
include material breaches by him of the agreement, fraud, misappropriation of
funds or embezzlement), or if (ii) Mr. Palmer resigns because we breached the
Employment Agreement, we will be obligated to pay Mr. Palmer an amount equal to
one (1) times his then-current annual base salary plus fifty percent (50%) of
the target bonus in effect on the date of his termination. However,
if Mr. Palmer’s employment is terminated for death or disability, or if Mr.
Palmer resigns or is terminated for “cause,” he will not be entitled to receive
any severance payments or other post-employment benefits. The
original term of the Employment Agreement commenced September 1, 2007, and was
scheduled to expire on September 30, 2010.
On March
16, 2010, the Company and Richard Palmer entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the
Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Company extended the term
of Mr. Palmer’s employment for an additional two years, i.e., through September
30, 2012. Thereafter, the term of employment shall automatically
renew for successive one-year periods unless otherwise terminated. In connection
with the Amendment, the Company and Mr. Palmer entered into an option agreement
(“Option
Agreement”). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Company
granted Mr. Palmer a new option to acquire up to 12,000,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.02, subject to the Company’s
achievement of certain market capitalization goals. The new option
expires after ten (10) years.
Bruce
Nelson. On March 20, 2008, we entered into an employment
agreement with Bruce K. Nelson pursuant to which we hired Mr. Nelson to serve as
our Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer effective April 1,
2008. Mr. Nelson’s employment agreement has an initial term of
employment that continues through March 20, 2010. Thereafter, the
term of employment shall automatically renew for successive one-year periods
unless otherwise terminated by us. The employment agreement was
automatically extended in March 2010 through March 20, 2011. We
agreed to pay Mr. Nelson a base salary of $175,000, subject to annual increases
based on the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding 12-month period,
and a bonus payment based on Mr. Nelson’s satisfaction of certain performance
criteria established by the compensation committee of our Board of
Directors. The bonus amount in any fiscal year will not exceed 100%
of Mr. Nelson’s base salary. Mr. Nelson is eligible to participate in
this company’s employee stock option plan and other benefit plans.
At the
time we employed Mr. Nelson, we granted him a ten-year option to acquire up to
2,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.05 (the trading
price on the date the agreement was signed). These options vest in
tranches of 500,000 shares over the first two years of the employment
term. We also granted Mr. Nelson a five-year option to acquire up to
2,500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.05, if this
company meets certain market capitalization goals. As of April 22, 2009, options
to acquire up to 3,500,000 shares remained unvested pursuant to the terms of the
Company’s employment agreement with Mr. Nelson. On April 22, 2009,
our Board of Directors approved accelerating the vesting of all 3,500,000
unvested shares under the option.
In the
event that, commencing after March 20, 2009, (i) we terminate Mr. Nelson’s
employment for reasons other than “cause” (as defined in his employment
agreement to include material breaches by him of his employment agreement,
fraud, misappropriation of funds or embezzlement), or if (ii) Mr. Nelson resigns
because we breached his employment agreement, we will be obligated to pay Mr.
Nelson an amount equal to the salary he would have received through the end of
the term of his employment agreement. However, if Mr. Nelson’s
employment is terminated for death or disability, or if Mr. Nelson resigns or is
terminated for “cause,” he will not be entitled to receive any severance
payments or other post-employment benefits.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of
our common stock as of May 1, 2010 by (a) each person known by us to own
beneficially 5% or more of our common stock, (b) each of our executive officers
named in the Summary Compensation Table and each of our directors and (c) all
executive officers and directors of this company as a group. As of
May 1, 2010, there were 270,464,478 shares of our common stock issued and
outstanding. As of the same date, there were 13,000 shares of our
Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, which shares of preferred stock
were convertible into an aggregate of 11,818,181 shares of common
stock. Unless otherwise noted, we believe that all persons named in
the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all the shares
beneficially owned by them.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
|
|
Shares Beneficially
Owned (2)
|
|
|
Percent
of Class
|
|
Certain
Beneficial Owners:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporativo
LODEMO S.A DE CV
Calle
18, #201-B x 23 y 25,
Colonias
Garcia Gineres, C.P. 97070
Merida,
Yucatan, Mexico
|
|
|
9,090,908 |
(3) |
|
|
3.25 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenrock
Capital Holdings LLC
10531
Timberwood Circle, Suite D
Louisville,
Kentucky 40223
|
|
|
2,727,273 |
(4) |
|
|
1.00 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors/Named
Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
Palmer
|
|
|
72,030,241 |
(5) |
|
|
25.50 |
% |
Bruce
Nelson
|
|
|
5,543,000 |
(6) |
|
|
2.02 |
% |
David
R. Walker
|
|
|
1,653,539 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
Mark
A. Bernstein
|
|
|
500,000 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Marin
Wenzel
|
|
|
300,000 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
Named Executive Officers and Directors as a group (4
persons)
|
|
|
80,026,780 |
|
|
|
27.69 |
% |
* Less
than 1%
(1)
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each person listed is c/o
Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., 6033 W. Century Blvd, Suite 895, Los
Angeles, California.
(2) For
purposes of this table, shares of common stock are considered beneficially owned
if the person directly or indirectly has the sole or shared power to vote or
direct the voting of the securities or the sole or shared power to dispose of or
direct the disposition of the securities. Shares of common stock are
also considered beneficially owned if a person has the right to acquire
beneficial ownership of the shares upon exercise or conversion of a security
within 60 days of May 1, 2010.
(3)
Consists of 9,090, 908 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon the
conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Corporativo LODEMO
owns 10,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, which represents
approximately 76.92% of the issued and outstanding shares of that class of
securities.
(4)
Consists of 2,727,273 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon the
conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Greenrock owns
3,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, which represents approximately
23.08% of the issued and outstanding shares of that class of
securities.
(5)
Consists of 12,000,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of
currently exercisable options. Mr. Palmer also has options to acquire
12,000,000 shares of common stock that are not currently exercisable and will
not become exercisable unless certain conditions are met.
(6)
Includes 4,500,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable options.
(7)
Includes 1,250,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable options.
(8)
Includes 500,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently
exercisable options.
(9)
Includes 300,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of
options.
Securities
Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The
following table contains information regarding our equity compensation plans as
of December 31, 2009
Plan Category
|
|
Number of
Securities to be
Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
|
|
|
Weighted- Average
Exercise Price
of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
|
|
|
Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance under
Equity
Compensation
Plans
(Excluding
Securities
Reflected in
the First
Column)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1993
Incentive Plan (1)
|
|
|
3,383,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
|
— |
|
2002
Stock Incentive Plan
|
|
|
19,700,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
66,518,635 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
90,951,635 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
(1) The
1993 Incentive Plan has expired and no additional options or awards can be
granted under this plan.
PROPOSAL
II – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
General
The Audit
Committee of our Board has appointed Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C. (“HBM PC”), to act as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2010, and recommends that our stockholders vote to ratify such
appointment. Representatives of HBM PC will not be available at the
2010 Annual Meeting. In the event of a
negative vote on such ratification, the Board will reconsider its selection. No
determination has been made as to what action the Board would take if the
stockholders do not ratify the appointment.
Principal
Accountant Fees And Services
The
following discussion sets forth fees billed to us by HBM PC, our independent
registered public accounting firm, during the fiscal years ended December 31,
2009, and December 31, 2008:
Audit
Fees
The
aggregate fees accrued by HBM PC during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
and 2009 for professional services for the audit of our financial statements and
the review of financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and SEC filings
were $43,038 and $45,119, respectively.
Audit-Related
Fees
HBM PC
did not provide and did not bill and it was not paid any fees for, audit-related
services in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
Tax
Fees
HBM PC
did not provide, and did not bill and was not paid any fees for, tax compliance,
tax advice, and tax planning services for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2008 and December 31, 2009.
All
Other Fees
HBM PC
did not provide, and did not bill and were not paid any fees for, any other
services in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009.
Audit
Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Consistent
with SEC policies, the Audit Committee charter provides that the Audit Committee
shall pre-approve all audit engagement fees and terms and pre-approve any other
significant compensation to be paid to the independent registered public
accounting firm. No other significant compensation services were
performed for us by HBM PC during 2008 and 2009.
Vote
Required and Recommendation of Board of Directors
Under
Utah law, and pursuant to our Bylaws, the proposal to ratify HBM PC as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2009, will be approved if the votes cast in favor of the proposal
exceed those cast against it, with respect to our issued and outstanding shares
of Common Stock entitled to vote at meeting, represented in person or by
proxy.
The
Board Of Directors Recommends A Vote “For” The Ratification of Hansen, Barnett
& Maxwell,
P.C. as our Independent Registered Public
Accountants.
PROPOSAL
III – APPROVAL OF ADOPTION OF THE 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
On May
13, 2010, our Board adopted the Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan
(the “2010 Plan”), and
recommended that the adoption of the 2010 Plan be submitted for approval by our
stockholders. The Board adopted the 2010 Plan because there are a
limited number of shares available for grants of awards under our prior stock
option plan, the Company’s 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”). In
addition, the 2002 Plan will expire in July 2012. Upon the expiration
of the 2002 Plan, the Company will no longer be able to grant any stock options
or other awards to its employees, officers and directors. The 2002
Plan authorized the Company to grant options to purchase a total of 20,000,000
shares. As of April 1, 2010, awards for 19,700,000 shares had been
granted under the 2002 Plan and 300,000 shares remained available for future
grants. Management of the Company believes that granting options and
other stock awards is an important incentive tool for the Company’s employees,
officers and directors. As a result, the Board adopted the 2010 Plan
to continue to provide a means by which employees, directors and consultants of
the Company may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in the value
of our Common Stock, and to attract and retain the services of such
persons. All of our employees, directors and consultants are eligible
to participate in the 2010 Plan.
In the
meantime, we may make awards under the 2010 Plan, as long as the effectiveness
of the awards is conditioned upon obtaining such stockholder approval. If
stockholders do not approval this proposal, we will not implement the 2010 Plan,
and any currently outstanding awards under the 2010 Plan will terminate and be
of no further force or effect.
A summary
of the 2010 Plan is set forth below. The summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of the 2010 Plan, a copy of which is set
forth as Appendix B to
this proxy statement.
General
The 2010
Plan provides for awards of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock
options, rights to acquire restricted stock, and stock appreciation rights, or
SARs. Incentive stock options granted under the 2010 Plan are
intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Non-statutory
stock options granted under the 2010 Plan are not intended to qualify as
incentive stock options under the Code. See “Federal Income Tax
Consequences” below for a discussion of the principal federal income tax
consequences of awards under the 2010 Plan.
Purpose
Our Board
adopted the 2010 Plan to provide a means by which employees, directors and
consultants of the Company and its affiliates may be given an opportunity to
benefit from increases in the value of our Common Stock, to assist in attracting
and retaining the services of such persons, to bind the interests of eligible
recipients more closely to the Company’s interests by offering them
opportunities to acquire shares of our Common Stock and to afford such persons
stock-based compensation opportunities that are competitive with those afforded
by similar businesses. All of our employees, directors and
consultants are eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan.
Administration
Unless it
delegates administration to a committee as described below, our Board will
administer the 2010 Plan. Subject to the provisions of the 2010 Plan,
the Board has the power to construe and interpret the 2010 Plan, and to
determine: (i) the fair value of Common Stock subject to awards issued under the
2010 Plan; (ii) the persons to whom and the dates on which awards will be
granted; (iii) what types or combinations of types of awards will be granted;
(iv) the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to each award; (v) the
time or times during the term of each award within which all or a portion of
such award may be exercised; (vi) the exercise price or purchase price of each
award; and (vii) the types of consideration permitted to exercise or purchase
each award and other terms of the awards.
The Board
has the power to delegate administration of the 2010 Plan to a committee
composed of one or more directors. In the discretion of the Board, a
committee may consist solely of two or more “outside directors” or two or more
“non-employee directors” (as such terms are defined in the 2010
Plan).
Stock
Subject to the 2010 Plan
Subject
to the provisions of Sections 6.1.1 and 8.2 of the 2010 Plan relating to
adjustments upon changes in our Common Stock, an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares
of common stock will be reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan.
If shares
of Common Stock subject to an option or SAR granted under the 2010 Plan expire
or otherwise terminate without being exercised (or exercised in full), such
shares shall become available again for grants under the 2010
Plan. If shares of restricted stock awarded under the 2010 Plan are
forfeited to the Company or repurchased by the Company, the number of shares
forfeited or repurchased shall again be available under the 2010
Plan. Where the exercise price of an option granted under the 2010
Plan is paid by means of the optionee’s surrender of previously owned shares of
common stock, or the Company’s withholding of shares otherwise issuable upon
exercise of the option as may be permitted under the 2010 Plan, only the net
number of shares issued and which remain outstanding in connection with such
exercise shall be deemed “issued” and no longer available for issuance under the
2010 Plan.
Eligibility
Incentive
stock options may be granted under the 2010 Plan only to employees of the
Company and its affiliates. Employees, directors and consultants of
the Company and its affiliates are eligible to receive all other types of awards
under the 2010 Plan.
No
incentive stock option may be granted under the 2010 Plan to any person who, at
the time of the grant, owns (or is deemed to own) stock possessing more than 10%
of the total combined voting power of the Company or any affiliate of the
Company, unless the exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of
the stock subject to the option on the date of grant and the term of the option
does not exceed five years from the date of grant. In addition, no
employee may be granted options under the 2010 Plan exercisable for more than
500,000 shares of common stock during any twelve-month period.
Terms
of Options and SARs
Options
and SARs may be granted under the 2010 Plan pursuant to stock option agreements
and stock appreciation rights agreements, respectively. The following
is a description of the permissible terms of options and SARs under the 2010
Plan. Individual grants of options and SARs may be more restrictive
as to any or all of the permissible terms described below.
Exercise
Price; Payment
The
exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market
value of the common stock subject to the option on the date of the grant and, in
some cases (see “Eligibility” above), may not be less than 110% of such fair
market value. The exercise price of nonstatutory options also may not
be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
grant. The base value of a SAR may not be less than the fair market
value of the common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of options
granted under the 2010 Plan must be paid either in cash at the time the option
is exercised or, at the discretion of the Board, (i) by delivery of
already-owned shares of our Common Stock, (ii) pursuant to a deferred
payment arrangement, (iii) pursuant to a net exercise arrangement, or (iv)
pursuant to a cashless exercise as permitted under applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In
addition, the holder of a SAR is entitled to receive upon exercise of such SAR
only shares of our Common Stock at a fair market value equal to the benefit to
be received by the exercise.
Vesting
Options
granted under the 2010 Plan may be exercisable in cumulative increments, or
“vest,” as determined by the Board. Our Board has the power to
accelerate the time as of which an option may vest or be exercised.
Tax
Withholding
To the
extent provided by the terms of an option or SAR, a participant may satisfy any
federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise of
such option or SAR by a cash payment upon exercise, or in the discretion of our
Board, by authorizing the Company to withhold a portion of the stock otherwise
issuable to the participant, by delivering already-owned shares of our Common
Stock or by a combination of these means.
Term
The
maximum term of options and SARs under the 2010 Plan is ten years, except that
in certain cases (see “Eligibility” above) the maximum term is five
years. Options and SARs awarded under the 2010 Plan generally will
terminate three months after termination of the participant’s service; however,
pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Plan, an a grantee’s employment shall not be
deemed to terminate by reason of such grantee’s transfer from the Company to an
affiliate of the Company, or vice versa, or sick leave, military leave or other
leave of absence approved by our Board, if the period of any such leave does not
exceed ninety (90) days or, if longer, if the grantee’s right to reemployment by
the Company or any of its affiliate is guaranteed either contractually or by
statute.
Restrictions
on Transfer
A
recipient may not transfer an incentive stock option otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of the
recipient, only the recipient may exercise an option or SAR. The
Board may grant nonstatutory stock options and SARs that are transferable to the
extent provided in the applicable written agreement.
Terms
of Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted
stock awards may be granted under the 2010 Plan pursuant to restricted stock
purchase or grant agreements. No awards of restricted stock may be
granted under the 2010 Plan after ten (10) years from the Board’s adoption of
the 2010 Plan.
Payment
Our Board
may issue shares of restricted stock under the 2010 Plan as a grant or for such
consideration, including services, and, subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, promissory notes, as determined in its sole discretion. If
restricted stock under the 2010 Plan is issued pursuant to a purchase agreement,
the purchase price must be paid either in cash at the time of purchase or, at
the discretion of our Board, pursuant to any other form of legal consideration
acceptable to the Board.
Vesting
Shares of
restricted stock acquired under a restricted stock purchase or grant agreement
may, but need not, be subject to forfeiture to the Company or other restrictions
that will lapse in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by our
Board. In the event a recipient’s employment or service with the Company
terminates, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by such recipient that
have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the restricted
stock agreement may be forfeited to the Company in accordance with such
restricted stock agreement.
Tax
Withholding
Our Board
may require any recipient of restricted stock to pay to the Company in cash upon
demand amounts necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state or local tax
withholding requirements. If the recipient fails to pay the amount
demanded, our Board may withhold that amount from other amounts payable by the
Company to the recipient, including salary, subject to applicable
law. With the consent of our Board in its sole discretion, a
recipient may deliver shares of our common stock to the Company to satisfy this
withholding obligation.
Restrictions
on Transfer
Rights to
acquire shares of common stock under the restricted stock purchase or grant
agreement shall be transferable by the recipient only upon such terms and
conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock agreement, as the Board
shall determine in its discretion, so long as shares of Common Stock awarded
under the restricted stock agreement remains subject to the terms of the such
agreement.
Adjustment
Provisions
If any
change is made to our outstanding shares of Common Stock without the Company’s
receipt of consideration (whether through reorganization, stock dividend or
stock split, or other specified change in the capital structure of the Company),
appropriate adjustments may be made in the class and maximum number of shares of
Common Stock subject to the 2010 Plan and outstanding awards. In that
event, the 2010 Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the class and maximum
number of shares of Common Stock subject to the 2010 Plan, and outstanding
awards may be adjusted in the class, number of shares and price per share of
Common Stock subject to such awards.
Effect
of Certain Corporate Events
In the
event of (i) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (ii) a merger or
consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation or entity (other
than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary); (iii) a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iv) a purchase or other
acquisition of more than 50% of the outstanding stock of the Company by one
person or by more than one person acting in concert, any surviving or acquiring
corporation may assume awards outstanding under the 2010 Plan or may substitute
similar awards. Unless the stock award agreement otherwise provides,
in the event any surviving or acquiring corporation does not assume such awards
or substitute similar awards, then the awards will terminate if not exercised at
or prior to such event.
Duration,
Amendment and Termination
The Board
may suspend or terminate the 2010 Plan without stockholder approval or
ratification at any time or from time to time. Unless sooner
terminated, the 2010 Plan will terminate ten years from the date of its adoption
by the Board, i.e., in May 2020.
The Board
may also amend the 2010 Plan at any time, and from time to
time. However, except as provided in Section 6.1.1 and 8.2 relating
to adjustments upon changes in common stock, no amendment will be effective
unless approved by our stockholders to the extent stockholder approval is
necessary to preserve incentive stock option treatment for federal income tax
purposes. Our Board may submit any other amendment to the 2010 Plan
for stockholder approval if it concludes that stockholder approval is otherwise
advisable.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
The
following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax
consequences to the recipient and the Company with respect to participation in
the 2010 Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive, and
does not discuss the income tax laws of any city, state or foreign jurisdiction
in which a participant may reside.
Incentive
Stock Options
There
will be no federal income tax consequences to either us or the recipient upon
the grant of an incentive stock option. Upon exercise of the option,
the excess of the fair market value of the stock over the exercise price, or the
“spread,” will be added to the alternative minimum tax base of the recipient
unless a disqualifying disposition is made in the year of exercise. A
disqualifying disposition is the sale of the stock prior to the expiration of
two years from the date of grant and one year from the date of
exercise. If the shares of common stock are disposed of in a
disqualifying disposition, the recipient will realize taxable ordinary income in
an amount equal to the spread at the time of exercise, and we will be entitled
(subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the provisions of
Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax reporting
obligation) to a federal income tax deduction equal to such
amount. If the recipient sells the shares of common stock after the
specified periods, the gain or loss on the sale of the shares will be long-term
capital gain or loss and we will not be entitled to a federal income tax
deduction.
Non-statutory
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards
Non-statutory
stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the 2010 Plan generally
have the following federal income tax consequences.
There are
no tax consequences to the participant or us by reason of the
grant. Upon acquisition of the stock, the recipient will recognize
taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stock’s fair market
value on the acquisition date over the purchase price. However, to
the extent the stock is subject to “a substantial risk of forfeiture” (as
defined in Section 83 of the Code), the taxable event will be delayed until the
forfeiture provision lapses unless the recipient elects to be taxed on receipt
of the stock by making a Section 83(b) election within 30 days of receipt of the
stock. If such election is not made, the recipient generally will
recognize income as and when the forfeiture provision lapses, and the income
recognized will be based on the fair market value of the stock on such future
date. On that date, the recipient’s holding period for purposes of
determining the long-term or short-term nature of any capital gain or loss
recognized on a subsequent disposition of the stock will begin. If a
recipient makes a Section 83(b) election, the recipient will recognize
ordinary income equal to the difference between the stock’s fair market value
and the purchase price, if any, as of the date of receipt and the holding period
for purposes of characterizing as long-term or short-term any subsequent gain or
loss will begin at the date of receipt.
With
respect to employees, we are generally required to withhold from regular wages
or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income
recognized. Subject to the requirement of reasonableness, the
provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code and the satisfaction of a tax
reporting obligation, we will generally be entitled to a business expense
deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the
participant.
Upon
disposition of the stock, the recipient will recognize a capital gain or loss
equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid
for such stock plus any amount recognized as ordinary income with respect to the
stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on
whether the stock has been held for more than one year.
Stock
Appreciation Rights or SARs
A
recipient receiving a stock appreciation right will not recognize income, and we
will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time the award is granted. When a
recipient exercises the stock appreciation right, the fair market value of any
shares of common stock received will be ordinary income to the recipient and
will be allowed as a deduction to us for federal income tax
purposes.
Potential
Limitation on Company Deductions
Section 162(m)
of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation
paid to certain senior executives of the Company (a “covered employee”) in a
taxable year to the extent that compensation to such employees exceeds
$1,000,000. It is possible that compensation attributable to awards,
when combined with all other types of compensation received by a covered
employee from the Company, may cause this limitation to be exceeded in any
particular year.
Certain
kinds of compensation, including qualified “performance-based compensation,” are
disregarded for purposes of the deduction limitation. In accordance
with Treasury Regulations issued under Section 162(m), compensation
attributable to stock options will qualify as performance-based compensation if
the award is granted by a committee solely comprising
“outside directors” (as defined in the 2010 Plan) and, among other things, the
plan contains a per-employee limitation on the number of shares for which such
awards may be granted during a specified period, the per-employee limitation is
approved by the stockholders, and the exercise price of the award is no less
than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Awards
to purchase restricted stock under the 2010 Plan will not qualify as
performance-based compensation under the Treasury Regulations issued under
Section 162(m).
Treatment
of 2010 Plan in Reincorporation Merger
In
connection with the Reincorporation Merger included in Proposal IV below, if it
is approved at the 2010 Annual Meeting and effected, the 2010 Plan will be
assumed by and become a stock plan of GCEH-Delaware (i.e., the surviving
corporation in the Reincorporation Merger), as described below under “Proposal
IV – Approval of Reincorporation Merger.”
The
Board Of Directors Recommends A Vote “For” Approval of the adoption of
the
2010
Equity Incentive Plan.
PROPOSAL
IV – APPROVAL OF REINCORPORATION MERGER
Overview
of the Reincorporation Merger
Our Board
has unanimously approved the reincorporation of the Company in Delaware pursuant
to the terms of the Merger Agreement attached as Appendix C, entered
into by and between the Company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware for purposes of effecting the
Reincorporation Merger. For the reasons discussed below, the Board recommends
that the stockholders also approve the Reincorporation
Merger. Approval of the Reincorporation Merger also will constitute
approval of the Merger Agreement. For purposes of the discussion
below, the Company, before and after the Reincorporation Merger, is sometimes
referred to as “GCEH-Utah” and “GCEH-Delaware,”
respectively.
The
Merger Agreement provides for a tax-free reorganization pursuant to the
provisions of Section 368 of the Code, whereby we will be merged with and into
GCEH-Delaware, our separate existence as a Utah corporation shall cease, and
GCEH-Delaware shall continue as the surviving corporation of the Reincorporation
Merger governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. The Merger Agreement
provides that each share of our Common Stock and Series B Preferred Stock
outstanding as of the effective time of the Merger shall be converted into one
share of the common stock of GCEH-Delaware and one shares of GCEH-Delaware
Series B Preferred Stock, respectively, with no further action required on the
part of our stockholders. The Board believes that the Reincorporation Merger
will benefit the Company and its stockholders. We expect to effect
the Reincorporation Merger as soon as practicable following stockholder approval
of the proposal, regardless of whether our stockholders also approve the
proposal to grant discretionary authority to the Board to effect the Reverse
Stock Split. Our Board of Directors, however, may determine to
abandon the reincorporation and the Reincorporation Merger either before or
after stockholder approval has been obtained. If, in addition to
approving the Reincorporation Merger, our stockholders vote to grant our Board
discretionary authority to effect the Reverse Stock Split, we will consummate
the Reincorporation Merger prior to effecting the Reverse Stock Split, if at
all.
The State
of Delaware is recognized for adopting comprehensive modern and flexible
corporate laws that are periodically revised to respond to the changing legal
and business needs of corporations. Consequently, the Delaware judiciary has
become particularly familiar with corporate law matters and a substantial body
of court decisions has developed construing Delaware law. Delaware corporate
law, accordingly, has been, and is likely to continue to be, interpreted in many
significant judicial decisions, a fact which may provide greater clarity and
predictability with respect to the Company’s corporate legal affairs. For this
reason, many major corporations have initially incorporated in Delaware or have
changed their corporate domiciles to Delaware in a manner similar to that
proposed herein.
Accordingly,
our Board believes that it is in the Company’s best interest that our state of
incorporation be changed from Utah to Delaware, and has recommended the approval
of the Reincorporation Merger to our stockholders. Reincorporation in Delaware
will not result in any change in our business, operations, management, assets,
liabilities or net worth; however, reincorporation in Delaware will allow us to
take advantage of certain provisions of the corporate laws of Delaware as
described herein.
Our
corporate affairs currently are governed by Utah law and the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of GCEH-Utah. Copies of
these Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are included as exhibits to our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are available for
inspection during regular business hours at the principal executive offices of
the Company. Copies will be sent to stockholders upon
request. If the Reincorporation Merger is approved at the 2010 Annual
Meeting and effected, our corporate affairs will be governed by Delaware law and
the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of
GCEH-Delaware. Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the
Bylaws of GCEH-Delaware are attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix D and
Appendix E,
respectively.
Principal
Features of the Reincorporation Merger
The
Reincorporation Merger will be effected by the merger of GCEH-Utah with and into
GCEH-Delaware pursuant to the Merger Agreement. GCEH-Delaware is a
wholly owned subsidiary of GCEH-Utah that was incorporated by us under the laws
of the State of Delaware for the sole purpose of effecting the Reincorporation
Merger. The Reincorporation Merger will become effective upon the
filing of the requisite merger documents in Delaware and Utah, which is expected
to occur as soon as practicable after the 2010 Annual Meeting if the
Reincorporation Merger is approved by stockholders. Our Board, however, may
determine to abandon the Reincorporation Merger notwithstanding stockholder
approval of the Reincorporation Merger and the Merger Agreement. The
discussion below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger
Agreement, and by the applicable provisions of Utah law and Delaware
law.
On
effectiveness of the Reincorporation Merger:
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Each
outstanding share of GCEH-Utah common stock will be converted into one
share of GCEH-Delaware common stock, and each outstanding share of
GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock will be converted into one share of
GCEH-Delaware Series B Preferred Stock on the same
terms;
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Each
outstanding share of GCEH-Utah common stock and GCEH-Utah Series B
Preferred Stock held by a GCEH-Utah stockholder will be retired and
canceled and will resume the status of authorized and unissued
GCEH-Delaware stock; and
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Each
outstanding option and warrant to purchase shares of GCEH-Utah common
stock will be deemed to be an option or warrant to purchase the same
number of shares of GCEH-Delaware common stock, with no change in the
exercise price or other terms or provisions of the option or
warrant.
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Following
the Reincorporation Merger, stock certificates previously representing our
Common Stock or Series B Preferred Stock may be delivered in effecting sales
through a broker, or otherwise, of shares of GCEH-Delaware
stock. It will not
be necessary for you to exchange your existing stock certificates for stock
certificates of GCEH-Delaware, and if you do so, it will be at your own
cost.
The
Reincorporation Merger will not cause a change in our name, which will remain
“Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.” The Reincorporation Merger also
will not effect any change in our business, management or operations or the
location of our principal executive office. On effectiveness of the
Reincorporation Merger, our directors and officers will become all of the
officers and directors of GCEH-Delaware, all of our employee benefit and stock
option plans will become GCEH-Delaware plans (including the 2010 Plan if
approved by stockholders), and each option or right issued under such plans will
automatically be converted into an option or right to purchase the same number
of shares of GCEH-Delaware common stock, at the same price per share, upon the
same terms and subject to the same conditions as before the Reincorporation
Merger. Stockholders should note that approval of the Reincorporation
Merger will also constitute approval of these stock plans continuing as plans of
GCEH-Delaware. Our employment contracts and other employee benefit
arrangements also will be continued by GCEH-Delaware upon the terms and subject
to the conditions currently in effect. We believe that the
Reincorporation Merger will not affect any of our material contracts with any
third parties, and that our rights and obligations under such material
contractual arrangements will continue as rights and obligations of
GCEH-Delaware.
Other
than receipt of stockholder approval, and the filing of requisite merger
documents in Delaware and Utah, there are no federal or state regulatory
requirements or approvals that must be obtained in order for us to consummate
the Reincorporation Merger.
Securities
Act Consequences
The
shares of GCEH-Delaware common stock to be issued upon conversion of shares of
GCEH-Utah common stock in the Reincorporation Merger are not being registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”). In this regard, we are relying on Rule 145(a)(2) under
the Securities Act (“Rule
145”), which provides that a merger that has “as its sole purpose” a
change in the domicile of a corporation does not involve the sale of securities
for purposes of the Securities Act. After the Reincorporation Merger,
GCEH-Delaware will be a publicly held company, GCEH-Delaware common stock will
continue to be qualified for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board, and
GCEH-Delaware will file periodic reports and other documents with the SEC and
provide to its stockholders the same types of information that GCEH-Utah have
previously filed and provided.
Holders
of shares of GCEH-Utah common stock that are freely tradable before the
Reincorporation Merger will continue to have freely tradable shares of
GCEH-Delaware common stock. Stockholders holding so-called restricted
shares of GCEH-Utah common stock will have shares of GCEH-Delaware common stock
that are subject to the same restrictions on transfer as those to which their
shares of GCEH-Utah common stock are subject, and their stock certificates, if
surrendered for replacement certificates representing shares of GCEH-Delaware
common stock, will bear the same restrictive legend as appears on their present
stock certificates. For purposes of computing compliance with the
holding period requirement of Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
stockholders will be deemed to have acquired their shares of GCEH-Delaware
common stock on the date they acquired their shares of common stock of
GCEH-Utah.
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The
following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Reincorporation Merger that are applicable to you as a
stockholder. It is based on the Code, applicable Treasury
Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as
of the date of this proxy statement and all of which are subject to change,
including changes with retroactive effect. The discussion below does
not address any state, local or foreign tax consequences of the Reincorporation
Merger. Your tax treatment may vary depending upon your particular
situation. You also may be subject to special rules not discussed
below if you are a certain kind of stockholder, including, but not limited to:
an insurance company; a tax-exempt organization; a financial institution or
broker-dealer; a person who is neither a citizen nor resident of the United
States or entity that is not organized under the laws of the United States or
political subdivision thereof; a holder of our shares as part of a hedge,
straddle or conversion transaction; a person that does not hold our shares as a
capital asset at the time of the Reincorporation Merger; or an entity taxable as
a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company will
not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service as to the U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the Reincorporation Merger or any related
transaction. The Internal Revenue Service could adopt positions
contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be
sustained. Stockholders are urged to consult
with their tax advisors and financial planners as to the particular tax
consequences of the Reincorporation Merger to them, including the applicability
and effect of any state, local or foreign laws, and the effect of possible
changes in applicable tax laws.
It is
intended that the Reincorporation Merger qualify as a “reorganization” under
Section 368(a) of the Code. As a “reorganization,” it is expected
that the Reincorporation Merger will have the following U.S. federal income tax
consequences:
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Neither
GCEH-Utah nor GCEH-Delaware will recognize any gain or loss from the
Reincorporation Merger;
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A
GCEH-Utah stockholder will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of
the receipt of GCEH-Delaware shares in exchange for such stockholder’s
GCEH-Utah shares in the Reincorporation
Merger;
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A
GCEH-Utah stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the GCEH-Delaware shares
received in the Reincorporation Merger will equal such stockholder’s
aggregate tax basis in the GCEH-Utah shares held immediately before the
Reincorporation Merger; and
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A
GCEH-Utah stockholder’s tax holding period for GCEH-Delaware shares
received in the Reincorporation Merger will include the period during
which such stockholder held GCEH-Utah
shares.
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Accounting
Treatment
The
Reincorporation Merger is expected to be accounted for as a reverse acquisition
in which GCEH-Utah is the accounting acquirer, and GCEH-Delaware is the legal
acquirer. Since the Reincorporation Merger is expected to be
accounted for as a reverse acquisition and not a business combination, no
goodwill is expected to be recognized.
Regulatory
Approval
To the
Company’s knowledge, the only required regulatory or governmental approval or
filings necessary in connection with the Reincorporation Merger would be the
filing of articles of merger with the Secretary of the State of Utah, and the
filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of the State of
Delaware.
Dissenters’
Rights
Sections
16-10a-1301 through 16-10a-1331 of the UBCA grants any stockholder of GCEH-Utah
of record on the Record Date who objects to the Reincorporation Merger the right
to have GCEH-Utah purchase the shares owned by the dissenting stockholder at
their fair value at the effective time of the Reincorporation Merger. Any
stockholder contemplating the exercise of these dissenters’ rights should review
carefully the discussion of dissenting stockholder rights under the caption
“Dissenters’ Rights” and the provisions of Sections 16-10a-1301 through
16-10a-1331 of the UBCA, particularly the procedural steps required to perfect
such rights.
A VOTE
AGAINST THE REINCORPORATION MERGER IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PERFECT YOUR DISSENTERS’
RIGHTS AND SUCH RIGHTS WILL BE LOST IF THE PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS OF SECTIONS
16-10a-1301 THROUGH 16-10a-1331 ARE NOT FULLY AND PRECISELY SATISFIED. A SUMMARY
OF THE STATUTORY PROCEDURE TO PERFECT YOUR DISSENTER'S RIGHTS IS PROVIDED BELOW
AND A COPY OF SECTIONS 16-10a-1301 THROUGH 16-10a-1331 IS ATTACHED AS APPENDIX
G.
Material
Terms of the Merger Agreement
The
following is only a summary of the material provisions of the Merger Agreement
between GCEH-Utah and GECH-Delaware and is not complete. The Merger
Agreement is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix C. Please
read the Merger Agreement in its entirety.
General
The
Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement by the stockholders of GCEH-Utah and the authority of the Board
of Directors of GCEH-Utah to abandon the Reincorporation Merger:
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GCEH-Utah
will merge with and into GCEH-Delaware;
and
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GCEH-Utah
will cease to exist and GCEH-Delaware will continue as the surviving
corporation.
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As a
result of, and as of the effective time of, the Reincorporation Merger,
GCEH-Delaware will succeed to and assume all rights and obligations of
GCEH-Utah, in accordance with Delaware law.
Effective
Time
The
Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the approval of the stockholders of
GCEH-Utah, the Reincorporation Merger will be consummated by the filing of
articles/certificate of merger and any other appropriate documents, in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the UBCA and the DGCL, with the
Secretary of State of the State of Utah and the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware, respectively. We expect to effect the Reincorporation Merger as
soon as practicable following stockholder approval of the proposal, regardless
of whether our stockholders also approve the proposal to grant discretionary
authority to the Board to effect the Reverse Stock Split. If, in
addition to approving the Reincorporation Merger, our stockholders vote to grant
our Board discretionary authority to implement the Amendment and effect the
Reverse Stock Split, we expect to consummate the Reincorporation Merger prior to
effecting the Reverse Stock Split, if at all.
Merger
Consideration
Upon
consummation of the Reincorporation Merger, each outstanding share of GCEH-Utah
common stock and GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock (except shares as to which
dissenters’ rights have been properly exercised) will be converted into the
right to receive one share of GCEH-Delaware common stock and GCEH-Delaware
Series B Preferred Stock. Shares of GCEH-Utah common stock and
GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock will no longer be outstanding and will
automatically be cancelled and retired and will cease to exist. Each
holder of a certificate representing shares of GCEH-Utah common stock and
GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Reincorporation
Merger will cease to have any rights with respect to such certificate, except
the right to receive shares of GCEH-Delaware common stock and GCEH-Delaware
Series B Preferred Stock.
Treatment
of Stock Options and Warrants
Under the
terms of the Merger Agreement, upon consummation of the Reincorporation Merger
each outstanding option to purchase a share of GCEH-Utah common stock will be
deemed to constitute an option to purchase one share of GCEH-Delaware common
stock at an exercise price per full share equal to the stated exercise price,
and each outstanding warrant to purchase a share of GCEH-Utah common stock will
be deemed to constitute a warrant to purchase one share of GCEH-Delaware common
stock at an exercise price per full share equal to the stated exercise
price.
Under the
Merger Agreement, GCEH-Delaware will assume GCEH-Utah’s stock option plans
(including the 2010 Plan if approved by stockholders), which following the
Reincorporation Merger will be used by GCEH-Delaware to make awards to
directors, officers, and employees of GCEH-Delaware and others as permitted
under the terms of GCEH-Utah’s stock option plans.
Directors
and Officers
The
Merger Agreement provides that the board of directors of GCEH-Delaware from and
after the Reincorporation Merger will consist of the directors of GCEH-Utah
immediately prior to the Reincorporation Merger. The Merger Agreement
further provides that the officers of GCEH-Delaware from and after the
Reincorporation Merger will be the officers of GCEH-Utah immediately prior to
the Reincorporation Merger.
Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws
The
Merger Agreement provides that the Certificate of Incorporation of GCEH-Delaware
in effect immediately before the Reincorporation Merger will be the Certificate
of Incorporation of the surviving corporation, and the bylaws of GCEH-Delaware
in effect immediately before the Reincorporation Merger will be the bylaws of
the surviving corporation until later amended in accordance with Delaware
law.
Conditions
to the Merger
The
obligations of GCEH-Utah and GCEH -Delaware to consummate the Reincorporation
Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions that the
Merger Agreement and Reincorporation Merger shall have been approved and adopted
by the stockholders of GCEH-Utah. To the Company’s knowledge, the only required
regulatory or governmental approval or filings necessary in connection with the
Reincorporation Merger would be the filing of articles of merger with the
Secretary of the State of Utah, and the filing of a certificate of merger with
the Secretary of the State of Delaware.
Effect
on Stock Certificates
The
Reincorporation Merger will not have any effect on the transferability of
outstanding stock certificates representing our Common Stock or Series B
Preferred Stock. It will not be necessary for stockholders to
exchange their existing stock certificates for certificates of GCEH-Delaware.
Each stock certificate representing issued and outstanding shares of common
stock and preferred stock of GCEH-Utah will continue to represent the same
number of shares of common stock and preferred stock of
GCEH-Delaware.
Abandonment
of Reincorporation Merger
Our Board
of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine to abandon the
Reincorporation Merger notwithstanding stockholder approval of the
Reincorporation Merger and the Merger Agreement.
Comparison
of Rights under DGCL and UBCA
GCEH-Utah
currently is a Utah corporation and, as such, the rights of its stockholders are
governed by the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (the “UBCA”), and by the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of GCEH-Utah currently in effect (the “GCEH-Utah Articles” and “GCEH-Utah Bylaws,”
respectively). Upon completion of the Reincorporation Merger, the
stockholders of GCEH-Utah will become stockholders
of GCEH-Delaware and their rights will be governed by the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and by the
GCEH-Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws (the “GCEH-Delaware Certificate” and
“GCEH-Delaware Bylaws,”
respectively), which differ in some important respects from the UBCA and the
GCEH-Utah Articles
and GCEH-Utah Bylaws.
The
following comparison of the DGCL and the GCEH-Delaware Certificate and
GCEH-Delaware Bylaws with the UBCA and the GCEH-Utah Articles and
GCEH-Utah Bylaws
summarizes the important differences, but is not intended to list all
differences:
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GCEH-Utah,
a Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a Delaware corporation
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Action
by Stockholders Without a Meeting
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Utah
law permits stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent and
provides that any action that could be taken at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior
notice and without a vote, if written consents are signed by the holders
of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that
would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which
all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and
voted. Unlike Delaware law, Utah law requires a unanimous
written consent of stockholders to elect directors. Utah law provides
that, in order to be effective, all written consents must be delivered to
GCEH-Utah within 60 days after the earliest dated consent delivered to
GCEH-Utah, and (ii) prompt notice of the action by written consent must be
given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if
the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice
of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that
written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the
action were delivered to GCEH-Utah. Unlike Delaware law, Utah
law requires that the actions taken by the written consent of stockholders
cannot become effective until at least 10 days after notice of such
actions has been furnished to all stockholders who did not sign the
written consent.
The
GCEH-Utah Bylaws are consistent with Utah law, except that under the
GCEH-Utah Bylaws, any action that could be taken at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if written consents
are signed by the holders of all outstanding stock.
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Delaware
law permits stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent and
provides that any action that could be taken at an annual or special
meeting of stockholders (including the election of directors) may be taken
without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if written
consents are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or
take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted. Delaware law provides that, in order to be
effective, all written consents must be delivered to GCEH-Delaware within
60 days after the earliest dated consent delivered to GCEH-Delaware, and
prompt notice of the action by written consent must be given to those
stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had
been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting
if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written
consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action
were delivered to Company. Unlike Utah law, Delaware law does
not stipulate that the actions taken by the written consent of
stockholders cannot become effective until at least 10 days after notice
of such actions has been furnished to all stockholders who did not sign
the written consent.
The
GCEH-Delaware Bylaws are consistent with the
DGCL.
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GCEH-Utah,
a Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a Delaware corporation
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Special
Meetings of Stockholders
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The
UBCA permits special meetings of the stockholders to be called at any time
by the board of directors or persons authorized by the bylaws to call a
special meeting, or on the written demand of holders of shares
representing at least 10% of all the votes entitled to be cast at such
meeting.
The
GCEH-Utah Bylaws are consistent with the UBCA but also provide that the
corporation’s president, in addition to the foregoing categories of
persons, may call a special meeting of stockholders.
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The
DGCL provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the
board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by
the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws. The
GCEH-Delaware Bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders be
called by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer of GCEH -Delaware. The DGCL and the GCEH
-Delaware Bylaws require that a notice of stockholders meeting be
delivered to stockholders not less than ten days nor more than 60 days
before the meeting. The notice must state the place, day, hour
and purpose of the meeting.
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Removal
of Directors
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The
UBCA provides that any director may be removed, with or without cause, by
the holders of common stock of GCEH-Utah but only at a meeting of
stockholders pursuant to a notice of meeting, which includes the removal
of such director as an item of business. If cumulative voting is not in
effect (the GCEH-Utah Bylaws do not provide cumulative voting rights), a
director may be removed only if the number of votes cast to remove the
director exceeds the number of votes cast against removal.
The
GCEH-Utah Bylaws are consistent with the UBCA in this
regard.
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The
DGCL provides that a director or directors may be removed with or without
cause by the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares then
entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that (a) members
of a classified board of directors may be removed only for cause, unless
the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise, and (b) in the
case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire
board of directors is to be removed, no director may be removed without
cause if the votes cast against such director’s removal would be
sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at an
election of the entire board of directors or of the class of directors of
which such director is a part.
The
GCEH-Delaware Bylaws are consistent with the DGCL in this
regard.
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Board
Vacancies
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Under
the UBCA, unless the Certificate of Incorporation provide otherwise, if a
vacancy occurs on a board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from
an increase in the number of directors, (i) the stockholders may fill the
vacancy; (ii) the board of directors may fill the vacancy; or (iii) if the
directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board,
they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the
directors remaining in office.
Neither
the GCEH-Utah Articles nor the GCEH-Utah Bylaws alters this
provision.
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The
DGCL provides that the board of directors may fill all vacancies on the
board, including vacancies caused by an increase in the number of
authorized directors, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws.
Neither
the GCEH-Delaware Certificate nor the GCEH-Delaware Bylaws alters this
provision.
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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Indemnification
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The
UBCA provides that, unless limited by its Certificate of Incorporation, a
corporation shall indemnify a director who was successful, on the merits
or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding, or in the defense of any
claim, issue, or matter in the proceeding, to which he was a party because
he is or was a director of the corporation, against reasonable expenses
incurred by him in connection with the proceeding or claim with respect to
which he has been successful.
With
respect to third party actions, under the UBCA and the GCEH-Utah Bylaws,
GCEH-Utah has the power, but not an obligation, to indemnify any director,
officer, employee or agent of GCEH-Utah who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed
action or suit, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) judgments,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by
him or her in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding, if he
or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interest of GCEH-Utah, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
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The
DGCL generally permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and
officers against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a third-party action,
other than a derivative action, and against expenses actually and
reasonably incurred in the defense or settlement of a derivative action,
provided that there is a determination that the individual acted in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation.
Such
determination shall be made, in the case of an individual who is a
director or officer at the time of such determination (i) by a majority of
the disinterested directors, even though less than a quorum; (ii) by a
committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum; (iii) by independent legal
counsel, regardless of whether a quorum of disinterested directors exists;
or (iv) by a majority vote of the stockholders, at a meeting at which a
quorum is present. Without court approval, however, no indemnification may
be made in respect of any derivative action in which such individual is
adjudged liable to the corporation.
The
DGCL requires indemnification of directors and officers for expenses
relating to a successful defense on the merits or otherwise of a
derivative or third-party action. The DGCL permits a
corporation to advance expenses relating to the defense of any proceeding
to directors and officers contingent upon such individuals’ commitment to
repay any advances unless it is determined ultimately that such
individuals are entitled to be
indemnified.
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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With
respect to corporate actions, under the UBCA and the GCEH-Utah Bylaws,
GCEH-Utah has the power, but not an obligation, to indemnify any director,
officer, employee or agent of GCEH-Utah who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed
action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment
in its favor, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any such action, suit
or proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of
GCEH-Utah, except that no indemnification will be made in respect of any
claim, issue, or matter as to which such a person shall have been adjudged
to be liable to the corporation, or in connection with a proceeding in
which the individual was adjudged liable on the basis that he or she
derived an improper personal benefit.
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Under
the DGCL, the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided in the law are non-exclusive, in that, subject to public policy
issues, indemnification and advancement of expenses beyond that provided
by statute may be provided by by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders,
disinterested directors or otherwise.
The
GCEH-Delaware Certificate provides that GCEH-Delaware shall indemnify
directors, officers, employees and agents of GCEH-Delaware to the fullest
extent permitted by the DGCL. The GCEH -Delaware Bylaws
provides that GCEH -Delaware officers and directors shall be indemnified
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and that GCEH -Delaware
shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of
its final disposition. Payment of expenses incurred by a director or
officer in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be
made only upon the receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to
repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the
director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified.
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Elimination
of Directors’ Liability for Monetary Damages
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Utah
law permits a corporation, pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation,
or in certain circumstances its bylaws, to provide for the elimination or
limitation of the liability of a director to the corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for any action taken or failure to take
any action as a director, except liability for (i) the amount of a
financial benefit received by a director to which he is not entitled; (2)
an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or its stockholders;
(3) unlawful distributions; or (4) an intentional violation of criminal
law.
The
GCEH-Utah Articles provide that the personal liability of directors,
officers and stockholders of the corporation to the corporation or any
third person is eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted
under the UBCA.
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The
DGCL provides that a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may
include a provision limiting the personal liability of a director to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director. However, no such provision can
eliminate or limit the liability of a director for certain actions,
including, among others, (i) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty
to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good
faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the
law; (iii) any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit; and (iv) pursuant to Section 174 of the
DGCL.
The
GCEH-Delaware Certificate provides that a director of GCEH -Delaware shall
not be personally liable to GCEH -Delaware or any of its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except to the
extent provided by applicable law for the actions described
above.
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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Record
Date
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Under
the UBCA, a corporation’s bylaws may fix or provide the manner of fixing
the record date for stockholders entitled to be given notice of a
stockholders' meeting, to determine stockholders entitled to take action
without a meeting, to demand a special meeting, to vote, or to take any
other action.
The
GCEH-Utah Bylaws provide that, with respect to all actions requiring the
fixing of a record date, the record date shall be not more than 70 days
before the meeting or action requiring a determination of
stockholders.
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Under
the DGCL, a corporation’s bylaws may fix or provide the manner of fixing
the record date for stockholders entitled to be given notice of a
stockholders' meeting, to determine stockholders entitled to take action
without a meeting, to demand a special meeting, to vote, or to take any
other action.
The
GCEH-Delaware Bylaws provide that, with respect to all actions requiring
the fixing of a record date, the record date shall be not more than 60
days or less than 10 days before the meeting or action requiring a
determination of stockholders.
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Amendment
to the Articles (Certificate) of Incorporation
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The
UBCA provides that amendments to the GCEH-Utah Articles (other than
ministerial amendments authorized by the board of directors without
stockholder action) may be proposed by the board of directors, and the
board of directors must recommend the amendment to the stockholders for
their approval.
Unless
the UBCA, the Certificate of Incorporation, or the bylaws (if authorized
by the Certificate of Incorporation) require a greater vote, the amendment
to be adopted must be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast on the amendment by any voting group with respect to which the
amendment would create dissenters’ rights, or a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast on the amendment by any voting group with respect to
which the amendment would materially and adversely affect rights of such
voting group. The GCEH-Utah Articles and Bylaws do not require a greater
vote.
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Under
the DGCL, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation requires a
greater vote, a proposed amendment to the certificate of incorporation
requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the
outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon and a majority of the voting
power of the outstanding stock of each class entitled to vote
thereon. The GCEH-Delaware Certificate does not require a
greater vote.
The
approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of any
class of capital stock of a corporation, voting separately as a class, is
required under the DGCL to approve a proposed amendment to a corporation’s
certificate of incorporation, whether or not entitled to vote on such
amendment by the certificate of incorporation, if the amendment would
increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such
class (except as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph),
increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class, or alter
or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of such
class so as to affect them
adversely.
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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The
authorized number of shares of any class of stock may be increased or
decreased (but not below the number of shares of such class outstanding)
by the requisite vote described above if so provided in the original
certificate of incorporation or in any amendment thereto that created such
class of stock or that was adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of
such class, or in an amendment authorized by a majority vote of the
holders of shares of such class.
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Amendment
to the By-laws
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The
UBCA provides that a corporation’s board of directors may amend the
corporation’s bylaws at any time, except to the extent that the
Certificate of Incorporation, the bylaws, or the UBCA reserve this power
exclusively to the stockholders, in whole or part. This is
consistent with the GCEH-Utah Bylaws.
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Under
the DGCL, the power to adopt, alter and repeal bylaws of a corporation is
vested in its stockholders, except to the extent that a corporation’s
certificate of incorporation vests concurrent power in the board of
directors or the bylaws state otherwise.
The
GCEH-Delaware Certificate provides that the board of directors has the
power to make and to alter or amend the GCEH-Delaware
Bylaws. The GCEH -Delaware Bylaws provide that they may be
amended by the stockholders of GCEH -Delaware, or by the GCEH -Delaware
Board of Directors at any meeting by a majority vote of the full GCEH
-Delaware Board of Directors or by a consent in writing signed by the
entire GCEH -Delaware Board of Directors.
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Advance
Notice Bylaws
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The
UBCA does not contain any provisions specifically dealing with advance
notice by stockholders in connection with annual or special stockholder
meetings. However, the GCEH-Utah Bylaws provide that a stockholder
entitled to vote at the meeting may nominate a person for election as a
director or may propose other business to be conducted at such a meeting
only if advance written notice of such director nomination or stockholder
proposal is given. Specifically, written notice of such stockholders’
intent to make such nomination or to propose such other business at an
annual meeting of stockholders generally must be received by the
corporation’s secretary not less than 60 days or more than 90 days prior
to the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or
with respect to a special meeting, no later than the 10th
day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the date of the
special meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made.
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The
DGCL does not contain any provisions specifically dealing with advance
notice by stockholders in connection with annual or special stockholder
meetings. However, the GCEH-Delaware Bylaws require that
nominations (other than by the Board of Directors or a nominating
committee) for the election of directors at a meeting of stockholders must
be made by written notice, delivered or mailed by first class mail, to
GCEH -Delaware not less than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date
on which the proxy statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting
was mailed to stockholders, or if GCEH -Delaware did not hold an annual
meeting in the prior year or if the date of the annual meeting occurs more
than 30 days before or after the anniversary of such immediately preceding
annual meeting, then not later than the close of business on the later of
the (i) 60th day prior to such annual meeting, and (ii) the 10th day
following the date on which public notice of the date of such annual
meeting is first
made.
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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Dissolution
|
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Under
the UBCA, the board of directors of GCEH-Utah may submit a proposal of
voluntary dissolution of GCEH-Utah to the stockholders entitled to vote
thereon. The board of directors must recommend such dissolution to the
stockholders as part of the dissolution proposal, unless the board of
directors determines that, because of a conflict of interest or other
special circumstances, it should make no recommendation and communicates
the basis for its determination to the stockholders.
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GCEH-Delaware
will be subject to the same voting requirement with respect to a proposed
dissolution of the corporation. However, if the board of directors does
not initially approve the dissolution, then the stockholder vote required
for the dissolution is a unanimous written consent of all stockholders
entitled to vote thereon.
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Dividends
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Utah
law provides that the payment of dividends and other distributions is
generally permissible unless, after giving effect to the dividend or
distribution, GCEH-Utah would be unable to pay its debts as they become
due in the usual course of business, or if the total assets of GCEH-Utah
would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that
would be needed, if GCEH-Utah were dissolved at the time the dividend was
paid, to satisfy the preferential rights of stockholders whose
preferential rights upon dissolution are superior than those of the
stockholders receiving the dividend.
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Delaware
law provides the same provision with respect to declaration of dividends
as Utah law.
However,
unlike in Utah, the concepts of capital and surplus are retained in
Delaware. Delaware law defines surplus as the excess of the net assets of
the corporation over its capital. Unless the corporation’s board of
directors determines otherwise, the capital of the corporation is equal to
the aggregate par value of the issued shares of stock having par value.
Therefore, Delaware law permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends
out of surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of the net profits for the
fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or for the preceding
fiscal year.
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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Examination
of Books and Records
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Under
Utah law, any record or beneficial stockholder of GCEH-Utah may, upon five
business days’ written demand, inspect certain records, including
stockholder actions, minutes of stockholder meetings, communications with
stockholders and recent financial statements. In addition, upon five
business days’ written demand, any such stockholder may inspect the list
of stockholders and certain other corporate records, including minutes of
the meetings of board of directors of GCEH-Utah, provided that the demand
is made in good faith and for a proper purpose reasonably related to such
person’s interests as a stockholder.
The
GCEH-Utah Bylaws are consistent with the UBCA in this
regard.
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Under
the DGCL, any stockholder may, upon five days written demand, inspect, in
person or by agent or attorney, the stockholder ledger or other record of
stockholders during usual business hours. The written demand
must be under oath and state the purpose of such an
inspection. The stockholder may, unless denied for cause, copy
such records.
The
DGCL also allows stockholders, by the same written demand, to inspect the
corporation’s other books and records.
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Dissenters’
(Appraisal) Rights
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Under
Utah law, stockholders are entitled to exercise dissenters’ rights in the
event of certain mergers, share exchanges, sales, leases, exchanges or
other dispositions of all or substantially all of the property of
GCEH-Utah. Dissenters’ rights in Utah are available to both record holders
and beneficial holders.
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Delaware
law provides appraisal rights only in the case of certain mergers or
consolidations. Thus, under Delaware law, stockholders have no appraisal
rights in the event of a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially
all of a corporation’s assets. Appraisal rights in Delaware are available
only to record holders.
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Control
Shares Acquisition Act
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Under
the Utah Control Shares Acquisitions Act, shares acquired in a “control
share acquisition” by a single stockholder or group of stockholders that
give the stockholder or group more than 20% of the voting power of certain
public Utah corporations cease to have voting rights until a resolution
allowing the shares to be voted is approved by a majority of the
outstanding shares of the corporation (excluding shares held by officers,
directors and the acquirer). The Utah Control Shares Acquisitions Act
applies only to a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Utah
that has all of the following: (i) 100 or more stockholders; (ii) its
principal office or place of business, or substantial assets, located in
Utah; and (iii) any of (A) more than 10% of its stockholders resident in
Utah, (B) more than 10% of its shares owned by Utah residents or (C)
10,000 stockholders that are Utah residents.
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Section
203 of the DGCL prohibits a corporation from engaging in a “business
combination” with an “interested stockholder” for three years following
the date that the person becomes an interested stockholder. The three year
moratorium imposed on business combinations by Section 203 does not apply
if:
· prior
to the date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder the
board of directors approves either the business combination or the
transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested
stockholder;
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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GCEH-Utah
does not have our principal office, any place of business, or substantial
assets in the State of Utah. Accordingly, the protections and restrictions
of the Control Shares Acquisitions Act do not presently apply to GCEH-Utah
or to holders of its common stock.
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·
the interested stockholder owns 85% of the corporation’s voting
stock upon consummation of the transaction which made him an interested
stockholder; or
·
the business combination is approved by the board of directors and
approved at a stockholder meeting by the holders of two-thirds of the
voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
Section
203 only applies to Delaware corporations that have a class of voting
stock that is either listed on a national securities exchange or held of
record by more than 2,000 stockholders. However, a corporation may elect
not to be governed by Section 203 by a provision in its certificate of
incorporation or its bylaws.
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Cumulative
Voting
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The
UBCA permits cumulative voting with respect to the election of a
corporation’s directors. The GCEH-Utah Articles do not provide
for cumulative voting in connection with the election of
directors.
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Under
both the DGCL, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may provide
that at all elections of directors, or at elections held under specified
circumstances, each stockholder is entitled to cumulate such stockholder’s
votes. The GCEH-Delaware Certificate does not provide for
cumulative voting for the election of directors.
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Preemptive
Rights
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Under
the UBCA, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation,
stockholders do not have preemptive rights. The GCEH-Utah
Articles specifically state that stockholders have no preemptive
rights.
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Under
the DGCL, a stockholder does not possess preemptive rights unless such
rights are specifically granted in the certificate of
incorporation. The GCEH-Delaware Certificate does not provide
for preemptive rights.
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Reacquisition
of Stock by the Corporation
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Utah
law dispenses with the concepts of par value of shares as well as
statutory definitions of capital and surplus. The concepts of par value,
capital and surplus exist under Delaware law.
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Delaware
law requires that (i) all repurchases of shares by GCEH-Delaware generally
be made of out of surplus, and (ii) a purchase of shares redeemable at the
option of GCEH-Delaware not be made for more than the price at which the
shares may then be
redeemed.
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GCEH-Utah,
a
Utah Corporation
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GCEH-Delaware,
a
Delaware corporation
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Under
Utah law, a corporation may not repurchase its shares if, after giving
effect to the repurchase: (i) the corporation would not be able to pay its
debts as they become due in the normal course; or (ii) its total assets
would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount, if
any, payable upon liquidation to holders of any preferred stock with
distribution rights superior to the rights of holders of common
stock.
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Shares
of stock issued by GCEH-Delaware as fully paid, and afterwards reacquired
by GCEH-Delaware, would have the status of “treasury shares” if the board
of directors does not, by resolution, retire the shares reacquired.
Treasury shares that have a par value may be resold at any price fixed by
the board of directors.
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Franchise
Tax
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Generally,
Utah law requires corporations to pay franchise tax equal to the greater
of (i) 5% of net income, and (ii) $100. The franchise tax is payable
annually if taxable income is less than $3,000 per year or quarterly if
taxable income is greater than $3,000 per year.
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Delaware
law requires corporations to pay franchise tax annually. The
current minimum tax is $75 per year and the current maximum tax is
$180,000 per year.
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Stockholders
of the Company of record on the Record Date (i.e., May 21, 2010) will have
dissenters' rights under the UBCA as a result of the proposed Reincorporation
Merger. Stockholders who oppose the Reincorporation Merger will have the right
to receive payment for the value of their shares as set forth in sections
16-10(a)-1301-1331 of the UBCA. A copy of these sections is attached hereto as
Appendix G
to this proxy statement. The material requirements for a stockholder to properly
exercise his or her dissenter’s rights are summarized below. However, these
provisions are very technical in nature, and stockholders are encouraged to
carefully read and understand the actual statutory provisions governing the
assertion of such rights.
Requirements
for Exercising Dissenters' Rights
Under the
UBCA, dissenters' rights will be available only to those stockholders of the
Company who (i) object to the proposed Reincorporation Merger in writing prior
to or at the 2010 Annual Meeting before the vote on the matter is taken (a
negative vote will not itself constitute such a written objection); and (ii) do
not vote any of their shares in favor of the proposed Reincorporation Merger at
the 2010 Annual Meeting.
TO BE
ENTITLED TO PAYMENT, THE DISSENTING STOCKHOLDER MUST FILE WITH THE COMPANY
BEFORE THE VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION MERGER A WRITTEN NOTICE OF
INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT OF THE FAIR VALUE OF THE SHARES AND MUST NOT VOTE IN
FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION MERGER; PROVIDED, THAT SUCH DEMAND SHALL
BE OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT IF THE PROPOSED REINCORPORATION MERGER IS NOT
EFFECTED.
The
notice must be submitted to the Company at 6033 W. Century Blvd., Suite 895, Los
Angeles, California 90045, Attention: Secretary, and must be received before the
vote for the proposed Reincorporation Merger.
The
submission of a blank proxy will constitute a vote in favor of the
Reincorporation Merger and a waiver of dissenter’s rights. A vote against the
Reincorporation Merger is not necessary for the stockholder to exercise
dissenter’s rights and require the Company to purchase their shares. A vote
against the Reincorporation Merger will not be deemed to satisfy the notice
requirements of Utah law. The liability to the dissenting stockholder for the
fair value of the shares also shall be the liability of GCEH-Delaware when and
if the Reincorporation Merger is consummated.
Any
stockholder contemplating the exercise of these dissenter’s rights should review
carefully the provisions of Sections 16-10(a)-1301et. seq. of the UBCA,
particularly the procedural steps required to perfect such rights. SUCH
DISSENTER’S RIGHTS WILL BE LOST IF THESE PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT FULLY
AND PRECISELY SATISFIED. A SUMMARY OF THE STATUTORY PROCEDURE TO PERFECT YOUR
DISSENTER’S RIGHTS IS SET FORTH BELOW AND A COPY OF SECTIONS 16-10(a)-1301 ET.
SEQ. OF THE UBCA IS ATTACHED AS APPENDIX
G.
Procedure
Within
ten days after the effective time of the Reincorporation Merger (i.e., the time
at which the articles/certificate of merger and any other appropriate documents
are filed with the Secretaries of State of the States of Utah and Delaware),
GCEH-Delaware will send to each stockholder who has satisfied the requirements
for exercising dissenter’s rights a written notice in which GCEH-Delaware will
notify such stockholders of their right to demand payment for their shares and
will supply a form for dissenting stockholders to demand payment. Stockholders
will have 30 days to make their payment demands or lose such rights. If required
in the notice, each dissenting stockholder must also certify whether or not he
or she acquired beneficial ownership of such shares before or after the date of
the first announcement to the public of the proposed merger. Upon receipt of
each demand for payment, GCEH-Delaware will pay each dissenting stockholder the
amount that GCEH-Delaware estimates to be the fair value of such stockholder’s
shares, plus interest from the date of the completion of the Reincorporation
Merger to the date of payment. With respect to any dissenting stockholder who
does not certify that he or she acquired beneficial ownership of the shares
prior to the first public announcement of the transaction, GCEH-Delaware may,
instead of making payment, offer such payment if the dissenter agrees to accept
it in full satisfaction of his or her demand. “Fair Value” means the market
value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of the Reincorporation
Merger, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of such
events.
Any
dissenter who does not wish to accept the payment or offer made by GCEH-Delaware
must notify GCEH-Delaware in writing of his or her own estimate of the fair
value of the shares within 30 days after the date GCEH-Delaware makes or offers
payment. UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER MAKES SUCH A DEMAND WITHIN SUCH THIRTY-DAY PERIOD,
THE STOCKHOLDER WILL BE ENTITLED ONLY TO THE AMOUNT ESTIMATED BY GCEH-Delaware.
If the dissenting stockholder and GCEH-Delaware are unable to agree on the fair
value of the shares, then GCEH-Delaware will commence a proceeding with the Utah
courts within 60 days after receiving the dissenter’s notice of his or her own
estimate of fair value. If GCEH-Delaware does not commence such a proceeding
within the 60-day period, it must pay each dissenter whose demand remains
unresolved the amount demanded by such dissenter.
If a
proceeding is commenced, the court will determine the fair value of the shares
and may appoint one or more appraisers to help determine such value. All
dissenting stockholders must be a party to the proceeding, and all such
stockholders will be entitled to judgment against GCEH-Delaware for the amount
of the fair value of their shares, to be paid on surrender of the certificates
representing such shares. The judgment will include an allowance for interest
(at a rate determined by the court) to the date of payment. The costs of the
court proceeding, including the fees and expenses of any appraisers, will be
assessed against GCEH-Delaware unless the court finds that the dissenters acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith in demanding payment at a higher
amount than that offered by GCEH-Delaware. Both GCEH-Delaware and the dissenters
must bear their own respective legal fees and expenses, unless the court
requires one party to pay such legal fees and expenses because of the conduct of
such party.
The loss
or forfeiture of dissenter’s rights simply means the loss of the right to
receive a cash payment from GCEH-Delaware in exchange for shares. In such event
the stockholder would still hold the appropriate number of shares of
GCEH-Delaware.
PROPOSAL
V – APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE (ARTICLES) OF
INCORPORATION
TO EFFECT REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
Overview
Our Board
of Directors has unanimously adopted a resolution approving, declaring advisable
and recommending to the stockholders for their approval, a proposal to grant
discretionary authority to our Board of Directors to amend GCEH-Delaware’s
Certificate of Incorporation (or if the Reincorporation Merger is not approved,
to amend GCEH-Utah’s Articles of Incorporation) to effect a Reverse Stock Split
of our issued and outstanding common stock at any time prior to our next annual
meeting of stockholders, at any whole number ratio between one for five and one
for twenty (1-for-5 to 1-for-20), with the exact exchange ratio and timing of
the Reverse Stock Split (if at all) to be determined at the discretion of the
Board of Directors.
If this
proposal is approved by the stockholders, our Board of Directors will be granted
the discretionary authority to select any whole number ratio between 1-for-5 to
1-for-20 for the Amendment and the Reverse Stock Split, and will be authorized
to implement the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split at any time prior
to our next annual meeting of stockholders but no later than September 30, 2011,
with the exact exchange ratio and timing of the Reverse Stock Split (if at all)
to be determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Our Board of
Directors’ decision whether or not (and when) to file the Amendment and effect
the Reverse Stock Split (and at what whole number ratio to effect the Reverse
Stock Split) will also be based on a number of factors, including market
conditions, existing and anticipated trading prices for our common stock and the
listing requirements of a national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Capital
Market.
Stockholder
approval is being to implement the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split
at any whole number ratio between 1-for-5 to 1-for-20 in order to provide our
Board of Directors with the flexibility to determine the ultimate exchange ratio
of the Reverse Stock Split, based upon the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. If the stockholders approve the Amendment and Reverse Stock Split,
the Company reserves the right not to file the Amendment and effect the Reverse
Stock Split if our Board of Directors does not deem it to be in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders. The form of the Amendment to
GCEH-Delaware’s Certificate of Incorporation (or if the Reincorporation Merger
is not approved, GCEH-Utah’s Articles of Incorporation) to effect the Reverse
Stock Split is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix
F. The form of the Amendment to effect the Reverse Stock
Split, as more fully described below, will effect the Reverse Stock Split but
will not change the number of authorized shares of common stock or preferred
stock.
The
Company believes that the availability of a range of reverse stock split ratios
will provide it with the flexibility to implement the Reverse Stock Split in a
manner designed to maximize the anticipated benefits for the Company and its
stockholders. In determining which ratio to implement, if any, following the
receipt of stockholder approval, our Board may consider, among other things,
factors such as:
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the
historical trading price and trading volume of our Common
Stock;
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the
then prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and
the anticipated impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading market
for our Common Stock;
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the
Company’s ability to facilitate the listing of our Common Stock on the
Nasdaq Capital Market on a national exchange;
and
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prevailing
general market and economic
conditions.
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The
Board, in its discretion, may elect, at any time prior to next year’s annual
meeting of stockholders, to implement the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock
Split at a ratio within the range set forth above upon receipt of stockholder
approval, or none of them if the Board determines in its discretion not to
proceed with the Reverse Stock Split.
As a Utah
corporation, GCEH-Utah is governed by our Articles of
Incorporation. If we consummate the Reincorporation Merger, as
GCEH-Delaware, we will become governed by the Certificate of Incorporation
attached to this proxy statement as Appendix
D. If our stockholders approve the grant of discretionary
authority to implement the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split but do
not approve the Reincorporation Merger, we will remain a Utah corporation
governed by our Articles of Incorporation. In such event, should the Board
decide to implement the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split, we will
amend GCEH-Utah’s Articles of Incorporation as set forth in Appendix
F. On the other hand, if our stockholders approve the
Reincorporation Merger, and should our Board decide to implement the Reverse
Stock Split following the Reincorporation Merger, we will amend our (i.e.,
GCEH-Delaware) Certificate of Incorporation as set forth in Appendix
F.
Reasons
for Reverse Stock Split
The Board
proposes to effect, and believes that stockholders should authorize, the Reverse
Stock Split for the following reasons:
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The
Reverse Stock Split would allow a broader range of institutions and other
investors to invest in our Common Stock, such as funds that are prohibited
from buying stock whose price is below a certain threshold, potentially
increasing trading volume and liquidity. Further, the Reverse
Stock Split would help increase broker interest in shares of our Common
Stock as their policies can discourage them from recommending companies
with lower stock prices. Because of the trading volatility often
associated with lower-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and
institutional investors have adopted internal policies and practices that
either prohibit or discourage them from investing in such stocks or
recommending them to their customers. Additionally, because brokers’
commissions on transactions in lower-priced stocks generally represent a
higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced
stocks, the current average price per share of our Common Stock can result
in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher
percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the stock
price were substantially higher.
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Our
Board believes that the increase in the stock price expected to result
from the Reverse Stock Split could decrease price volatility, as small
changes in the price of our Common Stock currently result in relatively
large percentage changes in the stock
price.
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Our
Common Stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. The OTC
Bulletin Board is an inter-dealer, over-the-counter market that provides
significantly less liquidity than national securities exchanges, such as
The Nasdaq Stock Market. We would like to have the flexibility
in the future to consider listing our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock
Market or on another national stock exchange, but we do not currently meet
the listing requirements for The Nasdaq Stock Market or any other national
stock exchange. Most national stock exchanges maintain minimum
share price requirements to determine a security’s eligibility for listing
on the stock exchange. For example, in order to list our Common
Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market, we would be required to have a minimum
bid price of $4.00 per share. As of the Record Date, the
closing price of our common stock, as listed on the OTC Bulletin Board,
was $0.04 per share. While the Reverse Stock Split may not
increase our stock price to $4.00 per share immediately, our Board
believes that the Reverse Stock Split may make it easier for the Company
to achieve that level in the future, thereby facilitating listing of our
Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market or on another national stock
exchange.
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Possible
Disadvantages of Reverse Stock Split
The Board
believes that the potential advantages of the Reverse Stock Split significantly
outweigh any disadvantages that may result. The following are possible
disadvantages of the Reverse Stock Split:
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Although
our Board expects that the Reverse Stock Split will result in an increase
in the price of our Common Stock, the effect of the Reverse Stock Split
cannot be predicted with certainty. Other factors, such as the Company’s
financial results, market conditions and the market perception of the
Company’s business may adversely affect our stock price. As a result,
there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will
result in the intended benefits described above; that the stock price will
increase following the Reverse Stock Split; or that the stock price will
not decrease in the future.
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Because
the Reverse Stock Split will reduce the number of shares of our Common
Stock available in the public market, the trading market for such
securities may be harmed, particularly if the stock price does not
increase as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. The Reverse Stock Split
will reduce the number of shares outstanding, including the number of
shares in the public float (i.e. the shares that trade on the public
markets). A reduction in the public float could reduce the
amount of trading in our shares of Common
Stock.
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Effects
of Reverse Stock Split
General
If the
Reverse Stock Split is approved and
implemented, the principal effects will be to decrease the number of outstanding
shares of the Company’s common stock based on the reverse stock split ratio
selected by the Board. As of May 1, 2010, approximately 270,464,478 shares of
our Common Stock were issued and outstanding. Without taking into account
fractional shares that will be rounded up to the nearest whole share or cashed
out as described below, based on this number of shares issued and outstanding
and, for illustrative purposes only, assuming a reverse split ratio of 1-for-10,
the Company would have approximately 27,046,448 shares outstanding immediately
following the completion of the Reverse Stock Split.
With
respect to holders of our Series B Preferred Stock, if the Reverse Stock Split
is effected, the conversion price of the Series B Preferred Stock (i.e., the
ratio at which the Series B Preferred Stock converts into shares of our Common
Stock) will be proportionately adjusted such that holders will be entitled to
receive the number of shares of Common Stock which they would have been entitled
to had the Series B Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to
implementing the Reverse Stock Split. As a result, while our
preferred stockholders will still own the same number of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock, such shares will be convertible into a smaller number of shares
of our Common Stock. The specific number of shares of Common Stock
into which shares of Series B Preferred Stock will be convertible following
effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split will depend on the reverse stock split
ratio selected by the Board.
The
proposed Reverse Stock Split will affect all of our stockholders (common or
preferred) uniformly and will not affect any common stockholder’s percentage
ownership interest in the Company except to the extent that the Reverse Stock
Split results in any of our common stockholders owning a fractional share and
such fractional share. The proposed Reverse Stock Split will not affect voting
rights and other rights and preferences of our stockholders (common or
preferred), nor will it affect the number of our stockholders of
record.
The
Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation (or Articles of Incorporation if
the Reincorporation Merger is not approved) to effect the Reverse Stock Split
will not proportionately change the number of authorized shares of our Common
Stock or Series B Preferred Stock. As a result, with respect to each
class of capital stock, one of the effects of the Reverse Stock Split, if
effected, will be to effectively increase the proportion of authorized shares,
which are unissued relative to those which are issued. This could result in us
being able to issue more shares without further stockholder
approval.
Effectiveness
of Reverse Stock Split
The
Amendment and Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become
effective upon the filing and effectiveness of a Certificate of Amendment to
GCEH-Delaware’s Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware (assuming stockholder approval of the Reincorporation Merger).
However, the exact timing of the filing of the Amendment will be determined by
the Board based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most
advantageous to the Company and its stockholders, if at
all. Accordingly, the Board reserves the right, notwithstanding
stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to elect
not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to
filing the Amendment, the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is
no longer in the Company’s best interests and the best interests of its
stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split.
If the
Board fails to implement the Reverse Stock Split by next year’s annual
meeting, stockholder approval would be required again prior to implementing any
reverse stock split. If our stockholders approve the grant of discretionary
authority to implement the Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split but do
not approve the Reincorporation Merger, we will remain a Utah corporation
governed by our Articles of Incorporation. In such event, should the Board
decide to file Amendment and effect the Reverse Stock Split, we will amend
GCEH-Utah’s Articles of Incorporation instead.
Effect
on Stock Certificates
Stockholders
are not required to send in their current certificates for
exchange. Following the Reverse Stock Split, each stock certificate
representing issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock will represent a
fewer number of shares, as adjusted appropriately based on the Reverse Stock
Split ratio selected by our Board. For example, a stock certificate
evidencing 1,000 shares of Common Stock will, upon effectiveness of the Reverse
Stock Split, represent 100 shares of Common Stock (assuming that the Board
effects the Reverse Stock Split at a 1-for 10 ratio). With respect to holders of
our Series B Preferred Stock, if the Reverse Stock Split is effected, the
conversion price of the Series B Preferred Stock (i.e., the ratio at which the
Series B Preferred Stock converts into shares of our Common Stock) will be
proportionately adjusted such that holders will be entitled to receive the
number of shares of Common Stock which they would have been entitled to had the
Series B Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to implementing the
Reverse Stock Split. As a result, while you will still own the same
number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, such shares will be convertible
into a smaller number of shares of our Common Stock. The specific
number of shares of Common Stock into which your Series B Preferred Stock will
be convertible following effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split will depend on
the reverse stock split ratio selected by the Board.
Effect
on Company’s Stock Plans
As of May
1, 2010, approximately 19,700,000 shares of our Common Stock were subject to the
exercise of outstanding stock options and other awards, and approximately
300,000 additional shares were reserved and available for issuance pursuant to
future awards, under the Company’s 2002 Plan. As of May 14, 2010, no
awards have been granted under the 2010 Plan.
Under
these plans, the number of shares reserved and available for issuance and the
number, exercise price, grant price or purchase price of shares subject to
outstanding awards will be proportionately adjusted based on the reverse split
ratio selected by the Board if the Reverse Stock Split is effected. As a result,
using the above data as of May 14, 2010, and assuming for illustrative purposes
only that a 1-for-10 reverse stock split is effected, the number of shares
issuable upon exercise or vesting of outstanding awards would be adjusted from
19,700,000 to 1,970,000, and the 300,00 shares that were available for future
issuance under the stock plans would be adjusted to30,000 shares (subject to
increase as and when awards made under the stock plans expire or are forfeited
and are returned in accordance with the terms of the plans).
For
individual holders, the number of shares subject to outstanding awards would be
reduced by a factor of 10 and, in the case of outstanding stock options, the
exercise price per share would be increased by a multiple of 10, such that upon
an exercise, the aggregate exercise price payable by the optionee to the Company
would remain the same. For example, an outstanding stock option for
5,000 shares of common stock, exercisable at $0.10 per share, would be
adjusted as a result of a 1-for-10 split ratio into an option exercisable for
500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. In
connection with the proposed Reverse Stock Split, the number of shares of our
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock awards will be rounded
to the nearest whole share and no cash payment will be made in respect of such
rounding. The proposed Reverse Stock Split will have a similar effect upon our
outstanding warrants.
Fractional
Shares
We will
not issue any fractional shares of common stock to holders of our Common Stock
in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, with respect to
any fractional share resulting from the Reverse Stock Split, and subject to
applicable law, we will either pay in cash the value of such fractional share,
or round up such fractional share to the nearest whole share.
Effect
on Registered and Beneficial Holders
If
the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, the Company intends to treat beneficial
holders (i.e.,
stockholders who hold their shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or
other nominee) in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are
registered in their names. Banks, brokers or other nominees will be instructed
to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding shares in
“street name”. However, these banks, brokers or other nominees may have their
own procedures for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who hold
shares with a bank, broker or other nominee and have questions in this regard
are encouraged to contact their bank, broker or other nominee.
No
Dissenters’ Rights
Under
Utah law, the Company’s stockholders are not entitled to dissenter’s rights or
appraisal rights with respect to the Amendment and the Reverse Stock Split
described in this proposal.
Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences of Reverse Stock Split
The
following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Reverse Stock Split that may be relevant to stockholders.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the “Code”),
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published administrative rulings
and judicial decisions as of the date hereof, all of which may change, possibly
with retroactive effect, resulting in U.S. federal income tax consequences
that may differ from those discussed below. This summary does not purport to be
complete and does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that may be
relevant to stockholders in light of their particular circumstances or to
stockholders that may be subject to special tax rules. In addition, this summary
does not address the tax consequences arising under the laws of any foreign,
state or local jurisdiction and U.S. federal tax consequences other than
federal income taxation.
The
Company has not sought, and will not seek, an opinion of counsel or a ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding the United
States federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split and there can
be no assurance the IRS will not challenge the statements and conclusions set
forth below or that a court would not sustain any such challenge. EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT SUCH
HOLDER’S TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT TO SUCH STOCKHOLDER.
The
Reverse Stock Split should constitute a “recapitalization” for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally should not recognize
gain or loss upon the Reverse Stock Split. A stockholder’s aggregate tax basis
in the shares of the common stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split
should equal the aggregate tax basis of the shares of the common stock
surrendered (excluding the effect of any fractional shares that are rounded up,
if at all), and such stockholder’s holding period in the shares of the common
stock received should include the holding period in the shares of the common
stock surrendered. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code provide
detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of the shares of
the common stock surrendered to the shares of the common stock received pursuant
to the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who acquired their shares of common
stock on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax
advisors regarding the allocation of the tax basis and holding period of such
shares.
The Board Of Directors Recommends A
Vote “For” The Proposal to amend the Company’s Certificate
of Incorporation (or Articles of
Incorporation, if applicable) to effect the Reverse Stock Split at a ratio
of between 1-for-5 and 1-for-20, as
determined by the Board of Directors.
INTERESTS
OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
No
director, executive officer, associate of any director or executive officer, or
any other person has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security
holdings or otherwise, resulting from the proposals presented in this proxy
statement, which is not shared by all other stockholders pro rata, and in
accordance with their respective interests.
Stockholder Nominations for Board of
Directors. Stockholders may nominate persons to be elected as directors
of the Company or present proposals to the Company for inclusion in our proxy
statement prepared in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be
held in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 (the “Next Annual
Meeting”). In order to be eligible to submit a proposal for
inclusion in our proxy materials, a stockholder must have continuously held at
least $2,000 in market value, or 1% of our securities entitled to vote at the
meeting for at least prior to the date of the submission of the proposal. In
addition, SEC rules require that stockholders give written notice of any
proposal to the Company.
For your
proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy
for the Next Annual Meeting, your written proposal must be received by our
Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 120 calendar days
before the date of the Company’s proxy statement released to stockholders in
connection with the previous year’s annual meeting (i.e., the 2010 Annual
Meeting). Accordingly, we must receive all such written notices no
later than February 4, 2011. To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s
notice shall set forth: (1) as to each person that the stockholder proposes to
nominate for election as a director, all information relating to such nominee
that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings
required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of
directors, or may otherwise be required, in each case pursuant to Section 14 of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (2)
as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on
whose behalf the proposal is made: (i) the name and address of such stockholder,
as they appear on the Company’s books, and of such beneficial owner; (ii) the
class and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are
beneficially owned by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; and (iii) if
applicable, any other information relating to such stockholder and such
beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or
other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies
for election of directors, or may otherwise be required, in each case pursuant
to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Stockholder Proposals for Other
Business. Stockholders may present proposals to the Company for inclusion
in our proxy statement prepared in connection with the Next Annual
Meeting. In order to be eligible to submit a proposal for inclusion
in our proxy materials, a stockholder must have continuously held at least
$2,000 in market value, or 1% of our securities entitled to vote at the meeting
for at least prior to the date of the submission of the proposal. In addition,
SEC rules require that stockholders give written notice of any proposal to the
Company.
For your
proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy
for the Next Annual Meeting, your written proposal must be received by our
Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 120 calendar days
before the date of the Company’s proxy statement released to stockholders in
connection with the previous year’s annual meeting (i.e., the 2010 Annual
Meeting). Accordingly, we must receive all such written notices no
later than February 4, 2011. To be in proper written form, such stockholder’s
notice shall set forth: (1) as to each matter that the stockholder proposes to
bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the meeting, and any material interest in such business of such
stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is
made; and (2) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner,
if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made: (i) the name and address of such
stockholder, as they appear on the Company’s books, and of such beneficial
owner; (ii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which
are beneficially owned by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; and (iii)
if applicable, any other information relating to such stockholder and such
beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or
other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies
for such matters, or may otherwise be required, in each case pursuant to Section
14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
Receipt
of a stockholder proposal does not necessarily guarantee that the proposal will
be included in the proxy statement for the Next Annual Meeting. Stockholders
interested in submitting a nomination or proposal for consideration at the Next
Annual Meeting should consult the Company’s Bylaws to ensure that any such
notice of nomination or proposal is submitted to the Company in proper
form. You should also be aware that your proposal must comply with
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations regarding inclusion of
stockholder proposals in Company-sponsored proxy materials. The Board will
review any proposal that is received by the deadline and determine if it is a
proper proposal for inclusion in the proxy statement for the Next Annual
Meeting.
Stockholder Proposals Not for
Inclusion in Company Proxy Statement. Stockholders may nominate persons
to be elected as directors of the Company, or present other proposals, to the
Company to be considered at the Next Annual Meeting, but not for inclusion in
our proxy statement prepared in connection with the Next Annual Meeting. In
order to submit a proposal, our Bylaws require that stockholders give written
notice of any proposal to the Company. For your proposal to be considered at the
Next Annual Meeting (but not for inclusion in our proxy statement prepared in
connection with such annual meeting), your written proposal must be received by
our Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 60 days nor more
than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the 2010 Annual Meeting.
Accordingly, we must receive all such written notices no earlier than April 16,
2011, and no later than May 16, 2011. Depending on the nature of the proposal,
our Bylaws require certain additional information to be included in such written
notice. Stockholders interested in submitting a nomination or proposal for
consideration at the Next Annual Meeting (but not for inclusion in our proxy
statement prepared in connection with such annual meeting) should consult the
Company’s Bylaws to ensure that any such notice of nomination or proposal is
submitted to the Company in proper form.
Stockholder Proposals Following
Approval of Reincorporation Merger. If our stockholders approve the
Reincorporation Merger, as GCEH-Delaware, we will become governed by the Bylaws
of GCEH-Delaware attached to this proxy statement as Appendix E. Pursuant
to the GCEH-Delaware Bylaws, stockholders may nominate persons to be elected as
directors of the Company, or present other proposals, to be considered at annual
meeting of stockholders, whether or not such proposals are for inclusion in our
proxy materials. Pursuant to the GCEH-Delaware Bylaws, in order to
timely submit such a proposal for consideration at the Next Annual Meeting
(whether or not such proposal is for inclusion in our proxy materials), your
written proposal must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive
offices not less than 120 calendar days before the date of the Company’s proxy
statement released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual
meeting (i.e., the 2010 Annual Meeting), which is no later than February 4,
2011. In addition, stockholders are required to include with such
written proposals, the same information required under our current Bylaws, as
applicable, with respect to nominations for election as a director of the
Company and proposals of other business (as more specifically described in the
discussion above).
DELIVERY
OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
Certain
stockholders who share an address are being delivered only one copy of this
proxy statement unless the Company or one of its mailing agents has received
contrary instructions. Upon the written or oral request of a stockholder at a
shared address to which a single copy of this proxy statement was delivered, the
Company shall promptly deliver a separate copy of this proxy statement to such
stockholder. Written requests should be made to Global Clean Energy Holdings,
Inc., 6033 W. Century Blvd., Suite 895, Los Angeles, California 90045,
Attention: Corporate Secretary, and oral requests may be made by calling the
Company at (310) 641-4234. In addition, if such stockholder wishes to receive
separate annual reports, proxy statements or information statements in the
future, such stockholder should notify the Company either in writing addressed
to the foregoing address or by calling the foregoing telephone number.
Stockholders sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of this proxy
statement may request delivery of a single annual report, proxy statement or
information statement in the future by directing such request in writing to the
address above or calling the number above.
Management
does not intend to present any other items of business and knows of no other
matters that will be brought before the 2010 Annual Meeting. Whether
or not you plan to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting, please sign and date the
enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope to ensure your
representation at the 2010 Annual Meeting.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
proxy statement and materials delivered with this proxy statement, including our
annual report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009, contains
“forward-looking” statements. All statements other than statements of historical
facts included in this proxy statement and materials delivered with this proxy
statement, including, without limitation, statements regarding our financial
position, business strategy, and plans and objectives of management for future
operations and capital expenditures, are forward-looking statements. Although we
believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and
the assumptions upon which the forward-looking statements are based are
reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will
prove to have been correct. Additional statements concerning important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are
disclosed in the “Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” section of our
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. All written and
oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our
behalf subsequent to the date of this proxy statement are expressly qualified in
their entirety by such cautionary statements.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The
Company files reports, proxy statements, and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You can read
and copy these reports, proxy statements, and other information concerning our
company at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference
Room. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains all
reports, proxy statements and other information that we file electronically with
the SEC. The address of that website is
http://www.sec.gov.
A copy of
our annual report on form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009, which
includes financial statements for the Company for the fiscal year then ended,
management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition, and a
general description of the Company’s business operations (but excluding
exhibits) will be made available at the Internet address specified
in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials being
mailed to each stockholder of record with this proxy statement. The exhibits to
the Form 10-K are available upon payment of charges that approximate
reproduction costs. If you would like to request documents, please do so by June
30, 2010, to receive them before the annual meeting of stockholders. Requests
should be sent in writing to:
Global
Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.
6033 W.
Century Blvd., Suite 895
Los
Angeles, California 90045
Attention:
Corporate Secretary
PLEASE
SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE
AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. YOU MAY REVOKE THE PROXY BY GIVING WRITTEN
NOTICE OF REVOCATION TO THE COMPANY PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING, BY EXECUTING A
LATER DATED PROXY AND DELIVERING IT TO COMPANY’S CORPORATE SECRETARY PRIOR TO
THE ANNUAL MEETING OR BY ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING IN
PERSON.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ RICHARD PALMER
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RICHARD
PALMER
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Chief
Executive Officer
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June 2,
2010
APPENDIX
A
PROXY
GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 15, 2010
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Know all
men by these presents that the undersigned stockholder of GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY
HOLDINGS, INC. (“Company”) hereby constitutes and appoints Richard Palmer, the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, as attorney and proxy to appear, attend and
vote all of the shares of the Company standing in the name of the undersigned at
the Annual meeting of Stockholders of the Company to held at the offices of
TroyGould PC, 1801 Century Park East, 16th Floor, Los Angeles, California
U.S.A., and at any adjournment thereof.
PROPOSAL
I - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: Four (4) persons are nominated – David Walker,
Mark Bernstein, Martin Wenzel and Richard Palmer – to serve as directors for a
term ending on the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders following the
date such persons are initially elected as directors, and until their successors
are duly elected and qualified:
“FOR” all
nominees o
Withhold authority to vote for all nominees o
Withhold
authority to vote for nominee(s) named below:
David
Walker o
Mark Bernstein o
Martin Wenzel o
Richard Palmer o
PROPOSAL
II - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM: Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell, P.C. as the Company’s
independent registered public accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2010.
FOR o AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN o
PROPOSAL
III - APPROVAL OF ADOPTION OF THE 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN: Approval of
the Board of Director’s adoption of the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.
FOR o AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN o
PROPOSAL IV –
REINCORPORATION MERGER: Reincorporation of the Company in the State of Delaware
pursuant to a merger with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company.
FOR o AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN o
PROPOSAL V –
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE (ARTICLES) OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT: Amendment to Company’s Certificate (Articles) of
Incorporation to effect Reverse Stock Split.
FOR o AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN o
OTHER
BUSINESS: Such other business as may properly come before the
meeting:
AUTHORITY
GRANTED o
AUTHORITY WITHHELD o
Please
mark, date and sign your name exactly as it appears hereon and return
the Proxy as promptly as possible. It is important to return this Proxy properly
signed in order to exercise your right to vote if you do not attend the meeting
in person. When signing as agent, partner, attorney, administrator, guardian,
trustee or in any other fiduciary or official capacity, please indicate your
title. If shares are held jointly, each owner must sign.
Number
of Common Shares:
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Printed
Name(s):
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Date:
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Signature:
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Joint
Owner (if
any):
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APPENDIX
B
2010
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
OF
GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
The
purposes of the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”) of GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC., a Utah corporation (the “Company”), are
to:
1.1 Encourage
selected employees, directors, consultants and advisers to improve operations
and increase the profitability of the Company;
1.2 Encourage
selected employees, directors, consultants and advisers to accept or continue
employment or association with the Company or its Affiliates; and
1.3 Increase
the interest of selected employees, directors, consultants and advisers in the
Company’s welfare through participation in the growth in value of the common
stock of the Company, no par value per share (the “Common
Stock”). All references herein to stock or shares, unless
otherwise specified, shall mean Common Stock.
2.
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TYPES OF AWARDS;
ELIGIBLE PERSONS
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2.1 The
Administrator (as defined below) may, from time to time, take the following
action, separately or in combination, under the Plan: (i) grant “incentive stock
options” (“ISOs”) intended to
satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the regulations thereunder (the “Code”); (ii) grant
“non-qualified options” (“NQOs,” and together
with ISOs, “Options”); (iii)
grant or sell Common Stock subject to restrictions (“restricted stock”) and (iv)
grant stock appreciation rights (in general, the right to receive the excess of
the fair market value of Common Stock on the exercise date over its fair market
value on the grant date (“SARs”)), either in
tandem with Options or as separate and independent grants. Any such
awards may be made to employees, including employees who are officers or
directors, and to individuals described in Section 1 of this Plan who the
Administrator believes have made or will make a contribution to the Company or
any Affiliate (as defined below); provided, however, that only a
person who is an employee of the Company or any Affiliate at the date of the
grant of an Option is eligible to receive ISOs under the plan. The
term “Affiliate” as used in this Plan means a parent or subsidiary corporation
as defined in the applicable provisions (currently Sections 424(e) and (f),
respectively) of the Code. The term “employee” includes an officer or
director who is an employee of the Company. The term “consultant”
includes persons employed by, or otherwise affiliated with, a
consultant. The term “adviser” includes persons employed by, or
otherwise affiliated with, an adviser.
2.2 Except
as otherwise expressly set forth in this Plan, no right or benefit under this
Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, hypothecation,
or charge, and any such attempted action shall be void. No right or
benefit under this Plan shall in any manner be liable for or subject to debts,
contracts, liabilities, or torts of any option holder or any other person except
as otherwise may be expressly required by applicable law.
3.
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STOCK SUBJECT TO THIS
PLAN; MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
GRANTS
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Subject
to the provisions of Sections 6.1.1 and 8.2 of this Plan, the total number of
shares of Common Stock which may be offered, or issued as restricted stock or on
the exercise of Options or SARs under the Plan shall not exceed Twenty Million
(20,000,000) shares of Common Stock. The shares subject to an Option
or SAR granted under the Plan that expire, terminate or are cancelled
unexercised shall become available again for grants under this
Plan. If shares of restricted stock awarded under the Plan are
forfeited to the Company or repurchased by the Company, the number of shares
forfeited or repurchased shall again be available under the
Plan. Where the exercise price of an Option is paid by means of the
optionee’s surrender of previously owned shares of Common Stock or the Company’s
withholding of shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option as may be
permitted herein, only the net number of shares issued and which remain
outstanding in connection with such exercise shall be deemed “issued” and no
longer available for issuance under this Plan. No eligible person
shall be granted Options or other awards during any twelve-month period covering
more than Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of Common Stock.
4.1 This
Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or by a
committee (the “Committee”) to which
administration of this Plan, or of part of this Plan, is delegated by the Board
(in either case, the “Administrator”). The
Board shall appoint and remove members of the Committee in its discretion in
accordance with applicable laws. At the Board’s discretion, the
Committee may be comprised solely of “non-employee directors” within the meaning
of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
or “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code. The Administrator may delegate non-discretionary administrative
duties to such employees of the Company as the Administrator deems proper and
the Board, in its absolute discretion, may at any time and from time to time
exercise any and all rights and duties of the Administrator under this
Plan.
4.2 Subject
to the other provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion: (i) to grant Options and SARs and grant or sell
restricted stock; (ii) to determine the fair market value of the Common Stock
subject to Options or other awards; (iii) to determine the exercise price of
Options granted, the economic terms of SARs granted, or the offering price of
restricted stock; (iv) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times
at which, Options or SARs shall be granted or restricted stock granted or sold,
and the number of shares subject to each Option or SAR or the number of shares
of restricted stock granted or sold; (v) to construe and interpret the terms and
provisions of this Plan, of any applicable agreement and all Options and SARs
granted under this Plan, and of any restricted stock award under this Plan; (vi)
to prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan;
(vii) to determine the terms and provisions of each Option and SAR granted and
award of restricted stock (which need not be identical), including but not
limited to, the time or times at which Options and SARs shall be exercisable or
the time at which the restrictions on restricted stock shall lapse; (viii) with
the consent of the grantee, to rescind any award or exercise of an Option or SAR
and to modify or amend the terms of any Option, SAR or restricted stock; (ix) to
reduce the exercise price of any Option, the base value from which appreciation
is to be determined with respect to an SAR or the purchase price of restricted
stock, provided that any such reduction shall not be less than provided with
Sections 6.2.1 and 6.3.1; (x) to accelerate or defer (with the consent of the
grantee) the exercise date of any Option or SAR or the date on which the
restrictions on restricted stock lapse; (xi) to issue shares of restricted stock
to an optionee in connection with the accelerated exercise of an Option by such
optionee; (xii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any
instrument evidencing the grant of an Option. SAR or award of restricted stock;
(xiii) to determine the duration and purposes of leaves of absence which may be
granted to participants without constituting a termination of their employment
for the purposes of the Plan; and (xiv) to make all other determinations deemed
necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan, any applicable
agreement, Option, SAR or award of restricted stock.
4.3 All
questions of interpretation, implementation, and application of this Plan or any
agreement or Option, SAR or award of restricted stock shall be determined by the
Administrator, which determination shall be final and binding on all
persons.
5.
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GRANTING OF OPTIONS
AND SARS; AGREEMENTS
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5.1
No Options or SARs shall be granted under this Plan
after ten (10) years from the date of adoption of this Plan by the Board.
No SARs shall be granted under the Plan unless and until the common stock of the
Company is publicly traded.
5.2
Each Option and SAR shall be evidenced by a written
agreement, in form satisfactory to the Administrator, executed by the Company
and the person to whom such grant is made. In the event of a conflict
between the terms or conditions of an agreement and the terms and conditions of
this Plan, the terms and conditions of this Plan shall govern.
5.3
Each agreement shall specify whether the Option it
evidences is an NQO or an ISO; provided, however, all Options
granted under this Plan to non-employee directors, consultants and advisers of
the Company are intended to be NQOs.
5.4
Subject to Section 6.3.3 with respect to ISOs, the
Administrator may approve the grant of Options or SARs under this Plan to
persons who are expected to become employees, directors, consultants or advisers
of the Company, but are not employees, directors, consultants or advisers at the
date of approval.
6.
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF OPTIONS AND SARS
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Each
Option and SAR granted under this Plan shall be subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in Section 6.1. NQOs and SARs shall also be subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.2, but not those set forth in
Section 6.3. ISOs shall also be subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in Section 6.3, but not those set forth in Section 6.2. SARs shall
be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 6.4.
6.1 Terms and Conditions to
Which All Options and SARs Are Subject. All Options and SARs
granted under this Plan shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
6.1.1
Changes in Capital
Structure. Subject to Section 6.1.2, if the stock of the Company is
changed by reason of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, combination or reclassification, or if the Company effects a
spin-off of the Company’s subsidiary, appropriate adjustments shall be made by
the Administrator, in its sole discretion, in (a) the number and class of shares
of stock subject to this Plan and each Option and SAR outstanding under this
Plan, and (b) the exercise price of each outstanding Option; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares as a result of any such
adjustments. Any adjustment, however, in an outstanding Option shall be
made without change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of
the Option but with a corresponding adjustment in the price for each share
covered by the unexercised portion of the Option. Adjustments under this
Section 6.1.1 shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination as to the
nature of the adjustments that shall be made, and the extent thereof, shall be
final, binding, and conclusive. If an adjustment under this Section 6.1.1
would result in a fractional share interest under an option or any installment,
the Administrator’s decision as to inclusion or exclusion of that fractional
share interest shall be final, but no fractional shares of stock shall be issued
under the Plan on account of any such adjustment.
6.1.2
Corporate
Transactions. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable
agreement, in the event of a Corporate Transaction (as defined below), the
Administrator shall notify each holder of an Option or SAR at least thirty (30)
days prior thereto or as soon as may be practicable. To the extent not
then exercised all Options and SARs shall terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such Corporate Transaction unless the Administrator determines
otherwise in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, may (i) permit exercise of any Options or
SARs prior to their termination, even if such Options or SARs would not
otherwise have been exercisable, and/or (ii) provide that all or certain of the
outstanding Options and SARs shall be assumed or an equivalent Option or SAR
substituted by an applicable successor corporation or entity or any Affiliate of
the successor corporation or entity. A “Corporate
Transaction” means (i) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (ii)
a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation or
entity (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary); (iii) a sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iv) a purchase or other
acquisition of more than 50% of the outstanding stock of the Company by one
person or by more than one person acting in concert.
6.1.3 Time of Option or SAR
Exercise. Subject to Section 5 and Section 6.3.4, an Option or SAR
granted under the Plan shall be exercisable (a) immediately as of the effective
date of the of the applicable agreement or (b) in accordance with a schedule or
performance criteria as may be set by the Administrator and specified in the
applicable agreement. However, in no case may an Option or SAR be
exercisable until a written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the
Company is executed by the Company and the grantee.
6.1.4 Grant Date. The
date of grant of an Option or SAR under the Plan shall be the effective date of
the applicable agreement.
6.1.5 Non-Transferability of
Rights. Except with the express written approval of the
Administrator, which approval the Administrator is authorized to give only with
respect to NQOs and SARs, no Option or SAR granted under this Plan shall be
assignable or otherwise transferable by the grantee except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution. During the life of the grantee, an
Option or SAR shall be exercisable only by the grantee.
6.1.6 Payment. Except
as provided below, payment in full, in cash, shall be made for all stock
purchased at the time written notice of exercise of an Option is given to the
Company and the proceeds of any payment shall be considered general funds of the
Company. The Administrator, in the exercise of its absolute discretion
after considering any tax, accounting and financial consequences, may authorize
any one or more of the following additional methods of payment:
(a)
Subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
acceptance of the optionee’s full recourse promissory note for all or part of
the Option price, payable on such terms and bearing such interest rate as
determined by the Administrator (but in no event less than the minimum interest
rate specified under the Code at which no additional interest or original issue
discount would be imputed), which promissory note may be either secured or
unsecured in such manner as the Administrator shall approve (including, without
limitation, by a security interest in the shares of the Company);
(b)
Subject to the discretion of the Administrator
and the terms of the stock option agreement granting the Option, delivery by the
optionee of shares of Common Stock already owned by the optionee for all or part
of the Option price, provided the fair market value (determined as set forth in
Section 6.1.9) of such shares of Common Stock is equal on the date of exercise
to the Option price, or such portion thereof as the optionee is authorized to
pay by delivery of such stock;
(c)
Subject to the discretion of the
Administrator, through the surrender of shares of Common Stock then issuable
upon exercise of the Option, provided the fair market value (determined as set
forth in Section 6.1.9) of such shares of Common Stock is equal on the date of
exercise to the Option price, or such portion thereof as the optionee is
authorized to pay by surrender of such stock; and
(d)
By means of so-called “cashless exercises” as
permitted under applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Federal Reserve Board.
6.1.7 Withholding and Employment
Taxes. At the time of exercise and as a condition thereto, or at
such other time as the amount of such obligation becomes determinable, the
grantee of an Option or SAR shall remit to the Company in cash all applicable
federal and state withholding and employment taxes. Such obligation to
remit may be satisfied, if authorized by the Administrator in its sole
discretion, after considering any tax, accounting and financial consequences, by
the holder’s (i) delivery of a promissory note in the required amount on such
terms as the Administrator deems appropriate, (ii) tendering to the Company
previously owned shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company with
a fair market value equal to the required amount, or (iii) agreeing to have
shares of Common Stock (with a fair market value equal to the required amount),
which are acquired upon exercise of the Option or SAR, withheld by the
Company.
6.1.8 Other
Provisions. Each Option and SAR granted under this Plan may contain
such other terms, provisions, and conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as
may be determined by the Administrator, and each ISO granted under this Plan
shall include such provisions and conditions as are necessary to qualify the
Option as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Code.
6.1.9 Determination of
Value. For purposes of this Plan, the fair market value of Common
Stock or other securities of the Company shall be determined as
follows:
(a)
If the stock of the Company is listed on a
securities exchange or is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer,
and selling prices are reported, its fair market value shall be the closing
price of such stock on the date the value is to be determined, but if selling
prices are not reported, its fair market value shall be the mean between the
high bid and low asked prices for such stock on the date the value is to be
determined (or if there are no quoted prices for the date of grant, then for the
last preceding business day on which there were quoted prices).
(b)
In the absence of an established market for
the stock, the fair market value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Administrator, with reference to the Company’s net worth, prospective
earning power, dividend-paying capacity, and other relevant factors, including
the goodwill of the Company, the economic outlook in the Company’s industry, the
Company’s position in the industry, the Company’s management, and the values of
stock of other corporations in the same or a similar line of
business.
6.1.10 Option and SAR
Term. No Option or SAR shall be exercisable more than 10 years
after the date of grant, or such lesser period of time as is set forth in the
applicable agreement (the end of the maximum exercise period stated in the
agreement is referred to in this Plan as the “Expiration
Date”).
6.2 Terms and Conditions to
Which NQOs and SARs Are Subject. Options granted under this Plan
which are designated as NQOs and SARs shall be subject to the following terms
and conditions:
6.2.1 Exercise Price.
The exercise price of an NQO and the base value of a SAR shall be no less than
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
6.2.2 Termination of
Employment. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable
agreement, if for any reason a grantee ceases to be employed by the Company or
any of its Affiliates, Options that are NQOs and SARs held at the date of
termination (to the extent then exercisable) may be exercised in whole or in
part at any time within ninety (90) days of the date of such termination (but in
no event after the Expiration Date). For purposes of this Section 6.2.2,
“employment” includes service as a director, consultant or adviser. For
purposes of this Section 6.2.2, a grantee’s employment shall not be deemed to
terminate by reason of the grantee’s transfer from the Company to an Affiliate,
or vice versa, or sick leave, military leave or other leave of absence approved
by the Administrator, if the period of any such leave does not exceed ninety
(90) days or, if longer, if the grantee’s right to reemployment by the Company
or any Affiliate is guaranteed either contractually or by statute.
6.3 Terms and Conditions to
Which Only ISOs Are Subject. Options granted under this Plan which
are designated as ISOs shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
6.3.1 Exercise Price.
The exercise price of an ISO shall not be less than the fair market value
(determined in accordance with Section 6.1.9) of the stock covered by the Option
at the time the Option is granted. The exercise price of an ISO granted to
any person who owns, directly or by attribution under the Code (currently
Section 424(d)), stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Affiliate
(a “Ten Percent
Stockholder”) shall in no event be less than one hundred ten percent
(110%) of the fair market value (determined in accordance with Section 6.1.9) of
the stock covered by the Option at the time the Option is granted.
6.3.2 Disqualifying
Dispositions. If stock acquired by exercise of an ISO granted
pursuant to this Plan is disposed of in a “disqualifying disposition” within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code (a disposition within two (2) years from the
date of grant of the Option or within one year after the issuance of such stock
on exercise of the Option), the holder of the stock immediately before the
disposition shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the date and terms
of the disposition and shall provide such other information regarding the Option
as the Company may reasonably require.
6.3.3 Grant Date. If
an ISO is granted in anticipation of employment as provided in Section 5.4, the
Option shall be deemed granted, without further approval, on the date the
grantee assumes the employment relationship forming the basis for such grant,
and, in addition, satisfies all requirements of this Plan for Options granted on
that date.
6.3.4 Term.
Notwithstanding Section 6.1.10, no ISO granted to any Ten Percent Stockholder
shall be exercisable more than five (5) years after the date of
grant.
6.3.5 Termination of
Employment. Except as otherwise provided in the stock option
agreement, if for any reason an optionee ceases to be employed by the Company or
any of its Affiliates, Options that are ISOs held at the date of termination (to
the extent then exercisable) may be exercised in whole or in part at any time
within ninety (90) days of the date of such termination (but in no event after
the Expiration Date). For purposes of this Section 6.3.5, an optionee’s
employment shall not be deemed to terminate by reason of the optionee’s transfer
from the Company to an Affiliate, or vice versa, or sick leave, military leave
or other leave of absence approved by the Administrator, if the period of any
such leave does not exceed ninety (90) days or, if longer, if the optionee’s
right to reemployment by the Company or any Affiliate is guaranteed either
contractually or by statute.
6.4 Terms and Conditions
Applicable Solely to SARs. In addition to the other terms and
conditions applicable to SARs in this Section 6, the holder shall be entitled to
receive on exercise of an SAR only Common Stock at a fair market value equal to
the benefit to be received by the exercise.
7.1
An optionee wishing to exercise an Option or SAR
shall give written notice to the Company at its principal executive office, to
the attention of the officer of the Company designated by the Administrator,
accompanied by payment of the exercise price and/or withholding taxes as
provided in Sections 6.1.6 and 6.1.7. The date the Company receives
written notice of an exercise hereunder accompanied by the applicable payment
will be considered as the date such Option or SAR was exercised.
7.2
Promptly after receipt of written notice of exercise
and the applicable payments called for by Section 7.1, the Company shall,
without stock issue or transfer taxes to the holder or other person entitled to
exercise the Option or SAR, deliver to the holder or such other person a
certificate or certificates for the requisite number of shares of Common
Stock. A holder or permitted transferee of an Option or SAR shall not have
any privileges as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be
issued until the date of issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the
books of the Company or a duly authorized transfer agent) of such
shares.
8.1 Grant or Sale of Restricted
Stock.
8.1.1
No awards of restricted stock shall be granted under
this Plan after ten (10) years from the date of adoption of this Plan by the
Board.
8.1.2
The Administrator may issue shares under the Plan as
a grant or for such consideration (including services, and, subject to the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, promissory notes) as determined by the
Administrator. Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to the terms,
conditions and restrictions determined by the Administrator. The
restrictions may include restrictions concerning transferability, repurchase by
the Company and forfeiture of the shares issued (including the forfeiture of
such shares in the event the recipient of such award ceases to be employed or
engaged by the Company) together with such other restrictions as may be
determined by the Administrator. If shares are subject to forfeiture or
repurchase by the Company, all dividends or other distributions paid by the
Company with respect to the shares may be retained by the Company until the
shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or repurchase, at which time all
accumulated amounts shall be paid to the recipient. All Common Stock
issued pursuant to this Section 8 shall be subject to a purchase or grant
agreement, which shall be executed by the Company and the prospective recipient
of the shares prior to the delivery of certificates representing such shares to
the recipient. The purchase or grant agreement may contain any terms,
conditions, restrictions, representations and warranties required by the
Administrator. The certificates representing the shares shall bear any
legends required by the Administrator. The Administrator may require any
purchaser of restricted stock to pay to the Company in cash upon demand amounts
necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state or local tax withholding
requirements. If the purchaser fails to pay the amount demanded, the
Administrator may withhold that amount from other amounts payable by the Company
to the purchaser, including salary, subject to applicable law. With the
consent of the Administrator in its sole discretion, a purchaser may deliver
Common Stock to the Company to satisfy this withholding obligation. Upon
the issuance of restricted stock, the number of shares reserved for issuance
under the Plan shall be reduced by the number of shares issued.
8.2
Changes in Capital
Structure. In the event of a change in the Company’s capital
structure, as described in Section 6.1.1, appropriate adjustments shall be made
by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, in the number and class of
restricted stock subject to this Plan and the restricted stock outstanding under
this Plan; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to issue fractional shares as a result of any such
adjustments.
8.3
Corporate
Transactions. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, as defined
in Section 6.1.2 hereof, to the extent not previously forfeited, all restricted
stock shall be forfeited immediately prior to the consummation of such Corporate
Transaction unless the Administrator determines otherwise in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, may remove any restrictions as to any
restricted stock. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, provide
that all outstanding restricted stock participate in the Corporate Transaction
with an equivalent stock substituted by an applicable successor corporation
subject to the restriction
8.4
Non-Transferability of
Rights. Any award of restricted stock granted under this Plan shall
be assignable or otherwise transferable by the grantee only upon such terms and
conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock agreement, as the
Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine; provided, however, that, any
transferee of such award remains subject to the terms of the such restricted
stock agreement.
9.
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EMPLOYMENT OR
CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP
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Nothing
in this Plan or any Option granted hereunder shall interfere with or limit in
any way the right of the Company or of any of its Affiliates to terminate the
employment, consulting or advising of any optionee or restricted stock holder at
any time, nor confer upon any optionee or restricted stock holder any right to
continue in the employ of, or consult or advise with, the Company or any of its
Affiliates.
10.
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CONDITIONS UPON
ISSUANCE OF SHARES
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10.1
Securities Act.
Shares of Common Stock shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option
or the receipt of restricted stock unless the exercise of such Option or such
receipt of restricted stock and the issuance and delivery of such shares
pursuant thereto shall comply with all relevant provisions of law, including,
without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”).
10.2
Non-Compete
Agreement. As a further condition to the receipt of Common Stock
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the receipt of restricted stock, the
optionee or recipient of restricted stock may be required not to render services
for any organization, or engage directly or indirectly in any business,
competitive with the Company at any time during which (i) an Option is
outstanding to such Optionee and for six (6) months after any exercise of an
Option or the receipt of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Option and
(ii) restricted stock is owned by such recipient and for six (6) months after
the restrictions on such restricted stock lapse. Failure to comply with
this condition shall cause such Option and the exercise or issuance of shares
thereunder and/or the award of restricted stock to be rescinded and the benefit
of such exercise, issuance or award to be repaid to the Company.
11.
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NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF
THIS PLAN
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The
adoption of this Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the
power of the Company to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem
desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options other
than under this Plan.
Each
optionee, holder of an SAR or recipient of restricted stock, if so requested by
the Company or any representative of the underwriters in connection with any
registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the
Securities Act, shall not sell or otherwise transfer any shares of Common Stock
acquired upon exercise of Options, SARs or receipt of restricted stock during
the 180-day period following the effective date of a registration statement of
the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that such
restriction shall apply only to a registration statement of the Company which
includes securities to be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an
underwritten public offering under the Securities Act and the restriction period
shall not exceed 90 days after the registration statement becomes
effective.
The Board
may at any time amend, alter, suspend or discontinue this Plan. Without
the consent of an optionee, holder of an SAR or holder of restricted stock, no
amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuance may adversely affect such
person’s outstanding Option(s), SAR(s) or the terms applicable to restricted
stock except to conform this Plan and ISOs granted under this Plan to the
requirements of federal or other tax laws relating to incentive stock
options. No amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuance shall
require stockholder approval unless (a) stockholder approval is required to
preserve incentive stock option treatment for federal income tax purposes or (b)
the Board otherwise concludes that stockholder approval is
advisable.
14.
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EFFECTIVE DATE OF
PLAN; TERMINATION
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This Plan
shall become effective upon adoption by the Board; provided, however, that no
Option or SAR shall be exercisable unless and until written consent of the
stockholders of the Company, or approval of stockholders of the Company voting
at a validly called stockholders’ meeting, is obtained within twelve (12) months
after adoption by the Board. If any Options or SARs are so granted and
stockholder approval shall not have been obtained within twelve (12) months of
the date of adoption of this Plan by the Board, such Options and SARs shall
terminate retroactively as of the date they were granted. Awards may be
made under this Plan and exercise of Options and SARs shall occur only after
there has been compliance with all applicable federal and state securities
laws. This Plan (but not Options and SARs previously granted under this
Plan) shall terminate within ten (10) years from the date of its adoption by the
Board. Termination shall not affect any outstanding Options or SARs or the
terms applicable to previously awarded restricted stock.
APPENDIX
C
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Merger Agreement”) dated as
of _______, 2010, by and between Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., a
Utah corporation (“GCEH-Utah”), and Global Clean
Energy Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GCEH-Delaware”).
WHEREAS,
GCEH-Utah is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Utah;
WHEREAS,
GCEH-Delaware is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware;
WHEREAS,
GCEH-Utah has authority to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock, no par
value per share (“GCEH-Utah
Common Stock”), of which 270,464,478 shares are issued and
outstanding;
WHEREAS,
GCEH-Utah has authority to issue 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par
value per share, of which 13,000 shares have been designated as Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock (“GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred
Stock”), of which 13,000 shares are issued and outstanding;
WHEREAS,
GCEH-Delaware has authority to issue Five Hundred Million (500,000,000) shares
of common stock, $0.001 par value per share (“GCEH-Delaware Common Stock”),
and Fifty Million (50,000,000) shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per
share, of which 13,000 shares have been designated as Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock (“GCEH-Delaware
Series B Preferred Stock”);
WHEREAS,
100 shares of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock are issued and outstanding, all of
which are owned, beneficially and of record, by GCEH-Utah, and no shares of
GCEH-Delaware Series B Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding;
WHEREAS,
the respective Boards of Directors of GCEH-Utah and GCEH-Delaware have
determined that, for the purpose of effecting the reincorporation of GCEH-Utah
in the State of Delaware, it is advisable and in the best interests of both
corporations and their respective stockholders that GCEH-Utah merge with and
into GCEH-Delaware upon the terms hereinafter provided and in accordance with
the laws of the State of Utah and the State of Delaware in a transaction
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and
WHEREAS,
the respective Boards of Directors of GCEH-Utah and GCEH-Delaware have approved
this Merger Agreement and directed that this Merger Agreement be submitted to a
vote of their respective stockholders for approval in accordance with applicable
law.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, GCEH-Utah and GCEH-Delaware hereby agree as
follows:
1. Merger. Subject
to the terms of this Merger Agreement, GCEH-Utah shall be merged with and into
GCEH-Delaware (the “Merger”) in accordance with
Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), and Sections
16-10a-1104 and 16-10a-1107 of the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (“UBCA”), such that
GCEH-Delaware shall be the surviving corporation (hereinafter referred to as the
“Surviving
Corporation”). The Merger shall become effective on the date and at
the time (the “Effective
Time”) at which a certified copy of this Merger Agreement, or a
Certificate of Merger complying with the DGCL, executed and acknowledged on
behalf of GCEH-Delaware and GCEH-Utah in accordance with the requirements of the
DGCL and the UBCA, has been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and the
Utah Secretary of State.
2. Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws. The Certificate of Incorporation of GCEH-Delaware, as
in effect on the Effective Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation without change or amendment, until thereafter amended
in accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable laws. The Bylaws
of GCEH-Delaware, as in effect on the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation without change or amendment until thereafter amended in
accordance with the provisions thereof and applicable laws.
3. Directors and
Officers. The directors of GCEH-Utah immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold
office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation. The officers of GCEH-Utah immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold
office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation.
4. Succession.
From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall succeed,
insofar as permitted by law, to all of the rights, assets, liabilities and
obligations of GCEH-Utah; and the title to any real estate vested by deed or
otherwise, in either of GCEH-Utah or the Surviving Corporation, shall not revert
or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger, but all rights of creditors
and all liens on any property of either of said corporations shall be reserved
unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of said corporations shall, as
of the Effective Time, attach to the Surviving Corporation, and may be enforced
against the Surviving Corporation to the same extent as if said debts,
liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it, and any claim
existing or action or proceeding pending by or against either of said
corporations may be prosecuted as if the Merger had not taken place, or the
Surviving Corporation may be substituted in its place. The employees and
agents of GCEH-Utah shall become the employees and agents of the Surviving
Corporation and continue to be entitled to the same rights and benefits that
they enjoyed as employees and agents of GCEH-Utah.
5. Employee Benefit
Plans. On the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
assume all obligations of GCEH-Utah under any and all employee benefit plans in
effect as of such date with respect to which employee rights or accrued benefits
are outstanding as of such date; provided, however, that one share of Common
Stock of GCEH-Delaware shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock of
GCEH-Utah (if any) thereunder. On the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall adopt and continue in effect all such employee benefit plans
upon the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately prior to the
Merger and shall reserve that number of shares of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock
with respect to each such employee benefit plan as is equal to the number of
shares of GCEH-Utah Common Stock (if any) so reserved on the Effective
Time.
6. Further
Assurances. From time to time as and when requested by the
Surviving Corporation or by its successors and assigns, there shall be executed
and delivered on behalf of GCEH-Utah or the Surviving Corporation, as the case
may be, such deeds and other instruments, and there shall be taken or caused to
be taken by it such further and other actions, as shall be appropriate or
necessary in order to vest, protect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the
Surviving Corporation the title to and possession of all property, interest,
assets, right, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises and authority of
GCEH-Utah, and otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Merger Agreement, and
the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized, in
the name and on behalf of GCEH-Utah, or otherwise, to take any and all such
action and to execute and deliver any and all such deeds and other
instruments.
7. Conversion of
Shares.
(a)
At the Effective Time, each share of GCEH-Utah
Common Stock issued and outstanding or held in the treasury of GCEH-Utah
immediately prior thereto (other than shares of GCEH-Utah Common Stock in
respect of which dissenters’ rights shall properly have been exercised in
accordance with the NRS) shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of any holder thereof, be changed and converted into one fully paid
and non assessable share of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock.
(b)
At the Effective Time, each share of GCEH-Utah
Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding or held in the treasury of
GCEH-Utah immediately prior thereto (other than shares of GCEH-Utah Series B
Preferred Stock in respect of which dissenters’ rights shall properly have been
exercised in accordance with the NRS) shall, by virtue of the Merger and without
any action on the part of any holder thereof, be changed and converted into one
fully paid and non assessable share of GCEH-Delaware Series B Preferred
Stock.
(c)
At the Effective Time, each option and warrant
to purchase shares of GCEH-Utah Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, be converted into and become an option or warrant,
as the case may be, to purchase, upon the same terms and conditions, the number
of shares of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock that is equal to the number of shares of
GCEH-Utah Common Stock that the holder would have received had the holder
exercised such option or warrant in full immediately prior to the Effective Time
(whether or not such option or warrant was then exercisable) and the exercise
price per share under each of said options and warrants shall be the exercise
price per share thereunder immediately prior to the Effective Time, unless
otherwise provided in the instrument granting such option or
warrant.
(d)
At the Effective Time, the shares of
GCEH-Delaware Common Stock currently issued and outstanding in the name of
GCEH-Utah shall be canceled and retired, without any consideration being issued
or paid therefor, and shall resume the status of authorized and unissued shares
of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock, and no shares of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock or
other securities of the Surviving Corporation shall be issued in respect
thereof.
8.
Stock
Certificates. At the Effective Time, each certificate representing
issued and outstanding shares of GCEH-Utah Common Stock and GCEH-Utah Series B
Preferred Stock (other than shares in respect of which dissenters’ rights shall
properly have been exercised in accordance with the UBCA) immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be deemed and treated for all purposes as representing
the shares of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock and GCEH-Delaware Series B Preferred
Stock, respectively, into which such shares of GCEH-Utah Common Stock and
GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock have been converted as provided in this
Merger Agreement. All shares of GCEH-Delaware Common Stock and
GCEH-Delaware Series B Preferred Stock into which shares of GCEH-Utah Common
Stock and GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock shall have been converted pursuant
to this Merger Agreement shall be deemed to have been issued in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such converted shares. At the
Effective Time, the holders of certificates representing GCEH-Utah Common Stock
and GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (except for shares in respect of which dissenters’ rights shall
have been properly exercised in accordance with the UBCA) shall cease to have
any rights with respect to such stock, and their sole rights shall be with
respect to GCEH-Delaware Common Stock and GCEH-Delaware Series B Preferred
Stock, respectively, into which their shares of GCEH-Utah Common Stock and
GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock have been converted as provided in this
Merger Agreement. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of
GCEH-Utah shall be closed, and no transfer of shares of GCEH-Utah Common Stock
or GCEH-Utah Series B Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall thereafter be made or consummated.
9.
Stockholder
Approval. This Merger Agreement shall be submitted to a vote of the
stockholders of GCEH-Utah and the sole stockholder of GCEH-Delaware in
accordance with the laws of the State of Utah and the State of Delaware,
respectively. In the event that this Merger Agreement shall be not
approved by the requisite vote of stockholders of GCEH-Utah Common Stock
entitled to vote thereon, this Merger Agreement shall thereupon be terminated
without further action of the parties hereto.
10.
Plan of
Reorganization. This Agreement is intended to be a plan of
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury
Regulations promulgated thereunder.
11.
Amendment.
Subject to applicable law, this Merger Agreement may be amended, modified or
supplemented by written agreement of the parties hereto at any time prior to the
Effective Time with respect to any of the items contained herein.
12.
Abandonment. At
any time before the Effective Time, this Merger Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger may be abandoned by the Board of Directors of either GCEH-Delaware or
GCEH-Utah or both, notwithstanding the approval of this Merger Agreement by the
stockholders of GCEH-Utah or the sole stockholder of GCEH-Delaware.
13.
Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of the State of Delaware, except to the extent the laws of the State of Utah are
required to apply to the Merger.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Merger Agreement is hereby executed on behalf of GCEH-Utah
and GCEH-Delaware by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date
first written above.
GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.,
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a
Utah corporation
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Name:
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Title:
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GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.,
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a
Delaware corporation
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Name:
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Title:
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APPENDIX
D
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
OF
GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
FIRST –
The name of the Corporation is Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.
SECOND –
The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is to be
located at 40 East Division Street, Suite A, Dover, Delaware 19901, in the
County of Kent. The registered agent at this address is Paracorp
Incorporated.
THIRD –
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for
which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware “DGCL”).
FOURTH –
The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is Five Hundred and Fifty Million (550,000,000), of which
Five Hundred Million (500,000,000) shares having a par value of $0.001 per share
shall be designated as “Common Stock,” and Fifty Million (50,000,000) shares
having a par value of $0.001 per share shall be designated as “Preferred
Stock.” The Common Stock and the Preferred Stock may be issued from time
to time without further action by the stockholders. The Common Stock and the
Preferred Stock may be issued for such consideration as may be fixed from time
to time by the Board of Directors. The designations, preferences,
limitations and relative rights of each class of stock are as
follows:
The Board
of Directors is expressly granted authority to issue shares of the Preferred
Stock. The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series at such time or
times, with such designations, preferences, conversion rights, cumulative,
relative, participating, optional or other rights, including voting rights,
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and for such consideration
as the Board of Directors may determine pursuant to a resolution or resolutions
providing for the creation and issuance of such series of Preferred Stock duly
adopted by the Board of Directors (authority to do so being hereby expressly
vested in the Board of Directors), and such resolution or resolutions shall also
set forth, with respect to each such series of Preferred Stock, any of the
following:
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1.
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The
distinctive designation, stated value and number of shares comprising such
series, which number may (except where otherwise provided by the Board of
Directors in creating such series) be increased or decreased (but not
below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by action
of the Board of Directors;
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2.
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The
rate of dividend, if any, on the shares of that series, whether dividends
shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date, and the relative rights
of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series over
shares of any other series;
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3.
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Whether
the shares of that series shall be redeemable and, if so, the terms and
conditions of such redemption, including the date upon or after which they
shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of
redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at
different redemption dates, or the property or rights, including
securities of any other corporation, payable in case of
redemption;
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4.
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Whether
that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of
shares of that series and, if so, the terms and amounts payable into such
sinking fund;
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5.
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The
rights to which the holders of the shares of that series shall be entitled
in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution,
distribution of assets or winding-up of the Corporation, and the relative
rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that
series;
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6.
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Whether
the shares of that series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of capital stock of any class or any other series of Preferred
Stock and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange
including the rate of conversion or exchange, the date upon or after which
they shall be convertible or exchangeable, the duration for which they
shall be convertible or exchangeable, the event upon or after which they
shall be convertible or exchangeable at whose option they shall be
convertible or exchangeable, and the method of adjusting the rate of
conversion or exchange in the event of a stock split, stock dividend,
combination of shares or similar
event;
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7.
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Whether
the shares of that series shall have voting rights in addition to the
voting rights provided by law and, if so, the terms of such voting
rights;
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8.
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Whether
the issuance of any additional shares of such series, or of any shares of
any other series, shall be subject to restrictions as to issuance, or as
to the powers, preferences or rights of any such other series;
and
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9.
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Any
other preferences, privileges and powers, and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualification, limitation or
restriction of such series, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable
and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Certificate
of Incorporation and to the full extent now or hereafter permitted by the
laws of the State of Delaware.
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B.
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Series
B Preferred Stock
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1.
DESIGNATION OF
SERIES. There is hereby established a series of preferred stock,
$0.001 par value per share, of the Corporation, which new series is designated
as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” (“Series B Preferred Stock”).
The number of shares constituting such series is 13,000, which number may from
time to time be increased or decreased (but not below the number then
outstanding) by the Board of Directors. The Series B Preferred Stock shall
have a stated value of $100 per share for the purpose of calculating amounts
payable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and adjustments to the
Conversion Price. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be issued in
fractional shares, which fractional shares shall entitle the holder, in
proportion to such holder’s fractional share, to all rights of a holder of a
whole share of this series.
2.
RANK. The Series B
Preferred Stock shall, with respect to the rights of the Corporation’s
shareholders upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Corporation, rank senior and prior to the Corporation’s Common
Stock.
3.
DIVIDENDS.
No dividends are required to be paid to the holders of Series B
Preferred Stock. However, no dividend shall be declared or paid on the
Common Stock, other than dividends payable solely in capital stock, unless an
equivalent dividend (computed in proportion to the number of shares of Common
Stock into which each share of Series B Preferred Stock is then convertible) is
paid and declared for all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.
Each dividend shall be paid to the holders of record of shares of the Series B
Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the Corporation on a
date determined by the Board of Directors (the “Dividend Record Date”).
Holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock converted between the close of
business on a Dividend Record Date and the close of business on the dividend
payment date shall, in lieu of receiving such dividend on the dividend payment
date fixed therefor, receive such dividend payment on the date of
conversion. The holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock shall
not be entitled to any dividends other than the dividends provided for in this
Paragraph 3.
4.
LIQUIDATION.
i.
The liquidation value per share of shares of the
Series B Preferred Stock, in case of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation, shall be $100 per
share, plus an amount equal to the dividends declared and unpaid with respect to
each such share, to the payment date (such aggregate amount being hereinafter
referred to as the “Liquidation Preference”). Whenever the distribution
provided for in this Paragraph 4 shall be paid in property other than cash, the
value of such distribution shall be the fair market value of such property as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.
ii.
In the event of a distribution in connection any voluntary
or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, the
holders of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive
out of the assets of the Corporation, whether such assets are capital or surplus
of any nature, an amount per share equal to the Liquidation Preference of such
shares held by them in preference to and in priority over any distributions made
to the holders of Common Stock. If, upon the occurrence of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up, the assets and funds of the Corporation legally
available for distribution to shareholders shall be insufficient to permit the
payment in full to holders of Series B Preferred Stock of the Liquidity
Preference, then all of the assets and funds of the Corporation legally
available for distribution to holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be
distributed ratably among the holders of Series B Preferred Stock in proportion
to the preferential amount each such holder is otherwise entitled to
receive. Upon payment of the Liquidation Preference to which the holders
of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled in accordance with this
paragraph, the Series B Preferred Stock shall be cancelled and the holders of
shares of the Series B Preferred Stock shall not thereafter be entitled to any
further participation in any distribution of assets by the
Corporation.
iii.
Neither a consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or
into any other entity, nor a merger of any other entity with or into the
Corporation, nor a sale or transfer of all or any part of the Corporation’s
assets for cash or securities or other property shall be considered a
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation within the meaning of
this Paragraph 4.
iv.
Written notice of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates when and the place or
places where the amounts distributable in such circumstances shall be payable,
shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 days prior
to any payment date stated therein to the holders of shares of the Series B
Preferred Stock at their respective addresses as the same shall appear on the
books of the transfer agent with respect to the Series B Preferred
Stock.
5. VOTING. The holders of
Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote upon all matters presented to
the Corporation’s shareholders, together with the holders of the Common Stock as
one class. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to that number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock
into which each such share of Series B Preferred Stock would have been
convertible, if such conversion had taken place on the record date set for
determining stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting or the date of the
consent of stockholders if action is being taken by written
consent.
6.
CONVERSION. The
holder of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right at any
time commencing from the date of issuance to convert any and all of such
holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock into duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
at the Conversion Price, as defined herein, and upon the terms set forth
herein. The holder of any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock may
exercise such holder’s right to voluntarily convert such shares into shares of
Common Stock by surrendering for such purpose to the Corporation, at its
principal office or at such other office or agency maintained by the Corporation
for that purpose, a certificate or certificates representing the shares of
Series B Preferred Stock to be converted, accompanied by a written notice
stating that such holder elects to convert all or a specified whole number of
such shares in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph 6 and specifying
the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates
for shares of Common Stock to be issued. In case such notice shall specify
a name or names other than that of such holder, such notice shall be accompanied
by (i) payment of any transfer taxes payable upon the issuance of shares of
Common Stock in such name or names and (ii) evidence, satisfactory to the
Corporation, that the transfer of such shares will not violate any applicable
securities or other laws. As promptly as practicable, and in any event
within ten (10) business days after the surrender of such certificates and the
receipt of such notice relating thereto and, if applicable, payment of all
transfer taxes, the Corporation shall deliver or cause to be delivered (i)
certificates representing the number of validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock to which the holder of the Series B
Preferred Stock so converted shall be entitled, (ii) any payment (in either cash
of shares of Series B Preferred Stock) required to be made with respect to
declared but unpaid dividends on the converted shares of Series B Preferred
Stock, and (iii) if less than the full number of shares of the Series B
Preferred Stock evidenced by the surrendered certificate or certificates are
being converted, a new certificate or certificates, of like tenor, for the
number of shares evidenced by such surrendered certificate or certificates less
the number of shares converted. Such conversions shall be deemed to have
been made at the close of business on the date of giving of such notice and of
such surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the shares of the
Series B Preferred Stock to be converted so that the rights of the holder
thereof shall cease except for the right to receive Common Stock and any accrued
dividend in accordance herewith, and the converting holder shall be treated for
all purposes as having become the record holder of such Common Stock at such
time.
7.
CONVERSION PRICE.
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be converted into a number of
shares of Common Stock determined by dividing (i) $100 by (ii) the Conversion
Price of such shares as in effect on the date of conversion. The initial
Conversion Price shall be $0.11 per share. The initial Conversion Price
shall be subject to further adjustment as set forth in Paragraph 9
below.
8.
CONVERSION
PROCEDURE. Upon any conversion of any shares of Series B
Preferred Stock under Paragraph 6 above, the holder of the converted Series B
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive (i) shares of Common Stock in
exchange for the shares of Series B Preferred Stock submitted for, or subject to
conversion, and (ii) if applicable, declared but unpaid dividends in respect of
the shares so converted.
9.
CONVERSION PRICE
ADJUSTMENTS. The initial Conversion Price for each respective
issuance of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be subject to adjustment
from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events as follows:
i.
Stock Dividends, Subdivisions,
Reclassifications or Combinations. If the Corporation shall (i)
declare a dividend or make a distribution in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide or reclassify the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater
number of shares, or (iii) combine or reclassify the outstanding Common Stock
into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect at the time of
the record date of such dividend or distribution on the effective date of such
subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted
so that the holder of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for
conversion immediately after such record date shall be entitled to receive the
number of shares of Common Stock which he or she would have owned or been
entitled to receive had such Series B Preferred Stock been converted immediately
prior to such record date. Successive adjustments in the Conversion Price
shall be made whenever any event specified above shall occur.
ii.
Other
Distributions. In case the Corporation shall hereafter fix a record
date for the making of a distribution to all holders of shares of Common Stock,
(i) of shares of any class of capital stock of the Corporation other than shares
of Common Stock, or (ii) of evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, or
(iii) of assets (excluding cash dividends or distributions, and dividends or
distributions referred to in subparagraph 9a hereof), or (iv) of rights or
warrants entitling the holders of Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase
shares of Common Stock; in each such case, the Conversion Price in effect
immediately prior thereto shall be reduced immediately thereafter to the price
determined by dividing (1) an amount equal to the difference resulting from (A)
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date multiplied
by the Conversion Price per share on such record date, less (B) the fair
market value (as determined by the Board of Directors in their reasonable
discretion) of said shares or evidences of indebtedness or assets or rights or
warrants to be so distributed by (2) the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding on such record date. Such adjustment shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed. In the event that such
distribution is not so made, the Conversion Price then in effect shall be
readjusted, effective as of the date when the Board of Directors determines not
to distribute such shares, evidences of indebtedness, assets, rights or
warrants, as the case may be, to the Conversion Price which was in effect prior
to the fixing of the record date (subject to any adjustments made pursuant to
this Paragraph 9 since such record date).
iii.
Rounding
of Calculations; Minimum Adjustment. All calculations under this
Paragraph 9 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of
a share, as the case may be. No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall
be made if the amount of such adjustment would be less than $0.01, but any such
amount shall be carried forward and an adjustment with respect thereto shall be
made at the time of and together with any subsequent adjustment which, together
with such amount and any other amount or amounts so carried forward, shall
aggregate $0.01 or more.
iv.
Adjustments for Consolidation,
Merger, etc. In case the Corporation, (i) shall consolidate with or
merge into any other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such consolidation or merger, (ii) shall permit any other person
to consolidate with or merge into the Corporation and the Corporation shall be
the continuing or surviving person, but, in connection with such consolidation
or merger, the Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or
other securities of any other person or cash or any other property, or (iii)
shall effect a capital reorganization or reclassification of the Common Stock
(other than a capital reorganization or reclassification resulting in the issue
of additional shares of Common stock for which adjustment is provided in this
Paragraph 9); then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so
that each share of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be converted
into, or exchanged for, one share of preferred stock of the acquiring
corporation entitling the holder thereof to all of the rights (including voting
rights), powers, privileges and preferences with respect to the acquiring
corporation to which the holder of a share of Series B Preferred Stock is
entitled with respect to the Corporation, and being subject with respect to the
acquiring corporation to the qualifications, limitations and restrictions to
which a share of
Series B Preferred Stock is subject with respect to the
Corporation.
10. VOLUNTARY ADJUSTMENT.
The Corporation may make, but shall not be obligated to make, such decreases in
the Conversion Price so as to increase the number of shares of Common Stock into
which the Series B Preferred Stock may be converted, in addition to those
required by Paragraph 9 above, as it considers to be advisable in order to avoid
federal income tax treatment as a dividend of stock or stock
rights.
11. NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION
PRICE. Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein
provided, the Corporation shall forthwith file with any transfer agent or agents
for the Series B Preferred Stock, if any, and at the principal office of the
Corporation, a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or a
Vice President and by the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary of the
Corporation setting forth the adjusted Conversion Price. The statement so
filed shall be open to inspection by any holder of record of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock. The Corporation shall also, at the time of filing any
such statement, mail notice to the same effect to the holders of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock at their addresses appearing on the books of the
Corporation or supplied by such holder to the Corporation for the purpose of
notice.
12. FRACTIONAL SHARES IN
CONVERSION. The Corporation shall not be required to issue
fractions of shares of Common Stock on the conversion of Series B Preferred
Stock. If any fraction of a share of Common Stock would be issuable upon
the conversion of a share, except for the provisions hereof, the Corporation
shall purchase such fraction for an amount in cash equal to the Conversion Price
multiplied by such fraction. If more than one certificate for shares of
Series B Preferred Stock shall be presented for conversion at any one time by
the same registered holder, the number of shares of Common Stock which shall be
issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares so
presented. All calculations under this Paragraph 12 shall be made to the
nearest one-hundredth of a share.
13. MUTILATED OR MISSING PREFERRED STOCK
CERTIFICATES. If any of the Series B Preferred Stock certificates
shall be mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Corporation shall issue, in
exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Series B
Preferred Stock certificate, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Series B
Preferred Stock certificate lost, stolen or destroyed, a new Series B Preferred
Stock certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent amount of shares
of Series B Preferred Stock, but only upon receipt of evidence of such loss,
theft or destruction of such Series B Preferred Stock certificate and indemnity,
if requested by the transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Stock or the
Corporation.
14. REISSUANCE OF PREFERRED
STOCK. Any shares of Series B Preferred Stock acquired by the
Corporation by reason of purchase, conversion or otherwise shall be canceled,
retired and eliminated from the shares of Series B Preferred Stock that the
Corporation shall be authorized to issue. All such shares shall upon their
cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, and may
be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock subject to the conditions
and restrictions on issuance set forth in the Articles of Incorporation or in
any Certificate of Designation creating a series of Preferred Stock or any
similar stock or as otherwise required by law.
15. BUSINESS DAY. If any
payment, redemption or exchange shall be required by the terms hereof to be made
on a day that banks are not open in the State of California, such payment,
redemption or exchange shall be made on the immediately succeeding day on which
such banks are open.
16. HEADINGS OF
SUBDIVISIONS. The headings of various subdivisions hereof are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of
the provisions hereof.
17. SEVERABILITY OF
PROVISIONS. If any right, preference or limitation of the Series B
Preferred Stock set forth herein is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being
enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other rights,
preferences and limitations set forth herein which can be given effect without
the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable right, preference or limitation shall,
nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no right, preference or
limitation herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other such right,
preference or limitation unless so expressed herein.
18. NOTICE TO THE COMPANY.
All notices and other communications required or permitted to be
given to the Corporation hereunder shall be made by courier to the Corporation
at its principal executive offices located at 6033 W. Century Blvd, Suite 895,
Los Angeles, 90045, Attention: Chief Executive Officer. Minor
imperfections in any such notice shall not affect the validity
thereof.
19. LIMITATIONS.
Except as may otherwise be required by law, the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock shall not have any powers, preferences or relative,
participating, optional or other special rights other than those specifically
set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.
The
shares of Common Stock shall be alike and equal in all respects and shall have
one vote for each share. After any requirements with respect to preferential
dividends, if any, on the Preferred Stock have been met, then, and not
otherwise, dividends payable in cash or in any other medium may be declared by
the Board of Directors and paid on the shares of Common Stock. After
distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, to be distributed to
the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up of the
Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of
the remaining assets of the Corporation of whatever kind available for
distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of
Common Stock held by them respectively.
FIFTH –
The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as
amended from time to time, shall have the power to indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation, or by reason of the fact that such person, at the request of
the Corporation, is or was serving any other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise in any capacity,
against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and,
with respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. No amendment or repeal of this Article
shall apply to or have any effect on any right to indemnification provided
hereunder with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such
amendment or repeal.
SIXTH – A
director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or
to its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director except for liability to the extent provided by applicable law (i) for
any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of
the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article shall apply
to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of
the Corporation for or with respect to any act or omission of such director
occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
SEVENTH –
In the furtherance and not in limitation of the objects, purposes and powers
conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the directors of the Corporation
shall have the power to adopt, repeal, rescind, alter or amend in any respect
the Bylaws of the Corporation.
EIGHTH –
The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who
is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee
benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or
incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the provisions of law.
NINTH –
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or
hereinafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders
are herein granted subject to this reservation.
TENTH –
The name and mailing address of the incorporator of the Corporation
are:
Ekong
Udoekwere
TroyGould
PC
1801
Century Park East, 16th
Floor
Los
Angeles, California 90067
I, the
undersigned, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of
forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, do make this Certificate hereby declaring and certifying that this is
my act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have
hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ______ 2010.
|
|
|
Ekong
Udoekwere, Incorporator
|
APPENDIX
E
BYLAWS
OF
GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
ARTICLE
I
OFFICES
Section 1.
Registered
Office. The registered office of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.
(the “Corporation”)
shall be at 40 East Division Street, Suite A, Dover, Delaware 19901, County of
Kent. The registered agent at this address is Paracorp
Incorporated.
Section 2.
Other Offices.
The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and
without the United States as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the
“Board of Directors”)
may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE
II
MEETINGS OF
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.
Place of
Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the election of
directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, either
within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to
time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a
duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2.
Annual
Meetings.
(a)
The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on
such date and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated
in the notice of the meeting, for the purpose of electing directors and for the
transaction of only such other business as is properly brought before the
meeting in accordance with these bylaws (“Bylaws”).
(b)
Written notice of an annual meeting stating the
place, date and hour of the meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled
to vote at such meeting at his, her or its address last known as the same
appears on the books of the Corporation, not less than ten (10) nor more than
sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.
(c)
To be properly brought before the annual meeting,
business must be either (i) specified in the notice of annual meeting (or any
supplement or amendment thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors, (ii) otherwise brought before the annual meeting by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before
the annual meeting by a stockholder. In addition to any other applicable
requirements, for business (other than with respect to the election of
directors) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of
the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to
or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not
less than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date on which the proxy
statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting was mailed to
stockholders, or if the Corporation did not hold an annual meeting in the prior
year or if the date of the annual meeting occurs more than thirty (30) days
before or after the anniversary of such immediately preceding annual meeting,
not later than the close of business on the later of the (i) 60th day
prior to such annual meeting, and (ii) 10th day
following the date on which public announcement of the date of such annual
meeting is first made. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the
Corporation shall set forth (a) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to
bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired
to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such
business at the annual meeting, and (ii) any material interest of the
stockholder in such business; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice
(i) the name and record address of the stockholder, and (ii) the class, series
and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are beneficially
owned by the stockholder. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the
contrary, no business shall be conducted at the annual meeting except in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 2.
The officer of the Corporation presiding at an annual meeting shall, if the
facts warrant, determine and declare to the annual meeting that business was not
properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the provisions of
this Article II, Section 2, and if such officer should so determine, such
officer shall so declare to the annual meeting and any such business not
properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
Section 3.
Special
Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by law or by the certificate
of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of
Incorporation”), special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or
purposes, may only be called by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, the
Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. Written notice of a
special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, shall be given
to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor
more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. Business
transacted at any special meeting shall be limited to the purposes stated in the
notice. The written certificate of the officer or officers calling any
special meeting setting forth the substance of the notice, and the time and
place of the mailing of same to the stockholders, and the respective addresses
to which the same were to be mailed, shall be prima facie evidence of the manner
and fact of the calling and giving such notice.
Section 4.
Quorum. Except
as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders
of outstanding shares of capital stock representing a majority of the voting
power of the Corporation, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of
business. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at
any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of the shares representing a
majority of the voting power, present in person or represented by proxy, and
entitled to vote at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting from time to time,
without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be
present or represented by proxy. At such adjourned meeting at which a
quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which
might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the
meeting.
Section 5.
Voting. Unless
otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the rules or
regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation or these Bylaws,
any matter or proposal (other than the election of directors) brought before any
meeting of stockholders shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a
majority of the stock represented and entitled to vote thereat. At all
meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes
cast shall be sufficient to elect. Each stockholder represented at a
meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of the
capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such stockholder, unless
otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation. Such votes may be
cast in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted after three years from
its date, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. The Board of
Directors, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a
meeting of stockholders, in his discretion, may require that any votes cast at
such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
Section 6.
Determination of
Stockholders of Record.
(a)
Meetings of
Stockholders. In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or
any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the
record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall
not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such
meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record
date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day immediately
preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the
close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting
is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the
meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned
meeting.
(b)
Consent of
Stockholders. In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall
not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days
after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by
the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of
Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board
of Directors is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), shall be the first
date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or
proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its
registered office in Delaware or its principal place of business, or to an
officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the books in which
proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. If no record date
has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of
Directors is required by the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders
entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at
the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the
resolution taking such prior action.
(c)
Dividends. In
order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights of the
stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change,
conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,
the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted,
and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such
action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining
stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day
on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto.
Section 7.
List of Stockholders
Entitled to Vote. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of
the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10)
days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the
address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of
each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business
hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a
place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be
specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place
where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept
at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be
inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is present.
Section 8.
Inspectors of
Election.
(a)
Appointment.
All elections of directors shall be by written ballot, unless otherwise provided
in the Certificate of Incorporation; the vote upon any other matter need not be
by ballot. In advance of any meeting of stockholders, the Board of
Directors may appoint one or more inspectors, who need not be stockholders, to
act at the meeting and to make a written report thereof. The Board of
Directors may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace
any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to
act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall
appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector,
before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an
oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and
according to the person’s best ability.
(b) Duties. The
inspectors shall ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power
of each, shall determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity
of proxies and ballots, shall count all votes and ballots, shall determine and
retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges
made to any determination by the inspectors, and shall certify their
determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count
of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other
persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of
the inspectors.
(c) Polls. The
date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon
which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the
meeting. No ballot, proxies or votes, nor any revocations thereof or
changes thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the
polls unless a court with appropriate jurisdiction upon application by a
stockholder shall determine otherwise.
(d) Reconciliation of Proxies
and Ballots. In determining the validity and counting of
proxies and ballots, the inspectors shall be limited to an examination of the
proxies, any envelopes submitted with those proxies, ballots and the regular
books and records of the Corporation, except that the inspectors may consider
other reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and
ballots submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers, their nominees or similar
persons which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by
the record owner to cast or more votes than the stockholder holds of
record. If the inspectors consider other reliable information for the
limited purpose permitted herein, the inspectors at the time they make their
certification pursuant to Subsection (b), above, shall specify the precise
information considered by them including the person or persons from whom they
obtained the information, when the information was obtained, the means by which
the information was obtained and the basis for the inspectors’ belief that such
information is accurate and reliable.
Section
9. Stock
Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only
evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger,
the list required by Section 7 of this Article II or the books of the
Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of
stockholders.
Section
10. Adjournment. Any
meeting of the stockholders, including one at which directors are to be elected,
may be adjourned for such periods as the presiding officer of the meeting or the
stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall
direct.
Section
11. Stockholder Action Without a
Meeting. Any action required to be taken at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders, or any action that may be taken at any annual
or special meeting of stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without
prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the
action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not
less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or
take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were
present and voted. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate
action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given
to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.
ARTICLE
III
DIRECTORS
Section
1. Powers; Number;
Qualifications. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as
maybe otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate
Incorporation. The number of directors that shall constitute the
Board of Directors shall be not less than three (3) or more than seven
(7). The exact number of directors shall be fixed from time to time
by the Board of Directors, within the limits specified in this Article III,
Section 1 or in the Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need
not be stockholders of the Corporation.
Section
2. Election; Term of Office;
Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Each director shall hold
office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s
earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity. Any
director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors or
to the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary of the
Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified
therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such
resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any director or
the entire Board of Directors may be removed by that vote of the stockholders of
the Corporation required under the DGCL. Unless otherwise provided in
the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or from any
other cause may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office,
although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and each director
so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and
until such director’s successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, or
until such director’s earlier resignation, removal from office, death or
incapacity.
Section
3. Nominations. Nominations
of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at a
meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be made at such meeting by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors, by any committee or persons appointed
by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to
vote for the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Article III, Section 3. Such
nominations by any stockholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice in
writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a
stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 120 days prior to
the anniversary of the date on which the proxy statement for the immediately
preceding annual meeting was mailed to stockholders, or if the Corporation did
not hold an annual meeting in the prior year or if the date of the annual
meeting occurs more than thirty (30) days before or after the anniversary of
such immediately preceding annual meeting, then not later than the close of
business on the later of the (i) 60th day
prior to such annual meeting, and (ii) 10th day
following the date on which public announcement of the date of such annual
meeting is first made. Such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary
shall set forth (1) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election or reelection as a director, (a) the name, age, business address
and residence address of the person, (b) the principal occupation or employment
of the person, (c) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation which are beneficially owned by the person, and (d) any other
information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Rules and
Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 14 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (2) as to the stockholder
giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the stockholder and (b) the
class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are
beneficially owned by the stockholder. The Corporation may require
any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be
required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed
nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation. No person shall be
eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in
accordance with the procedures set forth herein. The officer of the
Corporation presiding at an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant,
determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in
accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall
so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be
disregarded.
Section
4. Meetings. The
Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and
special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Regular
meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and
at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of
Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called
by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation,
or by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Notice thereof
stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director
either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the
meeting, by telephone or telegram on twenty-four (24) hours notice, or on such
shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary
or appropriate in the circumstances.
Section
5. Quorum. Except
as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board of Directors or any
committee thereof, a majority of the entire Board of Directors or such
committee, as the case may be, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at
which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors or such
committee, as the case may be. If a quorum shall not be present at
any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof, a majority of
the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a
quorum shall be present.
Section
6. Board Action without
Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at
any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken
without a meeting, if all the members of the Board of Directors or committee, as
the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are
filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or
committee.
Section
7. Meetings by Means of
Conference Telephone. Unless otherwise provided by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may
participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of
a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a
meeting pursuant to this Section 7 shall constitute presence in person at
such meeting.
Section
8. Committees of the Board of
Directors.
(a) The
Board of Directors may from time to time establish standing committees or
special committees of the Board of Directors including, but not limited to, an
Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nomination Committee, each of
which shall have such powers and functions set forth below or as may be
delegated to it by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may
abolish any committee established by or pursuant to this Article III,
Section 8, as it may deem advisable. Each such committee shall
consist of one or more directors, the exact number being determined from time to
time by the Board of Directors. Designations of the chairman and
members of each such committee, and, if desired, a vice chairman and alternates
for members, shall be made by the Board of Directors. Each such
committee may have a secretary who shall be designated by its chairman and shall
keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors as directed by the
committee. The vice chairman of a committee shall act as the chairman
of the committee in the absence or disability of the chairman.
(b) The
Board of Directors, or any committee, officer or employee of the Company may
establish additional standing committees or special committees to serve in an
advisory capacity or in such other capacities as may be permitted by law, by the
Certificate of Incorporation and by these Bylaws. The members of any
such committee need not be members of the Board of Directors. Any
committee established pursuant to this paragraph may be abolished by the person
or body by whom it was established as he, she or it may deem
advisable. Each such committee shall consist of two or more members,
the exact number being determined from time to time by such person or
body. Designations of members of each such committee and, if desired,
alternates for members, shall be made by such person or body, at whose will all
such members and alternates shall serve.
Section
9. Compensation. The
directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of
the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed amount (in cash or other form of
consideration) for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a
stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any
director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving
compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may
be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
ARTICLE
IV
OFFICERS
Section
1. General. The
officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall
consist of: a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, a President, a
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, and a Secretary. The Board of
Directors, in its discretion, may also elect one or more Vice Presidents,
Assistant Secretaries and such other officers as in the judgment of the Board of
Directors may be necessary or desirable. Any number of offices may be
held by the same person and more than one person may hold the same office,
unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders of
the Corporation nor need such officers be directors of the
Corporation.
Section
2. Election. The
Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of
stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold their
offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as
shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; and all
officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen
and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Except
as otherwise provided in this Article IV, any officer elected by the Board of
Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
Corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section
3. Voting Securities Owned by
the Corporation. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of
notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned
by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the
Corporation by the Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President, and
any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all
such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy
at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation
may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any
and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and
which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed
if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to
time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section
4. Chairman of the
Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be a member of the
Board of Directors, and shall exercise and perform such duties and have such
powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws, all in
accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to the oversight of
the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall
be responsible for scheduling all Board of Directors meetings, annual
stockholder meetings, Board of Directors retreats and other activities
pertaining to the Board of Directors. He shall also ensure that
meeting agendas cover all matters of importance to the Board of Directors and be
responsible for making all arrangements for meetings, to include proper notice
as provided for herein. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall
also insure that the agenda of meetings is followed and be responsible for
communication between the Board of Directors and management, during the period
between meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall
monitor the performance of the Board of Directors as a collective body and as
individual members and shall otherwise insure the setting and maintaining of
policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
Section
5. Chief Executive
Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall
supervise, coordinate and manage the Corporation’s business and activities and
supervise, coordinate and manage its operating expenses and capital allocation,
shall have general authority to exercise all the powers necessary for the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties and
have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these
Bylaws, all in accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to
the oversight of the Board of Directors. In the absence or disability
of the Chairman of the Board, the duties of the Chairman of the Board shall be
performed and the Chairman of the Board’s authority may be exercised by the
Chief Executive Officer and, in the event the Chief Executive Officer is absent
or disabled, such duties shall be performed and such authority may be exercised
by a director designated for such purpose by the Board of
Directors.
Section
6. President. The
President shall have general authority to exercise all the powers necessary for
the President of the Corporation and shall perform such other duties and have
such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these
Bylaws, all in accordance with basic policies as established by and subject to
the oversight of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive
Officer. In the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer,
the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Executive Officer’s
authority (other than the Chief Executive Officer’s authority to perform the
duties of the Chairman of the Board in the absence or disability of the Chairman
of the Board) may be exercised by the President. In the event the
President is absent or disabled, such authority may be exercised by a director
designated for such purpose by the Board of Directors.
Section
7. Chief Financial
Officer/Treasurer. The Chief Financial Officer and/or
Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall
keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging
to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in
the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be
designated by the Board of Directors. The Chief Financial Officer
and/or Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered
by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and
shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at its regular
meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his
transactions as Chief Financial Officer and/or Treasurer and of the financial
condition of the Corporation. If required by the Board of Directors,
the Chief Financial Officer and/or Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond
in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the
Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and
for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation,
retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and
other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging
to the Corporation.
Section
8. Vice
Presidents. The Board of Directors may appoint one or more
Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall perform such duties and
have such powers as the Board of Directors from time to time may
prescribe. In the absence or disability of the President, the duties
of the President and the President’s authority (other than the President’s
authority to perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer in the absence or
disability of the Chief Executive Officer) may be exercised by any
Vice-President. If the Board of Directors has appointed more than one
Vice President, then the Board of Directors shall establish the order of
succession of the Vice Presidents to the duties and authority of the
President.
Section
9. Secretary. The
Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings
of stockholders and record all the proceedings thereat in a book or books to be
kept for that purpose; the Secretary shall also perform like duties for the
standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause
to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of
the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed
by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
Officer or the President, under whose supervision the Secretary shall
be. If the Secretary shall be unable or shall refuse to cause to be
given notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the
Board of Directors, and if there be no Assistant Secretary, then the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the
President may
choose another officer to cause such notice to be given. The
Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation and the Secretary or
any Assistant Secretary, if there be one, shall have authority to affix the same
to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the
signature of the Secretary or by the signature of any such Assistant
Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any
other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by
his signature. The Secretary shall see that all books, reports,
statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be
kept or filed are properly kept or filed, as the case may be.
Section
10. Other
Officers. Such other officers as the Board of Directors may
choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may
be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such
other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and
powers.
ARTICLE
V
STOCK
Section
1. Certificates of
Stock. Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation may be
certificated or uncertificated, as provided under the DGCL. Each stockholder,
upon written request to the transfer agent or registrar of the Corporation,
shall be entitled to a certificate of the capital stock of the Corporation in
such form as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Such
certificate shall bear the Corporation seal and shall be signed (i) by the Chief
Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President, and (ii) by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares
owned by him in the Corporation. The Corporation seal and the
signatures by corporation officers may be facsimiles if the certificate is
manually countersigned by an authorized person on behalf of a transfer agent or
registrar other than the Corporation or its employee. In case any officer,
transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been
placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar
were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the time of its issue. Every
certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer
and every certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more
than one class or series of stock shall contain such legend with respect thereto
as is required by law. The Corporation shall be permitted to issue fractional
shares.
Section
2. Signatures. Any
or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile, including, but
not limited to, signatures of officers of the Corporation and countersignatures
of a transfer agent or registrar. In case an officer, transfer agent
or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar
before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the
same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date
of issue.
Section
3. Lost
Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new
certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the
Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be
lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new
certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition
precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in
such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the
Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim
that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged
to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section
4. Transfers. Subject to
any restrictions on transfer and unless otherwise provided by the Board of
Directors, shares of stock may be transferred only on the books of the
Corporation, if such shares are certificated, by the surrender to the
Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate therefore properly endorsed
or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed,
or upon proper instructions from the holder of uncertificated shares, in each
case with such proof of the authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its
transfer agent may reasonably require.
ARTICLE
VI
DIVIDENDS
Section
1. The
Board of Directors shall have power to reserve over and above the capital stock
paid in, such an amount in its discretion as it may deem advisable to fix as a
reserve fund, and may, from time to time, declare dividends from the accumulated
profits of the Corporation in excess of the amounts so reserved, and pay the
same to the stockholders of the Corporation, and may also, if it deems the same
advisable, declare stock dividends of the unissued capital stock of the
Corporation.
ARTICLE
VII
AMENDMENTS
Section
1. By
Stockholders. Amendments and changes to these Bylaws may be
made by a vote of, or a consent in writing signed individually or collectively
by, the holders of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation
having that number of votes equal to at least a majority of the votes entitled
to vote on matters presented to stockholders (other than the election of
directors).
Section
2. By
Directors. Amendments and changes to these Bylaws may be made
at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of not
less than a majority of the entire Board of Directors, or may be made by a
consent in writing signed individually or collectively by all of the entire
Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
VIII
CORPORATE
SEAL
Section
1. The
Corporation shall have a corporate seal, which shall have inscribed thereon the
name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate
Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner
reproduced.
ARTICLE
IX
INDEMNIFICATION
Section
1. Nature of
Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party or is
threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(hereinafter a “Proceeding”), by reason of the
fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative,
is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent
of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the
fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the DGCL, as the same exists or
may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with such Proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his
or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as
provided in Article IX, Section 2, below, the Corporation shall
indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a
proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by
the Board of Directors. The right to indemnification conferred in
this Article IX shall be a contract right and, subject to Sections 2 and 5
hereof, shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses
incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final
disposition. The Corporation may, by action of its Board of
Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation
with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and
officers.
Section
2. Procedure for
Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification
of a director or officer of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article IX
or advance of expenses under Section 5 of this Article IX shall be made
promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days, upon the written request of
the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that
the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article
IX is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a
written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved
the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for
indemnification or advancing of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in
full pursuant to such request is not made within thirty (30) days, the right to
indemnification or advances as granted by this Article IX shall be enforceable
by the director or officer in any court of competent
jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection
with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or
in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the
Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an
action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking,
if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the
standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the
Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of
such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the
Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances
because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the
DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has
not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or
create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct.
Section
3. Article Not
Exclusive. The rights to indemnification and the payment of
expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition
conferred in this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other right which any
person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise.
Section
4. Insurance. The
Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf
of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of
the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation
would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this
Article IX.
Section
5. Expenses. Expenses
incurred by any person described in Section 1 of this Article IX in defending a
proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of such proceeding’s
final disposition upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director
or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or
she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. Such
expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms
and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems
appropriate.
Section
6. Employees and
Agents. Persons who are not covered by the foregoing
provisions of this Article IX and who are or were employees or agents of the
Corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as
employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or
from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section
7. Contract
Rights. The provisions of this Article IX shall be deemed to
be a contract right between the Corporation and each director or officer who
serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article IX and the relevant
provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or
modification of this Article IX or any such law shall not affect any rights or
obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts proceeding then
existing.
ARTICLE
X
WAIVERS OF NOTICE AND
EXCEPTIONS TO NOTICE REQUIREMENTS
Section
1. Waivers of
Notice.
(a) Written
Waiver. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any
provision of the DGCL or of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a
written waiver, signed by the person or persons entitled to the notice, whether
before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to
notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of,
any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, Board of Directors or
members of a committee of the Board of Directors need be specified in any
written waiver of notice of such meeting.
(b) Waiver by
Attendance. Attendance of a person at a meeting, either in
person or by proxy, shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except
where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the
beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting
was not lawfully called or convened.
Section
2. Exception to Requirements of
Notice.
(a) General
Rule. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any
provision of the DGCL or of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to
any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to
such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any
governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to
such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held
without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have
the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given.
(b) Stockholders Without
Forwarding Addresses. Whenever notice is required to be given,
under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws, to any stockholder to whom (i) notice of two consecutive annual
meetings, and all notices of meetings or of the taking of action by written
consent without a meeting to such person during the period between such two
consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all, and at least two (2), payments (if
sent by first class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a twelve
(12) month period, have been mailed addressed to such person at his address as
shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable,
the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required. Any
action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to such person
shall have the same force and effect as if such notice setting forth the
person’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such
person shall be reinstated.
APPENDIX
F
FORM
OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE (ARTICLES) OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT
“Upon the
effective date of this amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation [or if the Reincorporation Merger is not approved, the “Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation”], and without further
action on the part of the Corporation or its stockholders, each _______ shares
of the Corporation’s Common Stock then issued and outstanding shall be combined
into and become one fully paid and nonassessable share of Common
Stock. Fractional shares shall be [rounded up to the next whole
share] [exchanged for
the money value thereof]. To reflect such reverse stock split,
each certificate representing shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
prior to the reverse stock split (subject to the treatment of fractional shares,
as provided above) shall represent one-______ of the number of shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding prior to such reverse stock split; and the holder
of record of each such certificate may receive a new certificate representing
one-______ of the number of shares of Common Stock represented by said
certificate for theretofore issued and outstanding shares.”
APPENDIX
G
DISSENTERS’
RIGHTS
UTAH
REVISED BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT SECTIONS 16-10(a)-1301 ET. SEQ.
16-10a-1301.
Definitions.
For
purposes of Part 13:
(1)
“Beneficial shareholder” means the person who is a beneficial owner of shares
held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
(2)
“Corporation” means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the
corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or share
exchange of that issuer.
(3)
“Dissenter” means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from corporate action
under Section 16-10a-1302 and who exercises that right when and in the manner
required by Sections 16-10a-1320 through 16-10a-1328.
(4) “Fair
value” with respect to a dissenter’s shares, means the value of the shares
immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which the
dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of
the corporate action.
(5)
“Interest” means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until
the date of payment, at the statutory rate set forth in Section 15-1-1,
compounded annually.
(6)
“Record shareholder” means the person in whose name shares are registered in the
records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares that are registered
in the name of a nominee to the extent the beneficial owner is recognized by the
corporation as the shareholder as provided in Section 16-10a-723.
(7)
“Shareholder” means the record shareholder or the beneficial
shareholder.
16-10a-1302.
Right to dissent.
(1) A
shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, is entitled to dissent from, and
obtain payment of the fair value of shares held by him in the event of, any of
the following corporate actions:
(a)
consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party
if:
(i)
shareholder approval is required for the merger by Section 16-10a-1103 or the Certificate
of Incorporation; or
(ii) the
corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent under Section 16-10a-1104;
(b)
consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party as
the corporation whose shares will be acquired;
(c)
consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or
substantially all, of the property of the corporation for which a shareholder
vote is required under Subsection 16-10a-1202(1), but not
including a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all
of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to the shareholders within
one year after the date of sale; and
(d)
consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or
substantially all, of the property of an entity controlled by the corporation if
the shareholders of the corporation were entitled to vote upon the consent of
the corporation to the disposition pursuant to Subsection 16-10a-1202(2).
(2) A
shareholder is entitled to dissent and obtain payment of the fair value of his
shares in the event of any other corporate action to the extent the Certificate
of Incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors so
provides.
(3)
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, except to the extent
otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution
of the board of directors, and subject to the limitations set forth in
Subsection (4), a shareholder is not entitled to dissent and obtain payment
under Subsection (1) of the fair value of the shares of any class or series of
shares which either were listed on a national securities exchange registered
under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or on the
National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System, or were held of record by more than 2,000
shareholders, at the time of:
(a) the
record date fixed under Section 16-10a-707 to determine the
shareholders entitled to receive notice of the shareholders’ meeting at which
the corporate action is submitted to a vote;
(b) the
record date fixed under Section 16-10a-704 to determine
shareholders entitled to sign writings consenting to the proposed corporate
action; or
(c) the
effective date of the corporate action if the corporate action is authorized
other than by a vote of shareholders.
(4) The
limitation set forth in Subsection (3) does not apply if the shareholder will
receive for his shares, pursuant to the corporate action, anything
except:
(a)
shares of the corporation surviving the consummation of the plan of merger or
share exchange;
(b)
shares of a corporation which at the effective date of the plan of merger or
share exchange either will be listed on a national securities exchange
registered under the federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or on
the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System, or will be held of record by more than 2,000
shareholders;
(c) cash
in lieu of fractional shares; or
(d) any
combination of the shares described in Subsection (4), or cash in lieu of
fractional shares.
(5) A
shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his shares under this
part may not challenge the corporate action creating the entitlement unless the
action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to him or to the
corporation.
16-10a-1303.
Dissent by nominees and beneficial owners.
(1) A
record shareholder may assert dissenters’ rights as to fewer than all the shares
registered in his name only if the shareholder dissents with respect to all
shares beneficially owned by any one person and causes the corporation to
receive written notice which states the dissent and the name and address of each
person on whose behalf dissenters’ rights are being asserted. The rights of a
partial dissenter under this subsection are determined as if the shares as to
which the shareholder dissents and the other shares held of record by him were
registered in the names of different shareholders.
(2) A
beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters’ rights as to shares held on his
behalf only if:
(a) the
beneficial shareholder causes the corporation to receive the record
shareholder’s written consent to the dissent not later than the time the
beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters’ rights; and
(b) the
beneficial shareholder dissents with respect to all shares of which he is the
beneficial shareholder.
(3) The
corporation may require that, when a record shareholder dissents with respect to
the shares held by any one or more beneficial shareholders, each beneficial
shareholder must certify to the corporation that both he and the record
shareholders of all shares owned beneficially by him have asserted, or will
timely assert, dissenters’ rights as to all the shares unlimited on the ability
to exercise dissenters’ rights. The certification requirement must be stated in
the dissenters’ notice given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1322.
16-10a-1320.
Notice of dissenters’ rights.
(1) If a
proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302
is submitted to a vote at a shareholders’ meeting, the meeting notice must be
sent to all shareholders of the corporation as of the applicable record date,
whether or not they are entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state
that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters’ rights under this
part. The notice must be accompanied by a copy of this part and the materials,
if any, that under this chapter are required to be given the shareholders
entitled to vote on the proposed action at the meeting. Failure to give notice
as required by this subsection does not affect any action taken at the
shareholders’ meeting for which the notice was to have been given.
(2) If a
proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302
is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to Section 16-10a-704,
any written or oral solicitation of a shareholder to execute a written consent
to the action contemplated by Section 16-10a-704 must be accompanied or preceded
by a written notice stating that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert
dissenters’ rights under this part, by a copy of this part, and by the
materials, if any, that under this chapter would have been required to be given
to shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed action if the proposed action
were submitted to a vote at a shareholders’ meeting. Failure to give written
notice as provided by this subsection does not affect any action taken pursuant
to Section 16-10a-704 for which the notice was to have been
given.
16-10a-1321.
Demand for payment — Eligibility and notice of intent.
(1) If a
proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is submitted to a
vote at a shareholders’ meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters’
rights:
(a) must
cause the corporation to receive, before the vote is taken, written notice of
his intent to demand payment for shares if the proposed action is effectuated;
and
(b) may
not vote any of his shares in favor of the proposed action.
(2) If a
proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized
without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to Section 16-10a-704, a shareholder who
wishes to assert dissenters’ rights may not execute a writing consenting to the
proposed corporate action.
(3) In
order to be entitled to payment for shares under this part, unless otherwise
provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution adopted by
the board of directors, a shareholder must have been a shareholder with respect
to the shares for which payment is demanded as of the date the proposed
corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is approved by the
shareholders, if shareholder approval is required, or as of the effective date
of the corporate action if the corporate action is authorized other than by a
vote of shareholders.
(4) A
shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of Subsections (1) through (3)
is not entitled to payment for shares under this part.
16-10a-1322.
Dissenters’ notice.
(1) If
proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302 is authorized, the
corporation shall give a written dissenters’ notice to all shareholders who are
entitled to demand payment for their shares under this part.
(2) The
dissenters’ notice required by Subsection (1) must be sent no later than 10 days
after the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters’ rights
under Section 16-10a-1302, and
shall:
(a) state
that the corporate action was authorized and the effective date or proposed
effective date of the corporate action;
(b) state
an address at which the corporation will receive payment demands and an address
at which certificates for certificated shares must be deposited;
(c)
inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of the shares
will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
(d)
supply a form for demanding payment, which form requests a dissenter to state an
address to which payment is to be made;
(e) set a
date by which the corporation must receive the payment demand and by which
certificates for certificated shares must be deposited at the address indicated
in the dissenters’ notice, which dates may not be fewer than 30 nor more than 70
days after the date the dissenters’ notice required by Subsection (1) is
given;
(f) state
the requirement contemplated by Subsection 16-10a-1303(3), if the
requirement is imposed; and
(g) be
accompanied by a copy of this part.
16-10a-1323.
Procedure to demand payment.
(1) A
shareholder who is given a dissenters’ notice described in Section 16-10a-1322, who meets the
requirements of Section 16-10a-1321, and wishes to
assert dissenters’ rights must, in accordance with the terms of the dissenters’
notice:
(a) cause
the corporation to receive a payment demand, which may be the payment demand
form contemplated in Subsection 16-10a-1322(2)(d), duly
completed, or may be stated in another writing;
(b)
deposit certificates for his certificated shares in accordance with the terms of
the dissenters’ notice; and
(c) if
required by the corporation in the dissenters’ notice described in Section 16-10a-1322, as contemplated
by Section 16-10a-1327,
certify in writing, in or with the payment demand, whether or not he or the
person on whose behalf he asserts dissenters’ rights acquired beneficial
ownership of the shares before the date of the first announcement to news media
or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action creating
dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302.
(2) A
shareholder who demands payment in accordance with Subsection (1) retains all
rights of a shareholder except the right to transfer the shares until the
effective date of the proposed corporate action giving rise to the exercise of
dissenters’ rights and has only the right to receive payment for the shares
after the effective date of the corporate action.
(3) A
shareholder who does not demand payment and deposit share certificates as
required, by the date or dates set in the dissenters’ notice, is not entitled to
payment for shares under this part.
16-10a-1324.
Uncertificated shares.
(1) Upon
receipt of a demand for payment under Section 16-10a-1323 from a shareholder
holding uncertificated shares, and in lieu of the deposit of certificates
representing the shares, the corporation may restrict the transfer of the shares
until the proposed corporate action is taken or the restrictions are released
under Section 16-10a-1326.
(2) In
all other respects, the provisions of Section 16-10a-1323 apply to
shareholders who own uncertificated shares.
16-10a-1325.
Payment.
(1)
Except as provided in Section 16-10a-1327, upon the later of
the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under
Section 16-10a-1302, and
receipt by the corporation of each payment demand pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323, the corporation
shall pay the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the
dissenter’s shares, plus interest to each dissenter who has complied with
Section 16-10a-1323, and
who meets the requirements of Section 16-10a-1321, and who has not
yet received payment.
(2) Each
payment made pursuant to Subsection (1) must be accompanied by:
(a) (i)
(A) the corporation’s balance sheet as of the end of its most recent fiscal
year, or if not available, a fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before
the date of payment;
(B) an
income statement for that year;
(C) a
statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for that year and a statement of
cash flow for that year, if the corporation customarily provides such statements
to shareholders; and
(D) the
latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(ii) the
balance sheet and statements referred to in Subsection (i) must be audited if
the corporation customarily provides audited financial statements to
shareholders;
(b) a
statement of the corporation’s estimate of the fair value of the shares and the
amount of interest payable with respect to the shares;
(c) a
statement of the dissenter’s right to demand payment under Section 16-10a-1328; and
(d) a
copy of this part.
16-10a-1326.
Failure to take action.
(1) If
the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under
Section 16-10a-1302 does
not occur within 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by
which the corporation must receive payment demands as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, the corporation
shall return all deposited certificates and release the transfer restrictions
imposed on uncertificated shares, and all shareholders who submitted a demand
for payment pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323 shall thereafter
have all rights of a shareholder as if no demand for payment had been
made.
(2) If
the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under
Section 16-10a-1302
occurs more than 60 days after the date set by the corporation as the date by
which the corporation must receive payment demands as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, then the
corporation shall send a new dissenters’ notice, as provided in Section 16-10a-1322, and the
provisions of Sections 16-10a-1323 through 16-10a-1328 shall again be
applicable.
16-10a-1327.
Special provisions relating to shares acquired after announcement of proposed
corporate action.
(1) A
corporation may, with the dissenters’ notice given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1322, state the date of
the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the
proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under Section 16-10a-1302 and state that a
shareholder who asserts dissenters’ rights must certify in writing, in or with
the payment demand, whether or not he or the person on whose behalf he asserts
dissenters’ rights acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date.
With respect to any dissenter who does not certify in writing, in or with the
payment demand that he or the person on whose behalf the dissenters’ rights are
being asserted, acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date,
the corporation may, in lieu of making the payment provided in Section 16-10a-1325, offer to make
payment if the dissenter agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his
demand.
(2) An
offer to make payment under Subsection (1) shall include or be accompanied by
the information required by Subsection 16-10a-1325(2).
16-10a-1328.
Procedure for shareholder dissatisfied with payment or offer.
(1) A
dissenter who has not accepted an offer made by a corporation under Section
16-10a-1327 may notify
the corporation in writing of his own estimate of the fair value of his shares
and demand payment of the estimated amount, plus interest, less any payment made
under Section 16-10a-1325, if:
(a) the
dissenter believes that the amount paid under Section 16-10a-1325 or offered under
Section 16-10a-1327 is
less than the fair value of the shares;
(b) the
corporation fails to make payment under Section 16-10a-1325 within 60 days
after the date set by the corporation as the date by which it must receive the
payment demand; or
(c) the
corporation, having failed to take the proposed corporate action creating
dissenters’ rights, does not return the deposited certificates or release the
transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares as required by Section
16-10a-1326.
(2) A
dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section unless he causes
the corporation to receive the notice required by Subsection (1) within 30 days
after the corporation made or offered payment for his shares.
16-10a-1330.
Judicial appraisal of shares — Court action.
(1) If a
demand for payment under Section 16-10a-1328 remains
unresolved, the corporation shall commence a proceeding within 60 days after
receiving the payment demand contemplated by Section 16-10a-1328, and petition the
court to determine the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest. If
the corporation does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day period, it
shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unresolved the amount
demanded.
(2) The
corporation shall commence the proceeding described in Subsection (1) in the
district court of the county in this state where the corporation’s principal
office, or if it has no principal office in this state, Salt Lake County. If the
corporation is a foreign corporation, it shall commence the proceeding in the
county in this state where the principal office of the domestic corporation
merged with, or whose shares were acquired by, the foreign corporation was
located, or, if the domestic corporation did not have its principal office in
this state at the time of the transaction, in Salt Lake County.
(3) The
corporation shall make all dissenters who have satisfied the requirements of
Sections 16-10a-1321,
16-10a-1323, and 16-10a-1328, whether or not
they are residents of this state whose demands remain unresolved, parties to the
proceeding commenced under Subsection (2) as an action against their shares. All
such dissenters who are named as parties must be served with a copy of the
petition. Service on each dissenter may be by registered or certified mail to
the address stated in his payment demand made pursuant to Section 16-10a-1328. If no address is
stated in the payment demand, service may be made at the address stated in the
payment demand given pursuant to Section 16-10a-1323. If no address is
stated in the payment demand, service may be made at the address shown on the
corporation’s current record of shareholders for the record shareholder holding
the dissenter’s shares. Service may also be made otherwise as provided by
law.
(4) The
jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under Subsection
(2) is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as
appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the question of fair
value. The appraisers have the powers described in the order appointing them, or
in any amendment to it. The dissenters are entitled to the same discovery rights
as parties in other civil proceedings.
(5) Each
dissenter made a party to the proceeding commenced under Subsection (2) is
entitled to judgment:
(a) for
the amount, if any, by which the court finds that the fair value of his shares,
plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation pursuant to Section
16-10a-1325;
or
(b) for
the fair value, plus interest, of the dissenter’s after-acquired shares for
which the corporation elected to withhold payment under Section 16-10a-1327.
16-10a-1331.
Court costs and counsel fees.
(1) The
court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under Section 16-10a-1330 shall determine
all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses
of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs against
the corporation, except that the court may assess costs against all or some of
the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court
finds that the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith
in demanding payment under Section 16-10a-1328.
(2) The
court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the
respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a)
against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if the court finds
the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of Sections
16-10a-1320 through
16-10a-1328;
or
(b)
against either the corporation or one or more dissenters, in favor of any other
party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are
assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to
the rights provided by this part.
(3) If
the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of
substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may
award to those counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the
dissenters who were benefited.
APPENDIX
H
CHARTER
OF
THE
AUDIT
COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
GLOBAL
CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
PURPOSE
The
primary function of the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is to assist the Board
of Directors of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., (the “Corporation”) in
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to (i) the financial
reports and other financial information provided by the Corporation to its
shareholders and others, (ii) the Corporation’s system of internal control, and
(iii) the Corporation’s audit, accounting, and financial reporting processes
generally.
In
particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a purpose of
the Committee is to undertake the duties of an audit committee described in
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
and any other similar rules of any securities exchange or trading facility to
which the Corporation may become subject.
In
carrying out its purpose, the Committee shall (i) serve as an independent and
objective monitor of the performance of the Corporation’s financial reporting
process and system of internal control, (ii) review and appraise the audit
efforts of the Corporation’s independent accountants and internal accounting and
finance department, and (iii) provide for open, ongoing communication among the
independent accountants, financial and senior management and the Board of
Directors concerning the Corporation’s financial condition and results of
operations.
COMPOSITION
The
Committee shall be comprised of two or more directors, as determined by the
Board of Directors. The members of the Committee shall be appointed annually by
the Board of Directors. Each member shall meet the applicable independence and
experience requirements of the NASD, and at least one member of the Committee
shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. Except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, a majority of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum and shall be empowered to conduct any business that the
Committee is empowered to conduct. One member of the Committee shall be
designated the Chair, provided, however, that, in the absence of the designated
Chair, another member of the Committee shall be designated by the members
present, in person or by conference telephone call, and shall serve as
Chair.
MEETINGS
The
Committee shall meet at least four times annually, or more frequently as
circumstances dictate. The Committee shall meet at least annually, and more
often as warranted, with the independent accountants to discuss any matters that
the Committee or the auditors believes should be discussed privately. The
Committee shall maintain a high degree of independence both in establishing its
agenda and directly accessing various members of management. The Committee shall
meet annually with management regarding their systems of internal control,
results of audits, and accuracy of financial reporting. All such meetings may be
held in person or, at the option of the Chair, by conference telephone call or
any combination of the above. If any participant in any such meeting will
participate by conference telephone call, such participant shall, whenever
reasonably possible, be furnished with copies of financial statements, reports
or other significant documents to be discussed at the meeting so as to permit
such participant to engage in discussions of the subject matter of the meetings
in all material respects as if such participant had attended in person;
provided, however, that written or other materials generated at the meeting may,
at the option of the Chair, be described to a participant by conference
telephone call if, as a practical matter, such materials cannot be concurrently
electronically transmitted to such participant.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND
DUTIES
The
Committee’s responsibility is oversight, and it recognizes that the
Corporation’s management is responsible for preparing the Corporation’s
financial statements. Additionally, the Committee recognizes that financial
management, as well as the independent accountants, have more knowledge and more
detailed information about the Corporation than do the members of the Committee.
Consequently, in carrying out its oversight responsibilities the Committee is
not providing any expert or special assurance as to the Corporation’s financial
statements or any professional certification as to the independent accountants’
work.
The
following functions shall be the common recurring activities of the Committee in
carrying out its oversight responsibility. In particular, and without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall, to the extent it may
reasonably do so, undertake the responsibilities and duties prescribed by the
NASD, the Commission or other similar regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over
the financial affairs of the Corporation and the following list of functions
shall be deemed to include such responsibilities and duties, as they may be
promulgated from time to time, as if they were specifically listed below. The
functions listed below are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the
Committee may diverge from this guide as appropriate in the
circumstances.
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·
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Review
with a representative of financial management and the independent
accountants the financial information contained in the Corporation’s
Quarterly Report on Form 1O-Q prior to its filing, the Corporation’s
earnings announcements prior to release, and the results of the
independent accountants’ review of Interim Financial Information pursuant
to Statement of Accounting Standards (SAS) 71. The Chair may represent the
entire Committee, either in person or by telephone conference call, for
purposes of this review.
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·
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Review
with management and the independent accountants following the completion
of the annual audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements
included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year, and
prior to its filing:
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(1) the
Corporation’s annual consolidated financial statements and related
footnotes;
(2) the
independent accountants’ audit of the consolidated financial statements and
their report;
(3) any
significant changes required in the independent accountants’ examination
plan;
(4) any
serious difficulties or disputes with management encountered during the course
of the audit; and
(5) other
matters related to the conduct of the audit which are to be communicated to the
Committee under generally accepted auditing standards including discussions
relating to the independent accountants’ judgments about such matters as the
quality, not just the acceptability, of the Corporation’s accounting practices
and other items set forth in SAS 61 (Communication with Audit Committees) or
other such auditing standards that may in time modify, supplement or replace SAS
61.
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·
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On
an annual basis, the Committee should ensure receipt of, and review with
the independent accountants, a written statement required by Independence
Standards Board (ISB) Standard No. 1, as may be modified or supplemented.
The Committee will actively engage the independent accountants in a
dialogue regarding any disclosed relationships or services that may impact
their objectivity and independence. The Committee will recommend that the
Board of Directors take appropriate action on any disclosed relationships
that may reasonably be thought to bear on the independence of the
accountants and satisfy itself that the Corporation has engaged
independent accountants as required by the Securities Acts administered by
the Commission.
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·
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The
Committee will have prepared and review the Audit Committee Report for
inclusion in the proxy statement for the annual shareholders’ meeting. The
Audit Committee Report must state whether the
Committee:
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(1) has
reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements with
management;
(2) has
discussed with the independent accountants the matters required to be discussed
by SAS 61, as may be modified, supplemented or replaced; and
(3) has
received the written disclosures from the independent accountants regarding the
independent accountants’ independence required by ISB Standard No. 1, as may be
modified or supplemented, and has discussed with the accountants their
independence; and
(4) has
recommended to the Board of Directors, based on the review and discussions
referred to in above items (1) through (3), that the Corporation’s audited
consolidated financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the last fiscal year for filing with the Commission.
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·
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The
Committee and Board of Directors are responsible for the selection,
evaluation and, where appropriate, replacement of the independent
accountants. Selection for the ensuing calendar year will be submitted to
the shareholders for ratification or rejection at the annual meeting of
shareholders. Consistent with these responsibilities, it is recognized
that the independent accountants are ultimately accountable to the Board
of Directors and Committee.
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·
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Review
and reassess the adequacy of the Audit Committee Charter on an annual
basis. The charter will be included as an appendix to the annual
shareholders’ meeting proxy statement triennially or in the next annual
shareholders’ meeting proxy statement following any significant amendment
to the charter.
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·
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In
consultation with the independent accountants and the internal auditors,
regularly review the integrity of the Corporation’s financial reporting
processes and system of internal
control.
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·
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Review
and concur in the appointment, replacement, reassignment or dismissal of
the internal auditors. Confirm and assure the objectivity of the internal
auditors.
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·
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Review
the performance of the internal accounting and finance department,
including the objectivity and authority of its reporting obligations, the
proposed audit plans for the coming year, and the coordination of such
plans with the independent
accountants.
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·
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Review
from time to time as reasonably necessary the Corporation’s policies and
procedures with respect to officers’ expense accounts and perquisites,
including their use of corporate assets, and consider the results of any
review of these areas by the internal accounting and finance department or
the independent accountants.
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·
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Review
legal and regulatory matters that may have a material impact on the
Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, related compliance
policies and programs, and reports received from
regulators.
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OTHER POWERS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
In
addition to the activities described above, the Committee will perform such
other functions as necessary or appropriate under law, the Corporation’s
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, and the resolutions and other directives of
the Board of Directors.
The
Committee shall have the power to conduct or authorize investigations into any
matters within its scope of responsibilities and shall be empowered to retain
independent counsel, accountants, or others to assist it in the conduct of any
investigation.
The
duties and responsibilities of a member of the Committee are in addition to
those duties generally pertaining to a member of the Board of
Directors.
The
Committee will report its actions to the Board of Directors with such
recommendations as the Committee may deem appropriate.